Cantaloupe Melon Research Articles

Potential Control of Foodborne Pathogenic Bacteria by Pediococcus pentosaceus and Lactobacillus graminis Isolated from Fresh Vegetables

The consumption of fresh vegetables has been related to recurrent outbreaks of foodborne diseases (FBD) worldwide. Therefore, the development of effective alternative technologies is necessary to improve the safety of these products. This study aimed to isolate and identify epiphytic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from fresh fruits and leafy vegetables and characterize their antagonistic capacity due to their ability to produce bacteriocins or antibacterial compounds. For this, 92 LAB isolates from fruits and leafy vegetables were screened for antagonistic activity. Two strains with the highest and broadest antagonistic activities were selected for further characterization; one from cantaloupe melon (strain CM175) and one from cilantro leaves (strain C15). The cell-free supernatants (CFS) of CM175 and C15 were found to exhibit antagonistic activity against FBD-causing pathogens. The CM175 and C15 strains were identified as Pediococcus pentosaceus and Lactobacillus graminis, respectively. Notably, the P. pentosaceus CM175 CFS stopped the growth of Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Saintpaul, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes, and delayed Escherichia coli O157:H7 growth. Moreover, L. graminis C15 CFS delayed the growth of all indicator pathogens, but did not completely stop it. Organic acids and bacteriocin-like molecules were determined to be possibly exerting the observed antagonistic activity of the identified LAB strains. Thus, application of the antagonistic compounds produced by Pediococcus pentosaceus and Lactobacillus graminis could be a novel and ecological strategy in developing antimicrobial biopreservatives for the food industry and mitigating FBD by reducing the biological contamination in fruit and vegetable orchards, mainly via their potential in controlling both gram-negative and gram-positive pathogenic bacteria.

Влияние транспортировки и хранения на потерю массы и влаги экзотических фруктов

Every year, hundreds of thousands of tons of fruits and vegetables are supplied to the territory of the Russian Federation by exporting producers from different countries. During transportation and storage, the supplied fruits and vegetables undergo various physical and biochemical changes, leading to weight loss and changes in quality indicators. Loss of moisture during transportation is one of the main causes of damage to fruits and vegetables. The relevance of the research topic is determined by the need to minimize the loss of mass and moisture of exotic fruits during transportation and storage in warehouse conditions.Objective: to establish the rates of loss of 10 samples of exotic fruits. The samples included Thai pineapple, Thai watermelon, guava, cantaloupe melon, carambola, Thai mango, papaya of Holland variety, green papaya, passionflower (passion fruit, pitaya). The fruits were transported by air from Thailand (Bangkok) to Krasnoyarsk. The flight duration was 8 hours, flight altitude – 10,000 m. The storage conditions were as follows: temperature – 5–8°C, humidity – 47%, storage time – 10 days in winter period. The paper presents the results obtained for the dynamics of mass and humidity during transportation by air of samples of exotic fruits and during storage in warehouse conditions. It was established that the loss of mass and moisture of exotic fruits in the process of transportation and storage occurred in all samples. The highest percentage of weight loss was observed in Thai mango and amounted to 2.93%. The greatest loss of moisture during storage in warehouses was observed in Thai watermelon (3.5%), the smallest – in Thai pineapple (0.5%). The largest weight loss was set for guava (4.6%), the smallest – for Thai watermelon (0.5%).

Characterization of Polyphenolic Compounds in Cantaloupe Melon By-Products.

The Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.), which includes several crops of great economic importance worldwide, belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family, and it is well recognized for culinary and medicinal purposes. The high fruit consumption produces a large quantity of waste materials, such as peels and seeds that are still rich in molecules like polyphenols, carotenoids, and other biologically active components that possess a positive influence on human health and wellness. A sustainable development in agro-food and agro-industry sectors could come through the reutilization and valorization of these wastes, which in turn, could result in reducing their environmental impact. The current study provides a biochemical characterization of cantaloupe by-products, peels and seeds, through evaluating total polyphenols, ortho-diphenols, flavonoids, and tannins content. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity was assessed in order to understand potential benefits as natural antioxidants. Overall, the peel extract revealed the highest radical’s scavenging and reducing activities, moreover, it showed higher polyphenolic content than seed extract as revealed by both cromatographic and spectrophotometric analyses. The results of the present study indicate that the melon residues are a good source of natural phytochemicals useful for many purposes, such as ingredients for nutraceutic, cosmetic, or pharmaceutical industries, development of functional ingredients and new foods, and production of fertilizers and animal feed.

Nuevos registros de aislamientos del Cucumber mosaic virus y su RNA satélite en Colima, México

El <em>Cucumber mosaic virus</em> (CMV) ocasiona una de las enfermedades virales más importantes a nivel mundial en plantas silvestres y cultivadas. En México son pocos los estudios que se han abordado con este virus, y dada su amplia gama de hospedantes e impacto económico, es necesario contar con mayor información de su presencia y distribución en zonas de importancia agrícola como las del estado de Colima. En este trabajo, se reportan nuevos aislamientos del CMV identificados por RT-PCR, secuenciación de DNA y su análisis filogenético: CMV-Vin en vinca (<em>Catharanthus roseus</em>), CMV-Chi en chile jalapeño (<em>Capsicum annuum</em>) y CMV-Tom en tomate saladette (<em>Solanum lycopersicum</em>). Se confirmó, además, la presencia del CMV en melón cantaloupe (<em>Cucumis melo</em>) (CMV-Mel). Los aislamientos CMV-Vin, CMV-Chi y CMV-Mel agruparon en el subgrupo IB, mientras que CMV-Tom agrupó en el subgrupo IA de CMV. De estos aislamientos, sólo CMV-Vin evidenció la presencia de un RNA satélite (satRNA Vin) sin dominio necrogénico. Este es el primer reporte de la presencia del CMV en vinca, chile y tomate y de un RNA satélite en vinca en Colima, México.

UV-C light processing of Cantaloupe melon juice: Evaluation of the impact on microbiological, and some quality characteristics, during refrigerated storage

UV-C light is a non-thermal technology with potential application in food industries. The objective was to assess UV-C radiation effect (13.44 W/m2) on microbiological decontamination and some quality characteristics of Cantaloupe melon juice, during refrigerated storage.Juice was inoculated with Listeria innocua (non-pathogenic surrogate of L. monocytogenes) and Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris spores (spoilage indicators) used as indicators of the UV-C treatment efficacy. Total mesophylls and yeasts and molds were also enumerated. Results demonstrated that 5 min of exposure allowed 3.7 ± 0.3 log10 cycles reduction of L. innocua, while for A. acidoterrestris, 20 min were required to decrease 4.7 ± 0.1 log10 cycles.At the end of refrigerated storage for 13 days, UV-C treated juices retained color, total phenolics content and antioxidant activity, and yeast and molds did not grow.Since UV-C process was effective on microbial inactivation and allowed juice quality maintenance, it can be considered as a promising alternative to thermal pasteurization.

Induction of postharvest resistance in melon using pulsed light as abiotic stressor

The aim of this study was use the pulsed light (PL) as tool to booster the postharvest resistance in melons. Cantaloupe melons at mature stage were submitted to the treatments as follows: control, pulsed light (PL; 9 J cm−2), 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP; 600 nL L-1) and 1-MCP + PL (600 nL L-1 + 9 J cm−2). Postharvest resistance measurements according survival analysis developed at 4 °C, included: ethylene production, 1-aminocyclopropane-l-carboxylic acid (ACC) oxidase activity, ACC synthase activity, firmness, pH, soluble solids, titratable acidity, SS/AT ratio, soluble sugars, vitamin C, total polyphenols, phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity, colour epicarp, free polyamines (putrescine-Put, spermine-Spe and spermidine-Spd) and total polyamines (TPo). Combined effect of the PL+1-MCP promoted an additional of 12 days in the shelf life of melons. PL limited the ethylene biosynthesis leading to an immediate upregulation of polyamines (Put + Spe + Spd), hence, associated with high amounts of TPo (56%). PL treatment promoted an increase of PAL activity (67%) that synthesized high content of phenolic compounds (55%). The results suggest that PL with a fluence of 9 J cm−2 stimulate the postharvest defense mechanisms in melon, due to the ethylene production limitation, which was influenced by the increased polyamines, maintaining the quality attributes.

Agronomic efficiency of ‘Cantaloupe’ melon under different water blades and organic fertilization

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different irrigation blades on the presence and absence of biofertilizer on the agronomic performance of the ‘Cantaloupe’ melon in the Paraíba backwoods. The work was conducted under field conditions in the Agroecology Sector, belonging to the State University of Paraíba (UEPB), Campus IV. The experimental design was a randomized block using four irrigation blades (60, 80, 100 and 120% - ET0, (mm day-1)) with presence and absence of biofertilizer replicated six times. The following variables were evaluated: main branch length, leaf area, number of leaves, phytomass aerial part, pulp diameter, soluble solids, bark diameter, number of seeds per fruit, seed weight per fruit and weight of 100 seeds. The irrigation blade of 120% of ET0 promoted greater growth and development since biofertilizer application provided a greater number of seeds per fruit and weight of 100 seeds, there was no interaction between the factors studied in both variables evaluated in the Cantaloupe melon.

Nanoencapsulation improved water solubility and color stability of carotenoids extracted from Cantaloupe melon (Cucumis melo L.)

Cantaloupe melon carotenoids were encapsulated in porcine gelatin, whey protein isolate and concentrate by emulsification O/W to evaluate which agent could promote an increase in water solubility, and color stability in yogurt. The average particle size obtained was 59.3 (2.60) nm–161.0 (27.30) nm. Encapsulated crude extract in porcine gelatin presented the smallest size and polydispersity index [0.4 (0.04)], and showed sphericity, smooth surface and low agglomeration in SEM. These results associated to the good chemical interaction between the raw materials shown by FTIR, justify the increase in water solubility [0.072 (0.007) mg.mL−1] compared to the crude extract [0.026 (0.003) mg.mL−1]. The yogurt added with this nanoencapsulate remained stable for 60 days, unlike the crude extract. The results show that the nanoencapsulation using gelatin increased water solubility and the potential of application of melon carotenoids in food as natural dyes.

Efecto bactericida del clavo de olor, canela y benzoato de sodio en la conservación del mango haden y melón

Se realizó estudio experimental para determinar la inhibición y/o destrucción de los microorganismos patógenos en los siguientes muestras: controles, M-EC, M-S, Me-EC, Me-S, Tratamientos M-EC-CL, M-S-CL, Me-EC-CL, Me-S-CL, M-EC-C, M-S-C, Me-EC-C, Me-S-C, M-EC-B, M-S-B, Me-EC-B y Me-S-B. Dónde: M = mango, Me = melón, EC = Escherichia coli, S = Salmonella spp, CL = clavo de olor, C = canela, B = benzoato de sodio. Calificando cada tratamiento de acuerdo al poder bactericida, como: no efectivo, efecto mínimo, letal y fulminante, en los días 0 (t0), 7 (t7) y 15 (t15); se evaluó el efecto bactericida de extractos acuosos de canela, clavo de olor en concentraciones de 2.5% y benzoato de sodio en concentraciones permitidas según la FDA 0.1%; utilizando el método de cuantificación o conteo de unidades formadoras de colonia (UFC), sobre dos cepas bacterianas, Escherichia coli y Salmonella enteritidis, que se inocularon en muestras de frutas tropicales, mango haden (Mangifera indica) y melón cantaloupe (Cucumis melo). El efecto bactericida de clavo de olor fue diferente en las dos frutas tratadas; en el mango inoculado con E. coli se observó un mínimo efecto y en el inoculado con Salmonella spp, no hubo efecto bactericida. En el melón inoculado con ambas bacterias, se observó el efecto bactericida del clavo de olor. El efecto de la canela fue mínimo en ambas frutas inoculadas con E. coli. En el mango inoculado con Salmonella spp, no hubo efecto bactericida. En el melón si tuvo un efecto letal. El uso del benzoato de sodio ejerció un efecto bactericida, tanto en el melón como el mango, inoculadas con ambas bacterias. En el análisis se observó que en el mango inoculado con E. coli el efecto fue fulminante, (muerte en el día 0). Se determinó materia seca, balance de materia y análisis sensoriales, para tener una mejor conclusión de la investigación.

Desenvolvimento e produção de melão Cantaloupe em função do espaçamento e ambientes de cultivo no Cerrado brasileiro

A cultura do melão é responsiva ao ambiente de cultivo e às técnicas de produção utilizadas, sendo estes fatores cruciais para a obtenção de frutos de maior qualidade. Desta forma, objetivou-se estudar, o crescimento vegetativo, o potencial produtivo e a qualidade de frutos de meloeiro Cantaloupe em função da redução do espaçamento em dois ambientes de cultivo. Em delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, plantas de meloeiro, cultivar Trinity, foram cultivadas em campo aberto e ambiente protegido, sob cinco espaçamentos entre plantas (15, 25, 35, 45 e 55 cm). Observou-se que a taxa de crescimento de plantas, a taxa de emissão foliar, bem como a espessura de casca e polpa, o teor de sólidos solúveis, e o ratio foram superiores sob cultivo protegido. Em relação aos espaçamentos, verificou-se que seu aumento influenciou, de forma linear e positiva, as características de massa seca de plantas, massa fresca de frutos e espessura da polpa. No entanto, o aumento da densidade de plantas aumentou a produtividade. Para velocidade de crescimento, velocidade de emissão foliar e comprimento e circunferência de fruto constataram-se pontos de máximos de 47,50; 53,75; 49,95 e 47,51 cm, respectivamente. Em vista dos resultados, para regiões com condições semelhantes à do presente estudo, o cultivo do meloeiro Cantaloupe é favorecido em condições de cultivo protegido e espaçamentos entre 45 e 55 cm na linha de plantio.

Quality assessment of Cantaloupe melon juice under ozone processing

Abstract Ozone treatment is a non-thermal technology with promising applications in food processing. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of gaseous ozone at a concentration of 7.0 ± 2.4 g/L for 30 and 60 min of exposure, on some physicochemical characteristics (soluble solids content, pH, titratable acidity and color), bioactive compounds (vitamin C, total phenolics and carotenoids) and total antioxidant activity of Cantaloupe melon juice. The effectiveness of the ozone treatments in microbial survival was also assessed using Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris spores as target spoilers of the juice (artificially inoculated). Some quality parameters were significantly affected by ozone treatments. The most relevant alterations were observed for color, vitamin C, carotenoids and total antioxidant activity. However, total phenolics content increased significantly in ozonized juices. Even though A. acidoterrestris spores reduced 2.22 ± 0.04 log cycles after 60 min of exposure, other quality related characteristics of the juice were modified. Industrial relevance The actual consumers demand for high-quality food standards have launched research to alternative and milder non-thermal processes, which have gained increasing attention and importance in the fruit juice industries. Ideally, preservation and/or processing of foods should involve technologies that prevent undesirable microbial survival and minimize quality attributes changes and nutrient losses. Thermal treatments are conventionally used to attain such targets, however, the content and the biological activity of the most health-related compounds are dramatically reduced. In this context, and particularly for the beverages industries, ozone has been exploited due to their potential for inactivating spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms while being effective in overall quality retention of the products.

Cetylpyridinium chloride direct spray treatments reduce Salmonella on cantaloupe rough surfaces.

Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) solutions (0, 0.5, or 1.0%) were applied to cantaloupe (“Athena” and “Hale's Best Jumbo” cultivars) rind plugs, either before or after inoculation with a broth culture of Salmonella Michigan (109 CFU/mL) and held at 37°C for 1 or 24 hr. Rind plugs were diluted, shaken, and sonicated, and solutions were enumerated. Texture quality and color were evaluated over 14 days storage at 4°C after 0 and 1% CPC spray applications. A 0.5 or 1.0% (vol/vol) application of CPC after Salmonella reduced the pathogen levels between 2.34 log CFU/mL and 5.16 log CFU/mL in comparison to the control (p < .01). No differences were observed in the firmness and color of 1% CPC treated cantaloupes. Salmonella concentrations on cantaloupes, treated with 1.0% CPC, were lower after 1 hr storage as compared to 24 hr. And, Salmonella on “Athena” surfaces were more susceptible to CPC spray treatments than on “Hale's Best Jumbo.”Practical applicationsCetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) is the active ingredient of some antiseptic oral mouth rinses, and has a broad antimicrobial spectrum with a rapid bactericidal effect on gram‐positive pathogens. The spray application of CPC solutions to cantaloupe may reduce the level of Salmonella surface contamination during production from irrigation water and manure fertilizers and, during food processing by contaminated equipment and food handlers. Since the surfaces of cantaloupes are highly rough or irregular, bacteria can easily attach to these surfaces and become difficult to remove. Appropriate postharvest washing and sanitizing procedures are needed that can help control Salmonella and other pathogens on melons, especially on cantaloupes with nested surfaces. A direct surface spray application of CPC may be an alternative antimicrobial postharvest treatment to reduce pathogen contamination of cantaloupe melons, while providing an alternative to chlorine‐based solutions.

Aplicación de una película de HPMC- parafina sobre melón: efecto sobre aromáticos y actividad de la pectinmetilesterasa

El melón es un fruto apreciado por su aroma y sabor, pero tiene un corto periodo de almacenamiento. Una alternativa para extender este periodo es el uso de películas comestibles. En el presente estudio se evaluó el efecto de la aplicación de una película comestible de hidroxipropilmetilcelulosa-parafina (HPMC-PAR) sobre componentes aromáticos y la actividad de la pectinmetilesterasa de melón almacenado en refrigeración. Frutos de melón Cantaloupe se cubrieron con una película comestible de HPMC-PAR y melones no cubiertos se tomaron como control. Los melones se almacenaron por 20 días a 8 ºC y 80% de humedad relativa. Cada cuatro días, los frutos se sometieron a análisis de concentración de etilbutirato, etilcaproato, butilacetato, benzilalcohol, metilbutanol y actividad de pectilmetilesterasa (PME). Los resultados mostraron que los melones con película tuvieron una mayor concentración de los ésteres analizados, así como una menor actividad de PME en comparación a muestras sin película. Sin embargo, los compuestos alcohólicos no fueron afectados por los tratamientos. Por lo que, la aplicación de la película a base de HPMC-parafina promueve el aumento de compuestos ésteres durante los primeros días de almacenamiento en refrigeración. Además, la actividad de la PME puede influir en la cantidad de estos compuestos aromáticos de la pulpa del melón Cantaloupe.

Pectin-honey coating as novel dehydrating bioactive agent for cut fruit: Enhancement of the functional properties of coated dried fruits

In this paper, a novel and sustainable process for the fruit dehydration was described. Specifically, edible coatings based on pectin and honey were prepared and used as dehydrating and antimicrobial agents of cut fruit samples, in this way promoting the fruit preservation from irreversible deteriorative processes.Pectin-honey coating was tested on apple, cantaloupe melon, mango and pineapple. The analysis were performed also on uncoated dehydrated fruits (control). The coated fruit evidenced enhanced dehydration percentage, enriched polyphenol and vitamin C contents, improved antioxidant activity and volatile molecules profile. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas and Escherichia coli was assessed. Finally, morphological analysis performed on fruit fractured surface, highlighted the formation of a non-sticky and homogeneous thin layer. These outcomes suggested that the novel fruit dehydration process, performed by using pectin-honey coating, was able to both preserve the safety and quality of dehydrated fruits, and enhance their authenticity and naturalness.

Effect of Dipping and Vacuum Impregnation Coating Techniques with Alginate Based Coating on Physical Quality Parameters of Cantaloupe Melon.

Type of edible coating technique and the parameters used significantly affect the physical quality characteristics of coated food products. The work presented produced more technical information concerning dipping and vacuum impregnation coating techniques, along with evaluating the effects of various coating parameters with several levels. The results revealed that vacuum impregnation technique is a successful coating method; however the effects should be carefully assessed for each product.

Aerated Steam Sanitization of Whole Fresh Cantaloupes Reduces and Controls Rind-Associated Listeria but Enhances Fruit Susceptibility to Secondary Colonization.

Water vapor (steam) at a high temperature can be used to sanitize the surface of fresh, whole cantaloupe melons in a continuous-feed manner. Both Listeria bacteria and spoilage organisms are markedly reduced from initial levels and survivor outgrowth severely restricted during subsequent refrigerated storage. This approach to microorganism control is likely most applicable in situations where rinds and flesh are to be separated immediately via further processing.

Qualidade fisiológica de sementes de melão pepino sob salinidade crescente da água de irrigação

The Charentais cantaloupe melon Cucumis melo var.Cantalupensis Naud is a creole species that presents high adaptability to the edaphoclimatic conditions of the Northeastern semiarid, representing a food and income source. In this context, the purpose hereof was to evaluate the physiological quality of Charentais cantaloupe melon seeds subjected to irrigation with salt waters of 0.012, 2, 4, 6, and 8 dS m-1 in the germination percentage, first germination counting, germination speed rate, average time for germination, percentage of regular strong, regular weak, and abnormal seedlings, in the aerial part length, root length, length of seedlings and seedlings dry matter. The water’s salinity did not interfere in the Charentais cantaloupe melon seed germination process, but inhibited the main root’s and length of irrigated with water salinity over 3.8 and 4.3 dS m-1, respectively, and therefore superior to the maximum allowed of 3 dS m-1 in the conventional irrigation of most of the cultivated plants.

The Effect of Storage Temperatures on Quality of Minimally Processed Cantaloupe Melon (Cucumis melo L.) with Cassava Starch Based Edible Coating Application

The Effect of Storage Temperatures on Quality of Minimally Processed Cantaloupe Melon (Cucumis melo L.) with Cassava Starch Based Edible Coating Application

The Effect of Storage Temperatures on Quality of Minimally Processed Cantaloupe Melon (Cucumis melo L.) with Cassava Starch Based Edible Coating Application

Minimally processed Cantaloupe melon has a short life because it contains high water content which is speeding up the process of spoilage. The objectives of the research were to determine the stearic acid addition on edible coating from cassava starch with low temperature storage to maintain the quality and to extend the minimally processed melon shelf life. This research used a factorial randomized complete design. Edible coating solutions were composed of 3 % cassava starch (w/v), 1 % carbo methyl cellulose (w/v) and 5 % glycerol (v/v). The treatments consisted of two factors, the first factor was the stearic acid addition on edible coating of 4 levels (0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%) and the second factor was low temperature storage with 2 levels (5°C and 10°C) with three replications. Observed parameters were respiration rate, moisture content, total titratable acidity, total soluble solids, color and weight loss. Results of this research showed that the best treatment of processed Cantaloupe was the temperature storage of 5°C and the 1.5% stearic acid addition for 5 days storage with respiration rate 33.59 mgCO2/kg hour; moisture content 8.48% (d.b.) ; total titratable acidity 38%; total soluble solid content 6.17 obrix; Hue angle 88.79o (yellow); and weight loss 5.85%.

Characteristics of muskmelon fruits in relation to temporary row cover and the number of fruits

ABSTRACT The muskmelon plants allow several ways to manipulate sources/drains ratio. The objective of this work was to evaluate characteristics of the productivity and quality of Cantaloupe melon fruits due to the temporary use of row cover and the number of fruits per plant. The experiment was carried out from August to December 2014, at Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Paraiba State, Brazil. The experimental design was randomized blocks with treatments allocated in split plots 5x3, with four replicates. The authors reported permanence time of the row cover at different times in the plot {20, 24, 28, 32, and 36 days after transplanting (DAT)} and, in the subplots, the number of fruits per plant (plants with one fruit, plants with two fruits and fruit-free setting plants). The authors evaluated traits of production and quality of fruits. The permanence time of row cover and number of fruits per plant promoted changes in the productivity and quality of the muskmelon fruits. The permanence of the row cover from 20 to 36 DAT provided reduction in the total soluble solids. The average fruit mass and fruit yield reached the maximum value with the permanence of the row cover up to 26.6 and 25.1 DAT, respectively. Plants with one and two fruits presented higher average fruit mass, but with lower productivity compared to the plant with fruit-free setting.