Abstract
Fresh highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) are one of the most popular soft fruits characterized by attractive sensorial attributes and high antioxidant potential. They are highly perishable as they are susceptible to various microbial infections, both pre- and postharvest. The present research was conducted to investigate the effects of postharvest treatments with citric (2%), benzoic (0.2%) and sorbic (0.2%) acids on physicochemical, biochemical and microbiological evolution of fresh blueberries under cold storage conditions. Samples were evaluated initially and at 7-day interval for dry matter, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, antioxidant activity and surface microbial load for six weeks storage time. Chemical treatments significantly reduced the microbial growth on the fruit surface throughout the storage period as compared to the control samples, but they caused a significant increase in moisture loss (sorbic acid > benzoic acid > citric acid > water), probably due to the partial damage of the natural cuticular wax layer covering the fruit. Antimicrobial effects of chemical treatments were more noticeable than their biochemical effects. Total phenolic, total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity showed similar variation pattern during storage in treated and control samples. However, at the end of the storage period, antioxidant activity was significantly higher in samples treated with citric acid and benzoic acid as compared with control samples.
Highlights
Highbush blueberries are the fruits of a cultivated species, Vaccinium corymbosum L., a deciduous flowering shrub originating from North America
Chemical treatments significantly reduced the microbial growth on the fruit surface throughout the storage period as compared to the control samples, but they caused a significant increase in moisture loss, probably due to the partial damage of the natural cuticular wax layer covering the fruit
Chemical treatments determined a significant increase in moisture loss, probably due to the partial dissolution of this natural hydrophobic layer covering the fruit
Summary
Highbush blueberries are the fruits of a cultivated species, Vaccinium corymbosum L., a deciduous flowering shrub originating from North America. Nowadays blueberries are widely consumed worldwide and often labelled as superfoods due to their high antioxidant potential and multiple health-beneficial effects (Proestos, 2018; Lafarga et al, 2018). Blueberries have been reported to have anticarcinogenic, antiinflammatory, and antimicrobial activities (Chatterjee et al, 2004), along with other positive effects in Received: 01 Mar 2020. Received in revised form: 19 Mar 2020.
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