Handling Of Fruits Research Articles

Computer Vision as a Tool to Support Quality Control and Robotic Handling of Fruit: A Case Study

Computer Vision as a Tool to Support Quality Control and Robotic Handling of Fruit: A Case Study

Identification of Technical Requirements for the Initial Design of an Autonomous Fruit-Harvesting Robot

Automation in agriculture is revolutionizing the management of field tasks. This paper focuses on identifying the essential needs and preliminary technical requirements for designing an autonomous robot specifically for fruit harvesting. The study examines the integration of advanced machine vision technologies and neural networks for the accurate detection of ripe fruits and obstacles, optimizing harvesting efficiency. Key features such as proximity and touch sensors are also evaluated to ensure the safe handling of fruits, minimizing damage during harvesting. The technical specifications, including traction, speed, and the robot’s ability to operate on uneven terrain, are analyzed to ensure adaptability across various crops and ground conditions. Perception systems, incorporating cameras and sensors, are crucial for crop inspection and route planning. The main findings of this review establish a set of technical requirements that serve as a foundation for developing efficient and economically viable fruit-harvesting robots. These systems offer significant potential to transform agriculture by addressing labor shortages and improving harvesting precision. However, challenges remain, particularly in adapting to diverse crops and environments, emphasizing the need for further research and development.

The Selective Return of Labor Casualization in Western European Ports

This study examines the impact of demands for labor flexibility on the peculiar post-World War II labor regimes in the ports of Antwerp and Hamburg. These labor regimes included the formation of monopolistic pools of unionized dockworkers, which guaranteed companies a steady supply of experienced personnel and an elementary form of job security for registered workers. The study argues that dockworkers were able to more or less defend the pool system. However, a "market" labor control regime developed for logistical workers outside the confines of these ports, in the immediate vicinity of these ports as well as in Vlissingen, a new port near Antwerp. Vlissingen has become particularly important for the handling of perishable fruit, such as bananas, whose handling requires a high degree of flexibility. The research is guided by the power resources approach and the concept of labor control regimes. It includes field visits and expert interviews.

SARS-CoV-2 surrogate bacteriophage φ6 cross-contamination between fruits and gloves, survival on discarded gloves and inactivation by photodynamic treatment

This study assessed the SARS-CoV-2 surrogate bacteriophage φ6 cross-contamination between high-density polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride gloves and fruits (tomato and cucumber) using different inoculum levels (6.0 and 4.0 log PFU/sample). Bacteriophage φ6 survival on contaminated gloves was assessed over 9 days at 25 °C. The effectiveness of photodynamic treatment using curcumin as a photosensitizer to inactivate φ6 on fruits was determined. The fruit type and the glove material influenced the φ6 transfer. Longer contact times resulted in greater φ6 transfer. The highest φ6 transfer occurred from tomato to HDPE glove (0.8% or −1.1 log % transfer) after 30 s of contact at the higher inoculum level. Bacteriophage φ6 was detected on cross-contaminated HDPE gloves for up to 6 days. Bacteriophage φ6 survived better on vinyl gloves cross-contaminated by cucumber vs. tomato (detected up to 6 vs 3 days). Photodynamic inactivation of φ6 was time-dependent and varied with the tested fruit but was not influenced by viral starting concentration. Photodynamic treatment decreased the φ6 titer by 3.0 and 2.2 log PFU/sample in tomato and cucumber, respectively. Transmission electronic microscopy showed that photodynamic treatment changed the structure of the φ6 capsid. These findings may help in the management of SARS-CoV-2 contamination risks in fruit handling. They may also help in the establishment of effective measures to manage cross-contamination risk.

From sunburn detection to optimal cooling: A review of recent applications of thermal imaging to improve preharvest and postharvest handling of fruit and vegetables

Fruit and vegetables (FV) are susceptible to adverse physiological and biochemical changes due to temperature abuse during preharvest and postharvest handling. Rapid, reliable, and non-invasive technologies such as infrared (IR) cameras are new, cost-effective tools that can record temperature profiles of FV in real-time. In this article, the basic principles of thermal imaging (TI) technology and its recent applications in preharvest and postharvest handling of FV as a temperature monitoring tool are concisely highlighted. Detection of preharvest and postharvest quality of FV (wetness, immaturity, bruise, etc.) based on thermal images are also summarized. Additionally, different modeling and simulation methods, including statistical modeling, computer simulation, machine learning (MLR), and deep learning (DLR), are briefly introduced into the preharvest and postharvest handling of FV, and applications of TI technique as a temperature validation tool in these methods are also discussed. This review article summarized that non-contact TI technique exhibits great potential to monitor temperature profiles on the field and during the postharvest handling of FV in real-time. Quality attributes, such as sunburn, immaturity, and bruises in FV, can be detected by using thermal images. Therefore, yields can be increased in the field, and food losses reduced during the postharvest handling of FV using TI technology. Furthermore, TI technology is an effective validation tool for simulation studies of foods. Future research should focus on developing low-cost TI systems and integrating multiple imaging techniques to facilitate the decision-making process in the FV industry.

The Role of Modified Atmosphere Packaging in Reducing Postharvest Losses a

Modified Atmosphere Storage (MAS) and Packaging (MAP) are advanced preservation technologies widely utilized in the post-harvest handling of fruits, vegetables, and poultry products to extend shelf life, maintain quality, and reduce spoilage. These methods involve altering the atmospheric composition within storage or packaging environments, typically by reducing oxygen levels and increasing carbon dioxide concentrations. The three main gases utilized in food processing are carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen (N2), and oxygen (O2). The majority of fresh fruits, vegetables, and food items are made using various combinations of two or three of these gases, depending on what the demands of the particular product are. Generally, a 30–60% CO2 split is utilized for non-respiring items, where microbial growth is the primary spoiling characteristic. The remaining amount can either be pure N2 (for foods sensitive to O2) or a combination of N2 and O2. In order to minimize the respiration rate, around 5% CO2 and O2 are often employed for respiring products gas level, with N2 making up the remaining amount. This creates conditions that slow down metabolic activities, microbial growth, and oxidative reactions. For fruits and vegetables, MAS and MAP help in delaying ripening, reducing respiration rates, and maintaining texture and nutritional value. In the case of poultry products, these technologies are crucial in minimizing microbial contamination, preventing spoilage, and maintaining sensory attributes such as colour, flavour, and tenderness.

Quantitative Evaluation and Comparative Analysis of Toxic Heavy Metal Levels (Pb and Mn) in Pineapple, Papaya, Banana and Mango Fruit Purchased from Tepi Market

This study aimed to analyze the composition and safety of commonly consumed fruits, namely pineapples, papaya, banana, and mango, and evaluate their suitability as part of a balanced diet. The fruits were assessed for moisture content, ash content, and heavy metal concentrations, specifically lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn). The moisture content values obtained for pineapple (81.3% ± 0.8), papaya (75.8% ± 1), banana (76% ± 0.5), and mango (83.8% ± 1) indicate varying levels of water content in these fruits. In terms of ash content, the values measured for pineapple (0.66% ± 1), papaya (1% ± 0.5), banana (1.6% ± 1), and mango (2.3% ± 1) indicate the ash content present in these fruits. The concentrations of lead and manganese in the fruit samples were within acceptable ranges, with values for lead ranging from 0.04 ppm to 0.08 ppm, and values for manganese ranging from 0.002 ppm to 0.006 ppm. These results assure the safety of these fruits for consumption. However, further research is recommended to explore factors affecting fruit composition, such as varietal differences and environmental conditions. These findings emphasize the importance of sourcing fruits from reputable suppliers and practicing proper fruit handling and storage. Overall, including these fruits in a balanced diet provides essential nutrients and contributes to a healthy lifestyle. Continuous monitoring and research are crucial to ensure the quality and safety of these fruits for long-term consumption.

Characterization of Fungi Inducing Post-Harvest Deterioration and the Factors Predisposing Tomato Fruits to Fungal Induced Spoilage in Zaria, Nigeria

This study was carried out to characterize fungi-inducing post-harvest deterioration of tomato fruits and the factors predisposing the tomato fruits to fungal-induced spoilage in Zaria, Nigeria. A total of two hundred and twenty-five spoilt tomatoes of three different cultivars were collected using guided random selection (45 each) from five markets (Dakachi, Danmangaji, Sabon-gari, Samaru, and Basawa) in Zaria, Nigeria. The fungal isolates were isolated using the standard mycological method. The cultural and microscopic characterization of fungi isolated revealed eleven genera belonging to Fusarium, Phomopsis, Phoma, Cladosporium, Alternaria, Helminthosporium, Colletotrichum, Monilia, Curvularia, Rhizotonia, and Aspergillus. The total frequency and percentage occurrence ranged from 16(10.3%) to 42(26.%). The fungal isolate with the highest % frequency of occurrence was F. oxysporum with 23(14.7%), while the fungal isolate with the lowest frequency of occurrence was Curvularia eragrostidis with 3(1.9%). There were statistically significant differences in the mean number of occurrences among the fungal isolates (P = 0.003 < 0.05) and the markets (P = 0.0335 < 0.05). The total frequency and % occurrence of fungal isolates in tomato cultivars U T C, Ronita, and Roma VF ranged from 42(26.9) to 63(40.4%). There were statistically significant differences in the mean number of occurrences among the fungal isolates (p = 0.0000 < 0.05) and the tomato varieties (p = 0.0260 < 0.05). Tomato varieties, sorting, storage condition, packaging material, means of transportation, and nature of damage significantly affected tomato fungal-induced spoilage. Maintaining good sanitation practices in the field and during post-harvest handling of tomato fruits is crucial in minimizing the introduction and spread of fungi

Empowerment of Kelompok Tani Kerja Pertanian Peternakan Perikanan (K2P3) Fafinesu Village Through Post-Harvest Handling Training of Passocery

Fafinesu Village is one of the villages in Kecamatan Insana tengah, Kabupaten Timor Tengah Utara (TTU) NTT which has been involved in horticulture cultivation, especially passion fruit, on a fairly large land area. Passion fruit plants are cultivated together with other horticulture such as papaya and vegetables (tomatoes and chilies). The large amount of passion fruit harvested by Kelompok Tani Kerja Pertanian Peternakan Perikanan (K2P3) which was formed in 2020 in Fafinesu Village has not been utilized optimally and its economic value is not yet visible. Knowledge of post-harvest handling of passion fruit is not widely known by the public. Passion fruit business opportunities are still quite wide open because of marketing opportunities. However, one of the factors that is an obstacle to developing passion fruit is post-harvest technology which is not yet known to farmers. This community service program aims to increase farmers' knowledge and skills in post-harvest handling of passion fruit in order to increase the economic value of passion fruit. One product that is long-lasting is using a high sugar concentrate, so training was carried out in making an instant passion fruit drink combined with the medicinal rhizome plant (turmeric) to become a traditional turmeric and passion fruit sour drink product. The method used in this activity is practice and assistance in processing passion fruit. Community service was successful thanks to the active participation of farmer groups by producing new passion fruit processing products in the form of traditional instant drinks. The knowledge and skills of farmer groups increase and will ultimately have an impact on increasing production and the economy

Product Development to Improve and Automate Orchard Fruit Handling

In transporting field fruits to the packing house, physical damage to the product can occur, especially if the facility is far from the orchard and needs proper traffic conditions. This study aimed to develop a solution to enhance the transportation of fruits from orchards to packing houses in the São Francisco Valley, Bahia properties. The method comprised the following steps: (1) System Definition; (2) Translation of Needs into Requirements; and (3) Generation and Detailing of Concepts. The proposed solution involves an innovative aerial transportationsystem utilizing high-strength cables and containers for moving fruits, eliminating the necessity for roads or other conventional means of transportation. This solution can potentially advance knowledge in the field and be implemented in similar contexts.

The effects and cell phenotype changes in Escherichia coli O157:H7 induced into VBNC state by l-malic acid at low temperature

Under environmental stress conditions, microorganisms can form a viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state, which poses a potential risk to food safety and human health. l-Malic acid (L-MA) is widely found in low-temperature fruit and vegetable juices as a common natural organic acid as well as a food additive. However, there is no report on whether L-MA in food processing can promote the formation of VBNC states. In this study, we investigated the pattern of the L-MA-induced VBNC state of Escherichia coli O157:H7 as a model organism, as well as the characteristics at the cellular and molecular levels. We discovered that L-MA can induce the VBNC state in a significant number of E. coli cells, a process accelerated by low temperatures (4 °C). Our analysis revealed that VBNC cells induced by both L-MA and 4 °C resuscitated earlier than those subjected to either condition alone, indicating increased food safety risks. For survival, L-MA-induced VBNC E. coli cells became substantially smaller and exhibited a significant decrease in respiratory activity while maintaining the basic function of the cell membrane. These cellular changes were supported by molecular-level evidence, reinforcing the implications for food safety under these conditions. This study underscores the importance of recognizing the potential risks posed by L-MA and low temperatures in food preservation, particularly in terms of underestimating the presence of harmful bacteria in food products. The insights gained from this research could contribute to the development of more effective food safety measures, particularly in the handling and processing of fruit and vegetable juices.

Parasitic contamination of fresh vegetables and fruits sold in open-air markets in peri-urban areas of Jimma City, Oromia, Ethiopia: A community-based cross-sectional study.

Consuming contaminated raw vegetables and fruits is one of the primary means of parasite transmission to humans. Periodic monitoring of parasitic contamination in these food items is a crucial step in preventing the spread of parasitic disease in the community. This study was aimed at detecting intestinal parasitic contamination caused by consuming raw vegetables and fruits sold in three open-air markets and its associated factors in peri-urban areas of Jimma City, Oromia, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted on fruits and vegetables collected from three peri-urban open-aired markets (namely; Hora Gibe, Bore and Jiren markets) in peri-urban areas of Jimma City between July and September 2021. A total of 187 fresh vegetable samples and 188 fruits were collected and examined for intestinal parasite contamination. About 200g of fruit and vegetable samples were processed and examined microscopically for parasite contamination, utilizing direct wet mount and modified Zeihl-Neelson staining methods in accordance with standard protocols. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on the socio-demographic characteristics of vendors and risk factors for fruit and vegetable contamination. All data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Of the 187 fresh vegetable samples and 188 fresh vegetable samples, 105 (56.1%) and 68/188 (36.2%) of vegetables and fruit samples, respectively, were found contaminated with one or more intestinal parasites. Remarkably, high level of contamination in fresh vegetable samples was recorded both in Carrot (Daucus carota) 63.8% (30/46) and Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) 63.1% (29/46) while Green pepper (Capsicum spp.) is the least contaminated. In fruit samples, Avokado (Persea americana) 42.6% (20/47) and Banana (Musa acuminata) 14.9% (7/47) were the most and the least commonly contaminated items respectively. The identified helminthes and protozoans were Ascaris lumbricoides, Strongyloides stercoralis, Hymenolepis nana, Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium spp., Toxocara spp. And Fasciola spp. The most predominant parasite encountered was A. lumbricoides 46(12.3%) whereas both Toxocara spp. 12(6.9) and Fasciola spp. 2(0.5) were the least detected parasites. It is worth-mentioned that the rate of contamination in Bore market (38.15%) was higher compared with Jiren market (34.7%) and Hora Gibe market (27%). However, the rate of contamination in vegetables and fruit obtained from the three district was non-significant (p = 0.19). Contamination was more common in vegetables than fruits (AOR = 5.78, p<0.001). It was also observed that decreased parasitic contamination was significantly associated with washing the products before displaying it for selling (p < 0.001). The study has identified a high rate of raw vegetables and fruits contaminated with intestinal helminthes and protozoan. Contaminated fresh vegetables and fruits in open-aired peri-urban markets of Jimma city, Ethiopia may play a significant role in transmission of intestinal parasitic infections to humans, particularly A. lumbricoides infection. Therefore, it is urgently needed for health authorities to educate the public on the proper handling of vegetables and fruits prior to consumption.

Multiscale Static Compressive Damage Characteristics of Kiwifruit Based on the Finite Element Method.

In the handling or processing process, fruits are easily crushed by external loads. This type of damage in fruit often leads to the internal pulp browning and rotting, with the severity largely dependent on the fruit tissue's geometric and mechanical properties. In kiwifruits, with their thin skin and dark-colored flesh, it is particularly challenging to observe and analyze the damage caused by extrusion through traditional experimental methods. The objective of this research is to construct a multi-scale finite element model encompassing the skin, flesh, and core by measuring the geometric and mechanical properties of kiwifruit, to assess and predict the damage characteristics under compression, and to verify the accuracy of the finite element model through experiments. The results indicated that kiwifruits demonstrated different compressive strengths in different directions during compression. The compressive strength in the axial direction was higher than that in the radial direction, and there was little difference between the long and short radial directions. The flesh tissue is the most vulnerable to mechanical damage under external compression, followed by the core. At strain levels below 5%, there was no noticeable damage in the axial or radial directions of the kiwifruit. However, when strain exceeded 5%, damage began to manifest in some of the flesh tissue. To maintain fruit quality during storage and transportation, the stacking height should not exceed 77 fruits in the axial direction, 48 in the long direction, and 53 in the short direction. The finite element analysis showed that the established model can effectively simulate and predict the internal damage behavior of kiwifruits under compression loads, which is helpful for a deeper understanding of the mechanical properties of fruits and provides a theoretical basis and technical guidance for minimizing mechanical damage during fruit handling.

Penyuluhan dan Pelatihan Budidaya Kakao bagi Kelompok Tani Pigang Sisan di Kabupaten Sikka

The partner in this PKM activity is the Pigang Sisan Farmers Group in Ian Tena village, Kewapante District. The results of a survey conducted by the PKM team found problems faced by partners in carrying out cocoa farming, namely a lack of knowledge and skills of farmers in maintaining garden sanitation, controlling pests and diseases, as well as limited inputs. The aim of this community service activity is to increase farmers' knowledge in cocoa cultivation, the production facilities used, cocoa plant pests, organic fertilizers and pesticides and the importance of maintaining sanitation in cocoa gardens. Apart from targeting knowledge to increase, this activity also targets increasing farmers' skills in making organic fertilizers and pesticides, trapping pests and implementing P3S (pruning, fertilizing, frequent harvesting and sanitation). The extension method is method demonstration extension (Demcar). The application of this method is through counseling and training. From the counseling and training that has been carried out, it was obtained that farmers' knowledge increased by 89.2% and skills by 85.1%. The follow-up plan for the service activities that have been carried out is that there is a need for assistance in post-harvest handling of cocoa fruit and sample gardens.

Accurate and fast detection of tomatoes based on improved YOLOv5s in natural environments.

Uneven illumination, obstruction of leaves or branches, and the overlapping of fruit significantly affect the accuracy of tomato detection by automated harvesting robots in natural environments. In this study, a proficient and accurate algorithm for tomato detection, called SBCS-YOLOv5s, is proposed to address this practical challenge. SBCS-YOLOv5s integrates the SE, BiFPN, CARAFE and Soft-NMS modules into YOLOv5s to enhance the feature expression ability of the model. First, the SE attention module and the C3 module were combined to form the C3SE module, replacing the original C3 module within the YOLOv5s backbone architecture. The SE attention module relies on modeling channel-wise relationships and adaptive re-calibration of feature maps to capture important information, which helps improve feature extraction of the model. Moreover, the SE module's ability to adaptively re-calibrate features can improve the model's robustness to variations in environmental conditions. Next, the conventional PANet multi-scale feature fusion network was replaced with an efficient, weighted Bi-directional Feature Pyramid Network (BiFPN). This adaptation aids the model in determining useful weights for the comprehensive fusion of high-level and bottom-level features. Third, the regular up-sampling operator is replaced by the Content Aware Reassembly of Features (CARAFE) within the neck network. This implementation produces a better feature map that encompasses greater semantic information. In addition, CARAFE's ability to enhance spatial detail helps the model discriminate between closely spaced fruits, especially for tomatoes that overlap heavily, potentially reducing the number of merging detections. Finally, for heightened identification of occluded and overlapped fruits, the conventional Non-Maximum-Suppression (NMS) algorithm was substituted with the Soft-NMS algorithm. Since Soft-NMS adopts a continuous weighting scheme, it is more adaptable to varying object sizes, improving the handling of small or large fruits in the image. Remarkably, this is carried out without introducing changes to the computational complexity. The outcome of the experiments showed that SBCS-YOLOv5s achieved a mean average precision (mAP (0.5:0.95)) of 87.7%, which is 3.5% superior to the original YOLOv5s model. Moreover, SBCS-YOLOv5s has a detection speed of 2.6 ms per image. Compared to other state-of-the-art detection algorithms, SBCS-YOLOv5s performed the best, showing tremendous promise for tomato detection in natural environments.

Exploration of the antimicrobial activities of biocontrol agent Streptomyces strain h114 against Penicillium digitatum in citrus

Biocontrol is considerably crucial in phytopathogens management during postharvest fruit storage. In this study, assays were performed to screen beneficial microbes through the microorganisms which were isolated from the citrus rhizosphere soil, and to investigate the potential antifungal action modes towards Penicillium digitatum, the perpetrator of citrus green mold. Strain h114 was selected for its high controlling effect against citrus green mold pathogen, and it was phylogenetically identified as a Streptomyces monashensis isolate by whole genome analysis. Thereafter, a total of 35 secondary metabolite gene clusters which were responsible for the biosynthesis of antibiotics were found in the genome. The culture filtrates (CFS) fermented from strain h114 with incubation for 36 h in beef extract-peptone broth exhibited the strongest antifungal activity towards P. digitatum than filtrates obtained from other time points. Despite the susceptibilities to long time treated by boiled water and high concentration of trypsin, the 36 h fermented CFS showed relatively stable antagonism in room conditions. Further, its xylene-extracted crude compounds also displayed a bioactive effect to P. digitatum. CFS-treated P. digitatum cells exhibited degradation of mitochondria, accompanied by reduced expression of developmental regulatory genes PdBrlA and PdWetA. Moreover, CFS induced the fruit defense activities such as superoxide dismutase and peroxidase, and alleviated the virulence of P. digitatum in citrus. After CFS application, the expansion diameters of P. digitatum on artificially-wounded citrus fruit were reduced by 71.5% at most, and the disease incidence diminished by 62.7–72.9% compared to that of P. digitatum treated fruit alone. Taken together, strain h114 might be a promising bio-fungicide in postharvest citrus fruit handling.

The Impact of Mechanical Compression on the Postharvest Quality of ‘Shine Muscat’ Grapes during Short-Term Storage

Mechanical stress induced by compression during preharvest and postharvest handling of fresh fruit is a major factor influencing the quality of fresh fruit. The degree of compression primarily governs the extent of quality deterioration. However, research on the damage mechanisms of mechanical compression in table grapes remains scarce. This investigation evaluated the impact of varying compression levels (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%) on the postharvest quality attributes of table grapes. Changes in postharvest physical properties (overall appearance and color), structural properties (firmness, springiness, cohesiveness, and chewiness), physiological qualities (total soluble solids, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, malonaldehyde content, and relative electrical conductivity), and cell microstructure of the berries was determined at 4 °C during 15 d of storage. Mechanical compression contributed to the deterioration of the quality of table grapes during storage, resulting in increased weight loss, decay rate, malonaldehyde content, and relative electrical conductivity; and decreased total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and ascorbic acid content. Furthermore, as compared to the control group, mechanical compression resulted in substantial yellowing and diminished textural qualities of grapes. In particular, compression treatment caused significant deformation of grape cell microstructure. In conclusion, mechanical compression stress significantly affects the physical and physiological properties of postharvest table grapes, as well as the internal cellular organization. As compression levels increase, the quality of table grapes progressively deteriorates, leading to a substantial reduction in storage life and commercial value. This study offers essential information for devising damage prevention strategies in preharvest and postharvest handling of table grapes.

Forecasting Fruit Export Damages and Enhancing Food Safety through Risk Management

This study underscores serious issues in the South African fruit export sector, notably highlighting the persistent fruit damage after 2016 that could boost microbial growth, jeopardising food safety. To enhance the supply chain and safeguard food, identifying and strategising the types of fruit damage during distribution is critical. The data bring to light intricate and varied trends in damage claims across different fruit types and years, indicating a need to understand each fruit type’s specific vulnerabilities and adjust handling and farming techniques accordingly to minimise losses after harvest. The analysis reveals key insights into seasonal patterns in fruit damage claims, with notable increases especially in January and February, and clear fluctuations throughout the year. Utilising this knowledge, stakeholders can optimise operations and formulate guidelines tailored to high-risk seasons for fruit handling and transportation. Looking forward, both SARIMA and linear regression models predict an increasing trend in damage claims, highlighting a pressing need for improved planning and risk management strategies. This proactive approach will be crucial in mitigating future damage claims and enhancing food safety amid the growing challenges posed by climate changes and shifting global standards and regulations.

Melatonin mobilizes the metabolism of sugars, ascorbic acid and amino acids to cope with chilling injury in postharvest pear fruit

Chilling injury manifesting as internal browning is an irreversible physiological disorder in cold-stored ‘Yali’ pear fruit, which seriously restricts postharvest handling and commercialization of pear fruit. This study investigated the impact of melatonin (MN) treatment on chilling injury and the metabolism of sugars, ascorbic acid (AsA), proline, and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) during chilling injury development in ‘Yali’ pears. The findings revealed that MN-treated pear fruit exhibited considerably improved tolerance to chilling stress compared with untreated control fruit. MN application augmented proline accumulation, likely owing to increased activities and transcriptional concentrations of Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase and ornithine-δ-aminotransferase as well as diminished activity and transcriptional level of proline dehydrogenase. MN immersion increased enzyme activities and gene expression related to the GABA shunt pathway, leading to increased GABA concentrations in cold-stored pear fruit. Furthermore, MN treatment elevated AsA concentrations in the fruit, exerting protective effects against cell membrane damage and mitigating oxidative stress damage caused by chilling. Compared with the control group, MN-treated fruit exhibited reduced neutral invertase enzyme activity and gene expression. Additionally, MN treatment increased both sucrose-phosphate synthase and sucrose synthase activities and gene expression in pear fruit. These observations indicated that the enhanced chilling tolerance of ‘Yali’ pear fruit following MN treatment may be associated with the regulation of proline, GABA, AsA, and soluble sugars metabolism.

A review on toxicity of nanomaterials in agriculture: Current scenario and future prospects.

Phytonanotechnology plays a crucial part in the production of good quality and high-yield food. It can also alter the plant's production systems, hence permitting the efficient, controlled and stable release of agrochemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides. An advanced understanding of nanomaterials interaction with plant responses like localization and uptake, etc. could transfigure the production of crops with high disease resistance and efficient nutrients utilization. In agriculture, the use of nanomaterials has gained acceptance due to their wide-range applications. However, their toxicity and bioavailability are the major hurdles for their massive employment. Undoubtedly, nanoparticles positively influence seeds germination, growth and development, stress management and post-harvest handling of vegetables and fruits. These nanoparticles may also cause toxicity in plants through oxidative stress by generation of excessive reactive oxygen species thus affecting the cellular biomolecules and targeting different channels. Nanoparticles have shown to exert various effects on plants that are mainly affected by various attributes such as physicochemical features of nanomaterials, coating materials for nanoparticles, type of plant, growth stages and growth medium for plants. This article discusses the interaction, accretion and toxicity of nanomaterials in plants. The factors inducing nanotoxicity and the mechanisms followed by nanomaterials causing toxicity are also instructed. At the end, detoxification mechanism of plant is also presented.