Cold Room Conditions Research Articles

Implications of the storage conditions and production system on the physical properties of eggs: a multivariate data analysis study

SummaryThe objective of this study was to apply multivariate data analytical methods to evaluate the effect of both storage conditions (cold and room temperature) and production systems (cage and free range) on the physical properties of chicken eggs produced under tropical conditions. The results of this study indicated that most of the physical quality parameters (Haugh units, egg weight, albumin height, yolk colour, shell breaking and shell thickness) measured in the egg samples stored at room temperature (RT) were lower compared with egg samples stored in cold room (CT) conditions. The weight loss rate (WLR) was higher in the egg samples from RT compared with CT conditions. Both egg samples from either CT storage conditions or FR production system had the best quality parameters (high Haugh units, heavy egg weights and low WLR). The highest classification rate using linear discriminant analysis was obtained for the prediction of systems of production where egg samples from cage (C) and FR were 83% and 80% correctly classified. However, the classification of weeks of storage provides with intermediate classification results based on the physical parameters measured where 75% and 72% of the samples were correctly classified as stored in CT or RT storage conditions, respectively. The utilisation of multivariate data analysis allowed for the analysis of all the variables at the time without the need to isolate effects such as birds age, housing systems or by the solely interpretation of a single parameter.

Growth of floating hook-moss (Warnstorfia fluitans) differs with nutrient and water flow adjustments in greenhouse and cold room conditions

Floating hook-moss (Warnstorfia fluitans) is a bryophyte growing in northern aquatic and peatland ecosystems. W. fluitans uptakes metals and excessive amounts of nitrogen from wastewater, which suggests that it may have commercial potential for use in phytoremediation. Optimization of growth conditions would allow artificial cultivation of floating hook moss in large quantities for phytoremediation applications. We tested how application of combined nutrient (NPK 7-2-2 ranging from 0.1 to 1 ml per liter of water) and water flow (ranging from 0.15 to 1.9 ml/min) treatments affect growth of W. fluitans in greenhouse conditions. At the end of the experiment, all treatment combinations were subjected to an additional cold room condition at low temperature (0–2 °C) without constant water flow. The moss generally produced biomass in the various treatment combinations. However, contrary to our expectations, we found that increase of nutrients and water flow had a negative effect on the growth of W. fluitans. The highest growth rates in the experiment were detected in the control unit that had no nutrient addition or applied water flow. Our results suggest that cold temperatures are beneficial for W. fluitans growth. Our results show that the commercial production of W. fluitans may not require nutrient or water flow manipulation, at least in the tested scale. Instead, the growth conditions should mimic the natural cold climate conditions of W. fluitans habitats in northern peatlands and/or spring ecosystems.

Roll to roll coating of carbon nanotube films for electro thermal heating

Carbon nanotube (CNT) films are gaining traction in applications such as transparent conductive films, electro-magnetic shields and thin film heaters. However, to date, few cost-effective large-area CNT coating methods have been reported. Here, we present a roll-to-roll (R2R) slot-die coating process for thin film CNT heaters. In this process, a CNT suspension is continuously coated on a PET film substrate and subsequently dried and packaged. This process allows for continuous square-meter-size CNT coating. The electrical resistance and thermal map of these samples are measured by high definition infrared (IR) thermography. Anti-/de-icing demonstrations of R2R CNT coated samples are performed inside a cold room and outdoor atmospheric icing conditions. The successful R2R coating of CNTs and anti-/de-icing demonstrations show promise for application of CNTs in large area applications, such as the de-icing of ships, for which strict regulations are put in place for vessels operating in polar waters.

Effect of the environment and use of alternative products in the post-harvest of papaya

Abstract This study aimed to establish an alternative treatment for post-harvest storage of Papaya (Carica papaya L.), var “Tainung 1” and to control major diseases at this stage. Two storage place were evaluated (room temperature and cold room); Six treatments (Control, Samurai 40ml/20l water, Serenade® 40ml/20l water, Sanatizer EUPROOFF® 10ml/20l water, EUPROOFF® + Serenade® + Samurai, Serenade® + Samurai), five storage periods (0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 days) and three seasons (December, January and February). Fruit weight loss (FWL), color index, number and size of lesions were evaluated and used to calculate the disease incidence and average of disease incidence. The FWL and index color of fruits were more affected by monthly variation than the treatments, especially the Samurai one. The growth of disease incidence were slower under cold room. Among the treatments, the Samurai was the most efficient,but if mixed to others products their efficiency was not observed. These results suggest that the using of Samurai only in cold room conditions can be more effective in control of post-harvest diseases of papaya.

Postharvest Treatment of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) Bark Oil and Hexanal Incorporated Bio-Wax Maintains Quality and Extends Marketable Life of Lime (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle)

ABSTRACTLime (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle) has a year round demand because of its utilization in food industry, indigenous medicine and domestic culinary. However, the production is highly seasonal. Hence, a study was conducted to evaluate the effect of cinnamon bark oil and hexanal incorporated bio-wax for extending its postharvest life. Lime cv. Local at optimum maturity was harvested and brought to the laboratory immediately. The bulk sample was divided into four replicated lots each containing 120 fruits. Two lots were dipped in the wax formulation for 45 s while the other two were kept as controls (no wax). Treated and control samples were stored in cold room (13°C ± 2°C; RH 90%) and ambient conditions (32°C ± 2°C; RH 70%) in plastic crates respectively. Evaluation of physicochemical attributes were conducted before treatment (day 0) and at 7-day intervals, until fruit exhibits limit of marketability. Bio-wax treatment decreased the rate of peel color deterioration and retarded the rate of increase in fruit firmness (P < 0.05). The bio-wax treatment also significantly contributed to reduction in the rates of variation in total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and juice pH. The treatment also reduced the physiological weight loss and peel browning by 50% thus treated fruit stored under ambient condition showed a marketable life of 15 days while those stored under cold room demonstrated a marketable life of 60 days. In conclusion, cinnamon bark oil and hexanal incorporated bio-wax could be used as a promising tool to extend postharvest life of limes.

The physiological quality of yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims. f. flavicarpa Deg.) seeds with different water content placed in a cold chamber room and environmental conditions

Seed quality is extremely important for the crop production system, and storage conditions are important to preserve this quality. The objective this study was to evaluate the physiological quality of yellow passion fruit seeds with different water contents placed in a cold chamber room (4°C) and in a natural laboratory environment (25 ± 2°C) for a period of eight months (240 days). Passion fruit seeds were harvested in orchards of the southern region of Espírito Santo, with water content adjusted to 10%; 14%; 18% and 22%, and placed in a cold chamber room and a natural laboratory environment. Germination, germination speed index, shoot and root length, fresh and dry mass of normal seedlings were evaluated. The experimental design was completely randomized, with two environments (cold chamber room and natural laboratory environment) and with a plot experimental arrangement subdivided according to time, with four replicates of 25 seeds within each environment. Yellow passion fruit seeds placed in a cold chamber room and natural environment with 14% of water content presented a higher physiological quality during eight months of storage. Yellow passion fruit seeds placed in a cold chamber room and natural environment presented maximum germination and vigour with 60 days of storage. Yellow passion fruit seeds exhibit orthodox behaviour, and should be stored at 14% of water content, in a cold chamber room and natural environment, without loss of viability and physiological quality over eight months, presenting maximum germination and vigour after 60 days storage, without the presence of pathogens.

Differences between the most used equations in BAT-human studies to estimate parameters of skin temperature in young lean men

Cold exposure is necessary to activate human brown adipose tissue (BAT), resulting in heat production. Skin temperature is an indirect measure to monitor the body’s reaction to cold. The aim of this research was to study whether the most used equations to estimate parameters of skin temperature in BAT-human studies measure the same values of temperature in young lean men (n = 11: 23.4 ± 0.5 years, fat mass: 19.9 ± 1.2%). Skin temperature was measured with 26 ibuttons at 1-minute intervals in warm and cold room conditions. We used 12 equations to estimate parameters of mean, proximal, and distal skin temperature as well as skin temperature gradients. Data were analysed with Temperatus software. Significant differences were found across equations to measure the same parameters of skin temperature in warm and cold room conditions, hampering comparison across studies. Based on these findings, we suggest to use a set of 14 ibuttons at anatomical positions reported by ISO STANDARD 9886:2004 plus five ibuttons placed on the right supraclavicular fossa, right middle clavicular bone, right middle upper forearm, right top of forefinger, and right upper chest.

Deterioration of quality soybean seeds (Glycine Max (L.) Merr. AGS 190) at harvest stages, seed moisture content and storage temperature in Malaysia

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merill AGS 190) is an important vegetables and oil in the Asian communities like Malaysia. Seed deterioration is a harmful feature of agriculture crops which hindered quality seed of Soybean. Thus, the purpose of the study is to determine the effect of non-ultra-dry and ultra-dry seed moisture content stored in room temperature and cold room conditions for seed harvested stages on the quality or seed deterioration of soybean seeds (AGS 190) which grown under the humid tropical region. This study was conducted at Faculty of Agriculture, University Putra Malaysia in three harvested stages such as R6 (Full seed stage), R7 (Commencement of maturity period), and R8 (Fully maturity stage), moisture content (12% non-ultra-dry and ≤5% ultra-dry) and storage temperature (room storage at 25 to 30oC and cold room storage at 10oC). The result of this study showed that the seed deterioration rate was less in harvest stage R7 compared to R6 and R8 especially for ultra-dry seeds. In addition, seed deterioration can decrease at room temperature by the ultra-dry treatment compared non-ultra-dry but deterioration was higher for non-ultra-dry seed during storage at room temperature than cold room.

CACTUS MUCILAGE AS A COATING FILM TO ENHANCE SHELF LIFE OF UNPROCESSED GUAVAS (PSIDIUM GUAJAVA L.)

Annual pruning of cactus pear cladodes provides an opportunity for adding value to this crop by extracting mucilage from which to create edible films and coatings for perishable fruits such as guavas (Psidium guajava L.). The objective of this research was to create mucilage films and assess their effects on quality and shelf life of guava cultivar ‘Media China’. Cactus pear cladodes were peeled, cubed, and homogenized in distilled water. Mucilage was precipitated using ethanol, then dried and ground. The experimental films tested were: no films as control (C), mucilage plus glycerol (T1), and mucilage plus glycerol and polyethylene glycol (T2). Two experiments were conducted with two different concentrations of mucilage, glycerol, and polyethylene glycol. Guavas were harvested from local farmers and treated with a fungicide before coating. The treated fruit was stored for eight or six days at room temperature (28°C and 20% RH or 27°C and 20% RH, respectively). In the first trial, the T2 film increased fruit weight loss more than C and TI film. Both films delayed fruit skin colour and maintained higher firmness (F), total soluble solids concentration (TSSC), and dry matter concentration (DMC) than C fruit. In the second trial, T1 and T2 films reduced fruit weight loss and delayed fruit skin colour more than C fruit. Firmness, TSSC, and DMC of fruit were similar among treatments. Overall, the experimental mucilage films showed a tendency to prolong shelf life and maintain some quality attributes of guava. Further research is needed to understand the mucilage potential as an edible film at cold room conditions.

EFFECTS OF PRE-GERMINATION TREATMENTS AND STORAGE ON GERMINATION OF &lt;i&gt;Astronium fraxinifolium&lt;/i&gt; SCHOTT (ANACARDIACEAE) DIASPORES

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1980509814577The goal of this study was to evaluate the germination and the storage capacity of Astronium fraxinifolium diaspores. Six pre-germination treatments were used in the experiment: control treatment (intact diaspores); diaspores immersed in water at room temperature (25º C) for 5 min; diaspores immersed in water at 70° C for 5 min; diaspores immersed in water at 100° C for 5 min; diaspores immersed in sodium hypochlorite solution (1:1000) for 2 min; and diaspores mechanically scarified with sandpaper #80. To evaluate storage conditions, we tested two different types of packaging (permeable paper bag and transparent glass jar) and two environmental conditions (cold chamber and room conditions), resulting in four treatments. The germination tests were performed for zero (control) and 60, 120, 180, 240, 300 and 360 days after storage. The effects of different treatments on germination and storage of diaspores were evaluated by ANOVA, followed by Tukey test. Regarding to pre-germination treatments, high germination rates were observed in the hypochlorite (98.0 ± 4.22%), control (97.0 ± 4.83%), water at room temperature (96.0 ± 6.99%) and water at 70º C (83.0 ± 29.08%) treatments. Thus, Astronium fraxinifolium diaspores do not present dormancy. During storage, the diaspores remained viable throughout the study period with high germination rates, except for the treatment in paper bags placed in the cold chamber, in which the diaspores lost their viability in the eighth month of storage. Therefore, this is not a recommended storage method for this species.

Verification of a new biocompatible single-use film formulation with optimized additive content for multiple bioprocess applications.

Single-use bioprocessing bags and bioreactors gained significant importance in the industry as they offer a number of advantages over traditional stainless steel solutions. However, there is continued concern that the plastic materials might release potentially toxic substances negatively impacting cell growth and product titers, or even compromise drug safety when using single-use bags for intermediate or drug substance storage. In this study, we have focused on the in vitro detection of potentially cytotoxic leachables originating from the recently developed new polyethylene (PE) multilayer film called S80. This new film was developed to guarantee biocompatibility for multiple bioprocess applications, for example, storage of process fluids, mixing, and cell culture bioreactors. For this purpose, we examined a protein-free cell culture medium that had been used to extract leachables from freshly gamma-irradiated sample bags in a standardized cell culture assay. We investigated sample bags from films generated to establish the operating ranges of the film extrusion process. Further, we studied sample bags of different age after gamma-irradiation and finally, we performed extended media extraction trials at cold room conditions using sample bags. In contrast to a nonoptimized film formulation, our data demonstrate no cytotoxic effect of the S80 polymer film formulation under any of the investigated conditions. The S80 film formulation is based on an optimized PE polymer composition and additive package. Full traceability alongside specifications and controls of all critical raw materials, and process controls of the manufacturing process, that is, film extrusion and gamma-irradiation, have been established to ensure lot-to-lot consistency. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 30:1171–1176, 2014

Nutritional factors and modification in the content of anthocyanins associated with the blackening of rose petals (Rosa sp.)

One of the most important physiological disorders of red rose cultivars is blackening of petals, it affects outer and inner ones and results in flowers of poor quality. The goal of this review is to make an approach to the blackening disorder, determining the main possible causes in order to make available to growers, academics, scientifics as well as stakeholders, the inputs that allows to unveil its origin and to optimize its handling. Symptoms of blackening are showed especially when the flowers have been harvested and stored under cold room conditions; due to high accumulation of pigments, such as anthocyanins, also could be due to stress conditions, such as high or low UV radiation, low temperatures or a nutrient imbalance in the affected tissues. The following subjects will be treated: i) calcium and boron and their interaction, ii) calcium and physiological disorders, iii) pigments involved in the petals red color, iv) role of the phenolic compounds, particularly the anthocyanins, which are responsible for most of the red, pink, purple and blue colors observed in plant parts; as well as the environmental factors that can influence the blackening on red rose.

Comparison of EG/AD/S and EG/AD model ice properties

EG/AD/S type model ice was originally selected as the primary model ice material for the MOERI ice tank in Korea. The existence of a sugar component in the EG/AD/S mixture may cause a serious maintenance problem. In order to understand the influence of sugar in the original model ice, a series of tests with EG/AD/S and EG/AD model ices were performed, and their material properties compared. Because the target strength of model ice in the full-scale MOERI ice tank is expensive and difficult to control, tests were performed under cold room conditions using a miniature ice tank. This paper describes the material properties of EG/AD/S and EG/AD model ices, such as flexural strength, compressive strength and elastic modulus. In order to obtain the desired strength and stiffness levels for the model ice, a warm-up process was introduced.

MODIFIED AND CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE STORAGE OF APRICOTS

This research was carried out to determine the effects of modified atmosphere and controlled atmosphere conditions on the fruit quality of 'Aprikoz' apricots during cold storage. Fruit were harvested at the optimum harvest time and transported to the Postharvest Physiology Laboratory of the Horticulture Department immediately. Precooling was applied by using cold air. After the precooling, fruit were divided into four groups. The first group was stored in plastic boxes (PB) covered with stretch film (SF) (12, 16 and 20 μ). The second group of apricots was placed in two different modified atmosphere packages (MAP). The third group of fruit was stored in controlled atmosphere conditions. The last group of apricots was only placed in PB as control. Fruit of all treatments were stored at 0°C and 90±5% relative humidity conditions during 35 (first, second and fourth groups) and 50 days (third group). In addition, fruit were stored in room conditions for shelf life for two days after the end of each storage period. Weight loss, fruit firmness, fruit skin colour, titratable acidity, soluble solid contents, gas compound of MAP, respiration rate, ethylene production and sensorial analyses (external appearance, taste, internal browning) were determined during the cold storage and room conditions. Controlled atmosphere gave better results in terms of external appearance and taste than the other storage conditions.

Surviving in the cold: yeast mutants with extended hibernating lifespan are oxidant sensitive

Metabolic activity generates oxidizing molecules throughout life, but it is still debated if the resulting damage of macromolecules is a causality, or consequence, of the aging process. This problem demands for studying growth- and longevity phenotypes separately. Here, we assayed a complete collection of haploid Saccharomyces cerevisiae knock-out strains for their capacity to endure long periods at low metabolic rates. Deletion of 93 genes, predominantly factors of primary metabolism, allowed yeast to survive for more than 58 months in the cold. The majority of these deletion strains were not resistant against oxidants or reductants, but many were hypersensitive. Hence, survival at low metabolic rates has limiting genetic components, and correlates with stress resistance inversely. Indeed, maintaining the energy consuming anti-oxidative machinery seems to be disadvantageous under coldroom conditions.

Study of Cold Tolerance in Blueberry Using EST Libraries, cDNA Microarrays, and Subtractive Hybridization

To gain a better understanding of changes in gene expression associated with cold acclimation in the woody perennial blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) and ultimately use this information to develop more freeze-tolerant cultivars, a genomics approach based on the analysis of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and microarrays was undertaken. Initially, two standard cDNA libraries, constructed using RNA from cold-acclimated (CA) and nonacclimated (NA) floral buds of the blueberry cultivar Bluecrop, were used for the generation of ≈2400 ESTs, half from each library. Putative functions were assigned to cDNAs based on homology to other genes/ESTs from GenBank. From contig analyses, 796 and 865 unique transcripts were identified from the CA and NA libraries, respectively. The most highly abundant cDNAs, that were picked many more times from one library than from the other, were identified as representing potentially differentially expressed transcripts. A cDNA microarray was constructed and used to study gene expression under cold-acclimating conditions in the field and cold room. Results indicated that the abundance of transcripts of numerous blueberry genes change during cold acclimation, including genes not found previously to be cold-responsive in Arabidopsis, and, interestingly, more transcripts were found to be upregulated under cold room conditions than under field conditions. Finally, forward and reverse subtracted cDNA libraries were prepared from ‘Bluecrop’ RNA to enrich for transcripts that are expressed at higher levels in floral buds at 400 h and at 0 h of low-temperature exposure, respectively. Many genes encoding putative transcription factors and other proteins related to signal transduction were identified from both libraries.

Major differences observed in transcript profiles of blueberry during cold acclimation under field and cold room conditions

Our laboratory has been working toward increasing our understanding of the genetic control of cold hardiness in blueberry (Vaccinium section Cyanococcus) to ultimately use this information to develop more cold hardy cultivars for the industry. Here, we report using cDNA microarrays to monitor changes in gene expression at multiple times during cold acclimation under field and cold room conditions. Microarrays contained over 2,500 cDNA inserts, approximately half of which had been picked and single-pass sequenced from each of two cDNA libraries that were constructed from cold acclimated floral buds and non-acclimated floral buds of the fairly cold hardy cv. Bluecrop (Vaccinium corymbosum L.). Two biological samples were examined at each time point. Microarray data were analyzed statistically using t tests, ANOVA, clustering algorithms, and online analytical processing (OLAP). Interestingly, more transcripts were found to be upregulated under cold room conditions than under field conditions. Many of the genes induced only under cold room conditions could be divided into three major types: (1) genes associated with stress tolerance; (2) those that encode glycolytic and TCA cycle enzymes, and (3) those associated with protein synthesis machinery. A few of the genes induced only under field conditions appear to be related to light stress. Possible explanations for these differences are discussed in physiological context. Although many similarities exist in how plants respond during cold acclimation in the cold room and in the field environment, there are major differences suggesting caution should be taken in interpreting results based only on artificial, cold room conditions.

(337) Effect of Selenium Supply by Trunk Injection on Fruit Quality of `Niitaka' Asian Pear

Many trials to supply selenium to fruit have been carried out since tests have confirmed selenium's role as a medical substance. Supplying selenium in orchards by soil and foliar application was not effective because of loss from rainfall. In order to increase selenium absorption by fruit, this study carried out tree trunk injections during the growing season. Selenium solutions in concentrations of 5, 10, 25, and 50 mg·L–1 were supplied to `Niitaka' pear (Pyruspyrifolia) trees by trunk injection (1.5 L/tree) four times at 15-day intervals from June 2004. The treatment with 50 mg·L–1 selenium showed necrosis symptoms at leaf-margins after secondary treatment and toxicity as abnormally red fruit skin color. Fruit weight and leaf area were decreased by selenium treatments, while severe symptoms appeared with higher selenium concentrations. Hunter values `a' and `b' in fruit skin color were increased by selenium treatment in comparison to the control. The selenium treatment showed lower soluble solids by as much as 1.2%, and higher fruit firmness. Selenium concentration in pear fruit was increased by trunk injection with a 5 mg·L–1 solution. The bound selenium in pear fruit after 3 months of storage in cold room conditions was very high, but free selenium was low.

Textural and microstructural changes associated with post-harvest hardening of trifoliate yam ( Dioscorea dumetorum) pax tubers

The textural and microstructural changes associated with the post-harvest hardening phenomenon of Dioscorea dumetorum tubers were studied to determine how texture relates to microstructure during the hardening process. A 2×2×4 factorial experiment with sample treatment, storage conditions and storage time as variables was performed. The tubers were harvested, matured and stored under prevailing tropical ambient conditions (28 °C) and cold room conditions (4 °C) for the study. All the samples were evaluated for their hardness (peak force) and adhesiveness (curve areas). Starch microscopy was done on the freshly harvested tubers, hardened tubers and tubers stored under low temperature conditions (4 °C) during the study. TA.XT2 analyses on the textural properties revealed consistent increases in the hardness and adhesiveness levels, measured during the hardening process of the tubers. Hardness levels increased markedly to significant levels ( P<0.05) in the tubers (from 1208.4 g to 7801.6 g). Similarly, adhesiveness levels increased from 12.5462 to 30.2218 g m in the tubers within 72 h after harvest. Starch microscopy revealed variations in the cell microstructure of the hardened and unhardened tubers. Hardening of D. dumetorum was characterized by thickened cell walls and middle lamella in the cells of the tuber. The hardening varied according tuber treatment and temperature of storage. Several treatments and storage methods were tested and those that limited the contact of the tubers with the external environment were found to slow down the hardening process.

Changes in rheological properties and amylase activities of trifoliate yam, Dioscorea dumetorum, starch after harvest

Changes in rheological properties and amylase activities occurring in trifoliate yam, Dioscorea dumetorum, starch after harvest were investigated. Trifoliate yam tubers were harvested and stored under tropical ambient (28 °C) and cold room conditions (4 °C) for 12, 24 and 36 h. The D. dumetorum starches were extracted from the tubers under study and samples were evaluated for changes in their rheological properties (paste characteristics) during storage and to study the action of amylases on D. dumetorum starch after harvesting. The post-harvest activities of α and β-amylases were also studied to evaluate their rate of action on D. dumetorum starch. Storage caused decreases in the rheological properties (paste characteristics) of the tubers within 36 h of harvest. Similarly, α and β-amylase activities in the tubers more than doubled within 24 h after harvesting. Blanching, however, effectively decreased the action of amylases on D. dumetorum starch during storage, with subsequential increase in the paste viscosities of the stored tubers. Low temperature storage of the tubers also slowed down the rates of decrease in both the rheological properties and amylase activities during the 36-h storage period.