Postharvest biochemistry and physiology,
Secondary metabolism

Research Interests:

The research program aims to develop an understanding of the biochemical and physiological processes involved in the postharvest deterioration of Ontario-grown horticulture. Limiting deterioration is important for the preservation of produce quality factors, such as antioxidant & nutrient status, colour, aroma, and firmness. Quality preservation is a pre-requisite for:

1. maintenance of health-promoting benefits in fruits and vegetables
2. optimization storage & shelf-life
3. marketability and consumer perception of commodities

Current Research:

Anthocyanins

A key component of fruits (i.e. apples, berries and stone fruits) and most flowers are the presence of blue, red and purple pigments, known as anthocyanins. Apart from their role in food colouration, anthocyanins are proposed to function as antioxidants, important for the prevention and reduced risk of chronic illnesses. On-going interests include the investigation of the key steps leading to the modification and/or loss of anthocyanins during pre-harvest and postharvest production.

Carotenoids

Carotenoids are pigments (visible as yellow, orange and red) that accumulate in green and non-green plastids. The functional roles in plants include light harvesting, photoprotection and some species (i.e. ß-carotene and lutein) have been shown to display human health benefits. Current interests include the biochemical and physiological processes leading to the stabilization of oxygenated carotenoids, known as xanthophylls. The lab is currently interested in defining the biochemical processes related to carotenoid fatty acid esterification.

UNDERGRADUATE & GRADUATE STUDENTS

Currently accepting applications for undergraduate and graduate (M.Sc. and Ph.D.) positions.

Selected Publications:

Eudes, A., G.G. Bozzo, J.C. Waller, V. Naponelli, E.-K. Lim, D.J. Bowles, J.F. Gregory 3rd and A.D. Hanson. (2008) Metabolism of the Folate Precursor p-Aminobenzoate in Plants: Glucose Ester Formation and Vacuolar Storage. J. Biol. Chem. (revised manuscript submitted).

Bozzo, G.G., G.J. Basset, V. Naponelli, A. Noiriel, J.F. Gregory 3rd and A.D. Hanson. (2008) Characterization of the Folate Salvage Enzyme p-Aminobenzoylglutamate Hydrolase in Plants. Phytochemistry 69: 29-37.

Orsomando, G., G.G. Bozzo, R.D. de la Garza, G.J. Basset, E.P. Quinlivan, V. Naponelli, F. Rébeillé, S. Ravanel, J.F. Gregory 3rd and A.D. Hanson. (2006) Evidence for Folate-Salvage Reactions in Plants. Plant J. 46: 426-435.

Bozzo, G.G., E.L. Dunn and W.C. Plaxton. (2006) Differential Synthesis of Phosphate-Starvation Inducible Purple Acid Phosphatase Isozymes in Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) Suspension Cells and Seedlings. Plant Cell Environ. 29: 303-313.

Klaus, S.M., E.R. Kunji, G.G. Bozzo, A. Noiriel, R.D. de la Garza, G.J. Basset, S. Ravanel, F. Rébeillé, J.F. Gregory 3rd and A.D. Hanson. (2005) Higher Plant Plastids and Cyanobacteria have Folate Carriers Related to those of Trypanosomatids. J. Biol. Chem. 280: 38457-38463.

Bozzo, G.G., K.G. Raghothama and W.C. Plaxton. (2004) Structural and Kinetic Properties of a Novel Purple Acid Phosphatase from Phosphate-Starved Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) Cell Cultures. Biochem. J. 377: 419-428.