Modified atmosphere packaging influences germination and seedling growth of organic-coated cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seeds

BackgroundThis study aims to investigate the effects of postharvest oxalic acid (OA), citric acid (CA) and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) applications on fruit quality and preservation of biochemical content in persimmon. This research conducted on “Rojo brillante” variety persimmon (Diospyros kaki L), evaluated the effects of various treatment methods on fruit quality during 90 days of storage period. In the study, the parameters such as weight loss, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity, fruit firmness, respiration rate, ethylene production, gas composition, phenolic content, antioxidant activity and organic acids were investigated.MethodIn the study, each application consisted of three replications. The first group was control, the second group was 1 mmol CA, the third group was 1 mM OA, the fourth group was MAP, the fifth group was 1 mmol CA + MAP and the sixth group was 1 mM OA + MAP. The fruits were kept in control, CA and OA solutions for 15 min. The fruits were stored for 90 days at 5 °C and 85 ± 5% relative humidity.ResultsDuring storage period, fruit weight loss, water loss and natural physiological changes increased. OA and CA acid applications were not effective in reducing fruit weight loss, but OA + MAP applications were more effective in preserving fruit quality. MAP prevented water loss and preserved fruit quality by decreasing oxygen levels and increasing carbon dioxide levels. The changes in TSS ratio were observed while MAP and OA + MAP treatments kept TSS constant. Application of OA + MAP increased acidity by preserving the stability of acidic compounds. Flesh firmness decreased with storage time, but MAP and OA + MAP combinations gave better results. As the storage period progressed, color changes and respiration rate increased, MAP application slowed down fruit respiration and delayed ripening. An increase in carbon dioxide levels was observed during storage, the highest levels were recorded in OA + MAP and CA + MAP applications. MAP application kept nitrogen levels the highest, the nitrogen levels reached equilibrium with the combination of OA and MAP. In addition, OA and CA applications increased phenolic content and antioxidant activity while it decreased in MAP and control groups. In terms of acidic compounds, the combination of OA and MAP was effective in preserving fruit acids.ConclussionOA + MAP treatments were more effective in preserving fruit quality by reducing water loss, maintaining acidity, and improving flesh firmness compared to other applications. MAP treatment also slowed respiration, delayed ripening, and maintained nitrogen levels, contributing to overall fruit preservation during storage. The study revealed the potential use of these methods in extending fruit quality and shelf life.

The globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus L.) is one of the most economically important vegetable crops in Spain. ‘Blanca de Tudela’ is the most widely grown and consumed cultivar and it is also highly valued on international export markets. Postharvest preservation is crucial for maintaining the quality of this highly perishable product. This study focused on comparing the effectiveness of two different postharvest strategies in preserving the quality of whole artichokes and extending their shelf-life: packaging in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), and pre-cooling to 4 °C followed by MAP. In addition, one batch of artichokes was stored under refrigeration conditions, i.e., without packaging, at a temperature of 2 °C and a relative humidity of 85%. Parameters such as respiration rate, weight loss, firmness, total phenolic content, chlorophyll levels and visual sensorial quality were analyzed throughout 42 days of refrigerated storage at 2 °C. The results showed that non-packed artichokes exhibited rapid deterioration, with weight loss exceeding 45% and phenolic and chlorophyll content decreasing by over 50% and 78%, respectively, by the end of the storage period. In contrast, MAP drastically reduced quality deterioration, reduced weight loss to 2%, and preserved approximately 60% more phenolic compounds. The combined application of pre-cooling and MAP further enhanced preservation, reducing weight loss by an additional 25% compared to MAP alone and retaining nearly double the chlorophyll content. Thus, this treatment also ensured the highest preservation of phenolic compounds, with final values about 45% higher than MAP alone. Visual sensory assessment confirmed that both MAP and Pre-cooling + MAP maintained acceptable appearance and consumer-relevant quality parameters throughout storage. Overall, the results of this study indicate that MAP, particularly when combined with pre-cooling, effectively maintained the physical, biochemical, and sensory quality of whole ‘Blanca de Tudela’ artichokes over 42 days under cold storage conditions, demonstrating the potential of this integrated strategy to support postharvest preservation for long-distance export markets.

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The effects of modified and palliflex controlled atmosphere storage on postharvest quality and composition of ‘Istanbul’ medlar fruit

Bitter gourd has a short shelf life of 3–4 days under ambient conditions, necessitating effective preservation methods. This study evaluated the efficacy of edible coatings and Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) with perforation in extending its storage life. The research was conducted in two stages. In the first stage, four edible coatings, namely, carboxymethyl cellulose, guar gum, clove essential oil, and garlic essential oil, were assessed at varying concentrations. Guar gum at 1.5% concentration was found to be the most effective, preserving quality attributes up to 16 days. In the second stage, the impact of MAP on the shelf life of guar gum-coated bitter gourd was examined using polypropylene pouches with 10, 20, and 30 perforations (4.1 × 10⁻³%, 8.2 × 10⁻³%, and 1.23 × 10⁻²% of package area). The combination of guar gum coating with MAP (10 and 20 perforations) extended the storage period to 28 days while maintaining key quality attributes such as chlorophyll, vitamin C, antioxidant activity, and total phenolic content at over 75% of their fresh values. The lowest physiological loss in weight (6.06%) and acceptable microbial load were observed in samples stored in 10-perforation packs. Based on these findings, storing bitter gourd with a 1.5% guar gum coating in MAP pouches with 4.1 × 10⁻³% (10 perforations) or 8.2 × 10⁻³% package area (20 perforations) is recommended for optimal shelf-life extension.

The current study evaluated the effects of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and Putrescine applications on fruit quality during postharvest storage and shelf life of ‘Rosy Glow’ apple cultivar. Quality parameters, i.e., weight loss, decay rate, total soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), fruit flesh firmness and color changes were investigated during different storage periods. Low levels of weight loss were observed in all applications during the 30th day while losses increased in control treatment after the 60th day (3.58%) and the lowest loss rate (1.27%) was recorded in the MAP + Putrescine application. The MAP + Putrescine group showed the lowest loss rate (2.28%) on the 120th day making it the most effective preservation technique. The decay rate increased during the storage period while MAP and Putrescine applications prevented decay and MAP+Putrescine combination kept the decay rate at the lowest level. The MAP+Putrescine application completely prevented the decay rate on the 120th day. The SSC ratio decreased during the storage period, MAP and Putrescine applications maintained the fruit carbohydrate content better whereas Putrescine application showed the highest SSC value. The TA values generally decreased during the storage, but MAP and Putrescine applications minimized TA loss. The MAP and Putrescine applications better maintained TA during shelf life. The MAP and Putrescine applications better maintained fruit flesh firmness, MAP application provided the highest firmness value on the 120th day. Firmness loss was more pronounced ‘n the control group. In all applications, the changes were observed in L*, a*, b* and hue values over time. L* value remained lower in control on the 120th day, but MAP and MAP+Putrescine applications maintained the brightness level of the fruit peel. MAP treatment initially affected the hue angle more. As a result, MAP and Putrescine applications effectively maintained fruit quality in ‘Rosy Glow’ apple cultivar during storage while MAP+Putrescine combination stood out as the most effective preservation technique.

Poor germination obstructs early and uniform seedling stand in cucumber. A laboratory experiment was conducted at the department of seed science and technology, College of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences Raichur, during 2018-19 using Completely Randomized Design having 12 priming treatments with four replications to evaluate the possibility of improvement in emergence and early seedling growth in cucumber by pre-sowing treatments. Seeds of cucumber were soaked in different priming solution of for 24 h and evaluated for seed physiological and biochemical seed quality parameters. Results showed that seeds primed with KH2PO4 @ 0.001 M (T8) registered significantly highest germination per cent, shoot length, root length, seedling dry weight, seedling vigour index I, seedling vigour index II and dehydrogenase enzyme activity (89.00%, 22.96 cm, 22.77 cm, 498.27 mg, 4070, 44347 and 0.494 respectively) and lowest (0.211 dSm-1) electrical conductivity compared to other treatments and control (T1) (76.50%, 11.14 cm, 10.22 cm, 400.32 mg, 1634, 30625 and 0.231 respectively). But significantly highest (0.695 dSm-1) electrical conductivity was observed in control (T1).

Postharvest losses of fresh produce constitute the biggest portion of the total food losses occurring in food chains globally. The main driver behind the postharvest losses of fresh fruits and vegetables is temperature abuse occurring mainly during transportation and storage. This is a particular problem for small-acreage producers, who frequently have limited access to postharvest handling resources like optimum refrigeration conditions. Passive modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is a relatively inexpensive intervention that does not require specialized equipment and has demonstrated some potential for maintaining the quality and extending the shelf life of fresh produce stored in nonoptimum temperatures. Our objective was to determine the effect of passive MAP on the quality and storage life of spinach ( Spinacia oleracea cv. Corvair) when stored in nonoptimum temperatures. Mature spinach leaves (≈320 g) were packaged in passive MAP bags, developed using the BreatheWay technology, and non-MAP produce bags and subsequently stored at 13 or 21 °C. Spinach physical and nutritional quality was evaluated throughout its storage life in terms of overall quality, water loss, leaf tenderness, surface color, chlorophyll content, electrolyte leakage, chlorophyll fluorescence, antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content, and vitamin C content. Spinach that was stored in MAP bags reached headspace equilibrium at ≈6% Ο 2 and 11% CΟ 2 at 13 °C and ≈4% Ο 2 and 8% CΟ 2 at 21 °C after 2 days of storage for both temperatures. The spinach stored in passive MAP at 13 or 21 °C demonstrated significantly higher overall quality during storage and 2 and 1 day longer storage life, respectively, when compared with the control. The spinach in passive MAP demonstrated a slower rate of yellowing and water loss during storage. The limiting factor for the spinach stored in MAP was decay due to condensation at 13 °C and yellowing at 21 °C. There were no statistical differences in the examined nutritional quality parameters between the spinach stored in MAP and produce bags. This study shows that passive MAP can be a valuable tool for reducing the food losses occurring in small-acreage fruit and vegetable operations that have limited access to cooling and refrigerated storage.

In this study, it was aimed to determine the effects of different production and preservation methods on the shelf life and quality of the Gemlik variety of natural black table olives produced with low salt (2%). For this purpose, olives were processed by the traditional Turkish style dry salted black olive by using a starter culture. The MAP (Modified atmosphere packaging, 60% N2 and 40% CO2), vacuum and for the first time gamma irradiation methods (1, 3 and 5 kGy) were applied in the preservation of table olives. The 5 kGy irradiation treatment reduced the total phenolic amount and DPPH antioxidant activity of olives more than other irradiation doses. The pH (4.3–4.83) and titratable acidity (0.68–1.02%) of the samples changed in accordance with the legal regulations during the storage period (pH max. 5 and acidity min 0.3%). At the end of the fermentation and storage, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity decreased significantly (p‐value <0.05). During the storage period, the total phenolic content in natural fermented olives (without starter culture) decreased from 232 to 144 mgCAE/100 g and in starter culture added table olives from 200 to 138 mgCAE/100 g. In addition, the antioxidant activity was changed between 60.94 and 47.14 μmolTE/100 g oil. As a result of the study, it was ensured that black table olives produced with less salt (2%) could be stored on the shelves for 6 months without using any preservatives. In addition, radiation effect on quality was relatively similar to other treatments (vacuum and MAP).

Effects of chitosan coating and modified atmosphere packaging on postharvest quality and bioactive compounds of pomegranate fruit cv. ‘Hicaznar’

Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) was evaluated for total phenolic contents (TPC), antioxidant, tannin, color, and sensory properties of fresh Barhi dates. Polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) with different perforations (0 [H0], 50 µm [H3], 100 µm [H6], and 150 µm [H9]) were evaluated for storing fresh Barhi dates for up to 45 days at 1 to 25°C temperature. MAP significantly (p ≤ .05) affected the properties investigated as compared to control. PE dates have higher (p ≤ .05) TPC than PP dates, whereas other properties remained largely unaffected by packaging material. TPC and antioxidant activity were higher (p ≤ .05) in H0 treated dates. H9 perforated packaged dates exhibited higher (p ≤ .05) tannin contents, better sensory and color attributes. Barhi dates exhibited fresh-like quality and better antioxidant properties at low storage temperature (5°C) for up to 2 weeks’ storage and similar was verified by principal component analysis using HJ plots where storage temperature was observed as major factor. Practical applications Modified atmosphere packaging or MAP is an emerging technique for preserving fresh fruits and vegetables and it is being studied extensively for different fresh commodities in order to preserve their fresh like characteristics. There is a need to study MAP effects on storing new and economically important fruits such as Barhi dates which have shorter life in early stages of maturity but cherished when freshly harvested due to various health benefits and characteristic taste and quality. MAP was effectively tested and applied for preserving Barhi dates and MAP variables were evaluated in order to find the best packaging conditions which may ensure maximum consumer benefits and date quality.

Germination and beneficial seedling establishment is affected by different seed vigor indices. In order to study the effect of seed size on seed vigor indices of wheat, a factorial experiment with two factors was conducted in a completely randomized design with four replications at the Agricultural Natural Resources Research Center Lab of Khorasan Razavi. The first factor was thirteen genotypes of wheat in three types of growth, containing winter, facultative and spring and the second factor was seed size in four levels including 3, 2.5, 2 and 1.5 millimeter. Germination percentage, germination rate, shoots and root length, seedling growth rate and shoot:root length ratio characteristics were investigated. Analysis of variance showed that the effect of wheat cultivars and seed size on traits was significant (p≤ 0.01) but interaction effect of seed size and wheat cultivar was significant (p≤ 0.01) only for shoot and root length, seedling growth rate and shoot:root length ratio. The highest and lowest seedling growth rate was (15.85 and 8.23 mg dry weight/germinal seedling) that they were related to 3 and 1.5mm seed size, respectively. According to these observations the most and least percentage and germination rate was related to these seed size treatments. Correlation coefficient of seed size and seedling growth rate was highly significant (r=0.85 p≤ 0.01). Stepwise regression method indicated that the seed size (x1) and shoot length (x2) as independent variables could be described (r2=0.84) seedling growth rate as a dependent variable in y= -5.000955+(5.128078x1)+(0.78494x2) equation. Keywords: Seedling growth rate, Germination rate, Correlation, Regression

Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.) stored in perforated modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) under cold room (4 ± 1°C and 90 ± 2% RH) and ambient condition (23-26°C and 63-66% RH) were evaluated for firmness, weight loss (WL), colour, chilling injury and sensory characteristics. The firmness of cucumbers was decreased to 0.333 and 0.326N on 6th and 12th day of storage, respectively from initial value of 0.38N. After 12days of storage, the WL was in the range of 1.62-12.89% whereas the cucumber stored under MAP having 2 perforations at 4 ± 1°C and 90 ± 2% RH recorded least WL of 1.62%. The minimum change in colour (Hunter L, a and b values) was observed in the cucumber samples stored at cold room condition. The increase in 'b' values (yellowness) was more in the sample stored at ambient condition with unsealed sample registered highest 'b' values (35.82). On 12th day of storage, sensory quality evaluation revealed that samples stored under perforated MAP at 4 ± 1°C and 90 ± 2% RH were acceptable in condition with sensory score of 7.1 and 7.5. Chilling injury was severe in sample unsealed (4.4 chilling injury score) and slight to moderate chilling injury was observed in 2 and 4 perforated package samples stored under cold room condition. The study revealed that cucumber can be stored under MAP with 2 perforations at 4 ± 1°C and 90 ± 2% RH and ambient condition (23-26°C and 63-66% RH) for 12 and 6days, respectively.

The study was carried out to investigate the effects of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) [0.5 and 1.0 mmol L-1] and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) treatments on weight loss, respiration rate, firmness, colour, soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity, vitamin C, total phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant capacity (DPPH and FRAP assay) of apricot fruit (Prunus armeniaca) during cold storage. Fruit were stored at 0±0.5˚C and 90±5% relative humidity (RH) for 20 days, and analysis and measurements were performed at 5-day intervals. At the end of cold storage, the lowest weight loss was determined in fruit stored with the MAP following MeJA1 application. The lowest respiration rates were determined in fruits stored with the MAP following MeJA1 or MeJA2 treatment. The softening of fruit stored without the MAP or MAP was significantly delayed with the MeJA. The fruit stored without the MAP or MAP following MeJA2 treatment had the highest vitamin C at the end of storage period. MAP treatments had greater total phenolic and total flavonoids and antioxidant capacity than the treatment without MAP regardless of MeJA applications. At the end of storage, the highest total phenolic and antioxidant capacity were determined in fruits stored in the MAP following MeJA2 application. It was concluded that MAP and MeJA2 treatments could be used as an efficient postharvest tool to minimize quality losses throughout the cold storage period.

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da atmosfera modificada (AM) na manutenção da qualidade físico-química de ameixas da cultivar 'Laetitia'. Os tratamentos avaliados foram: armazenamento refrigerado (AR; 21,0kPa O2 + 0,03kPa CO2), AM [polietileno de baixa densidade (PEBD, 40µm) sem perfuração], AM com adição de 10kPa de CO2 e AM com quatro perfurações de 2,0mm de diâmetro. Os tratamentos AM, AM com perfurações e AM com adição de CO2 proporcionaram as pressões parciais médias de 1,9kPa O2 + 15,2kPa CO2, 8,1kPa O2 + 9,6kPa CO2 e 4,1kPa O2 + 16,0kPa CO2, respectivamente. Ameixas armazenadas em AR apresentaram menores valores de firmeza de polpa e força para ruptura da casca, bem como coloração da epiderme mais vermelha e maior incidência de rachaduras na saída da câmara. A força para penetração da polpa e a resistência do fruto à compressão, na saída da câmara, foram maiores nos frutos armazenados em AM com perfuração, não havendo diferenças entre as condições de AM após quatro dias em condição ambiente. A acidez titulável foi mais elevada em todas as condições de AM, na saída da câmara. A incidência de podridões foi menor nos frutos armazenados em AM com perfurações. A taxa respiratória foi mais elevada nos frutos armazenados em AM na saída da câmara, mas não após quatro dias em condição ambiente. A incidência de degenerescência da polpa foi elevada em todos os tratamentos, porém menor em AR e AM com perfurações.