Genome-wide association studies and genomic selection assays made in a large sample of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) germplasm reveal significant marker-trait associations and good predictive value for improving yield potential.

A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was undertaken to unravel marker-trait associations (MTAs) between SNP markers and phenotypic traits. It involved a subset of 421 cacao accessions from the large and diverse collection conserved ex situ at the International Cocoa Genebank Trinidad. A Mixed Linear Model (MLM) in TASSEL was used for the GWAS and followed by confirmatory analyses using GAPIT FarmCPU.

Morphological and genetic diversity of cacao ( L.) in Uganda.

Cocoa is among the top foreign exchange earners in Uganda's agriculture sector and has benefitted the livelihood of farmers involved in production. Although cacao cultivation was adopted in the early 1900s, little is known about the on-farm diversity of the crop. A total of 125 cacao landraces were surveyed from eight districts in the Central and Western Regions to evaluate the morphological and genetic diversity of cacao in Uganda.

Determination of ochratoxin A in cocoa beans using immunoaffinity column cleanup with high-performance liquid chromatography.

A method was developed and validated for the determination of ochratoxin A (OTA), a fungal metabolite, in cocoa beans of high fat content. The sample was extracted by blending with a 1% sodium bicarbonate solution (pH 10) followed by ultrasonication, and the sample was defatted by treatment with a flocculant. The defatted sample was purified using immunoaffinity column chromatography, and OTA was detected using HPLC with fluorescence detection.

Cocoa agronomy, quality, nutritional, and health aspects.

The history of cocoa and chocolate including the birth and the expansion of the chocolate industry was described. Recent developments in the industry and cocoa economy were briefly depicted. An overview of the classification of cacao as well as studies on phenotypic and genetic diversity was presented.