Ethanol content in cut roses at low oxygen atmosphere storage

Sweet cherries (Prunus avium `Bing') exposed to 113 or 117 °F (45 or 47 °C) in an atmosphere of 1% oxygen with 15% carbon dioxide (balance nitrogen) were heated to a maximum center temperature of 112 or 115 °F (44 or 46 °C) in 41 or 27 min, respectively. Heated cherries had similar incidence of pitting and decay, and similar preference ratings after 14 days of storage at 34 °F (1 °C) as nonheated or methyl bromide fumigated fruit. Heated cherries and methyl bromide fumigated cherries were less firm after 14 days of cold storage than nonheated, control fruit. The stems of methyl bromide fumigated cherries were less green than heated or nonheated cherries. Cherries exposed to 113 °F had lower titratable acidity than nonheated cherries, fumigated cherries, or cherries exposed to 117 °F. Cherry quality after 14 days of cold storage was not affected by hydrocooling before heating (5 min in water at 34 °F) or by method of cooling after heating (hydrocooling, forced air cooling, or static air cooling). Cherries stored for 14 days at 34 °F in 6% oxygen with 17% carbon dioxide (balance nitrogen) had similar market quality as cherries stored in air at 34 °F. Results suggest that `Bing' sweet cherry can tolerate heating in an atmosphere of low oxygen containing elevated carbon dioxide at doses that may provide quarantine security against codling moth (Cydia pomonella) and western cherry fruit fly (Rhagoletis cingulata).

Among the factors that affect in vitro embryo development, oxygen atmosphere is considered to be of great influence. In this study, we evaluated the influence of two different oxygen atmospheres during in vitro fertilization (IVF) of ovine oocytes on their developmental capacity and quality assessed by cryotolerance. Cumulus oocyte complexes derived from ovaries of slaughtered sheep were matured in vitro and subsequently fertilized under low (5%) or high (20%) oxygen atmospheres, and cultured in SOF + aa + 0.4% BSA in 5% CO2 and 5% O2 up to blastocyst stage. The cleavage rates obtained in the fertilization system at 20% O2 were significantly higher than those obtained in the 5% O2 fertilization system (61.2% vs 50.8%; p < 0.01). The distribution of cleaved oocytes at 22, 26 and 40 h of culture intervals was not different in the low or high O2 atmosphere (31.4%, 26.4% and 42.1% vs 28.0%, 29.3% and 42.7% respectively). Blastocysts output on the 6th day post-fertilization (dpf) was significantly higher when oocytes were fertilized under 5% O2 concentration (63.04% in 5% O2 vs 47.36% in 20% O2), while on the 7th dpf the higher number of blastocysts was obtained in the 20% O2 system (35.10%.in 20% O2 vs 26.09% in 5% O2). After vitrification no differences were observed between low or high oxygen atmosphere in the viability rates of blastocysts obtained on day 6 (93.6% vs 96.5%), on day 7 (46.3% vs 41.7%) and on day 8 (11.1% vs 6.6%). After differential staining, no significant differences were observed in the total cell number and inner cell mass and trophoblastic cells ratio of blastocysts produced on 6 dpf (189.6 +/- 51.3 and 0.260 +/- 0.07 vs 223.3 +/- 45.6 and 0.277 +/- 0.09), on 7 dpf (168.3 +/- 25.1 and 0.316 +/- 0.06 vs 172.1 +/- 33,6 and 0.320 +/- 0.06) and on 8 dpf (121.2 +/- 23,8 and 0.302 +/- 0.03 vs 117.0 +/- 35.1 and 0.313 +/- 0.04) under low or high oxygen atmosphere respectively). In conclusion, our data suggest that low oxygen atmosphere during IVF affects positively the production of high quality ovine blastocysts.

Preservation of human artery function following prolonged cold storage with a new solution

Chilling injury (CI), which causes seed browning in pepper, may arise following long-term cold storage, and is a major cause of postharvest losses. To explore potential strategies of minimizing the associated postharvest losses, the present study investigated the optimal pepper harvest time that could reduce levels of seed browning, in addition to the relationship between fruit maturity and seed browning. Fruits harvested 15 days after flowering (DAF) were sensitive to cold storage at 4 °C and exhibited 100% seed browning (CI index, 4.0); in contrast, the seed browning rate of fruits harvested 35 DAF was 10% (CI index, 0.4) within 7 days of cold storage. Seed antioxidant activity was higher in seeds harvested at early stages (15 DAF to 20 DAF) than in seeds harvested at later stages (40 DAF to 50 DAF) at the beginning of storage. Pericarps of fruit harvested at 50 DAF exhibited the highest antioxidant activity. Lipoxygenase, catalase, and peroxidase activity, and the expression levels of cell wall-related genes, pectin methylesterase-like protein, and endo-β-1,4-glucanase were higher in seeds of immature fruit harvested 15 DAF than in seeds of mature fruit harvested 35 DAF. The seeds of the fruit harvested 35 DAF were fully developed with the seed coat separated from the endosperm and did not turn brown under low-temperature storage. The lack of seed browning observed in mature fruit under low-temperature storage could be attributed to physical protection provided by the seed coat rather than cold stress resistance conferred by antioxidants.

Seven spot ladybird beetle, (Coccinella septempunctata) is a widely distributed natural enemy of soft-bodied insect pests especially aphids worldwide. Both the adult and larvae of this coccinellid beetle are voracious feeders and serve as a commercially available biological control agent around the globe. Different techniques are adopted to enhance the mass rearing and storage of this natural enemy by taking advantage of its natural ability to withstand under extremely low temperatures and entering diapause under unfavorable low temperature conditions. The key objective of this study was to develop a cost effective technique for enhancing the storage life and predatory potential of the larvae of C. septempunctata through cold storage in conjunction with the use of nuclear techniques, gamma radiations. Results showed that the host eating potential of larvae was enhanced as the cold storage duration was increased. Gamma irradiation further enhanced the feeding potential of larvae that were kept under cold storage. Different irradiation doses also affected the development time of C. septempuntata larvae significantly. Without cold storage, the lower radiation doses (10 and 25 GY) prolonged the developmental time as compared to un-irradiated larvae. Furthermore, the higher dose of radiation (50GY) increased the developmental time after removal from cold storage. This study first time paves the way to use radiation in conjunction with cold storage as an effective technique in implementation of different biological control approaches as a part of any IPM programs

The demand for high-quality nutritional products has increased fruit consumption, as grapes, for this reason postharvest techniques are required to prevent losses, to preserve quality, to extend shelf life, and to attend to consumer needs. In this way, the objective of this study was to evaluate strategies to control gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea in ‘BRS Nubia’ grapes during cold storage and shelf life periods. Grape bunches were harvested from a commercial vineyard in Marialva, Parana, Brazil. Grapes were subjected to the following treatments: cold storage at 2 ºC (control), cold storage at 2 ºC with SO2-generating pads, cold storage at 2 ºC and inoculated with B. cinerea suspension, and cold storage at 2 ºC with SO2-generating pads and inoculated with B. cinerea suspension. The experiment was conducted in a complete randomized design with five replications per treatment using four bunches per experimental unit. A factorial arrangement (absence/presence of SO2 pads × absence/presence of Botrytis inoculation) was applied. At the end of 30 days of cold storage and 7 days of shelf life (22 ºC), gray mold incidence, shattered berries, and physicochemical parameters were evaluated. The gray mold incidence on ‘BRS Nubia’ grapes decreased when SO2-generating pads were used during cold storage. Berry weight loss was greater in the treatments without SO2-generating pads after 30 days of cold storage followed by 7 days of shelf life. Berry firmness, soluble solids content (SS), total acidity (TA), SS/TA ratio, and anthocyanins concentration were not negatively affected by SO2-generating pad treatments. However, a slight increase in the shattered berries percentage was recorded for the SO2-generating pad treatments. No significant quality loss of ‘BRS Nubia’ grape was evident after 30 days of cold storage followed by 7 days of exposure at room temperature. In this context, SO2-generating pads can be used to control the gray mold incidence on ‘BRS Nubia’ table grapes during cold storage.

Summary The effects of oxygen and carbon dioxide (CD) on the ethanol and acetaldehyde contents of apple fruits after controlled atmosphere storage (CAS) were studied. Fruits of Golden Delicious and Idared, harvested at preclimacteric and optimum maturity and at the ripening stage, were subjected to a CD:oxygen combination of 0.00:1.00, 0.03:21.00, or 8.00:1.00% within 18 h after harvest. Jonagold and Golden Delicious fruits harvested at optimum maturity from 10-year-old trees on rootstock M9 were stored, after cooling to 3°C, under a CO:oxygen of 0.1:0.2, 0.3:0.9, or 0.03:21.00% for 20 days, after which the fruits were exposed again to 3°C. Melrose and Idared fruits harvested at optimum maturity were subjected to the same condition for 25 days. Acetaldehyde and ethanol were measured starting at the end of the storage period after 7.5 months. In general, the acetaldehyde content decreased from the preclimacteric period until the mild ripening stage. The acetaldehyde content was between 0.11 and 0.35 mg/litre in Golden Delicious and from 0.20 to 0.74 mg/litre in Idared. The acetaldehyde content of Jonagold was similar to that of Golden Delicious. Ethanol content was higher in fruits harvested at later dates. Under normal air atmosphere, fruits of Idared had higher acetaldehyde content than those of Jonagold and Golden Delicious. The acetaldehyde content of fruits did not significantly vary with atmosphere storage. Ethanol concentration was higher under extreme (8% CO + 1% oxygen) than regular (0.03% CO + 21% oxygen) and low atmosphere conditions (1% CO + 1% oxygen). Jonagold consistently recorded lower ethanol level than Golden Delicious and Idared.

Peach (Prunus persica L.) fruits exhibit limited postharvest shelf and storage life due to rapid softening. Therefore, in the present study effect of cold storage was investigated on postharvest chilling injury (CI) and fruit quality during ripening following cold storage on five peach cultivars including ‘Peach Select No. 3’ (PS-3), ‘Florida Gold’ (FG) and ‘Florida King’ (FK) as early season maturing, and ‘Indian Blood’ (IB) and ‘Maria Delezia’ (MD) as late season maturing cultivars. Peach fruits harvested at commercial maturity were ripened at ambient conditions following cold storage for 0, 10 and 20 days at 0±1 °C with 80±5% RH. Data regarding peach fruit quality parameters and incidence of CI were recorded at fully ripe eating soft stage. Results indicated that apart from the cultivars, fruit weight loss, levels of soluble solid content (SSC) and sugars increased as the storage period was progressed. However, fruit firmness, titratable acidity (TA), and ascorbic acid content significantly reduced during cold storage. Among early season maturing peach cultivars, fruits of ‘FG’ and among late season maturing peach cultivars, fruits of ‘MD’ showed better postharvest shelf life and fruit quality during ripening following cold storage. The highest SSC and SSC: TA ratio were observed in ‘FG’ peach fruits; however, these fruits exhibited 50% and 75% CI after 10 and 20 days of cold storage, respectively. During first 10 days of cold storage, ‘PS-3’ peach fruits showed better taste with higher fruit firmness and ascorbic acid content, however, later on the highest level of CI was observed in these fruits. Among all the tested peach cultivars, the ‘IB’ peach fruits showed higher fruit firmness, lower weight loss, as well as acceptable biochemical fruit quality (SSC, SSC; TA, ascorbic acid content, total sugars) during 20 days of cold storage without showing any symptoms of CI.

1. The effects of prolonged cold storage on the mechanical and membranal responses to stimulation of alpha- and beta-adrenoceptors by phenylephrine and isoprenaline, respectively, were studied on the guinea-pig taenia caecum.2. Cold storage invariably caused a decrease in the resting membrane potential, and this effect was enhanced as the duration of treatment was prolonged.3. After cold storage (18 days) the tissue potassium ion content (89.7 +/- 1.7 mmol/kg wet wt.) was decreased to 30.5 +/- 1.9 mmol/kg wet wt. whereas that for sodium (69.2 +/- 1.4 mmol/kg wet wt.) increased to 134.0 +/- 2.3 mmol/kg wet wt.4. In the fresh preparations, phenylephrine (1 and 2 muM) caused a cessation of spontaneous action potentials, accompanied by hyperpolarization of the membrane and relaxation of the muscle. These effects were markedly diminished after 18 days of cold storage. Isoprenaline (1 and 2 muM) also blocked the action potentials and caused a concomitant muscle relaxation, but in most cases the hyperpolarization was not observed. After 14 days of cold storage these mechanical and membranal changes associated with isoprenaline treatment were not demonstrable in most preparations.5. Nicotine (5 muM and 50 muM) produced a biphasic effect, cessation of the action potential, hyperpolarization and subsequent relaxation followed by a long lasting depolarization, an accelerated discharge of action potentials and an increase in muscle tension. After a few days of cold storage the hyperpolarization effect disappeared but the intensity of the long-lasting depolarization as well as the contractile effects were increased. After cold storage for more than 7 days, nicotine did not affect mechanical or electrical activity.6. Dibutyryl 3'5' cyclic AMP (1 muM to 500 muM) failed to affect the mechanical and electrical activities of taenia caecum.7. Phenylephrine and isoprenaline had no effect on the high potassiumdepolarized taenia.8. These observations suggest that the electro-mechanical effect of an alpha-adrenoceptor stimulant on the guinea-pig taenia caecum is more resistant to cold treatment than that of a beta-adrenoceptor stimulant. This inhibitory system of stimulation of both a- and 8-receptors of guinea-pig taenia caecum may react by different mechanisms. The results also demonstrate that cold storage itself changes the membrane permeability to ions and the tissue ion content (Na+ and K+) of smooth muscle of guinea-pig taenia caecum.

The CO2 evolution of intact potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum, L., var. "Bintje") was analyzed during a 10-day period of their warm (25 +/- 2 degrees C) or cold (5 +/- 1 degrees C) storage, to evaluate cold-stress effects on expression and activities of plant uncoupling mitochondrial protein (PUMP) and alternative oxidase (AOX). CO2 evolution rates were analyzed at 20 degrees C, to reflect their possible capacities. The 20 degrees C CO2 production declined from 13 to 8 mg kg(-1) h(-1) after 2 days of warm storage and then (after 3 to 7 days) decreased from 8 to 6.5 mg kg(-1) h(-1). In contrast, 20 degrees C CO2 evolution did not change after the first day of cold storage, increased up to 14.5 mg kg(-1) h(-1) after 2 days, and decreased to about 12 mg kg(-1) h(-1) after 3 to 7 days of cold storage. Cold storage increased PUMP expression as detected by Western blots and led to elevated capacities of both PUMP (44%) and CN-resistant AOX (10 times), but not the cytochrome pathway. Since we found that cold storage led to about the same mitochondrial respiration of 40 nmol O2 min(-1) mg(-1) attributable to each of the respective proteins, we conclude that both AOX and PUMP equally contribute to adaptation of potato tubers to cold.

`Cortland' and `Law Rome' apples [ Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill var. domestica (Borkh.) Mansf.] were either nontreated or treated with the inhibitor of superficial scald development, DPA, and exposed to air or CO 2 (40 or 45 kPa) in air at 2 °C for up to 12 days. Fruit exposed to air or 45 kPa CO 2 were sampled during treatment, and peel and flesh samples taken for fermentation product and organic acid analyses. After treatment, fruit were air stored for up to 6 months at 0.5 °C for evaluation of disorder incidence. `Cortland' apples were most susceptible to external CO 2 injury and `Law Rome' to internal CO 2 injury. DPA treatment markedly reduced incidence of both external and internal injury. Fermentation products increased in peel and flesh of both cultivars with increasing exposure to CO 2 , but the extent of the increase was cultivar dependant. Acetaldehyde concentrations were about 10 times higher in peel and flesh of `Law Rome' than that of `Cortland' apples. Ethanol concentrations in the flesh were similar in both cultivars, but were about twice as high in `Cortland' than in `Law Rome' peels. Neither acetaldehyde nor ethanol concentrations were affected consistently by DPA treatment. Succinate concentrations, often regarded as the compound responsible for CO 2 injury, increased with CO 2 treatment, but were not affected by DPA application. Citramalate concentrations were reduced by CO 2 treatment in `Law Rome' peel, but other acids were not consistently affected by CO 2 . Results indicate that acetaldehyde, ethanol or succinic acid accumulation are not directly responsible for CO 2 injury in apples. Chemical name used: diphenylamine (DPA).

Bartlett pears harvested at commercial maturity (10.64 kg/cm2 flesh firmness and 3.15 starch iodine rating) were fumigated with 1-methylcyclopropene (3.3%VP SmartFreshTM) in a concentration range of 100–1,000 nl/L inside airtight chambers. The fruit were stored under cold storage conditions (2 ± 1°C with 95 ± 2%) followed by ambient holdings after monthly intervals. Treated fruit had significantly (p < .05) highest flesh firmness, total soluble solid, ascorbic acid, phenols, sensory scores with lowest PLW, spoilage, calcium content, and respiration rate. Further, fruit treated with 1,000 nl/L 1-MCP retained edible quality during the successive ambient holding period of 15, 9, 6, and 3 days after 30, 60, 90, and 120 days of cold storage. The untreated control fruit after 30 and 60 days of cold storage could be stored only up to 9 and 3 days under ambient holding conditions and lost their sensory acceptability after 90 days of cold storage. Practical Applications Response of pear fruit to 1-MCP treatments is highly variable based on storage atmosphere, mode of application, and concentration of the active ingredient. In our findings, we reported that fumigating freshly harvested pears with 800, 900, and 1,000 nl/L 1-MCP for 24 hr in airtight chambers retained highest fruit quality. Further, fumigation facilities can be established near production areas and fruit can be treated with 800 nl/L 1-MCP with a shelf life of 15, 9, 6, and 3 d after 30, 60, 90, and 120 days of cold storage. Threshold acceptability values for the most important quality parameters, namely, TSS, firmness, and PLW were standardized which can be used in the future to predict the shelf-life period of the fruit.

The purpose of this study was to measure the motility of Madura bull spermatozoa using three different diluents (tris aminomethane, CEP-2 and skim milk) duringcold storage. The research material used were 2 Madura bulls. Collecting semen method used artificial vagina, followed by fresh semen analysis and processing of liquid semen. Observation of liquid semen quality was carried out up to the 5th days of cold storage. Motility examination of semen liquid used Computerized Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA), namely SCA v.5.2. The parameters measured were: progressive motility, motility, velocity straight linear (VSL), velocity curve linear (VCL), velocity average pathway (VAP), straightness (STR), linearity (LIN), wobble (WOB), hyperactivity (H), Beat cross frequency (BCF), amplitude lateral head (ALH). Data was analyzed by Minitab 17. Motility and progressive motility of spermatozoa in tris aminomethane and CEP-2 were higher than skim milk for 5 days of cold storage. The VCL value of tris aminomethane was higher than CEP-2 and skim milk. VSL scores barely show the difference among diluents. VAP values in tris aminomethaneand CEP-2 are higher than skim milk at the beginning of storage. The LIN, STR and WOB values of the CEP-2 and skim milk yield higher values than tris aminomethane. The percentage value of hyperactivity spermatozoa was same among diluents. The ALH value of trisaminomethane was higher than CEP-2 and skim milk. BCF values in CEP-2 was higher than skim milk and tris aminomethane. Tris aminomethane and CEP-2 can support the motility of Madura bull spermatozoa than skim milkfor 5 days of storage

SummaryJapanese pear ‘Kosui’ fruits were stored under a continuous flow of 0%, 1%, 3%, 5% and 10% O2 (balance N2) or air for 7 d at 20°C to study the effects of low O2 on their physiological responses and quality attributes. Low O2 treatments did not significantly influence changes in skin colour and soluble solids content. However, weak off-flavours were detected in the fruits stored at 0% O2 on day 3, and the intensity of these off-flavours increased as storage progressed. The concentrations of acetaldehyde in fruit increased throughout the storage period. The ethanol concentration was greatly increased in fruits stored at 0% O2. Moreover, ethanol concentrations were much higher than those of acetaldehyde and remained very low during storage in air, but their concentration were just slightly increased in fruits exposed to 1%, 3%, 5% and 10% O2. Pyruvate decarboxylase activity was greatly increased in fruits exposed to 1% and 3% O2, while its activity in fruits exposed to 5% and 10% O2 were only slightly higher than that of the control and at 0% O2 at the same level as the control. Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity greatly increased in fruit exposed to 0%, 1%, 3% and 5% O2, while at 10% O2, ADH was only slightly higher than the control. Changes in ADH isozymes correlated well with changes in ADH activity. The homogenate pH of fruits exposed to 1%, 3%, 5% and 10% O2 and air remained constant, while in fruit stored at 0% O2 their pH increased. The potential for using low O2 atmospheres to help in maintaining the quality of Japanese pear ‘Kosui’ is discussed.

Ethanol and acetaldehyde levels in cerebrospinal fluid during ethanol oxidation in the rat