Easy Peeling Research Articles

Assessments of Biodiversity Based on Molecular Markers and Morphological Traits among West-Bank, Palestine Fig Genotypes (Ficus carica L.)

Both morphological characters and PCR-based RAPD approaches were used to determine the genetic diversity and relatedness among nine fig genotypes grown at the northern region of the West-Bank, Palestine. Although we tested 28 primers for the RAPD technique, only 9 produced reasonable amplification products. A total of 57 DNA loci were detected in which 70.2% were polymorphic. DNA fragments presented a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 9 polymorphic bands using primers OPT-10 and OPA-18, respectively. Primers exhibited collective resolving power values (Rp) of 18.826. The Mwazi genotype showed the highest genetic distances among all of the other genotypes. Morphologically, considerable variations were found using 41 quantitative and qualitative traits. Adloni could be a very promising genotype for fresh consumption due to its very late maturation period, extended harvesting period, variable fruit size, and easy skin peeling. In addition, 7 genotypes presented firm fruits, which are a very important criterion for exporting purposes. Dendrogram constructed by UPGMA based on RAPD banding patterns appear somewhat contradictory to the morphological descriptors particularly with Swadi and Biadi genotypes (closed genetically and distanced morphologically), which might be attributed to the phenotypic modifications caused by environmental differences across regions. These preliminary results will make a fundamental contribution to further genetic improvement of fig crops for the region.

Biomechanical characteristics of tomato fruit peels

Mechanical properties, such as strength and elasticity, of tomato peel (exocarp) are important in fruit used both for industrial processing and for fresh consumption, and, therefore, are also of vital interest to breeders. The food industries prefer peel to be thick and stiff for easy peeling, whereas consumers of fresh produce prefer thin, soft peel, for easy eating. The various varieties of tomato fruit genetically developed by breeders might exhibit the desired quality or biomechanical characteristics, but at the same time, might produce types of peel that do not always meet the requirements of the canneries or the fresh-fruit market. The present study evaluated the morphology and mechanical characteristics of the fruit skin and its integrated cuticular membranes, and determined their suitability for industrial processing and/or human consumption. The biomechanical and anatomical properties of fruit peels of five tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum) cultivars were investigated. The mechanical properties of ripe tomato peel under axial tension were characterized by measuring strength, elastic modulus, failure stress, overall stiffness and degree of stiffening, by means of deformation and puncture testing of flat strip and circular disk samples, respectively, with a Universal Testing Machine. Data were collected by two testing methods for each peel sample from up to 15 fruit of each of five cultivars. The results were analyzed statistically to determine the instantaneous elastic strains, breaking stress (strength), and work of fracture the peels. The overall stiffness and the extent to which the stress–strain curve deviated from a straight line were calculated. The results suggested a standard measure for each tomato variety, based on its mechanical integrity and suitability for processing or fresh consumption.

Evaluation of Wound Healing Effect on Skin-Defect Nude Mice by Using Human Dermis-Derived Mesenchyaml Stem Cells

We report that human dermis-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hDMSCs) possess differentiation potential of epidermis facilitating wound healing in skin-defect nude mice in combination with the treatment using gelatin/thermosensitive poly N-isopropylacrylamide (pNIPAAm)/polypropylene (PP). The results showed that the rate of cell growth and wound recovery in the hDMSC and gelatin/pNIPAAm/PP-treated group was significantly greater than those in the gelatin/pNIPAAm/PP-treated only group ( P < .01). The reepithelialization marker of human pan-cytokeratin was also significantly increased on days 14 and day 21 in the wound site of hDMSCs and gelatin/pNIPAAm/PP-treated group. Furthermore, the stem cell marker of human CD13 gradually decreased during the period of wound healing. In sum, this novel method provided a transferring system for stem cell therapy, maintaining its temperature-sensitive property of easy peeling by lower temperature treatment.

Inflammatory Peeling Skin Syndrome Studied with Electron Microscopy

Peeling skin syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive dermatosis characterized by lifelong continual skin shedding with underlying erythema. We present a 10-year-old boy with this disease. Easy peeling of the skin associated with keratotic areas was observed. Microscopic findings included psoriasiformis dermatitis. Cleavage was observed between corneocytes as well as between granular-corneum cells and within the granular cell layer. Electron microscopic findings included intra- and intercellular cleavage of corneocytes and intracellular separation of granular cells. The molecular mechanisms of peeling skin syndrome are discussed.

Long Distance Pollen Flow in Mandarin Orchards Determined by AFLP Markers—Implications for Seedless Mandarin Production

Production of seedless mandarins such as `Nules' clementine mandarin (Citrus clementina Hort. Ex Tan.) and `Afourer' mandarin [C. sinensis (L.) Osbeck × C. reticulata Blanco] is increasing in California as consumers' interest in seedless, easy peeling, and good tasting mandarins increases. The fruit would produce seeds if cross-pollination with compatible pollen source occurred. It is almost impossible to prevent cross-pollination between compatible mandarin cultivars by honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) within the multi-faceted agricultural environment in California. To produce seedless mandarin, growers either plant a single cultivar in a large solid block or try to use pollen-sterile navel oranges (C. sinensis) or satsuma mandarins (C. unshiu Marco.) as buffers to prevent cross-pollination. The question of how many rows of buffer trees or spacing can effectively prevent cross-pollination by honeybees between compatible mandarins is unclear. We initiated a study using fluorescent-labeled AFLP markers to determine the pollen parentages of `Nules' clementine seedlings and `Afourer' mandarin seedlings from two orchards in California. The longest distance of pollen flow at an orchard near Madera was 521 m. The pollen of `Minneola' tangelo (C. reticulata × C. paradisi Macf.) was able to disperse across a minimum of 92 rows of `Lane Late' navel oranges plus two rows of `Afourer' mandarins to pollinate `Afourer' mandarins. We also found that all the seedlings of `Nules' clementine mandarin at an orchard near Bakersfield had been pollinated by `Afourer' mandarin pollen. The pollen of `Afourer' mandarin was able to disperse up to distances between 837 and 960 m to pollinate `Nules' clementine. The pollen dispersal distance found in this study was at least 16 times longer than previously reported in a citrus orchard. Growers need to consider a much larger space or buffer rows to prevent cross-pollination and produce seedless mandarins in California.

Trends in U.S. Sweet Orange, Grapefruit, and Mandarin-type Cultivars

The world market for citrus (Citrus spp.) products has undergone dramatic shifts over the last decade. These shifts are influencing development and planting of new citrus cultivars. Seedlessness and very easy peeling have become paramount in mandarin types (C. reticulata and hybrids), and new cultivars are being developed through plant breeding and selection of new sports. In both sweet orange (C. sinensis) and grapefruit (C. paradisi), essentially all important cultivars are derived from a single original hybrid of each fruit type, and plant improvement has focused on selection of sports with redder color and extended maturity. The existence of many active citrus breeding programs makes it likely that we will continue to see evolution of new citrus cultivars over the foreseeable future.

Design and evaluation of drug-loaded wound dressing having thermoresponsive, adhesive, absorptive and easy peeling properties

In order to develop a novel unique wound dressing, a combination of self-adhesive Eudragit E film with antibacterial drug-loaded poly ( N-isopropyl-acrylamide) (PNIPAAm) microgel beads was designed. The result indicates that the tack property of Eudragit E film increased with an increase of the PNIPAAm microgel beads added, but there was no significant difference between the dried PNIPAAm microgel beads with or without adsorbing drug. In addition, the peel strength of Eudragit E film initially decreased with the addition of PNIPAAm microgel beads, but increased to a maximum value when PNIPAAm microgel beads were added from 4% to 7.6%, then decreased again after 7.6%. The optimal concentration of PNIPAAm microgel beads was 7.6% (w/v) which had better tack and peel adhesive properties. The water uptake ratio of Eudragit E film containing PNIPAAm microgel beads was found to be temperature-dependent, suggesting that the Eudragit E film containing PNIPAAm microgel beads enabled to absorb the wound fluid. Eudragit E film containing PNIPAAm microgel beads with or without adsorbing drug had significantly reduced peel strength after 12 h-immersion in solution. All these results suggest that a novel drug-loaded wound dressing has been developed by binding a self-adhesive Eudragit E film with an antibacterial drug-loaded PNIPAAm microgel beads to achieve thermo-responsive, adhesive, absorptive and easy peeling functions.

CVD diamond coated insert for machining high silicon aluminum alloys

Abstract This paper shows the wear mechanism of CVD diamond inserts in machining high silicon aluminum alloys. The tool life of a coated insert with a thin diamond layer is very short due to the easy peeling of the diamond layer. Tool wear of an insert coated with a thick diamond layer is promoted in two steps. In the first step, tool wear occurs continuously by diamond grains chipping and falling off the flank face. In the second step, deep cracks are propagated and reach the surface of the substrate at the threshold of the diamond thickness, remaining due to continuous tool wear, and the diamond layer unexpectedly peels off from the substrate. The flank wear determines the tool life in the machining high silicon aluminum alloys. An improvement in the diamond layer resulting in high resistance to chipping and cracking is required in order to increase the tool life for machining high silicon aluminum alloys.

Research Note: Preparation of a Low-Fat Reduced Sodium Turkey Braunschweiger

A turkey Braunschweiger incorporating mechanically deboned turkey meat, gizzards, and half the normal sodium content was prepared. Proximate analysis showed that the turkey Braunschweiger contained more protein and less fat than a commercial product. In sensory evaluation, panelists were unable to differentiate among turkey Braunschweigers in which half the NaCl was substituted by KCl from those with NaCl only. The judges described the Braunschweiger as having good sliceability, easy peeling, a smooth texture, and a typical mild liver taste with no overpowering flavor tones. The product uses low-cost ingredients and should prove to be attractive for the nutrition-conscious consumer.

Comparative Anatomy of Pericarps of Four Tomato Mutants1

Abstract Pericarps of 4 tomato mutants and 1 cultivar were compared anatomically. Sticky peel (pe) had very little cuticle on its epidermal surface and was devoid of hypodermal cells. Peach (p) possessed a heavily cutinized and rough surface over the epidermis with a hypodermal layer comparable to that of the standard cv. Campbell 146. Easy peeling (ep) was more heavily cutinized than Campbell 146, but the hypodermal layer was comparable in structure. The easy peeling characteristic appeared to be associated with more intercellular space among and disintegration of the fully mature parenchyma cells below the hypodermis. Oblong fruits (obl) have a strong skin resulting from a thick hypodermal layer. They also possess a heavily cutinized epidermis and relatively compact, small inner parenchyma cells.

Radiation-induced easy peeling and oblong fruit mutants of the tomato.

The genetics of two radiation-induced mutants of cv. Moneymaker, "easy peeling" and "oblong fruit with strong skin", were studied. Both were governed by a single recessive gene. The combination of both traits was achieved by crossing, but it was impossible to break the association between oblong fruit and strong skin. Hybrid easy peeling material with round or oblong fruit shape was selected for yield and improvements up to 30% over Moneymaker were reached under experimental conditions. The easy peeling trait may be of interest both for the canning industry and for fresh consumption.-Univ. Wageningen &amp; Neth. Inst. atomic Sci. Agric. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)