Changes In Fruit Quality Research Articles

Prediction method for nutritional quality of Korla pear during storage

It is difficult to control the quality of Korla pear with different degrees of maturity during storage. Here, a method was proposed for predicting the effects of harvest maturity and cold storage time on the quality indices (soluble solid content (SSC) and Vitamin C (Vc) content) of Korla pear. The generalized regression neural network (GRNN) and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) were employed to predict the quality changes of Korla fragrant pear fruit during storage. The results demonstrated that during cold storage the SSC in pears with 10%-70% harvest maturity showed continuous increases in the first 90 d of storage and then a slight decline thereafter, while that in pears with 80% and 90% harvest maturity exhibited slow decreases throughout the storage process. With the extension of storage time, the Vc content of pears with 10%-90% harvest maturity showed continuous decreases. The harvest maturity of Korla pear was extremely positively correlated with SSC and Vc content (p < 0.01) in a given storage period. Storage time showed an extremely significant negative correlation with the Vc content (p < 0.01) at the 40%-90% harvest maturity and an significant negative correlation with the Vc content (p < 0.05) at the 10%-30% harvest maturity. At the 10%-70% harvest maturity, storage time showed a significant positive correlation with the SSC (p < 0.05). The trained model could well predict the variation trend of quality indices of pear fruit during storage. The ANFIS with the input membership function of gbellmf had the best performance in predicting the SSC (RMSE=0.175; R2=0.98), and that with the input membership function of trimf exhibited the best performance in predicting Vc content (RMSE=0.075; R2 =0.99). The research findings can provide reference for predicting the fruit nutritional quality at delivery and decision-making on the storage time of Korla fragrant pear. Keywords: Korla fragrant pear, harvest maturity, storage time, nutritional quality, prediction method DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20211403.5990 Citation: Liu Y, Zhang Q, Niu H, Zhang H, Lan H P, Zeng Y, et al. Prediction method for nutritional quality of Korla pear during storage. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2021; 14(3): 247–254.

Seasonal variation of strawberry fruit quality in widely grown cultivars under Mediterranean climate condition

The rich polyphenol and antioxidant contents of the strawberry fruits have been attracting particular attention in the recent years with their contribution to the fruit’s aroma and taste, which are indispensable in the diet of the people of the Mediterranean countries. In this context, the aim of this study was to reveal the variation of the taste and the health related compounds in widely cultivated strawberries (‘Rubygem’, ‘Festival’, and ‘Fortuna’) during the active harvest periods (March, April and May). The harvest periods were found to be decisive in fruit quality change. In this context, the fruits which were harvested in April and had higher taste and comprised higher amounts of health related compounds than that of the ones harvested in March. The highest amounts of sinapic, syringic, chlorogenic and ferrulic acids were determined in ‘Fortuna’ cultivar as 5.36, 4.68, 2.80 and 0.31 mg kg−1, respectively. The ‘Festival’ fruits had the highest amounts of caffeic and p-coumaric acids (41.77 and 0.28 mg kg−1). On the other hand, the significantly lowest contents of these compounds were detected at the ‘Rubygem’ cultivar of our study. According to the Principal Component Analysis (PCA), the total phenol content influenced the total antioxidant activity more than the total monomeric anthocyanin along with l-ascorbic acid and ellagic acid.

‘Valencia Late‘ Portakalının Meyve Kalitesi ve Ağaçta Depolanabilirliği Üzerine Hasat Öncesi Gibberellik Asit Uygulamalarının Etkisi

Bu çalışmada hasat öncesi dönemde gibberillik asit (GA3) uygulamalarının portakal meyvelerinin ağaçta depolama sürecinde dökümlere ve kalite değişimlerine etkilerinin belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Ağaçlara 10 ppm GA3 (renk dönümü öncesi, renk dönümü ve her iki dönem) ve 20 ppm GA3 (renk dönümü öncesi ve renk dönümü) uygulanmış, GA3 uygulanmayan ağaçlar kontrol olarak kabul edilmiştir. Meyveler nisan ayından itibaren aylık periyotlarla beş dönemde hasat edilmiştir. Son hasat döneminde ortalama meyve döküm oranı kontrol grubunda (%38.48), renk dönümü 10 ppm GA3 (%9.44) ve renk dönümü öncesi 20 ppm GA3 (%19.28) uygulamalarına göre belirgin şekilde daha yüksektir. Ağaçta depolamanın ilk iki hasat döneminde meyve dökümü gözlenmemiştir. Ağaçta depolamanın özellikle ilk dönemlerinde kontroldeki portakal meyvelerinin kabuk C* ve h° değerleri, GA3 uygulananlara göre daha yüksek bulunmuştur. Sonuç olarak, iki kez 10 ppm GA3 uygulamasının ‘Valencia Late‘ portakalında hasat öncesi meyve döküm oranını azalttığı, kabuk renk gelişimini geciktirdiği ve meyvelerin kalite değişimini sınırlandırarak ağustos sonuna kadar ağaçta depolanmaya olanak sağladığı açığa çıkarılmıştır.

Thermal treatment of apple puree under oxygen-free condition: Effect on phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid, antioxidant activities, color, and enzyme activities

The effect of heating in the absence or presence of oxygen on the enzyme activity and nutritional quality of apple puree were investigated. Using designed equipment, apples were vacuum-ground, packaged, and heated under vacuum (2.67 kPa, 90 °C for 30 min) to limit exposure to oxygen, and compared to those heated in open air. All thermal treatments led to complete inactivation of oxidative enzymes. Heating without oxygen effectively maintained color, antioxidant activity, phenolic compounds, and ascorbic acid, as compared to fresh apples. In contrast, heating with oxygen led to considerable browning and degradation of antioxidant activities, phenolics, and ascorbic acid. The results indicate that thermal processing without oxygen can help preserve the nutritional value and retard changes in phenolic-related quality of fruits and vegetables. This study suggests that browning and nutritional loss during thermal treatment of apple may be attributed to oxidation, which is accelerated by the elevated temperature.

Prediction of fruit quality based on the RGB values of time-temperature indicator.

Time-temperature indicators (TTIs) are cost-efficient tools that may be used to predict food quality. In this paper, a diffusion TTI was used to predict fruit quality during storage. Both the color changing characters of TTI and the quality parameters, including weight loss, soluble solids content, vitamin C content, titratable acidity, and antioxidant capacity of three kinds of fruits (kiwifruit, strawberry, and mango), were investigated for storage temperatures (5, 10, 15, and 20°C). The relationships between the color changing properties and fruit quality parameters have been built based on the activation energy (Ea ). The results showed that the storage temperature and time had significant effects on the color changing of TTI and fruit quality. The RGB value of TTI decreased with time, and the higher the storage temperature, the faster the RGB value reduced. Also, the higher the storage temperature, the faster the fruit quality changed and the poorer they were. Furthermore, all of the differences of Ea between TTI color response and fruit quality change are less than 25kJ/mol, which indicates that the TTI can be used to predict these fruit quality. Finally, prediction models were built and validated based on the RGB values of TTI. It provides the possibility for low-cost quality monitoring and has more application potential in food quality predicting. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: By monitoring the color change of diffuse time-temperature indicator (TTI) and the quality change of fruit, the feasibility of TTI for fruit quality monitoring was determined and the quality prediction model was established. The diffusion TTI and fruit quality prediction model can realize the monitoring and predicting of fruit quality based on the TTI, which provides a basis for the combination of TTI Quick Response Code and fruit quality monitoring, with a view to achieving fruit quality status by scanning the Quick Response Code of TTI with mobile phones in the future. This method may provide a new solution to monitor the fruit quality during storage and distribution based on visualization technology that can simplify the methods of detecting fruit quality and achieve fast quality detection. It provides the possibility for low-cost quality monitoring and has more application potential in food quality predicting. Further studies on diffusion TTI are needed to develop its application in more field of food and make the diffusion TTI an intelligent mean for food quality monitoring and predicting.

Genomic Prediction and Selection for Fruit Traits in Winter Squash.

Improving fruit quality is an important but challenging breeding goal in winter squash. Squash breeding in general is resource-intensive, especially in terms of space, and the biology of squash makes it difficult to practice selection on both parents. These restrictions translate to smaller breeding populations and limited use of greenhouse generations, which in turn, limit genetic gain per breeding cycle and increases cycle length. Genomic selection is a promising technology for improving breeding efficiency; yet, few studies have explored its use in horticultural crops. We present results demonstrating the predictive ability of whole-genome models for fruit quality traits. Predictive abilities for quality traits were low to moderate, but sufficient for implementation. To test the use of genomic selection for improving fruit quality, we conducted three rounds of genomic recurrent selection in a butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata) population. Selections were based on a fruit quality index derived from a multi-trait genomic selection model. Remnant seed from selected populations was used to assess realized gain from selection. Analysis revealed significant improvement in fruit quality index value and changes in correlated traits. This study is one of the first empirical studies to evaluate gain from a multi-trait genomic selection model in a resource-limited horticultural crop.

Differential response of banana cultivars (Musa spp.) to temperature-induced changes in fruit quality

Differential response of banana cultivars (Musa spp.) to temperature-induced changes in fruit quality

1-Methylcyclopropene on Fruit Quality of Se-Enriched Grape (Vitis vinifera L.) during Shelf Life Period

Selenium (Se) deficiency in humans could be improved by biofortification of food with selenium, 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment is beneficial for the non-sulfur storage of fresh fruit. This study investigated fruit quality of table grape (Hutai No.8) with foliar Se fertilizer at maturity, and fruit quality changes of table grape during shelf life stages that caused by postharvest 1-MCP treatment in 2016 and 2017. The results showed that foliar Se fertilizer application significantly increased Se content in grape berries at maturity, and the raised rate were 43.09% and 33.24% compared to that of control in 2016 and 2017 respectively, meanwhile it increased the nutritional components in grape berries, including soluble proteins, soluble sugars, Vitamin C, total soluble solids, proanthocyanidin content and so on, and decreased the titratable acidity content. During shelf life stages, 1-MCP application decreased the decay number of grapes, and SE + 1-MCP treatment had the most excellent fruit quality among all treatments in two consecutive vintages. In conclusion, Se fertilizer application could increase Se content in grape berries, also improved the fruit nutritional and health care values at maturity. 1-MCP application could delay the process of ripening and senescence for Se-enriched grape and maintaining the postharvest quality of table grape during shelf life stages, it allows us to market the fruit at a more advanced ripening stage without quality loss.

Changes in fruit quality of quinces during cold storage

Changes in fruit quality of quinces during cold storage

Novel Endotherapy-Based Applications of Ozonated Water to Bobal Grapevines: Effect on Grape Quality

Ozonated water has recently been incorporated in the management of grapevine diseases, which in turn can alter the fruit quality. When wood-inhabiting pathogens are involved, trunk injection or “endotherapy” represents a promising application method. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect on grape quality of ozonated water applied to Vitis vinifera L. cv. Bobal grapevines through endotherapy (E) or its combination with spraying (E + S). Grape quality at harvest was evaluated through several enological and chromatic parameters, the phenolic maturity, the varietal aroma potential index (IPAv) and the phenolic and volatile composition. The E treatment improved the chromatic characteristics and favored the accumulation of phenolic compounds. Conversely, E + S had a detrimental effect on the color and phenolic content and, although their synthesis was enhanced, the extractability of anthocyanins was negatively affected. In terms of aroma, both treatments reduced the content of glycosylated precursors but increased certain free volatiles. The application of ozonated water to grapevines, even when injected into the trunk, results in changes in fruit quality and a possible impact on wine attributes. Our findings and those in the literature support that, with the appropriate dose, frequency and method of application, ozonated water could be used with a twofold objective: disease management and grape quality improvement.

Comparison of physico-chemical characteristics of myrtle at different ripening stages

Abstract The fruits of myrtle at different stages of development, namely green (G), colour break (C) and mature (M), were used to investigate the changes of fruit quality and anthocyanin composition during its development. Five anthocyanin components, such as delphinidin (Dp), cyanidin (Cy), pelargonidin (Pg), peonidin (Pn) and malvidin (Mv), were detected. Among them, the content of Dp glucoside was the highest (2.12 μg · g−1) and the content of Pn glucoside was the lowest (0.17 μg · g−1) at the green stage. The content of Cy glucoside was the highest (120.94 and 1,200.03 μg · g−1), and the content of Mv glucoside was the lowest (19.50 and 62.72 μg · g−1) at the colour break and mature stages. The single fruit weight, vertical diameter and transverse diameter at the mature stage were significantly higher than those at the colour break and the green stages by 0.87 g, 1.27 mm, 1.53 mm and 1.54 g, 3.4 mm, 3.55 mm, respectively. Fruit quality, the contents of soluble sugar and carotenoids, gradually increased with the development of fruit; and the contents were the highest at the mature stage (17.68% and 16.90 μg · L−1). The contents of titratable acidity, total phenol, flavonoids, chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll gradually decreased with the development of fruit, the content was the lowest at the mature stage (2.71 mmol · 100 g−1, 9.29 μg · g−1, 0.1%, 0.37 μg · L−1, 0.9 μg · L−1) and the content was the highest at the green stage (5.25 mmol · 100 g−1, 21.07 μg · g−1, 0.17%, 8.86 μg · L−1, 15.47 μg · L−1). The difference between the green period and the colour break period was significant.

Thermophysical properties of fruit—a review with reference to postharvest handling

The thermophysical data of fruit is vital to the study and optimization of postharvest handling processes. However, data available in the literature are not always consistent and must not be used directly. It is crucial to examine the accuracy and reliability of the property data. Also, models to predict the thermal properties of fruit are not distinctly identified and included in the list of models for food materials. The aim of this review is to show the gaps in fruit properties data with emphasis on those properties that are important during postharvest handling. This paper also presents a review of the measurement and prediction techniques for the thermophysical properties of fruit. Fruit thermophysical properties vary with temperature, moisture content, cultivar, and even between the various parts of the same product. The presented review is a valuable input for developing mathematical models that predict cooling rate, cooling time, cooling uniformity and refrigeration energy usage during postharvest handling processes (e.g. precooling and cold storage), as well as for applications related to prediction and monitoring of temperature induced fruit quality changes.

Changes in physico-chemical and sensory fruit quality attributes of apricot during ripening

Varietal variation in apricot causes differential changes in fruit quality during ripening. A study was executed to evaluate the effect of apricot varietal variation on fruit physico-chemical and sensory attributes during fruit ripening. Fruits of two apricot cultivars, ‘Old Cap’ and ‘Red Flesh’ obtained from Baluchistan were monitored at ambient conditions (25 ± 2 °C and 60-65% RH) during fruit ripening for physico-chemical and sensory attributes. Irrespective to days at shelf during fruit ripening, fruits of ‘Red Flesh’ apricot exhibited significantly reduced fruit weight loss with greater fruit firmness, total soluble solids (TSS), total phenolic content (TPC), ascorbic acid and antioxidant scavenging activity (ASA) than ‘Old Cap’ apricot fruits. However, titratable acidity (TA) of ‘Old Cap’ apricot fruits remained significantly higher than ‘Red Flesh’ apricot fruits during ripening. At eating soft stage, sensory attributes including fruit pulp colour, taste, flavour and overall acceptability of ‘Red Flesh’ apricot fruits were superior to ‘Old Cap’ apricot fruits. In conclusion, ‘Red Flesh’ apricot showed better fruit physico-chemical attributes during fruit ripening and fruit sensory attributes at eating soft stage than ‘Old Cap’ apricot fruits.

Molecular dissection of defense response of pears induced by the biocontrol yeast, Wickerhamomyces anomalus using transcriptomics and proteomics approaches

Wickerhamomyces anomalus, a yeast used for the biocontrol of postharvest diseases of fruits, significantly reduces the natural decay of pear fruit without causing any adverse changes in the pear fruit quality. In the present research, the proteome of control pear fruit and pear fruit treated with W. anomalus were analyzed by 2-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE). Several differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified in pear fruit treated with W. anomalus, among which 13 were up-regulated and 14 were down-regulated. The transcriptome of control and W. anomalus-treated pear fruits was also analyzed. RNA sequencing results revealed 1076 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in W. anomalus-treated pear fruits, in which 51.67% (556) were up-regulated and 48.33% (520) were down-regulated (at a log2 Fold Change ≥ 1, FDR < 0.05). Notably, W. anomalus induced several disease resistance-related genes and their corresponding proteins in pear fruit, as well as genes associated with the jasmonic acid signaling pathway, flavonoid biosynthesis, and carbohydrate metabolism.

A comparative study of pollination methods effect on the changes in fruit yield and quality of date palm cultivar Khalas

A comparative study of pollination methods effect on the changes in fruit yield and quality of date palm cultivar Khalas

The Effects of 1-Methylcyclopropene in the Regulation of Antioxidative System and Softening of Mango Fruit during Storage

The function of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) in the regulation of quality and antioxidative system of mango fruit was investigated during storage at ambient temperature. Changes in fruit quality, colour, ethylene production, respiration rate, fruit softening enzyme activities, and antioxidative enzyme activities were studied in this study. The results demonstrated that 1-MCP was beneficial for maintaining quality. 1-MCP treatment retarded the decline of firmness, weight, total soluble solid, and titratable acidity, which served as significant parameters for assessing fruit quality in the process of storage. Compared with the fruit of the control group, the treatment with 1-MCP dramatically delayed the colour change of both the pulp and peel and suppressed climacteric peaks of ethylene generation and respiration speed. The significant inducement of peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities were followed by 1-MCP treatment. The fruit treated with 1-MCP displayed significantly inhibited activation of enzymes on the cell wall, i.e., pectin esterase (PE), endo-1,4-β-d-glucanase (EGase), exopolygalacturonase (exo-PG), and endopolygalacturonase (endo-PG), during storage. The results suggested that 1-MCP imposed underlying impact on the maintenance of the softening and extension of postharvest life of mango fruit.

Comparative Study on Biological Characteristics and Fruit Quality Changes of Two Citrus Varieties

This experiment compared the phenophase, morphological features and fruit quality of the two citrus varieties. The results showed that the whole growth period of Lemon Siranui was about 12 days longer than Siranui. The flowering period, two physiological fruit drop periods and fruit color change period of Lemon Siranui were about 5-7 days later than Siranui. While this study illustrated differences in morphological features that Lemon Siranui tree was stronger than Siranui. And the fruit of Lemon Siranui was heavier than Siranui. It was clear to see that the percentages of soluble solids as well as vitamin C in Lemon Siranui were larger than those in Siranui, which led to better taste qualities. Overall, Lemon Siranui was a new high-quality strain citrus variety with excellent traits which was worth promoting from the analysis of appearance quality and nutritional quality.

Changes in Metabolome and Nutritional Quality of Lycium barbarum Fruits from Three Typical Growing Areas of China as Revealed by Widely Targeted Metabolomics.

This study aimed at assessing the climatic factors influencing the wolfberry fruit morphology, and the composition of its nutritious metabolites. The cultivar Ningqi1, widely grown in Northwest China was collected from three typical ecological growing counties with contrasting climatic conditions: Ningxia Zhongning (NF), Xinjiang Jinghe (XF) and Qinghai Nomuhong (QF). During the ripening period, 45 fruits from different plantations at each location were sampled. A total of 393 metabolites were detected in all samples through the widely targeted metabolomics approach and grouped into 19 known classes. Fruits from QF were the biggest followed by those from XF and NF. The altitude, relative humidity and light intensity had negative and strong correlations with most of the metabolites, suggesting that growing wolfberry in very high altitudes and under high light intensity is detrimental for the fruit nutritional quality. Soil moisture content is highly and negatively correlated with vitamins, organic acids and carbohydrates while moderately and positively correlated with other classes of metabolites. In contrast, air and soil temperatures exhibited positive correlation with majority of the metabolites. Overall, our results suggest high soil and air temperatures, low altitude and light intensity and moderate soil moisture, as the suitable conditions to produce Lycium fruits with high content of nutritious metabolites.

Changes in leaf nutrient content and quality of pear fruits by biofertilizer application in northeastern Italy

Abstract The aim of this study was to verify the influence of biofertilizer application resulting from energy production from corn biomass on nutrient uptake by pear plants during the growing cycle, and on fruit quality. The experiment was carried out on a Siltic Haplic Calcisol in the Italian province of Ferrara, in a medium-density Abbé Fétel commercial orchard. Treatments consisted of control (no application) and biofertilizer (30 m3 ha-1 biofertilizer application on the row), with four replicates. The following variables were evaluated: mineral N, microbial biomass and respiration in soil; nutrient content in leaves; and fruit quality. Biofertilizer application increased soil mineral N availability; soil microbial biomass and respiration, but the content of this nutrient did not increase in leaves. Leaf nutrient concentration varied during growth season and biofertilizer application increased potassium, phosphorus and zinc concentration in mature leaves and reduced leaf magnesium and manganese concentration. Biofertilizer application reduced fruit dry matter content, total soluble solids and boron concentration, with no effect on fruit firmness and titratable acidity. Biofertilizer application has positive effect on soil mineral N dynamics and soil microflora, altering the content of nutrients in leaves, favoring fruit production.

THE IMPACT OF NANO CHITOSAN AND NANO SILICON COATINGS ON THE QUALITY OF CANINO APRICOT FRUITS DURING COLD STORAGE

This work was carried out during 2016 and 2017 seasons in post-harvest Lab. Pomology Dept. Cairo University, Egypt. The quality and internal (physical and chemical) changes in apricot fruits (Prunus armeniaca L.) coated with different treatments of Nano chitosan and Nano silicon were studied after different storage periods of cold storage at 1°C and 90-95% (RH). Nano chitosan was prepared with 0.5% concentration and Nano silicon was prepared with 2% concentration, each of them was tested individuallyor in combination with Thiabendazole (TBZ). The changes in fruit firmness, weight loss, discarded fruit percentage, fruit panel, total acidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS), and ascorbic content (Vitamin C) at intervals were estimated during 7 weeks. The results of the two successive seasons indicated that the application of Nano chitosan and silicon coatings maintained fruit firmness compared with the control (dipped in TBZ) without significant differences. The application with 0.5% Nano chitosan + TBZ treatment maintained higher firmness values. On the other hand, Nano-chitosan coating + TBZ treatment maintained fruit acidity, fruit panel test and Vitamin C content more than the uncoated control and other treatments without significant differences. While, all coating treatments increased TSS values and discarded fruit percentage compared with the control without significant differences. The lowest value for each of TSS and fresh weight loss percentage was achieved by Nano chitosan 0.5% + TBZ treatment. Similarly, that treatment significantly decreased fresh weight loss percentage compared with the other treatments.