Handling Of Fruits Research Articles

Sistema de visión artificial para la identificación del estado de madurez de frutas (granadilla)

El manejo adecuado de frutas se ha convertido en una de las actividades económicas más importantes en la agricultura colombiana [1]. A la fecha, la identificación del estado de maduración de frutas se realiza manualmente [2], presentando variabilidad por la subjetividad producida debido a la fatiga ocular del experto. El propósito de esta investigación fue desarrollar una herramienta computacional para la identificación del estado de maduración de granadillas a partir del reconocimiento de imágenes. El área en píxeles de las imágenes perteneciente a la fruta fue extraída mediante la técnica de Otsu usando librerías de OpenCv en Python. Finalmente, la tarea de clasificación se realizó a través del análisis de agrupamiento, en el cual fueron asignados 110 puntos RGB pertenecientes a cada estado de maduración de la granadilla. Los resultados obtenidos muestran 92,6% de aciertos en la identificación del estado de maduración, a partir de un conjunto de 90 imágenes obtenidas de 90 frutas en diferentes estados de maduración, en comparación con el análisis manual acorde a lo establecido por la Norma técnica colombiana NTC 4101.

Nature and Extent of Extension Delivery on Postharvest Handling of Horticultural Perishables in the Philippines

While postharvest operations account for more than 55 percent of the economic value of the agricultural sector, losses are high, the science or technology is relatively new, and the postharvest horticulture extension delivery system in the Philippines has not met the challenge. Thus, the delivery of extension services to the people involved needed to be assessed. Primary data from key informant interviews and secondary data from available publications and reports were analyzed. The two major extension providers for postharvest handling of fresh fruits, vegetables, and cut flowers are the Postharvest Horticulture Training and Research Center (PHTRC) of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), and the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA). From 2000–2010, the PHTRC implemented 93 percent of national extension projects and services in terms of training (51 training programs with 1,132 participants), technical assistance, production and dissemination of information (24 extension materials with 21,105 copies), and a few action research projects. On the other hand, out of the remaining 7 percent of the extension projects, which were implemented by PhilMech, 99 percent were related to development and establishment of tramlines, cold chain facilities, and facilities support for hot water tanks and packinghouses including 16 training programs with 437 participants. The number of extension workers, who have been trained over the last three decades and who could be potential trainers of growers and traders, was only 4.8 percent of the total number of participants of training programs of both institutions. The number of personnel in extension delivery was also reduced due to budget constraints for PHTRC and rationalization moves for PhilMech. Twenty-five personnel, 10 from PHTRC and 15 from PhilMech rendered extension services. All PHTRC staff and three from PhilMech were trained on perishables handling. Government support for the extension delivery of postharvest handling of horticultural perishables remains negligible. The major recommendations to improve the extension delivery system on postharvest horticulture sector are training of more extension workers in this field and establishment of zonal centers on postharvest research and extension.

Susceptibility of apples to bruising inside ventilated corrugated paperboard packages during simulated transport damage

The incidence of fruit postharvest losses and waste due to mechanical damage during handling is a major problem in the fresh produce industry Among the various range of force loading conditions experienced during handling and transportation, vibration is one of the key factors which may result in fruit bruise damage and the type of package used during handling of fruit could significantly affect the physical quality of the fruit. A simulated transport study was used to assess the susceptibility of apple fruit inside two ventilated corrugated paperboard (VCP) packages (MK4 and MK6) commonly used in fresh produce industry for packing apple fruit. An electro-dynamic shaker was used to excite vibrations at three frequencies (9, 12 and 15Hz) and 0.9g amplitude for four hours, which is usually adopted for truck transport simulation. Packaging transmissibility and incidence of bruise damage were measured at different frequencies. Results showed that both the incidence and severity of apple bruising were affected by package design and frequency. For both package designs at the three vibration frequencies investigated, packaging transmissibility ranged from 100 to 250%, with the highest transmissibility observed on the MK6 package with a lower length–to–height ratio at 12Hz compared to the MK4 package. Apple fruit inside the MK4 package with higher length–to–height ratio had less damage than fruit inside the MK6 package. Irrespective of the package design, apple fruit on the top layer were more susceptible to bruising and the range of the proportion of bruised apples was between 50 and 74% at all the three frequencies, which are rather extreme conditions that usually occur when loads of packed fruit damage during transport.

Pseudohyperglycemia: Effects of Unwashed Hand after Fruit Peeling or Handling on Fingertips Blood Glucose Monitoring Results.

Background:Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is an important component of management for diabetes mellitus (DM), especially in T1DM and T2DM patients who are on insulin therapy. Adequate blood glucose monitoring and prompt intervention are necessary to prevent blood glucose (BG) fluctuation and delay long-term diabetes complications. People with DM are advised to clean their hands before SMBG to remove any dirt or food residue that might affect the reading.Aim:The study tested the hypothesis that falsely elevated BG levels from fingertip occur after peeling or handling fruits in an unwashed hand.Methods:Fifty apparently healthy nondiabetes volunteers were enrolled. Capillary BG samples were collected from the fingertips after peeling or handling apple, orange, banana, watermelon, and pawpaw, followed by no hand washing for 1 h, cleaning the fingertip with alcohol swab once, five times, and washing hand thoroughly with tap water and drying. These samples were then analyzed with two different glucose meters.Results:The mean BG values, measured from fingertip blood samples after peeling, and handling any of the fruits followed by no hand washing were significantly high, even after cleaning fingertip with a swab of alcohol once. However, there were no significant difference in BG levels measured after peeling and handling fruits followed by hand washing and the level of BG before peeling and handling fruits.Conclusion:Handling of peeled fruits with no hand washing with tap water is associated with overestimation of capillary BG (Pseudohyperglycemia) monitored with glucose meters.

Microorganisms Associated with Post-Harvest Spoilage of Tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) in Makurdi, Central Nigeria

Microorganisms associated with post-harvest spoilage of tomato fruits in Makurdi were evaluated. Random sampling techniques were used to pick 250 spoilt tomato fruits from North-bank, Wurukum, High level, Wadata and Modern markets. The bacteria isolated were Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtillis, Esherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus while isolated fungi included Aspergillusspp, Alternaria species, Rhizopusspp, Candida species and Fusarium species. The bacteria isolated, from the spoilt tomato fruits sampled from Wurukum market had the highest colony forming unit of 6.5 x 10 (CFU/ml) followed by the ones sampled from Wadata, High-level, North-bank and Modern markets having 5.8 x 10 6 (CFU/ml), 4.3 x 10 6 (CFU/ml), 4.3 x 10 6 (CFU/ml), and 2.8 x 10 6 (CFU/ml) respectively. The fungi isolated from the spoilt tomato fruits from Wadata market had the highest colony forming unit of 6.7 x 10 (CFU/ml) followed by the samples from Wurukum, North-bank, High-level and Modern markets with 5.2 x 10 (CFU/ml), 4.6 x 10 (CFU/ml), 4.4 x 10 (CFU/ml) and 4.2 x 10 (CFU/ml) respectively. Using the same sampling techniques pathogenicity test on fifty (50) healthy tomato fruits from the same markets confirmed that bacteria and fungi that were earlier identified on the spoilt tomato fruits were still responsible for the spoilage, showing that deterioration of tomato fruits in Makurdi markets is due to the activities of these bacteria and fungi pathogens. Proper sanitary measures should be taken to improve harvesting and handling of tomato fruits to reduce spoilage caused by these pathogens.

Predicting bruise susceptibility of ‘Golden Delicious’ apples using hyperspectral scattering technique

Prediction of the susceptibility of apples to bruising can provide useful information for proper postharvest handling and storage operations. The objective of this research was to develop a nondestructive method for predicting the bruise susceptibility of apples using hyperspectral scattering technique. Spectral scattering images between 500 and 1000nm were acquired for 300 ‘Golden Delicious’ apples over a time period of three weeks after harvest, using a hyperspectral imaging system. Individual apples were then subjected to impact test by a pendulum ball at one of the three levels of impact energy, i.e., 1.11, 0.66, and 0.33J. Relative mean reflectance was computed for the scattering profile of each wavelength over 10mm scattering distance. Bruise volumes were estimated from the digital images of the bruised fruit, using a bruise volume estimation model. The bruise susceptibility of apples, determined as the ratio of bruise volume to impact energy, ranged between 353 and 881mm3J−1 for the test apples. Bruise susceptibility was affected by the level of impact energy; higher bruise susceptibility values were obtained at low impact energy. Partial least squares (PLS) models for bruise susceptibility were developed for each impact energy level as well as for the pooled data. Better predictions of bruise susceptibility were obtained from the PLS models for each impact energy level, with the correlation coefficient of prediction or Rp=0.848–0.919 and root mean square error of prediction or RMSEP=32.4–50.7mm3J−1. Lower prediction results were obtained for the pooled data (Rp=0.826 and RMSEP=69.7mm3J−1). This research demonstrated that hyperspectral scattering can be used for evaluating the bruise susceptibility of apples, which would be useful for postharvest handling of fruit.

Hongos causantes de enfermedades postcosecha en chayote (<i>Sechium edule</i>(Jacq.) SW.) y su control in vitro

El fruto de chayote (Sechium edule (Jaqc.) Sw.) es una hortaliza de exportación de importancia para México y Costa Rica. El proceso comercial exige cumplir con estándares de calidad, que implican frutos sanos y libres de defectos. Sin embargo, debido a las condiciones de alta humedad que se desarrollan en los frutos empacados en películas plásticas, se han presentado rechazos en el mercado de exportación, por la presencia de enfermedades fungosas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue identificar morfológica (microscopía óptica y electrónica de barrido) y molecularmente (PCR: Polimerase Chain Reaction) las especies de hongos causales de las principales enfermedades postcosecha de chayote en frutos infectados procedentes de huertas comerciales para exportación, así como probar in vitro la efectividad de diversos productos comerciales en la inhibición del crecimiento de dichos hongos. Los resultados mostraron a Didymella bryoniae como el causante de “gomosis de las cucurbitáceas” y a Fusarium oxysporum y F. solani como causales de fusariosis o ahogamiento de guías; estos patógenos dañan la parte basal y media de frutos comerciales, además de Chaetomium globosum, un asociado al proceso infeccioso de Fusariumsp., como saprófito no patógeno. La inoculación con Bacillus subtilis presentó una inhibición efectiva (0,01 mg.l-1 i.a) en las pruebas in vitro contra Didymella bryoniae, Fusarium oxysporum y F. solani; el fungicida más efectivo contra los 2 primeros fue Tebuconazole-trifloxystrobin, con una DL50 de 0,0116 y 0,0106 mg.l-1 respectivamente; no así contra F. solani, cuyo mayor control fue registrado con procloraz, con DL50 de 0,0042 mg.l-1. Estos resultados contribuyen al reconocimiento de las enfermedades fungosas más importantes en chayote y su perspectiva de control durante el manejo postcosecha de frutos para exportación.

Effect of LED Blue Light on Penicillium digitatum and Penicillium italicum Strains.

Studies on the antimicrobial properties of light have considerably increased due in part to the development of resistance to actual control methods. This study investigates the potential of light-emitting diodes (LED) blue light for controlling Penicillium digitatum and Penicillium italicum. These fungi are the most devastating postharvest pathogens of citrus fruit and cause important losses due to contaminations and the development of resistant strains against fungicides. The effect of different periods and quantum fluxes, delaying light application on the growth and morphology of P. digitatum strains resistant and sensitive to fungicides, and P. italicum cultured at 20°C was examined. Results showed that blue light controls the growth of all strains and that its efficacy increases with the quantum flux. Spore germination was always avoided by exposing the cultures to high quantum flux (700 μmol m(-2) s(-1) ) for 18 h. Continuous light had an important impact on the fungus morphology and a fungicidal effect when applied at a lower quantum flux (120 μmol m(-2) s(-1) ) to a growing fungus. Sensitivity to light increased with mycelium age. Results show that blue light may be a tool for P. digitatum and P. italicum infection prevention during handling of citrus fruits.

Bird fruit consumption results from the interaction between fruit-handling behaviour and fruit crop size

Bird foraging behaviour is a major factor involved in mutualistic interactions of fleshy-fruited plants. Despite much research, we still lack quantified demonstrations of how fruit display traits affect fruit removal behaviour. Although the fruit crop size hypothesis proposes a general mechanism for fruit trait selection, it overlooks the fact that distinctive bird behaviours in a bird assemblage would have different effects on fruit crop size. Here, we show that the relevance of fruit crop size for bird fruit consumption is driven by two basic components of fruit foraging behaviour: fruit handling and residence time. We assessed bird fruit-eating behaviour (fruit consumption, fruit handling and residence time) and its relationship with fruit crop size, taking into account body size and spatial focal context (conspecific neighbour density and distance to the forest edge from individual plants) in a population of Vassobia breviflora (Solanaceae) in Tucumán, Argentina. At the assemblage level, fruit consumption was positively related to fruit crop size and residence time, and the interaction between fruit crop size and residence time depended on fruit-handling behaviour. At the functional group level, both gulpers and pulp consumers showed a positive relationship between fruit consumption and residence time. However, gulpers showed a negative interaction between fruit crop size and residence time, while pulp consumers showed no interaction. At the species level, fruit consumption by Turdus rufiventris (gulper) was positively related to fruit crop size, whereas fruit consumption by Thraupis sayaca and Zonotrichia capensis (pulp consumers) depended positively on residence time. Essentially, gulpers spent short residence times in plants with larger fruit crops, whereas pulp consumers spent long residence times in plants regardless of fruit crop size. The segregation between fruit-eating behaviours and their relationship with fruit crop size suggests that bird functional groups (i.e. gulpers and pulp consumers) would shape fruit display traits with different intensities.

Assessment of eggplant firmness with accelerometers on a pneumatic robot gripper

A pneumatic robot gripper capable of sorting eggplants according to their firmness has been developed and tested. The gripper has three fingers and one suction cup. Each finger has an inertial sensor attached to it. One of the fingers adapts to and copies the shapes of eggplants when the jamming of its internal granular material changes from soft to hard. The other fingers adapt to the shape of the eggplant with the use of extra degrees of freedom. Specific software acquires and processes the information obtained with the inertial sensors and generates 16 independent variables extracted from the signals. A total of 234 eggplants were selected and tested on the same day with the robot gripper, during the pick-and-place operation, and with a destructive firmness tester. The non-destructive parameters extracted from the gripper finger accelerometers were used to build and validate a partial least square model, with a calibration regression coefficient of r=0.87 and a high prediction performance (r=0.90). Furthermore, from the results of the paper, it has been seen that the procedure can be simplified by using only two non-destructive impacts and one uniaxial accelerometer to assess eggplant firmness. The non-destructive assessment of firmness while grasping agricultural products in pick-and-place operations could be implemented in many prehensile pneumatic robot grippers. This technique could mean an important advance in the hygienic postharvest handling of fruits and vegetables.

Quality and Postharvest Performance of Watermelon Fruit in Response to Grafting on Interspecific Cucurbit Rootstocks

AbstractGrafting on disease‐resistant rootstocks is a growing practice in watermelon cultivation worldwide. Reports on effects of grafting on watermelon fruit postharvest performance are scarce. The current work examined postharvest performance at 25C of four diploid cultivars grown nongrafted or grafted onto three Cucurbita maxima × C. moschata rootstocks. Despite sucrose accumulation throughout storage at the expense of fructose and glucose, total soluble carbohydrates and soluble solids content declined. Lycopene content peaked 7 days postharvest and intensity of flesh color increased concomitantly; yellowing of flesh was detected at 14 days. Rootstocks reduced soluble solids content only in the second year of experiments by 0.8–1.0°Brix. Rootstocks improved postharvest flesh firmness and lycopene content and enhanced flesh color. Rind was minimally thickened by rootstocks and declined with storage. Grafting diploid cultivars on interspecific rootstocks improved fruit quality and storability. Potential reduction in soluble solids content in response to grafting is limited and not detrimental to fruit quality.Practical ApplicationsGrafting on disease‐resistant rootstock has become an imperative for intensive watermelon production since chlorofluorocarbon‐based soil fumigants were banned from use. Accordingly, most information on the effects of grafting on watermelon fruit quality derives from rootstock selection studies with emphasis on disease resistance and field performance. However, impaired fruit quality, notably low flesh firmness, constitutes a common problem for the commercial summer crop of field‐cultivated watermelon with blame commonly placed on grafting. Moreover, watermelons worldwide are handled postharvest under adverse nonrefrigerated conditions. There remains, however, a paucity of information on the effects of grafting on watermelon postharvest performance. The main objective of this work was to assess the impact of cucurbit hybrid rootstocks, which constitute a major class of disease‐resistant commercial rootstocks, on quality and postharvest performance of watermelon. The results could be applicable to improve the quality and postharvest handling of the watermelon fruit.

Effects of postharvest handling and storage on physiological attributes and quality of pomegranate fruit (Punica granatum L.): a review

During postharvest handling and storage of pomegranate fruit a number of physiological, biochemical and textural processes occur, which result in changes in colour, taste, texture, and ultimately decline in nutritional quality. Optimum storage conditions are required to maintain overall fruit quality thereby reducing postharvest losses and improvement of marketability of pomegranate fruit. For successful postharvest handling and storage of pomegranate fruit there is a need for the application of the knowledge acquired over the years towards the development of optimum postharvest handling and storage conditions for specific cultivars. This review discusses current knowledge on the effects of storage temperature and duration on quality and physiological attributes of pomegranates.

Non-destructive determination of β-carotene content in mango by near-infrared spectroscopy compared with colorimetric measurements

Non-destructive applications for the detection of food quality, especially internal properties, are highly relevant for process control in the food industry. In this respect, colour measurement and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) were evaluated and compared for their ability to predict β-carotene content in mango cv. ‘Nam Dokmai’. Colorimetric analysis of peel and flesh colour as well as NIR measurements in the short- (700–1100nm) and long-wave regions (1000–2500nm) were analysed for prediction ability. It was found that β-carotene content could be estimated by multiple linear regression (MLR) models developed from b* and hue angle (h°) values of the flesh with good results for coefficient of determination (R2) and standard errors of cross validation (SECV) of 0.941 and 10.2 retinol equivalents (RE) 100g−1 edible part (EP), respectively, while peel colour showed poor results. However, flesh colour measurement is a destructive method. NIRS calibration showed good results with R2>0.800 and standard error of prediction (SEP) 11.642–20.2RE100g−1EP. Long-wave NIR provided better prediction ability than short-wave. From these results, NIRS can be recommended for non-destructive and reliable determination of β-carotene content in mango. The results have implications for quality control in the industrial handling and processing of fruits.

English

The aim of this study was to examine the determinants of postharvest losses in tomato production in the Offinso North district of Ghana. A standardized structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 150 farmers who were selected through a combination of purposive and simple random sampling techniques. We used descriptive statistics to summarize the characteristics of the respondents. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to examine the determinants of postharvest losses in tomatoes. A typical tomato farmer in the district was found to be a male of 44 years, married, with a household size of five and had attained basic level of education. On average, farmers cultivated tomatoes on a farm size of about 5 acres and had about 20 years of farming experience. The study showed that farmers obtained 1,159.21 kg of tomatoes in the major season and 962.78 kg in the minor season on an acre of land, out of which 40 and 14% were lost, respectively. From the perspective of the farmers, the primary sources of losses were rot and bruises caused by poor handling, diseases and pest attack. From the regression analysis, gender of the farmer, household size, farm size, days of storage, membership of Farmer Based Organization (FBO) and type of tomato variety cultivated were found to significantly influence the level of postharvest losses incurred. Female gender, farm size and days of storage were found to be positively associated with losses in tomato production. However, household size, membership of FBO and cultivation of improved varieties were found to reduce postharvest losses, ceteris paribus. Lack of storage facilities, high cost of production and limited access to credit were found to be the critical constraints faced by tomato farmers. The study recommended the formation and joining of FBOs, periodic training and education of farmers on the cultivation of improved varieties of tomatoes as well as training on proper handling of tomato fruits to reduce postharvest losses.   Key words: Tomato, postharvest losses, regression analysis, Ghana.

Gender Control in Forest Product Value-Chain in Rivers and Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Forest Products (FPs) are numerous and exhaustive processing of some species adds to the number of utilization. Apart from timber, non-timber forest products have the potential to increase under innovative modifications and introduces small-scale enterprises (SSE) from the point of collection, through the value-chain channel and finally to the end-users (consumers). This study was carried out to examine the impact of gender in selected FPs with a view to creating a paradigm shift in gender control (GC) and value-chain adjustment in forest conservation, harvesting, processing, marketing and consumption of FPs in Bayelsa and Rivers State, Nigeria. The result reveals that the more the married females and investors in a particular state the less the GC activities in FPs. Respondents between ages 20 and 59 and high level of education resulted to less GC commitment than younger or older ones with low level of education. More so, results revealed that frequent involvement of females in fruit and vegetable FPs are likely to discourage GC activities. The control of gender also shows that medicinal plant and crafts would offer positive and innovative mechanism to sustainability of livelihood and forest management. In Rivers, females dominate in handling of fruit and vegetable FPs while in Bayelsa, there was no gender restriction. In some FPs, children are a set of gender due to adult sentiments to distribution. In addition household, musical and fishing crafts were products from choice of FPs. Gender control in value-chain activities encourages SSE and innovation. Forest extension education would enhance efficiency.

Improved management of mango fruit though orchard and packinghouse treatments to reduce lenticel discoloration and prevent decay

Mango fruit are exposed to complex postharvest handling management, intended to improve postharvest quality retention during export shipment. Susceptibility to lenticel discoloration and to Alternaria side rots and Phomopsis stem-end rot under current handling conditions led us to re-evaluate and modify the chain of postharvest treatments, from the orchard to the packinghouse. The previously developed hot-water brushing (HWB) treatment was found effective in reducing incidence of Alternaria and stem-end rots, but it significantly induced development of red lenticels. Two factors were key to improving fruit quality, by simultaneously reducing lenticel discoloration and decay development: (a) postharvest water and/or NaOH washes in the orchard, and (b) hot-water spray (HWS) applied over rollers without brushes in the packinghouse. The present results indicate that optimal management involves combinations of water washes in the orchard with packinghouse HWS treatment; this significantly reduced the severity of lenticel discoloration by 50–60%, and the incidence and extent of postharvest side rots caused by Alternaria by 60% or more. These results indicate that appropriate handling of fruit can appreciably improve their quality during prolonged storage and shipment.

Organisational effectiveness of Punjab Mandi Board and market committees in handling of fruits and vegetables

The present study was conducted to assess the organisational effectiveness Punjab Mandi Board and market committees in handling of fruits and vegetables. The stratified random sampling technique was used to select markets based on volume of market arrivals. The secondary data on various parameters such as organisational pattern, tenure of Secretary posted at one station and infrastructural facilities available in the market yard were collected from the selected market committees. The primary data were collected from farmers through personal interview method using pre tested schedule. The study indicated that organizationally the Board and market committees were highly satisfactory. The villages were linked with the regulated market by the metteled roads which were equipped with various infrastructural facilities. The farmers had to travel not more than 10 km for the disposal of their produce. Although, there are some inefficiencies and deficiencies here and there. But on the whole Punjab Mandi Board helped in orderly marketing of fruits and vegetables in regulated markets of Punjab.

Use of biocontrol agents in combination with physical and chemical treatments: efficacy assessment

Purpose of review: This review discusses the combination of biological control agents with physical (heat, gamma or UV-C irradiation, controlled atmosphere) or chemical (salt additives, chitosan, natural plant products) treatments against the main postharvest fruit diseases. Findings: The use of biocontrol agents (BCAs) to control postharvest fruit diseases is still constrained by the lack of high levels of disease control required in the postharvest phase (more than 95%). Their inconsistent activity is one of the main factors preventing their routine application on fruit after harvest. Therefore, to overcome this issue, integrated strategies were explored and continue to be one of the fields most investigated in postharvest fruit disease control, in order to achieve maximum effectiveness. The combination of BCAs with physical and chemical treatments, including fungicides at low doses, resulted in an increase of BCAs effectiveness against fungal diseases such as Pencillium spp., Monilinia spp., Botrytis cinerea , etc. Since the integration of different treatments could benefit from their additive or synergic effects and improve the efficacy of each single method. Limitations: It is unrealistic to assume that BCAs have the same fungicidal activity as pesticides; the evaluation of their compatibility with other methods therefore seems to be the main topic that will be developed in the near future. Nevertheless, it is necessary to evaluate the possible detrimental effects of some treatments like gamma irradiation or essential oils on qualitative fruit parameters in view of their commercial application. In addition, the use of low doses of fungicides cannot be applied to organic production. Directions for further research: Specific appropriate strategies have to be evaluated for each species and pathogen in order to tailor a complete integrated disease management. Moreover, these integrated applications have to be investigated at commercial levels, including during fruit handling, in order to ascertain their practical efficacy.

Bio-Control of <i>Alternaria alternata</i> during Banana Storage by Purified AFP Using Isoelectric Focusing Technique

Interestingly, antifungal protein AFP was purified from Aspergillus giganteus supernatants with modified isoelectric focusing procedure after adaptation of the secretion conditions. Subsequently, the antifungal activity as well as the mode of action against Alternaria alternata was tested in vitro. Moreover, different concentrations of AFP were applied to banana fruits for 15 days at 20°C in vivo. Obtained results illustrated that A. giganteus was able to secrete about 39.78 ± 2.39 mg AFP·l-1 Olson medium. The employed ammonium sulfate (AS 75%) precipitation procedure followed by dialysis steps yielded about 16 - 22 mg AFP·l-1 culture supernatant with general mean of 18.67 ± 1.98 mg·l-1. The lost amount of AFP during purification using AS and 3KDa cut-off dialysis membrane is about 50% thus, purification procedure must be further improved. Indeed, concluded results from MIC and hyphal extension inhibition test noticed that AFP was efficiently affected by either growth or hyphae form of A. alternata in vitro. The MIC of AFP against A. alternata was 2μg·ml-1. However,short, thick and highly septated hyphae with damaged constricted apical regions extruding from condensed mycelium aggregates in treated hyphae compared to the untreated culture was remarkably shown. The mode of action of in vitro experiment manifested that AFP was effective to act the fungal cell and permeabilize the cell membrane of A. alternata. Furthermore, the in vivo experiment showed that AFP could reduce post-harvest decay on banana caused by A. alternata. AFP at concentration of 15 and 25 μg·ml-1 exhibit Alternaria decayed reduction by 45.45% and 77.27%, respectively. While no Alternaria decayed area was observed when 50 μg·ml-1 was applied during the storage time. Quantification of DNA by species-specific PCR could exude a positive correlation between the DNA amount and decayed area. In conclusion, AFP can be efficiently used as a bio-preservative agent during storage and handling of banana fruits, and considered as an excellent biological alternative to combat secondary growth of filamentous fungi.

Clinical Course Development of the Chagas Heart Disease in a Brazilian Patient: A Case Report

Chagas disease (CD) was firstly discovered by the Brazilian physician Carlos Chagas in 1909. It is an endemic condition caused by a protozoan named Trypanosome cruzi and it is transmitted by the popularly known barber mosquito. The major CD transmission modes to man are blood transfusion or congenital pathways; minor CD transmission modes are organ transplantation, accidental and oral forms. Oral transmission is being considered the main pathway responsible for several outbreaks of CD in Brazil mainly in the Amazon region where 41 cases have been registered in the year of 2011 associated with the acai intake. This epidemiologic cause occurs due to the instalment of the barber in lowland areas where the acai is harvested; this, associated to poor fruit handling and hygiene, the final consumption is ought to be contaminated. The patient in this case study was chosen for the particular reason that this form of Chagas transmission is one of the least prevalent seen worldwide. Our study aimed to show the eight years length clinical course of a patient with Chagas disease