Half-ripe Fruit Research Articles

Comparison of Essential Amino Acids, Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidants on Fruit Ripening Stage of Lepisanthes rubiginosa (Roxb.) Leenh

Essential amino acids, bioactive compounds and antioxidants of Lepisanthes rubiginosa (Roxb.) Leenh were determined on the 3 stages of fruit ripening including unripe, half-ripe and ripe. Eight essential amino acids, identified by LCMS/MS, were found in most samples ranging from 5.63 ± 0.08 to 689.89 ± 25.12 µg/g DW. Glucose, fructose and caffeic acid contents ranged 49.86 ± 0.04 to 258.96 ± 0.86 mg/g, 61.41 ± 0.01 to 259.23 ± 2.71 mg/g and 114.67 ± 0.35 μg/g to 124.65 ± 0.33 μg/g, respectively. Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) ranged from 9.06 ± 0.22 to 124.65 ± 0.33 17 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g dry weight (DW) and 9.73 ± 0.02 to 105.83 ± 6.63 μg/g DW, respectively. These results showed the first to compare essential amino acids, bioactive compounds and antioxidants in the fruit ripening stages of Lepisanthes rubiginosa. The information of this study indicated promise for further development of functional ingredients in food or cosmetic products. HIGHLIGHTS These results showed the first to compare essential amino acids, bioactive compounds and antioxidants in the fruit ripening stages of Lepisanthes rubiginosa The highest TFC was found in half-ripe fruits (46.82 ± 1.24 mg RE/g DW), followed by ripe (19.62 ± 0.94 mg RE/g DW) and unripe (6.63 ± 0.02 mg RE/g DW) as shown in Table 1 Both qualitative and quantitative LCMS/MS results of 10 amino acids were identified for the first time, including 9 essential amino acids in rubiginosa GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Chemical Analysis of Ethanolic Extract of Ripe Fruit, N-Hexane Fraction of Half-Ripe Fruit, and Water Fraction of Half-Ripe Fruit of Sesoot (Garcinia Picrorrhiza Miq.) with Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (Lc-Ms)

Garcinia is a plant belonging to the family of Guttiferae or Cluciaceae and has more than 180 famous species. Most of Garcinia species contains many prenelated xanthones, biflavonoids, and benzophenones. Using Liquid Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), the development of electrospray ionization (ESI) could be detected and could be applied to a wide range of molecular biology such as xanthones, biflavonoids, and benzophenones and their derivatives. This method with a high speed of scanning at once could be measured a high degree of multiplexing and many components can be measured with a single analysis. These results were separated and analyzed using literature software of Dictionary of Natural Product 2006. The ethanolic extract of ripe fruit (IC), the n-hexane fraction of half ripe (IIB), and the water fraction of half ripe fruit (IVB) of sesoot (G. picrorrhiza Miq.) showed that the major compounds of them were xanthones, benzophenones with their derivatives, furanone and pyranone which were proven as cytotoxic to the brine shrimp nauplii using Brine Shrimp Lethality Test (BSLT) and to the doxorubicin-resistant breast cancer cell line of MCF-7, the doxorubicin-sensitive breast cancer cell line of T47D.

Exploring the Growth and Development of Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) Seedlings: The Impact of Fruit Maturation on Seed Germination, Seedling Growth and Biomass Partitioning

Background: Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) is one of the most important tropical commercial fruits widely cultivated in south-east Asia, Australia, South America, and African countries due to its nutritional value. However, in Ghana the fruit is gaining popularity in many households and, this could serve as an alternative source of income. The experiment was conducted at the CSIR-Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute, Bunso, Eastern region-Ghana. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of maturity stages on Rambutan seed vigour, germination, seedling growth and biomass partitioning. Methods: Fruits of three maturity stages (i.e. green, half-ripe and fully ripe) were harvested from the field genebank and seeds extracted and sown immediately after harvest. The experiment was arranged in a randomised complete block design in three replicates. Results: The results showed that fully ripe fruits had better seed vigour, seedling growth and biomass partitioning followed by the half-ripe fruits. Fruits harvested at the green stage showed the least performance.

Uticaj distribucije veličine i zrelosti na neke fizičke i mehaničke osobine plodova voća Spondias mombin

The effect of size distribution and ripeness on some properties of Spondias mombin fruits was investigated in this study. The mean length of a ripe small, medium, and large Spondias mombin fruit is 27.3, 35.2, and 38.5 mm, respectively. Also, the width and thickness varied from 19.9 to 29.9 mm and 19.2 to 30.0 mm, respectively. In half-ripe fruits, the length, width, and thickness for small, medium, and large size distribution also varied from 28.2 to 38.7 mm; 20.9 to 28.9 mm and 19.6 to 28.7 mm, respectively. The length of the unripe small, medium, and large sized fruits was 28.1, 35.1, and 38.9 mm, respectively. The width and thickness increased from 21.8 to 29.2 mm and 20.6 to 29.2 mm, respectively. As the size increased from small to large, the moisture content increased in each case for the three conditions of ripeness. The sphericity and bulk density of the fruit increased with the sizes and ripeness of the fruits. The effect of size and degree of ripeness on physical properties was significant. An increase in size and change in orientation increased compressive strain, with the highest being 0.169 at the large size and longitudinal position. The highest compressive stress of the fruit was observed as 9.00 N/mm 2 when in a transverse position. The energy required for breaking the fruit was highest (2.5 J) in a longitudinal orientation. The effect of size, degree of ripeness, and orientation of the fruit on the compressive properties were significant.

Kinetics of Macro and Micronutrients during Germination of Habanero Pepper Seeds in Response to Imbibition

The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentration and distribution of a number of macro- and micronutrients in response to imbibition in habanero pepper seeds extracted from fruits with different stages of maturity and postharvest storage times, as well as in their seedlings. Fruits were harvested unripe, half-ripe, and ripe, and were subjected to storage for 0 (control), 7, and 14 days postharvest prior to seed extraction. An X-ray microfluorescence analysis was carried out on seeds pre- and post-imbibition, as well as on seedlings at 10 and 14 days after sowing. K, Ca, Fe, P, Mg, and Mn were detected by elemental analysis. The results indicated that the elements had a higher concentration and distribution in seeds extracted from half-ripe fruits and ripe unstored fruits, as well as in seeds extracted from fruits stored for 7 and 14 days postharvest. K and Ca were the elements with the highest distributions and concentrations in seeds and seedlings pre- and post-imbibition compared to the other elements. At all maturity stages, postharvest storage increased the concentration and distribution of mineral nutrients in seeds and seedlings before and after imbibition. Storage translocated mineral elements to the radicle before germination, increased meristem growth in emerged seedlings, decreased electrical conductivity, and increased germination. Fourteen days of postharvest storage increased the distribution of macro- and micronutrients in immature seeds, decreasing electrical conductivity, potentiating germination, and improving mineral element distribution in seedlings.

Finite Element Method Simulations and Experiments of Detachments of Lycium barbarum L.

When harvesting Lycium barbarum L., excess amounts of detachments of the half-ripe fruit, unripe fruit, flowers, and leaves significantly affect the yield and adversely affect the subsequent processing, such as drying and grading. Finite element method (FEM) simulations and experiments of detachments were performed to harvest more ripe fruit and less half-ripe fruit, unripe fruit, flowers, and leaves. Three-dimensional (3D) models of the ripe fruit, half-ripe fruit, unripe fruit, flowers, leaves, fruit calyxes (flower calyx), fruit stems (flower stem), and branches were constructed using a 3D scanner, and material mechanics models of the above parts were established based on physical tests with universal testing machines. Detachment simulations and experiments of the ripe fruit, half-ripe fruit, unripe fruit, flowers, and leaves were performed to determine the detachment mechanisms and sequences. The detachment forces of each set of two parts were obtained. The field experiments showed that the detachment force between the fruit and calyx of ripe fruit was the lowest value of these forces, and only the ripe fruit was the first to detach from the calyx when harvesting. The results provided data support on the mechanics properties of wood and the optimization basis for the harvesting method of L. barbarum.

Detecting Maturity in Fresh Lycium barbarum L. Fruit Using Color Information

The accurate quantitative maturity detection of fresh Lycium barbarum L. (L. barbarum) fruit is the key to determine whether fruit are suitable for harvesting or not and can also be helpful to improve the quality of post-harvest processing. To achieve this goal, abnormal samples were eliminated by the Mahalanobis Distance (MD), and nine components (i.e., R, G, B, H, S, V, L, a, and b) of the ripe fruit, half-ripe fruit, and unripe fruit were extracted, firstly. Then, significant component combinations of the three fruits beneficial to the extraction of their areas were determined. Through binary processing, morphology processing, and other image processing methods, a quantitative maturity detection model of fruit was established based on the support vector machine (SVM) model. On this basis, field experiments were conducted to verify and compare the relationship between the prediction results of the model and the picking forces of fruit. Field experiments showed that the accuracies of both the training set and prediction set were 100% and the prediction results of the model were consistent with the picking forces of fruit. Findings provided a theoretical basis for the accurate quantitative maturity detection of fresh L. barbarum fruit.

Accumulation of Anthocyanins and Other Phytochemicals in American Elderberry Cultivars during Fruit Ripening and its Impact on Color Expression.

American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is a plant native to North America with anthocyanin-rich fruits. Our objective was to investigate the effects of cultivar and ripeness on the phytochemical characteristics of its fruits and the corresponding color performance. Cultivars ‘Adams’, ‘Johns’, ‘Nova’, ‘Wyldewood’, and ‘York’ were examined for their °Brix, pH, anthocyanin (pH-differential method), and phenolic content (Folin-Ciocalteau method). Extract composition were analyzed by uHPLC-PDA-MS/MS. Color and spectra were determined using a plate reader. All characteristics evaluated were significantly affected by ripeness and cultivar, except for °Brix and total phenolic content, which did not vary significantly among cultivars. Most anthocyanins (63–72%) were acylated with p-coumaric acid, with cyanidin-3-(trans)-coumaroylsambubioside-5-glucoside the most predominant. The proportion of acylated anthocyanins was the only characteristic evaluated that decreased during ripening (from 80 to 70%). Extract from fully-ripened fruits exhibited red (lvis-max ~520 nm) and blue hues (lvis-max ~600 nm) at acidic and alkaline pH, respectively. Extracts from half-ripe fruit rendered yellowish tones and overall dull color. C-18 semi-purified extracts displayed higher color saturation (smaller L* and larger C*ab) than crude extracts. The vibrant and broad color expression of fully-ripened fruit extract, especially after C-18 purification, suggests this North American native plant as a promising natural colorant source.

The ripeness stage but not the cultivar influences the attraction of Anastrepha obliqua to guava

The West Indian fruit fly, Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart), infests a wide diversity of tropical fruit. Previous studies suggest that A. obliqua adults are attracted to volatile compounds common in different hosts. However, to date, most studies have used ripe fruit for the identification of attractive compounds. In this study, we investigated the attraction of sexually mature A. obliqua females and males to two cultivars and three ripening stages of guava. We also identified the attractive compounds to A. obliqua by combined gas chromatography-electroantennographic detector (GC-EAD) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and evaluated the biological activity of the identified compounds in field-cage tests. We found that individuals of both sexes of A. obliqua showed no preference to the volatiles of either of the two cultivars of guava evaluated. In contrast, flies were more attracted to ripe and half-ripe fruit than to unripe ones. GC-EAD analyses of extracts of ripe “Creole” or “Thai” cultivars identified six compounds that elicited antennal responses by A. obliqua females and males. The compounds were identified by GC–MS as ethyl butyrate, cis-3-hexen-1-ol, ethyl hexanoate, cis-3-hexenyl acetate, ethyl benzoate, and ethyl octanoate. Half-ripe guava emit ethyl butyrate, cis-3-hexen-1-ol, ethyl hexanoate, and cis-3-hexenyl acetate, while only traces of cis-3-hexenyl-acetate were found in unripe guava. Field-cage tests with synthetic standards confirmed that the compounds identified are responsible for the attraction of A. obliqua flies to ripe guava.

Application of Color Sensor in the Determination of Tomato Fruit Ripeness (Solanum Lycopersicum, L) in Gravitation Type Fruit Sorting Tool (Gravitation Type)

Sortation is an important step in handling post-harvest fruits to extend the shelf life and increase the selling value. A tool that is able to sort quickly is needed to speed up the sortation process. Therefore, design of fruit sortationtool using gravitation type and technology to determine fruit ripeness is needed. This study aimed to design and fabricate fruit sorting tool based on the fruit size that could help farmers in sorting fruit. The performance testing was conducted using tomatoes. The results of the design shows that this tool could accommodate 12 kg (equal to 60 tomatoes) of fruit. Tool performance testing shows that this tool could work effectively on a slope of 12˚ withan effective capacity of 133.1 kg/hour (80%). Damage analysis showed that the ripe fruit was more susceptible to damage than the half-ripe fruit due to the fact that half-ripe fruit was still hard, so that the percentage of the damage analysis in ripe fruit was 23.3% and half-ripewas 10%.

EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF UNRIPE AEGLE MARMELOS CORR. FRUITS

Aegle marmelos Corr. (Rutaceae), commonly known as Bael, is a tree of Indian origin, well known from ancient period andprescribed for various ailments in Ayurveda. Utilization of bael fruit in day-to-day life has a great nutritional, environmental as well ascommercial importance. Every part of Aegle marmelos including stem, bark, root, leaves, fruit and seeds at all stages of maturity possesmedicinal virtues and has been used in Ethno medicine to exploit its medicinal properties. Objective: This study was undertaken to examine theantioxidant activity of methanolic extract of Aegle marmelos unripe or half ripe fruits. Material and Methods: The antioxidant activity was doneby using DPPH free radical scavenging assay. The IC50 (The concentration of sample required to scavenge 50% of DPPH free radical) wascalculated by plotting graph between % inhibition vs concentration. The ascorbic acid was used as standard antioxidant. Result and Discussion:The IC50 value of extract and ascorbic acid was found to be 62.59μg/ml and 2.80μg/ml. The antioxidant activity found in Aegle marmelos maybe associated with their main phytochemical compounds like flavonoids, phenols and tannins. Conclusion: This activity supports that the fruitcan be used as natural antioxidant to treat free radical induced cellular damages and can also be used as adjuvant with other drugs to givesynergistic effects.

Frugivorous flies and their parasitoids associated with Surinam cherry fruits

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to know and assess natural infestation of frugivorous flies (Diptera: Tephritidae and Lonchaeidae) and their parasitoids in Surinam cherry fruits. The survey was conducted in an organic orchard, located in the municipality of Maceió, Alagoas. From October 2010 to January 2011, mature green, half-ripe and ripe Surinam cherry were collected. Infestation index was higher for mature green and half-ripe fruits. Five species of frugivorous flies were identified: Anastrepha fraterculus , Anastrepha obliqua , Anastrepha sororcul , Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae), and Neosilba pendula (Diptera: Lonchaeidae). It were identified the parasitoids: Doryctobracon areolatus , Opius bellus, Utetes anastrephae and Asobara anastrephae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), being D. areolatus with highest percentage of parasitism in all maturation stages. N . pendula was recorded in Brasil associated to Eugenia uniflora L. (Myrtaceae). O . bellus , U . anastrephae and A . anastrephae were also recorded for the first time in the State of Alagoas. Mature green and half-ripe Surinam cherries are the most fruit fly infested, and the parasitism rate is higher in half-ripe and ripe fruits.

Nutritional and therapeutic potential ofbael(Aegle marmelosCorr.) fruit juice: a review

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to summarize the scientific information of various qualities of bael fruit juice used in traditional system of medicine for variety of purposes. Utilization of bael fruit juice in day-to-day life has great nutritional, therapeutic, and commercial importance. Bael fruit contains nutrients like vitamins (riboflavin), minerals, trace elements, energy and phytochemicals, including flavonoids, polyphenols and antioxidants, that have been shown to have varied health benefits. In past few decades, bael has been extensively studied for its medicinal properties by advanced scientific techniques, and a variety of bioactive compounds like marmelosin, tannins, alkaloids, coumarins, steroids, rutacine, y-sitosterol, psoralin, xanthotoxin, scopolotein, aegelemine, aegeline, marmeline, fragrine, dictamine, cinnamide and different derivatives of cinnamide have been isolated from its fruit juice.Design/methodology/approach– The medicinal value of bael fruit is very high when the harvests just begin to ripen. As a result, it has a high demand as alternative medicine for curing the diseases like diabetes, high cholesterol, peptic ulcer, inflammation, diarrhea and dysentery, constipation, respiratory infection. Furthermore, the bael fruit juice has anticancer, cardio protective, antibacterial, antifungal, radio protective, antipyretic, analgesic, antioxidant, antiviral, anthelmintic and anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, wound healing properties. The ripe fruit juice is aromatic, has cooling and laxative effects, and arrests secretion or bleeding.Findings– The unripe or half-ripe fruit juice is good for digestion, useful in preventing or curing scurvy, and it strengthens the stomach action. It helps in the healing of ulcerated intestinal surfaces and has appreciable activity against intestinal pathogenic organisms. The present review summarizes the scientific information of various qualities of bael fruit juice used in traditional system of medicine for a variety of purposes.Originality/value– It is quite evident from this review that bael is an important medicinal herb and extensively used in Ayurveda, Siddha and other medicinal systems. Bael fruit juice is an excellent source of water and natural sugar and is important principally for containing vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, antioxidants, pigments, energy, organic acids, dietary fiber and other food components, which are the key factors in the medicinal value of this plant. Moreover, mechanisms of action of a few bioactive compounds have been identified so far.

IN VITRO EFFECT OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF FREEZE-DRIED FRUITS OF Passiflora mollisima (H.B.K) Bailey (Tumbo) and Physalis peruviana (Aguaymanto) ON OXIDATIVE STRESS PRODUCED BY 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)

ABSTRACT: The objective of this research is to determine the in vitro effect of ethanol extracts of freeze-dried fruits of Passiflora mollisima (H.B.K) Bailey (Tumbo) and Physalis peruviana (Aguaymanto) in an experimental model of oxidative stress based on reduction of free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) by antioxidants in each fruit. Fresh and half-ripe fruits were used, which mesocarp was lyophilized in OMNIAGRO enterprise. Extracts were prepared by ultrasound-assisted extraction (EAU) from the free lyophilized of seeds using ethanol (96%) as dissolvent. The determination of antioxidant capacity of ethanol extract of each freeze-dried fruit was made by DPPH method evaluating the percentage of decoloration of radical DPPH by antioxidants present in each fruit and measuring half inhibitory concentration (CI50) for each extract. Is evidenced, that ethanol extract of each freeze-dried fruit have the effect of reducing the free radical DPPH. However, each extract has a determined half inhibitory concentración (CI50), inversely proportional to the capacity activity. Half inhibitory concentration (CI50) expressed in mg.mL-1 for ethanol (96%) extract of lyophilized fruits of Passiflora mollisima (H.B.K) Bailey (Tumbo) was 0.2421, while for ethanol (96%) extract of lyophilized fruits of Physalis peruviana (Aguaymanto) was 0.5268. Therefore, the ethanol (96%) extract of lyophilized fruit of Passiflora mollisima (H.B.K) Bailey (Tumbo) shows the highest antioxidant capacity. Finally, it was shown that fruits of Passiflora mollisima (H.B.K) Bailey (Tumbo) and Physalis peruviana (Aguaymanto) contain antioxidants compounds that are beneficial for health. Then, it is necessary to reevaluate this fruit for prevention of disease. Key Words: Antioxidant capacity, DPPH, freeze-dried, Passiflora mollisima (H.B.K) Bailey (Tumbo), Physalis peruviana (Aguaymanto).

Genome-Wide Survey of Alternative Splicing in <italic>Actinidia chinensis</italic>

Alternative splicing can increase the diversity and complexity of proteome greatly through creating multiple mRNA transcripts from a single gene. RNA-seq data from different organs (leaf, immature fruit, half-ripe fruit and mature fruit) of Actinidia chinensis had been used to identify the alternative splicing events using the A. chinensis genome as reference, and totally 32180 alternative splicing events were discovered from the A. chinensis genome (39040 genes) corresponding to 11651 genes (29% of the total genome). Intron retention events showed the highest frequency (more than 50%) among all the different alternative splicing events. The frequency of events with alternative 3 splice sites was twice than the alternative 5 splice sites. GO enrichment analysis result showed that the alternative splicing gene was mainly enriched in enzyme regulation and nucleotide binding related GO categories. The alternative splicing events in different organs of A. chinensis seemed to preferentially occur in genes with important function. The genes of leaf were associated with the function of actin and microtubule. The genes of immature fruit decided the function of two-component signal system. The genes of half-ripe fruit were connected with phospholipid synthesis process. The genes in mature fruit were associated with signal transduction. In addition, 55.6% of vitamin related genes had been found to have alternative splicing changes, which were significantly higher than the average changes of the genome (the average splicing change level was 29.6%). Those explained that alternative splicing events played an important role in the process of vitamin synthesis. In this paper, through the genome-wide analysis of alternative splicing in A. chinensis , a powerful resource for understanding the complex genome of A. chinensis was provided. The result was also useful to molecular breeding in kiwifruit.

VOLATILE COMPOUNDS DURING THE RIPENING OF COLOMBIAN SOURSOP (<I>Annona muricata</I> L. cv. Elita)

Fruits of soursop (Annona muricata L. cv. Elita) were evaluated at different ripening stages to determine the changes in their physicochemical characteristics: total soluble solid content, percentage of acidity, pH, and ripeness index. The change in volatile compounds were determined through Headspace-Solid Phase Microextraction and subsequent Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analyses. The volatile compounds were identified through the comparison of their chromatographic and spectral properties against the ones exhibited by reference substances. The sensorial quality factors showed values that changed according to the ripening stage. It was established that the ester levels, particularly those from C6, C4, and C8 saturated and unsaturated aliphatic acids, increased with ripening. C6 aliphatic compounds, such as (Z)-3-hexenol and (Z)-3-hexenal, were observed to be the major volatile constituents in the green stage. In contrast, methyl hexanoate and methyl (E)-2-hexenoate were the main volatile in ripe, overripe and half ripe fruits. The overripe stage was characterized by an increase in the ethyl acetate, methyl butanoate and ethyl butanoate levels, and the appearance of butanoic and hexanoic aliphatic acids. These facts could be used as an indicator of the beginning of the fermentation stage and the loss of fruit sensory quality.

Post-harvest quality evaluation of physico-chemical and chemical characteristics in umbu fruit at different storage conditionsEvaluación de la calidad postcosecha de las características físico-químicas y químicas en el fruto de umbu a diferentes condiciones de almacenmiento

Umbu (Spondias tuberosa Arruda Câmara) fruit was analyzed for its physical, physico-chemical, and chemical characteristics at two stages of its physiological maturity (half-ripe and ripe). Half-ripe fruit was stored at different conditions: (1) ambient (27 ± 2 °C and 60–75% relative humidity) and (2) at refrigeration (9 ± 2 °C and 40–60% relative humidity) conditions. With the advance of maturation, the reducing sugars and soluble solids concentrations increased, while that of the titratable acidity and ascorbic acid contents decreased. The half-ripe fruits could be stored at refrigerated conditions for a longer period (10 days) when compared with the fruits stored at ambient conditions (only 6 days) without presenting any sign of senescence in the fruit. The higher index of °brix/acidity (6.81) in the fruits stored at refrigeration temperature for 10 days made these fruits much more appreciable from an organoleptic flavor standpoint when compared with fruits stored for only 6 days at ambient conditions.

Volatile compounds captured through purge and trap technique in caja-umbu ( Spondias sp.) fruits during maturation

This work identifies the volatile compounds present in the pulp of caja-umbu ( Spondias sp.) fruits harvested at two different stages (half-ripe and ripe) of maturation. The volatiles were captured through purge and trap technique. The half-ripe caja-umbu fruit pulp contained 67 components among which the principal compounds, representing an area of 71.7% of chromatogram, were identified as β-caryophyllene (22.2%), 2-methyl butanal (19.3%), 2-hexanol (18.6%), ethyl butyrate (7.6%) and α-caryophyllene (3.9%). However, in the ripe caja-umbu fruit pulp, 70 compounds were detected among which 2-methyl butanal (28.4%), 2-hexanol (15.0%), β-caryophyllene (14.1%), ethyl butyrate (6.1%) and α-caryophyllene (2.4%) were prominent compounds. There were notable quantitative differences in prominent compounds such as β-caryophyllene and 2-hexanol which were quantitatively higher in half-ripe fruits while 2-methyl butanal known to possess characteristic pungent fresh fruit aroma increased with maturation, being relatively higher in its content in ripe fruits.

Reduction of internal browning of pineapple fruit (Ananas comusus L.) by preharvest soil application of potassium

The effect of preharvest soil application of potassium on the development of the physiological disorder called internal browning (IB) in harvested pineapple fruit was studied. Potassium was applied as a soil dressing at 4–20 g of K 2 O per plant in three split applications at 8, 24 and 40 weeks after planting. Fruit were harvested 19 months after planting and were harvested at two maturity stages, classified as color break (CB) or half ripe (HR) and stored at 7 °C and 95% RH for 15 days followed by 5 days at 25 ° C to simulate commercial handling. IB was more severe in HR than in CB fruit. Application of potassium reduced IB in fruit of both maturities. Maximum response was achieved with 16 g of K 2 O per plant. Phenolic content of CB and HR fruit from plants treated with potassium was reduced up to 38 and 39%, respectively. Polyphenoloxidase (PPO) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activities varied according to the stage of maturity with higher activities in the ripe fruit. Potassium treatment promoted a progressive and more accentuated decrease of PPO activities in HR when compared to CB fruit. Similarly, PAL and POD activities were lower in fruit from plants treated with potassium as was the incidence of IB. This work showed that soil applications of potassium to growing pineapple plants could improve fruit quality.

Inhibiting Tomato Ripening with 1-Methylcyclopropene

The capacity for 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) to inhibit color change and firmness loss and alter aroma profiles for tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) fruit was evaluated as a function of 1-MCP concentration, multiple and continuous applications, and stage of ripeness. In addition, the relationship between external and internal fruit color and firmness was determined. 1-MCP reduced the rate of red color development in fruit of all stages of ripeness. A single application of 1-MCP delayed color development by ≈ days. A second application of 1-MCP 10 days after first treatment additionally delayed color development of mature green fruit by another 8 to 10 days. Continuous 1-MCP application completely inhibited color development of breaker and half-ripe fruit for the duration (34 days) of application, but only partially inhibited firmness loss. When fruit at 50% color development were treated with 1-MCP, gel color development tended to lag behind the external fruit color change compared to nontreated fruit. Some aroma volatiles were affected by 1-MCP applied at the mature green and breaker stages, but the effect was relatively minor; 1-MCP did not affect sugar or titratable acid levels in these fruit. Collectively, the data indicate 1-MCP caused minor shifts in the quality attributes of locule color, aroma, and firmness relative to external color, which may reduce the value of this treatment, but benefits accrued by slowed firmness loss and color development may afford sufficient compensation to make 1-MCP application commercially feasible.