Fruit Basis Research Articles

The effect of intaking a new sport food on milk and fruit basis on blood biochemical indicators and antioxidant status in athletes

The problem of developing special food with targeted medical and biological properties is a pressing issue not only for sports medicine, but also for nutrition science. The aim of the research was to provide a medical and biological justification for the development and to evaluate the effectiveness of using new sport food (SF) in the form of a bar. Material and methods. The milk-fruit bar was developed on the basis of dry goat milk, dry whey, fruit and berry and grain raw materials, hydrolysate and isolate of plant and animal proteins, vitamin premix, as well as dry cultures of lacto- and bifidobacteria Bifidobacterium bifidum BB79, Streptococcus lactis SL215, Lactobacillus acidophilus LA72 (in a 1:1:1 ratio). The assessment of the effectiveness of a SF was carried out on 2 groups of professional athletes involved in martial arts (MMA), Greco-Roman wrestling, triathlons and pentathlon. 42 athletes were included in the control group and 46 athletes were included in the main group. Athletes in the main group consumed 4 milk-fruit bars (120 g) daily in addition to their basic diet, while athletes in the control group received placebo bars equivalent in calorie value (150 g). The complex examination before and after a 21-day training cycle, in combination with SF intake, included the study of body composition, hematological (red blood cells, hemoglobin, leukocytes, lymphocytes, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, hematocrit) and biochemical studies (plasma total protein, albumin, cholesterol, lactate) as well as studying the antioxidant status of athletes [malondialdehyde (MDA) and diene conjugates (DC) in blood serum]. Results. On the 21st day of SF intake, the cholesterol level decreased by 14.5-18.9% (p<0.05) in individuals involved in Greco-Roman wrestling, MMA and triathlon, in athletes involved in pentathlon - by 11.3% (p>0.05) compared to the initial level in blood plasma. Lactate level also lowered in athletes involved in Greco-Roman wrestling and triathlon by 14.2-28.3% (p<0.05), in other sports - by 12.2-17.6% (p>0.05). At the same time, these indicators did not change significantly in athletes from the control group. In addition, the lactate level in triathletes at the end of the study was 23.2% lower compared to the level in athletes from the control group (p<0.05). SF intake led to the decrease (p<0.05) in blood serum of athletes involved in the presented sports of MDA level by 20.0-27.9% (except for triathletes) and of DC - by 14.3-48.5% (except for athletes involved in Greco-Roman wrestling). In athletes of the control group after taking a placebo bar, the level of MDA significantly decreased by 20.0% only in individuals involved in MMA. Conclusion. The developed SF can be recommended for nutrition of athletes involved in various sports.

Responses of tomato fruit water balance and xylem hydraulic property of pedicel and calyx to water deficit and salinity stress

Moderate water scarcity and high soil salinization always limit fruit growth but largely promote fruit quality. Water is transported to the fruit via xylem and phloem and lost via transpiration, which is important for fruit growth and quality parameters. So far, few studies have quantified the relationship between fruit water balance and fruit growth and quality under water deficit and salinity stress (especially combined water deficit and salinity stress). In this study, tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plants were grown under full irrigation (CK), water deficit (WD), salinity stress (SS), and combined water deficit and salinity stress (WS). We measured fruit size and quality parameters, investigated fruit water balance using a subtraction method, evaluated xylem hydraulic resistance of pedicel and calyx applying a hydraulic head, and assessed the xylem functionality by fruit rehydration and dye-tracing experiments. Results showed that WD, SS, and WS decreased plant water status and leaf gas exchange and fruit growth, but increased fruit total soluble solids. These effects were more pronounced in WS than both WD and SS. The inhibition of fruit growth by three treatments was caused by the jointly reduced xylem and phloem flow. Although xylem hydraulic resistance of pedicel and calyx at 35 d after anthesis was not significantly affected under WD and SS, it greatly increased by 112% under WS, which coincided with a significant reduction of daily growth rate and xylem flow computed on a per fruit basis by 83% and 87% under WS. These results also suggested that the xylem tissues were still functional regardless of the applied stress and fruit growth period. Phloem flow computed on a per fruit basis was decreased under all treatments, resulting in a reduction in fruit dry matter quantity, partly due to the decreased photosynthates. Phloem flow and fruit transpiration computed on a per fruit fresh weight basis were not affected due to the synergistic reduction of flow and fruit size by all treatments. This study provides a new understanding on the water relations of plant-fruit system under water deficit and salinity stress.

Diversity on Fruits of Wild Grown European Cranberrybush from Coruh Valley in Turkey

Wild berries-blackberry, raspberry, blueberry, strawberry, rose hip, elderberry, cranberries etc. are common across most of region of Turkey and there is lack of information about horticultural characteristics of wild grown those berries in the country. Present study aimed to determine some morphological (fruit weight, number of fruits per raceme, number of racemes per bush), and biochemical (vitamin C, soluble solid content, total phenol, total anthocyanin, and antioxidant capacity) in fruits of ten European cranberrybush (Viburnum opulus L.) genotypes naturally grown in Coruh valley in Turkey. The results showed statistically significant differences among genotypes for most of the searched parameters. Fruit weight, number of fruits per raceme and number of racemes per bush were ranged from 0.64 to 0.85 g; 35.2 to 52.6 and 326 to 483, respectively. The genotypes had SSC (Soluble solid content) and vitamin C between 10.96 and 12.65% and 29 and 41 mg per 100 g fresh fruit basis. Total phenol and total anthocyanin content ranged from 668 to 856 mg gallic acid equivalent per 100 g fresh weight, 27–53 mg per 100 g fresh fruit expressed cyanidin-3-rutinoside. Antioxidant activity were found between 28.76 and 36.41 µmol trolox equivalents per g fresh fruit based on FRAP (Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma) assay.

Seasonal changes of mineral nutrients in the fruit of navel orange plants grafted on trifoliate orange and citrange

To clarify whether the rootstock can affect the uptake dynamics of mineral nutrient in the fruit of navel orange, changes in the concentration and quantities of macronutrients (N, P, K, Mg, and Ca) and micronutrients (B, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn) in the fruit of Newhall navel orange grafted on trifoliate orange and citrange were measured at semi-monthly intervals during fruit development. The macronutrients measured in this study, except Ca, decreased in concentration on a whole fruit basis during stage I and then remained constant or decreased very slightly during stages II and III of fruit development. Calcium concentration in whole fruit increased during stage I. The elements Mn, Cu and Zn declined in concentration on a whole fruit basis at two rates, very sharply during early stage I and then gradually in the following days to maturity. An exception to this general pattern was boron, where the concentration remained constant during stage I and early stage II and then decreased slightly. For the element Fe, the concentrations showed a large increase and then declined immediately from 120 to 150 days after full bloom (DAFB). With few exceptions (e.g., Fe, Mn, and Zn), the quantity of each element accumulated increased steadily throughout the growth period to reach a maximum by harvest in both grafted plants. Fe accumulation in whole fruit increased from a minimum just after fruit set to a maximum by 135 DAFB. For a number of elements (N, P, K, B, and Mn), there was a strong linear correlation (R2 > 0.95, P < 0.001) between the dry mass yield and the amount accumulated throughout the growth period. Potassium and N are the two nutrients that accumulated in greatest amounts by fruit. Boron and Fe are the micronutrients that accumulated in the highest quantities in Newhall navel orange fruit. The patterns of seasonal change in the concentrations of macro- and micronutrients for trifoliate orange-grafted and citrange-grafted navel orange trees were generally similar.

Variation in the impact of stem scar and cuticle on water loss in highbush blueberry fruit argue for the use of water permeance as a selection criterion in breeding

The role of fruit scar on water loss from fresh harvested, fully blue highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) fruit was studied on three germplasm lines from each of three half-sib families at University of Talca, Chile. The stem scar of half of the harvested fruit was sealed using nail polish and weight loss of sealed and non-sealed fruit determined daily at 20°C (5 d storage) and bi-weekly at 0°C (15 d storage). Fruit firmness was determined at the end of the storage period. The stem scar accounted for approximately 40% of the moisture lost at 20°C, but percentages varied considerably between lines. While the stem scar covered 0.19% to 0.74% of the fruit surface area, its rate of transpiration was 170-times higher than for the cuticle at 20°C. The larger the fruit scar area, the greater was the absolute rate of water loss, but scar size scar did not affect the rate of weight loss expressed on a per gram fruit basis. Higher levels of water loss were associated with a greater loss in firmness; fruit having a large scar had a greater rate of water loss and were less firm than those having medium or small scars. The water permeance of the fruit cuticle varied two-fold and the apparent permeance of the scar varied three-fold among the 9 lines evaluated when held at 20°C. Interestingly, one line exhibited a 75% lower rate of water loss from its stem scar than the other lines than would be predicted based on its scar diameter. Storage at 0°C reduced the rate of water loss by 90% but the cuticle permeance was not affected by temperature. Sealing the stem scar increased fruit firmness retention at 0°C and 20°C, but provided less benefit at 0°C vs. 20°C. The highly variable nature of water loss through the stem scar and the cuticle in this study suggests that large gains in reductions in water loss are possible for the highbush blueberry once the mechanisms for transpiration are better understood.

Study on Effect of Carbonation on Storage and Stability of Pomegranate Fruit Juice

Present investigation was undertaken to prepare carbonated beverage from pomegranate juice. Fruits of Ganesh variety were used in investigation. The yield of pomegranate juice obtained on whole fruit basis was 43 per cent while it was 68 per cent on aril weight basis. The carbonated beverage was prepared with 5,10,15,20 percent pomegranate juice with blending of ginger juice at 1, 2, 3 per cent by maintaining the TSS at 15 Brix and acidity 0.32 per cent. Based on the organoleptic evaluation, carbonated beverage with 10 per cent pomegranate juice and ginger juice 1 per cent was best among all the levels.

Influence of variety, storage, and simulated gastrointestinal digestion on chemical composition and bioactivity of polysaccharides from sweet cherry and apple tree fruits

AbstractThis work examined the effect of extraction regime (hot water vs. simulated in vitro gastrointestinal digestion) and postharvest storage on the chemical composition, molecular weight, and bioactive properties of polysaccharides obtained from sweet cherries (Lapins and Staccato varieties) and apples (Gala and Fuji varieties). The yields of the polysaccharides isolated from cherries and apples ranged from 0.2 to 2.4% on a dry weight fruit basis. All of the isolated polysaccharides contained protein, phenolic compounds, and uronic acid. All polysaccharides contained the sugar monomers: rhamnose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, galactose, and glucose. Also, all of the polysaccharides obtained using the different extraction regimes were shown to possess antioxidant activity as determined with the ferric reducing antioxidant power and the 2,2-azinobis (3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assays. Only the polysaccharides isolated from the cherry and apples after simulated in vi...

Characterization of Water Extractable Crude Polysaccharides from Cherry, Raspberry, and Ginseng Berry Fruits: Chemical Composition and Bioactivity

Water extractable crude polysaccharides from three sweet cherry varieties, raspberries, and ginseng berry pulp were evaluated for their chemical composition, structural features, molecular weight, and bioactive properties. The yields of the crude polysaccharides isolated from cherries, raspberries, and ginseng berry pulp ranged from 0.79 to 0.18% on a dry weight fruit basis. All of the crude polysaccharides contained protein, phenolic compounds, and uronic acid. Each crude polysaccharide contained the sugar monomers: rhamnose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, galactose, and glucose. Of the water extractable polysaccharides obtained from the mature fruits, the crude polysaccharides from the raspberries had the highest molecular weight while the crude polysaccharides from the ginseng berry pulp had the smallest molecular weight. Results from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy suggested that the crude polysaccharides contained a monosaccharide with six carbon atoms in a D-glucopyranose ring and a protein component. The crude polysaccharides from cherries, raspberries, and ginseng berry pulp were shown to possess antioxidant activity as determined with the ferric reducing antioxidant power and the 2,2-azinobis (3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assays. The effect of crude polysaccharides on: (1) caspase 3 activation, which was determined using a hypoxia/reoxygenation model, and (2) immunostimulation, which was determined by evaluating the inflammatory mediator response, were examined. Only crude polysaccharides obtained from certain varieties of sweet cherries inhibited caspase 3 activation in a dose-dependent manner, while only the crude polysaccharides obtained from ginseng berry pulp stimulated immune function. Crude polysaccharides present in small fruits do possess bioactivities that may enhance human health.

Using modern plant breeding to improve the nutritional and technological qualities of oil crops

The last few decades have seen huge advances in our understanding of plant biology and in the development of new technologies for the manipulation of crop plants. The application of relatively straightforward breeding and selection methods made possible the “Green Revolution” of the 1960s and 1970s that effectively doubled or trebled cereal production in much of the world and averted mass famine in Asia. During the 2000s, much attention has been focused on genomic approaches to plant breeding with the deployment of a new generation of technologies, such as marker-assisted selection, next-generation sequencing, transgenesis (genetic engineering or GM) and automatic mutagenesis/selection (TILLING, TargetIng Local Lesions IN Genomes). These methods are now being applied to a wide range of crops and have particularly good potential for oil crop improvement in terms of both overall food and non-food yield and nutritional and technical quality of the oils. Key targets include increasing overall oil yield and stability on a per seed or per fruit basis and very high oleic acid content in seed and fruit oils for both premium edible and oleochemical applications. Other more specialised targets include oils enriched in nutritionally desirable “fish oil”-like fatty acids, especially very long chain !-3 acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), or increased levels of lipidic vitamins such as carotenoids, tocopherols and tocotrienes. Progress in producing such oils in commercial crops has been good in recent years with several varieties being released or at advanced stages of development.

RELATIONSHIP OF SOLUBLE SOLIDS, ACIDITY AND AROMA VOLATILES TO FLAVOR IN LATE-SEASON NAVEL ORANGES

Late-season navel oranges in California sometimes have poor flavor even though they have high soluble solids content (SSC) and are very sweet. The reasons for this low flavor quality were investigated by evaluating individual late-season navel oranges for sensory attributes and then measuring SSC, titratable acidity (TA) and aroma volatiles from juice taken from the same oranges. A wide range in hedonic scores from below a rating of 4 (dislike slightly) to above 8 (like very much) was obtained for the 95 fruit evaluated, although 78% of the fruit were above a rating of 6 (like slightly). Correlation coefficients calculated between the sensory and chemical (SSC, TA and flavor volatiles) attributes were mostly non-significant and, in every case, very low, indicating that there were no clearly identifiable reasons for the flavor differences observed among the individual fruit. Partial least squares analysis using the combined chemical data as a dependent variable came to a similar conclusion and was able to account for only 25% of the variation in the sensory data by using the chemical data. It is possible that components other than those that were evaluated were responsible for the flavor differences or that the fruit were too similar in taste for our sensory panel to accurately categorize on an individual fruit basis.

Complementary fragmentation pattern analysis by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry confirmed the precious lignan content of Cirsium weeds

In this paper, as novelties to the field, it is confirmed at first, that the fruits of Cirsium species, regarded as injurious weeds, do contain lignans, two, different butyrolactone-type glycoside/aglycone pairs: the well known arctiin/arctigenin and the particularly rare tracheloside/trachelogenin species. These experiences were supported by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/(MS)) and by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The study reflects the powerful impact of the complementary chromatographic mass fragmentation evidences resulting in the identification and quantification, the extremely rare, with on line technique not yet identified and described, tracheloside/trachelogenin pair lignans, without authentic standard compounds. Fragmentation pattern analysis of the trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivative of trachelogenin, based on GC–MS, via two different fragmentation pathways confirmed the detailed structure of the trachelogenin molecule. The complementary chromatographic evidences have been unambiguously confirmed, by 1H and 13C NMR analysis of trachelogenin, isolated by preparative chromatography. Identification and quantification of the fruit extracts of four Cirsium ( C.) species ( C. arvense, C. canum, C. oleraceum, and C. palustre), revealed that (i) all four species do accumulate the tracheloside/trachelogenin or the arctiin/arctigenin butyrolactone-type glycoside/aglycone pairs, (ii) the overwhelming part of lignans are present as glycosides (tracheloside 9.1–14.5 mg/g, arctiin 28.6–39.3 mg/g, expressed on dry fruit basis), (iii) their acidic and enzymatic hydrolyses to the corresponding aglycones, to trachelogenin and arctigenin are fast and quantitative and (iv) the many-sided beneficial trachelogenin and arctigenin can be prepared separately, without impurities, excellent for medicinal purposes.

Developmental changes of carbohydrates, organic acids, amino acids, and phenolic compounds in ‘Honeycrisp’ apple flesh

The developmental changes of carbohydrates, organic acids, amino acids and phenolic compounds in ‘Honeycrisp’ apple flesh were investigated using GC–MS and HPLC. A total of 12 carbohydrates, 8 organic acids, 20 amino acids, and 18 phenolic compounds were identified and quantified. Each metabolite showed characteristic changes during fruit development, but in general, concentrations of most sugars and sugar alcohols either increased or remained unchanged whereas concentrations of most organic acids, amino acids and phenolic compounds decreased with fruit development, indicating that most sugars and sugar alcohols are synthesised and/or accumulate at a faster or similar rate relative to fruit growth whereas organic acids, amino acids and phenolics are synthesised and/or accumulate at a slower rate relative to fruit growth. On a whole fruit basis, the content of most metabolites increased with fruit development. In the flesh of mature ‘Honeycrisp’ apple, fructose and sucrose and sorbitol are the major sugars and sugar alcohol; malic acid is the major organic acid; aspartic acid, asparagine, glutamic acid, proline, threonine and γ-aminobutyric acid are the major amino acids; and procyanidin B1, procyanidin B2, chlorogenic acid, catechin and epicatechin are the major phenolic compounds, respectively.

Determining the Optimal Timing of Fruit Harvest in Transgenic Tomato Expressing F1-V, a Candidate Subunit Vaccine against Plague

Changes in the amounts of F1-V, an antigen fusion protein and a candidate subunit vaccine against plague, and total soluble protein (TSP) in green fruit of transgenic tomato plants were investigated to identify the optimum harvest timing to maximize the F1-V yields. Two T2 progenies of the transgenic plant, ‘22.11.21’ and ‘22.11.5’, were grown. The F1-V concentration rapidly decreased at the beginning of the green stage and decreased to less than 5% of the initial concentration at the late green stage in ‘22.11.21’. The F1-V concentration also decreased as fruit size increased in ‘22.11.5’, but the pattern of the decrease was linear and different from that in ‘22.11.21’. The concentration of TSP also decreased with fruit growing in both plants. When calculated on a whole fruit basis, the F1-V content linearly decreased with increasing fruit size in ‘22.11.21’. In ‘22.11.5’, the F1-V content per fruit also tended to decrease from the middle to late green stage. Based on these observations, collecting small green fruits without pruning was proposed as a harvest practice that may maximize the F1-V yields. Thus, the optimum protocols for harvesting and pruning for plant-made pharmaceutical production may be substantially different from those currently used in commercial hydroponic greenhouses for fresh market tomato.

Cuticular Cracking on Nectarine Fruit Surface: Spatial Distribution and Development in Relation to Irrigation and Thinning

Investigations on “natural” cuticular cracks were conducted on nectarine fruit [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch var. nucipersica (Suckow) C.K. Schneid.]. A method for quantifying the cuticular crack surface area on a whole fruit basis was proposed. By using a stratified sampling design, the spatial distribution of the cuticular cracks over three regions (stylar end, peduncle, and cheek), their morphology, and the estimation of the total proportion of cuticular cracks on the fruit were studied. These features were examined during fruit development and in response to several fruit growing conditions corresponding to various crop loads and irrigation regimes. Cuticular cracks on nectarine fruit occurred during the final rapid fruit growth stage. Larger fruit presented higher cuticular crack densities in the apical regions than in the cheek regions. Thin and larger cuticular cracks occurred continuously during fruit development. Cuticular cracks represented 10% to 12.5% of the fruit surface area for well irrigated or low crop load trees, whereas they covered less than 4.5% for the heavy crop load and water deficit treatments. Cheek regions largely contributed to the total cuticular crack surface area (&gt;60%), regardless of the fruit growing conditions. After irrigation was restricted, cuticular crack development was limited. A positive relationship was established between the cuticular crack surface area per fruit surface area and the fruit fresh weight.

PENERAPAN TEKNOLOGI KARANTINA: UPAYA MEMBUKA PELUANG EKSPOR BUAH-BUAHAN INDONESIA

Export of Indonesian fruit are constrained by very tight quarantine regulations, because some produces are host for Tephritidae fruit flies that are considered a quarantine risk by many importing countries. To be accepted by importing markets, the produces must be treated to ensure that they are free of the fruit flies. Since the prohibition of chemical method for insect disinfestation process (like ethylene dibromide, EDB) in 1984, a new method by means of heat treatment was developed as a quarantine technology This method has been applied in several fruit exporting countries such as: Australia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand. Heat treatment in postharvest handling is a method of heating fruit to kill insects eggs and larvae of fruit flies prior to fresh market shipment without damaging the produces There are many factors influence the heat on postharvest fruit quality such as cultivar, fruit size, morphological characteristics, stage of ripeness. and treatment method. Therefore, the applicability of this technology should be assessed on fruit by fruit basis in pursuing the objective of killing the pests/diseases without adversely affecting the market quality of the fruit. Diterima:12 Pebruari 2007, Disetujui:. 27 Maret 2007

Composition of the cuticle of developing sweet cherry fruit

The composition of wax and cutin from developing sweet cherry ( Prunus avium) fruit was studied by GC–MS between 22 and 85 days after full bloom (DAFB). In this and our previous study, fruit mass and surface area increased in a sigmoidal pattern with time, but mass of the cuticular membrane (CM) per unit fruit surface area decreased. On a whole fruit basis, mass of CM increased up to 36 DAFB and remained constant thereafter. At maturity, triterpenes, alkanes and alcohols accounted for 75.6%, 19.1% and 1.2% of total wax, respectively. The most abundant constituents were the triterpenes ursolic (60.0%) and oleanolic acid (7.5%), the alkanes nonacosane (13.0%) and heptacosane (3.0%), and the secondary alcohol nonacosan-10-ol (1.1%). In developing fruit triterpenes per unit area decreased, but alkanes and alcohols remained essentially constant. The cutin fraction of mature fruit consisted of mostly C16 (69.5%) and, to a lower extent, C18 monomers (19.4%) comprising alkanoic, ω-hydroxyacids, α,ω-dicarboxylic and midchain hydroxylated acids. The most abundant constituents were 9(10),16-dihydroxy-hexadecanoic acid (53.6%) and 9,10,18-trihydroxy-octadecanoic acid (7.8%). Amounts of C16 and C18 monomers per unit area decreased in developing fruit, but remained approximately constant on a whole fruit basis. Within both classes of monomers, opposing changes occurred. Amounts of hexadecandioic, 16-hydroxy-hexadecanoic, 9(10)-hydroxy-hexadecane-1,16-dioic and 9,10-epoxy-octadecane-1,18-dioic acids increased, but 9,10,18-trihydroxy-octadecanoic and 9,10,18-trihydroxy-octadecenoic acids decreased. There were no qualitative and minor quantitative differences in wax and cutin composition between cultivars at maturity. Our data indicate that deposition of some constituents of wax and cutin ceased during early fruit development.

Gibberellins Increase Cuticle Deposition in Developing Tomato Fruit

Effects of the gibberellins A4+7(GA4+7) and A3(GA3), benzyladenine (BA) and forchlorfenuron (CPPU) on deposition of the cuticular membrane (CM) in developing tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) fruit were investigated. Growth regulators were applied when fruit development within trusses ranged from the flower to the mature stage. Developmental stage of fruit at the time of application was indexed by fruit diameter. Fruit were harvested at maturity, the CM isolated enzymatically on an individual fruit basis and mass of CM per unit fruit surface area calculated. In mature fruit, mass of CM per fruit increased with fruit size, but mass of CM per unit surface area was independent of fruit size, position within a truss and position of the truss on the plant. GA4+7 and GA3 increased CM mass per unit fruit surface area at concentrations up to 300 mg l−1. Young fruit (5–10 mm diam. at time of application) was most responsive. Responsiveness decreased as fruit development at application progressed towards maturity. There was no consistent effect of GA4+7 or GA3 on fruit mass. BA (up to 100 mg l−1) or CPPU (up to 3 mg l−1) had no significant effect on CM mass per unit surface area regardless of developmental stage. Higher concentrations of BA or CPPU decreased CM mass per unit surface area. There was no effect of BA or CPPU on fruit mass. Potential mechanisms and benefits of a gibberellin induced increase in CM deposition are discussed.

Fluorescence imaging as a non-destructive method for pre-harvest detection of bitter pit in apple fruit ( Malus domestica Borkh.)

Bitter pit in apples still causes significant losses, especially in the export markets of ‘Golden Delicious’ apples from South Africa. Orchard practices to reduce the possibility of bitter pit are followed, as well as destructive methods to predict the probability thereof, but the occurrence of bitter pit is still unacceptably high. Fluorescence imaging is a fast, non-destructive technique, able to evaluate numerous fruit within a short time span. By applying fluorescence imaging on individual fruit before any symptoms of bitter pit were apparent, lower fluorescence was shown to be associated with bitter pit development in apples in selective cases. Our results showed that, using averaged cumulative distribution functions (CDFs) of pitted and non-pitted fruit classes, it was possible to show a difference between these classes with fluorescence imaging. However, the individual distinction between all pitted and non-pitted fruit of our total sample, could not been defined as clearly. In the majority of cases, on a single fruit basis, separation in groups was not satisfactory (less than 100% accurate) based on industry requirements for a prediction technique. Results of pre-harvest imaging on apples to identify fruit with bitter pit potential at harvest showed that pitted fruit were correctly classified (75–100%). However, misclassification of non-pitted fruit (50% and less) with fluorescence imaging is still too high to be of any commercial use.

Texture analysis of Red Delicious fruit: Towards multiple measurements on individual fruit

The sensory texture of Red Delicious apples was studied using single point and time-intensity (TI) methods together with penetrometers and in vivo techniques. Testing was performed in two trials on a per fruit basis, not with fruit batches. The standard penetrometer was significantly correlated (p < 0.05) to sensory hardness, juiciness, mealiness, crunchiness and degree of breakdown, but not to skin toughness. Facial muscle activity during chewing was collected with electromyography (EMG) together with spit outs for individuals. Parameters such as work done during chewing were extracted from the full EMG signals, and some were found to be related significantly (p < 0.05) to the penetrometer data and to sensory hardness. The aspect ratio of expectorated particles related significantly (p < 0.05) to sensory hardness and skin toughness. Principal component analysis shows that 76% of the variance in the combined data set was explained by seven components in Trial 1 and 73% by six components in Trial 2. The first component in both trials was described, principally by hardness, mealiness and the penetrometer value. The second component was described by the EMG signal parameters in Trial 1, and the apple skin properties in Trial 2. Sensory terms hardness, mealiness, crunchiness and juiciness were inter-correlated which may indicate that the texture of Red Delicious apples is perceived as mainly one-dimensional.

Effect of natural variability among apples on the accuracy of VIS-NIR calibration models for optimal harvest date predictions

The prediction of the optimal harvest date of apples is of high importance as it controls the fruit quality after long-term storage in cooled and modified atmosphere conditions. As the present methodology to determine these dates is very time-consuming, the use of visible and near infrared (VIS-NIR) spectroscopy was examined to speed up the measurements. The root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) of the near-infrared calibration models for the prediction of the optimal harvest date of individual fruit ranged, depending on the cultivar, from 5 to 9 days. In practice, the average prediction values of sample batches are used to predict optimal harvest dates of individual orchards rather than on a per fruit basis, and the accuracy of the calibration models then increases considerably. The accuracy of the calibration models to predict the optimal harvest date relative to the natural variability of the maturity of individual fruit has been assessed based on an analysis of the per fruit Streif index, a maturity index. The standard deviation of the physiological maturity defined as the days until the optimal picking date ranged from 2 to 8 days in 1999 and from 5 to 12 days in 2000 and was, therefore, of the same order of magnitude as the RMSEP of the VIS-NIR calibration models. As expected, the accuracy of the calibration models was better when the natural variability of the maturity between fruit was small and vice versa. The calibration models for Streif index were not very accurate, even after applying a logarithmic transformation.