Higher Soluble Solids Content Research Articles

Erzincan Kosullarinda Yetistirilen ‘Ak Saki’ Elma Çesidinin Depolama Performansi Üzerine Hasat Öncesi Naftalen Asetik Asit ve Aminoetoksivinilglisin Uygulamalarinin Etkileri

This study was carried out to determine the effects of pre-harvest aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG, 150, 225 ve 300 mg/L) and naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA, 20 mg/L) treatments in different doses on storage performance of ‘Ak Saki’ apple cultivar (Malus domestica Borkh.) in 2012. The changes on some fruit quality parameters were measured at 2±1 oC temperature and with 90±5 % relative humidity at 45 days interval during storage. The lowest weight loss was obtained from 300 mg/L AVG treated fruits during the storage. In the all analysis date, the highest L* value was obtained from 300 mg/L AVG treated fruits, and the lowest hue angle value was reported from the fruits of control treatment. The flesh firmness was determined that the best kept in the 225 and 300 mg/L AVG treated fruits during the storage. The flesh firmness significantly reduced with NAA treatment at the end of storage. The highest soluble solids concentration (SSC) was obtain from control fruit during the storage, whereas the lowest SSC was observed in fruit treated with 300 mg/L AVG. In the all analysis date, the highest titratable acidity was obtained in fruits treated with 225 and 300 mg/L AVG. The starch degradation was delayed with AVG treatments.

적과 노력 절감용 촉성 딸기 '옥매' 품종 육성

A new strawberry cultivar (Fragaria ananassa Duch.) 'Okmae' was developed from a cross between 'Toyonoka' and 'Maehyang'. This cultivar has a good fruit quality and suitable number of flowers per cluster for labor saving in fruit thinning. 'Gyoengnam No. 1' was selected as an elite line with vigorous plant growth, higher soluble solids content and fruit firmness after examining its characteristics and productivity in forcing cultures from 2007 to 2009. Farmer's field trial of 'Gyoengnam No. 1' was conducted in 2010 and it was registered as 'Okmae' thereafter. The general characteristics of 'Okmae' are vigorous growth habit, erect plant type, less number of leaf and elliptic leaf shape. 'Okmae' has long peduncle and 9-10 flowers per flower cluster which need less labor for fruit thinning. Fruits of 'Okmae' are conical having a bright red and glossy skin color. Although 'Okmae' has a smaller average fruit number per plant of 21.9 than that of the control cultivars, it's possible to produce high yield because of greater fruit weight of 26.0 g. 'Okmae' showed a high soluble solids content of , low acidity of 0.37%, and high firmness of . It is sensitive to anthracnose and powery mildews, but high-quality strawberry can be harvested by using effective control measure.

The Comparison of Sensory Quality and Processing Potential of ‘Topaz’ Apples Grown in Organic Orchards and Orchards Managed in Integrated Production System

Abstract The aim of the study was to compare the sensory quality of scab resistant ‘Topaz’ apples grown in certified organic orchards (ECO) with those grown in orchards managed within integrated method (IP), and to determine their potential processing suitability. Fruits were harvested in five certificated IP and ECO orchards at the optimum ripeness stage and stored for two months in normal atmosphere at 1 ºC. Apple quality was assessed one day after cold storage and after 7 days of storage at the temperature 18 ºC to simulate shelf life. The results of taste and flavour sensory assessment did not explicitly demonstrate the effect of the orchard management system on the overall eating quality. Although the fruits from the organic orchards were perceived as less sweet and sourer, the management system did not influence the overall eating quality. There was no effect of the growing technology on quality traits connected with aroma and overall texture assessment. Regarding appearance evaluation, fruits from organic orchards were characterized by a higher variation in shape and size, and more frequently than in the case of IP apples had blemishes, scars and rust, which negatively affected their attractiveness. Analysis of the chemical composition of fruits indicates that apples from organic orchards are characterized on average by higher titratable acidity and higher soluble solids content than apples from IP orchards, which could favour their potential application as the additive regulating acidity and shaping the desirable sensory traits of processed organic products.

Describing the Appearance and Flavor Profiles of Fresh Fig (Ficus carica L.) Cultivars

Twelve fig cultivars, including cultivars destined for the fresh and dried markets, were harvested from 6 locations and evaluated by a trained panel using descriptive sensory analysis. Instrumental measurements were taken at harvest and also during sensory analysis. Each fresh fig cultivar had a characteristic appearance and flavor sensory profile regardless of the source. The primary flavor attributes used to describe the fig cultivars were "fruity,""melon,""stone fruit,""berry,""citrus,""honey,""green," and "cucumber." Maturity levels significantly affected the chemical composition and sensory profiles of the fig cultivars. Less mature figs had a higher compression force, a thicker outer skin, and higher ratings for "green" and "latex" flavors, firmness, graininess, bitterness, tingling, and seed adhesiveness. Meanwhile, more mature figs had higher soluble solids concentration, and were perceptibly higher in "fruit" flavors, juiciness, stickiness, sliminess, and sweetness. The specific sensory terminology used for fig appearance and flavor profiles will assist with communication between marketers and consumers, which can increase fresh fig consumption.

Volatile compound emissions and sensory attributes of ‘Big Top’ nectarine and ‘Early Rich’ peach fruit in response to a pre-storage treatment before cold storage and subsequent shelf-life

Pre-storage at 20°C before cold storage was used to improve volatile compound emissions of ‘Big Top’ nectarine and ‘Early Rich’ peach fruit without negatively affecting quality measures and sensory attributes. Commercially harvested fruit were subjected to pre-storage at 20°C for 0, 10, 24, or 36h and then stored at −0.5°C for 10, 20, or 40 d. After cold storage, the fruit were kept at 20°C for up to three days. ‘Big Top’ nectarines given 10h pre-storage followed by 10 and 20 d cold storage were perceived as more flavourful, juicy, and sweet, had higher soluble solid contents, and contained more butyl propanoate, 2-methybutyl-2-methylpropanoate, and 2-methyl-1-butanol than control fruit. ‘Early Rich’ peaches given 36h pre-storage followed by 20 d cold storage were perceived as sweeter and had more propyl acetate, pentyl acetate, and 2-methyl-1-butanol than control fruit.

Some physicochemical characteristics, bioactive content and antioxidant capacity of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.) fruits from Turkey

Overwhelming evidence from epidemiological, in vivo, in vitro, and clinical trial data indicates that a plant-based diet can reduce the risk of chronic diseases, particularly cancer. Some important physicochemical characteristics, bioactive content and antioxidant capacity of fruits of seven commercially grown loquat (Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.) cultivars (‘Akko XIII’, ‘Champagne de Grasse’, ‘Guzelyurt 6’, ‘Hafif Cukurgobek’, ‘KKTC 3’, ‘KKTC 4’ and ‘Sayda’) harvested from Antalya province in Turkey were investigated. The results indicated cultivar-specific differences for most of the physicochemical characteristics, bioactive content and antioxidant capacity tested. Fruit mass and fruit flesh ratio ranged from 33.18g (‘Champagne de Grasse’) to 61.38g (‘KKTC 3’) and 80.44% (‘Akko XIII’) to 86.29% (‘KKTC 3’). Total phenolic content varied from 140 (‘Guzelyurt 6’) to 253μg GAE per g (‘Akko XIII’). The cultivar ‘Champagne de Grasse’ had the highest soluble solids content (14.58%). The highest total antioxidant capacity was observed in fruits of ‘Akko XIII’ with all three antioxidant-determining methods. There were close positive correlations between antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content in loquat fruits. Results show that the loquat represents a good source of biofunctional phytochemicals because of their high phenolic, carotenoid and antioxidant contents.

Volatile Compounds and Sensory Properties in Various Melons, Which were Chosen from Different Species and Different Locations, Grown in Turkey

Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry using a static head space technique was applied to analyze the volatile aromatic compounds of various melons collected from different locations in Turkey. Some physicochemical and sensory analyses were also made. A total of 33 volatile compounds were identified. Differences in the physicochemical and sensory properties of various Turkish melon samples were observed. The multivariate analyses by the volatile compounds separated the three varieties into groups successfully. The most abundant volatile compounds as mean value in all melon varieties were ethyl acetate (22.10%), acetaldehyde (13.65%), and ethanol (23.25%). The results showed that Cantaloupe melons were more preferred by panelists, which had relatively high levels of esters being responsible for strong fruit flavor, like melon, as well as high total soluble solid content and low titratable acidity compared with Inodorus and Simama.

동양배 '원황' 및 '화산'의 상온유통 중 품질 및 생리장해 발생에 미치는 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) 처리의 영향

본 연구에서는 1-MCP 처리가 조생종 '원황' 및 중생종 '화산 '배의 상온유통기간 중 과실품질 및 생리장해 발생 경감에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. '원황' 배는 만개 후 130일과 140일에, '화산' 배는 만개 후 135, 145 및 150일에 각각 수확하여 실험에 이용하였다. 1-MCP를 <TEX>$1{\mu}L{\cdot}L^{-1}$</TEX> 농도로 처리한 후 <TEX>$25^{\circ}C$</TEX> 상온에서 21일간 유통시킨 후 과실경도를 조사한 결과, 1-MCP 처리에 의한 과실 경도 저하 지연효과가 인정되었다. '원황' 배에 있어 만개 후 130일에 수확한 과실의 경우, 무처리구의 과실 경도는 상온유통 14일 후 32.3 N, 21일 후 10.1N으로 유통기간이 경과하면서 경도가 급격하게 저하되었다. 1-MCP 처리구는 같은 조사 기간에 각각 39.4 및 33.1N으로 무처리구에 비해 유의하게 높게 유지되었다. 만개 후 140일에 수확한 '원황'에 있어서는 상온유통 14일에 각각 14.8 및 35.0N으로 1-MCP 처리구의 경도가 두 배 이상 높게 유지되었고 유통 21일에는 1-MCP 처리구가 33.3N이었던 반면 무처리구는 6.6N으로 상품성을 완전히 상실하였다. '화산'에 대한 1-MCP 처리 효과는 수확시기가 늦은 과실에서 효과가 크게 나타났다. '원황'에 대한 1-MCP 처리는 각 수확기에 있어 가용성고형물 함량이 높게 유지되는 경향을 보였는데 '화산'에 있어서는 1-MCP 처리에 따른 함량차이는 인정되지 않았고 1-MCP 처리에 의한 산함량 감소지연효과도 '원황'에서만 나타났다. 에틸렌 발생량은 '원황'의 경우 수확시기가 늦은 과실에서 다소 높게 측정되었으나 최대 <TEX>$0.58{\mu}l{\cdot}L^{-1}$</TEX>으로 매우 소량에 머물렀는데 '화산'의 경우에는 '원황'에 비해 현저히 낮은 수준으로 검출되었고 1-MCP 처리유무 및 유통기간의 경과에 따른 유의한 변화가 없었다. 유통기간 중 1-MCP 처리에 따른 과실의 호흡량은 '원황'에 대한 1-MCP 처리는 만개 후 130일 및 140일 수확 과실에 있어서 상온유통 14일에 무처리구 대비 각각 44 및 50% 감소시킨 것으로 조사되었다. '화산'의 호흡량은 '원황'에 비해 유의하게 낮은 수준으로 조사되었고 1-MCP 처리에 따른 호흡률의 감소는 관찰되지 않았다. 과실내부에 발생하는 생리장해를 측정한 결과, 두 품종 모두 수확시기가 늦어지는 경우 증가하는 경향이었다. '원황'에 있어 만개 후 130일 수확 과실에 대한 1-MCP 처리는 과육갈변을 완전히 방지하였고, 바람들이 및 과심갈변의 발생을 현저히 경감되었던 반면 flesh spot decay 장해는 증가하였다. 1-MCP 처리는 '원황'에서만 생리장해 경감효과가 나타났고 상대적으로 '화산'에서는 그 효과가 다소 떨어지는 것으로 조사되었다. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on fruit quality and incidence of physiological disorders for keeping freshness during marketing period in Asian pear (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai) 'Wonhwang' and 'Whasan'. Fruits were treated with <TEX>$1{\mu}L{\cdot}L^{-1}$</TEX> 1-MCP for 12 hours at <TEX>$25^{\circ}C$</TEX>, at two or three stages of ripeness as determined by days after full bloom (DAFB). Fruits were harvested at 130 and 140 DAFB in early season cultivar 'Wonhwang' and 135, 145, and 150 DAFB in mid-season cultivar 'Whasan', respectively. Fruits were stored at <TEX>$25^{\circ}C$</TEX> for 21 days and measured the flesh firmness, weight loss, soluble solids, acidity, ethylene, respiration and severity of physiological disorders at week interval. 1-MCP treatment to 'Wonhwang' pears harvested at 130 and 140 DAFB effectively delayed firmness loss during storage at <TEX>$25^{\circ}C$</TEX>. Untreated fruits of 'Wonhwang' pears harvested at 130 DAFB showed 32.3 and 10.1N of firmness after 14 and 21 days of shelf-life at <TEX>$25^{\circ}C$</TEX>, respectively, while those of the 1-MCP treated fruits showed 39.4 and 33.1N during same period. In the fruits harvested at 140 DAFB, the firmness of untreated fruit was lowered to 14.8 and 6.6N after 14 and 21 days, respectively, but those of 1-MCP treated fruit were 35.0 and 33.3N, respectively. Whereas, 1-MCP treatment delayed firmness loss only in the fruit harvested late (150 DAFB) in 'Whasan' pears. Higher soluble solids content and acidity during extended shelf-life were apparent in 1-MCP treated 'Wonhwang' pears, while those of 'Whasan' pears were little changed. 'Wonhwang' pears showed a relatively high ethylene production (maximum <TEX>$0.58{\mu}l{\cdot}L^{-1}$</TEX>) in the fruits harvested late than early harvested one. 'Whasan' pears showed little amount of ethylene production regardless of extended shelf-life. 1-MCP treatment to 'Wonhwang' pears decreased respiration rate following shelf-life, 42 and 50% reduction were observed at 14 days of shelf-life when compared with those of untreated ones harvested at 130 and 140 DAFB, respectively. No reduction of respiration rate by the treatment of 1-MCP was detected in 'Whasan' pears which showed considerably low respiration rate compared with 'Wonhwang' pears. Harvest time influenced the level of physiological disorders together with extension of shelf-life in both the cultivars. 1-MCP treatment completely blocked the incidence of internal browning of 'Wonhwang' pears harvested at 130 DAFB, and reduced the incidences of pithiness and core browning, while it promoted the flesh spot decay disorder regardless of harvest time. 1-MCP treatment was of little benefit for the prevention of physiological disorders in 'Whasan' pears compared with those of 'Wonhwang'.

Effect of Growing Medium and Harvest Term on Yield and Several Quality Traits of Two Cultivars of ‘‘Cherry’’ Tomatoes

The objective of the study was to determine the effect of growing medium in greenhouse cultivation on the yield and fruits quality of “cherry” tomato two cultivars. Cultivars ‘Dasher F1’ and ‘Pareso F1’ were chosen for the experiment. The growing mediums compared were: standard mineral wool slabs and coconut fibre slabs, chosen as an environmentally friendly alternative to mineral wool. Tomato seeds were sown in December; seedlings were planted to the experimental greenhouse in January. The fruits were harvested at 5th stage of maturity, according to USDA classification (i.e. ‘light-red’), and subjected to analyses. Harvest terms for quality evaluation of the fruits were June and September. There were determined for the fruits: total and marketable yield, and quality parameters: pH of the fruit juice, titratable acidity, total sugars, soluble solids, total phenolic acids, lycopene, α-carotene and β-carotene contents. The results showed that the fruits harvested in September showed a higher dry matter and carotenoid content that the fruits harvested in June. However, the fruits harvested in June were characterized by a higher total sugars content, higher pH of the juice and higher soluble solids content. The plants grown in both mediums had fruits of similar quality, but the plants grown in coconut fibre showed noticeably higher total yield. Therefore, it can be concluded that the coconut fibre can be used as the environmentally friendly medium for greenhouse cultivation of ‘cherry’ tomatoes, the alternative to mineral wool.

A New Early-ripening Apricot, ‘Dilbay’

‘Dilbay’ is an early-maturing table apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) cultivar developed from the Multi-Purpose Apricot Breeding Program at the Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey. ‘Dilbay’ is suitable for fresh consumption because it has perfect fruit quality, high productivity, and a pleasant orange color on its peel and flesh. ‘Dilbay’ is well adapted to the Malatya region, the main apricot-producing area in the world. ‘Dilbay’ has high (greater than 14%) soluble solid content and moderate acidity and oval-shaped fruit with red blush covering 30% to 35% of the fruit skin.

Ripening Development and Quality of Melting and Non-melting Flesh Peach Cultivars

Some physiological and biochemical properties of melting flesh (MF) and non-melting flesh (NMF) peaches [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] were determined during ripening for 5 days at 20 °C. Respiration rates and ethylene production of MF ‘Flordaprince’, MF ‘TropicBeauty’, NMF ‘UFSun’, and NMF ‘Gulfking’ were measured at different harvest skin ground color-based maturity stages. The MF cultivars at harvest were mostly preclimacteric or at the onset of ripening. The NMF cultivars generally had higher ethylene production at harvest and throughout ripening than the MF cultivars; thus, the NMF fruit had started ripening on the tree before harvest. Some of the NMF fruit harvested at more advanced stages quickly became postclimacteric during the storage period. Quality determination after fruit ripening showed that MF ‘TropicBeauty’ had the highest soluble solids content (SSC), but also the highest titratable acidity (TA). The NMF cultivars had lower TA than the MF cultivars. NMF ‘Gulfking’ consistently had high SSC/TA, which was the result of it having the lowest TA. The NMF cultivars retained firmer texture than the MF cultivars during ripening. The flesh firmness of the NMF cultivars was four to five times greater than that of the MF cultivars. To investigate the reason for this significant textural difference, the activities of the cell wall modification enzymes pectin methylesterase (PME) and polygalacturonase (PG) were quantified in all four cultivars at advanced ripeness stages. PME activity appeared to be more directly related with peach fruit softening than PG activity.

Effect of mulching systems on fruit quality and phytochemical composition of newly developed strawberry lines

The effects of three mulching systems on total yield, average yield per plant, average fruit weight, soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), firmness and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) of two newly developed lines (‘Orléans’ and ‘Saint Pierre’), one advanced selection (‘SJ8976-1’) and two commonly used cultivars (‘Jewel’ and ‘Kent’) were evaluated. The studied mulching systems were: plastic mulch (PM), mulch with row cover (PMRC), and matted-row system (MRS). Results showed that plastic mulch with row cover (PMRC) generally increased yield per plant, average fruit weight, SSC, firmness and ORAC, but differences varied within harvest times. No significant differences in total yield and TA were observed under the selected mulching systems. Both PMRC and PM accelerated the harvest periods compared to MRS. ‘Kent’ and ‘Jewel’ had the highest total yield while ‘SJ8976-1’ and ‘St-Pierre’ had the highest average fruit weight. The highest SSC, TA and ORAC were found in ‘Jewel’. There was no interaction between the mulching systems and genotypes, indicating that the effect of production system is independent of cultivars. PMRC seems to be a better growing system, improving fruit quality and increasing the nutritional value of all genotypes. By allowing off-season fruit production in cool climates, PMRC can be an alternative method to the costly high tunnels.

Influence of biologically enhanced organic production on antioxidant and sensory qualities of (Malus x domestica Borkh. cv Braeburn) apples

(Malus x domestica Borkh. cv Braeburn) apples grown at Royal City, WA, USA under biologically enhanced organic (BEO) methods with nutrient and microbial enhancements were compared with apples produced using conventional methods. Apples from the outer and inner tree canopies were evaluated for antioxidant capacity, soluble solids content (SSC), shelf life, and consumer acceptability by sensory taste panels. Formazan soil tests to estimate microbial activity were correlated with fruit properties. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in 2,2′-azino-bis[3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid]/Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (ABTS/TEAC) or 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH/TEAC) antioxidant capacity between BEO and conventional cv Braeburn apples. However, BEO apples had a higher level (P = 0.003) of total phenolics (TP) assessed by Folin–Ciocalteu reagent than conventional apples, and outer-canopy apples had higher SSC (P = 0.002), as well as higher TP, ABTS, and DPPH antioxidant properties (P < 0.01) compared to inner-canopy apples. BEO apples from both outer and inner canopies also had higher SSC (P < 0.001) than those conventionally grown. There was no difference in shelf life between BEO and conventional apples (P = 0.366), nor between outer-canopy and inner-canopy apples (P = 0.286). The overall acceptability sensory ratings for BEO apples were significantly higher (P < 0.001) than conventional fruits and outside-canopy fruits were rated superior to inner-canopy fruits (P < 0.001).

THE EFFECTS OF PIECE SIZE AND STORAGE TEMPERATURES ON MINIMALLY PROCESSED 'AURORA-1' PEACHES

The production of minimally processed fruit has increased significantly in the last few years due to the high nutritional value, convenience and safety of minimally processed fruit. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the conservation temperature and processing conditions on the quality and shelf-life of minimally processed peaches. The processing procedure consisted of washing, sanitization, peeling and stone removal. To remove the stone, the fruit was cut longitudinally, and three types of products were obtained, including halves, quarters and one-eighth segments. The fruit pieces were immersed in 2% ascorbic acid for 3 min and were packed in rigid polystyrene trays (Meiwa© M-54) coated with 14 μm PVC film (Omnifilm) (about 200 g per pack). The pieces were stored at 65% RH at 3, 6 or 9°C for 12 days, and were evaluated every four days. The appearance, fresh mass loss, color, O2 and CO2 concentration, acidity, total soluble solids, total and soluble pectin content and ascorbic acid concentration were measured. Minimally processed peaches stored at 3°C maintained higher quality due to control of ripening and senescence Moreover, an interaction effect between one-eighth segments and a temperature of 3°C was observed, and fruit with a superior appearance and higher soluble solids content was obtained.

Photo-selective hail nets affect fruit size and quality in Hayward kiwifruit

The aim of the present research was to verify if photo-selective hail nettings can be used to affect fruit quality at harvest and during cold-storage, in addition to hail protection. The study was carried out in Southern Italy on 7-year-old Hayward kiwifruit vines. Four types of photo-selective hail nettings (blue, grey, red, and white) were compared with an un-netted control. The nettings affected differentially and significantly most of the qualitative parameters measured in this study. Both the white and the red nets appeared to be very interesting because they allowed a high dry matter accumulation in the fruit. This was translated into a high soluble solids concentration in the fruits during cold-storage. The blue and grey nets tended to affect negatively the percentage of dry matter and soluble solids content of fruit. This may be due to shading effects. In addition, the white and the blue nets had a slight negative effect on flesh chlorophyll concentration and colour. All the tested nets decreased polyphenol concentration and antioxidant activity of the kiwifruit at harvest. It is proposed that in case hail protection is a must, the right choice of photo-selective hail nets can lead to additional benefits, making the netting more cost-effective for the growers.

Comparison of Some Morphological Features, Quality and Chemical Content of Four Cultivars of Chokeberry Fruits (Aronia melanocarpa)

Two cultivars of chokeberry - ‘Nero’ and Polish ‘Galicjanka’ are sold in Poland. Sometimes, there are also present the seedlings of ‘Viking’ and ‘Hugin’ cultivars. In the experiment some morphological characteristics, the quality of fruits and chemical composition of four chokeberry cultivars (‘Galicjanka’, ‘Hugin’, ‘Nero’, ‘Viking’) were compared. Chokeberry plants were grown at the Experimental Station of Pomology Department at the West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin. Fruits collected from ‘Hugin’ cultivar shrubs were the smallest (100 fruits weight was 32 g) and the least juice was obtained from them (73.6%); however, they were characterised by the highest content of soluble solids (18.7°Bx), titratable acids (1.05 g), polyphenols (2340 mg), especially cyanidin 3-galactoside as well as nitrates (98.5 mg) and nitrites (1.87 mg). The ‘Hugin’ cultivar was characterised by light-coloured fruits, and, as a result, by light-coloured juice. Fruits of ‘Galicjanka’ cultivar were the biggest, 100 fruits weight was 111,7 g. In fruits of the ‘Nero’ and ‘Viking’ cultivars, the content of individual components was at the lowest level. These cultivars have the largest amount of substances colouring fruits, pulp as well as red and blue juices, are also the darkest and the dark juice was obtained from them. Maceration of fruit pulp resulted in a significant change of colour of the juice obtained, it become darker and had a more intense blue colour.

Vigor, floração, produção e qualidade de pêssegos 'Chimarrita' e 'Maciel' em função de diferentes porta-enxertos

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o vigor, a floração, a produção e a qualidade de pêssegos das cultivares 'Chimarrita' e 'Maciel' sobre oito porta-enxertos. O diâmetro do tronco, acompanhamento da floração, produção e qualidade de pêssegos foram os parâmetros estudados nas safras de 2008 e 2009, na Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, as cultivares 'Chimarrita' e 'Maciel', enxertadas sobre Umezeiro, apresentam menor vigor e sintomas de incompatibilidade quando comparadas com a enxertia nos demais porta-enxertos. A floração de ambas as cultivares foi influenciada pelos porta-enxertos, podendo retardar ou antecipar o início e a plena floração em até cinco dias. A cultivar 'Maciel' enxertada sobre Tsukuba 1 foi a mais produtiva e a cultivar 'Chimarrita' apresentou maior produção quando enxertada sobre Aldrighi e Capdeboscq. O porta-enxerto Umezeiro proporcionou frutos com maior relação SS/AT para a cultivar 'Maciel' e, para 'Chimarrita', os pêssegos apresentaram maior conteúdo de sólidos solúveis.

Yield and traits of bulb quality in the Spanish sweet onion cultivar ‘Fuentes de Ebro’ after selection for low pungency

The cultivar ‘Fuentes de Ebro’ is a mild, long-day onion grown in the Northeast of Spain. In this work we report the achievements of two cycles of selection in order to produce an ideotype that combines high yield and desirable bulb quality characters such as low pungency, high soluble solid content, adequate firmness and medium size. We first evaluated 12 selected half-sib families and the phenotypic variation observed for these four traits was analyzed, showing that these bulb characters were significantly affected by location, family and the interaction of both factors. The combined selection produced a significant decrease on pungency, while the other bulb quality related traits showed values similar to those of the unselected progeny. As pungency is positively correlated to bulb soluble solid content and negatively correlated to weight, our selection for multiple traits probably limited the unfavorable consequences of producing milder onions, which usually show large sizes, and low firmness and soluble solid content that reduces bulb conservation. We could estimate the realized heritability of pungency as H=0.75, which is in agreement to previous studies. The two families with significantly lower pungency levels were reproduced and their progenies evaluated again. One of these families that showed lower pungency levels than unselected and commercial plants, while maintained soluble solid content, firmness and weight traits, is going to be submitted to be officially recognized as a conservation variety, which may guarantee the integrity of the desirable attributes that reside in the ‘Fuentes de Ebro’ cultivar.

Moisture Adsorption Characteristics of Solar-Dehydrated Mango and Jackfruit

The moisture adsorption isotherms of solar dehydrated mango and jackfruit were determined at temperatures ranging from 30 °C to 50 °C. The equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of mango and jackfruit increased sharply as the temperature increased at water activity (aw) above 0.6 and 0.8, respectively. However, there were no clear isothermal intersection points observed at higher aw and temperatures. The EMC of solar dehydrated jackfruit showed the isothermal characteristics between types II and III. In contrast, dehydrated mango followed the characteristic type III adsorption isotherms due to high total soluble solids content of 67.8 °Brix and total sugars of 14.21 g/100 g fresh mango. Estimated parameters and fitting ability of three isotherm models were also evaluated. The Guggenheim-Anderson-Boer (GAB) model gave the best fit to the experimental EMC data. The GAB monolayer moisture contents (mo) of mango and jackfruit ranged from 11.1–10.0 % and 4.7–3.4 %, respectively. Specific surface area of active binding sites (S) was calculated based on the mo values. The S value of dehydrated mango was 2.5 to 2.8 times larger than jackfruit. The maximum net isosteric heat (qs) of sorption of solar dehydrated mango and jackfruit were determined as 19.5 and 33 kJ mol−1, respectively, and qs decreased significantly at high moisture.

‘Gupton’ Southern Highbush Blueberry

Southern highbush blueberries (Vaccinium sp.) are hybrids derived from crosses between the (northern) highbush blueberry (V. corymbosum) and germplasm developed from Vaccinium spp. that is both native and adapted to the southeastern United States. Southern highbush blueberries have an advantage over rabbiteye blueberries, the predominant type grown in the region, as a result of their earlier ripening period. As a result, blueberry growers in the southern United States, and additional regions having relatively mild winters, have greater opportunities to capitalize on the lucrative early U.S. fresh berry market because the supply of fresh market berries from the southern hemisphere diminishes concurrently with their ripening in the United States. ‘Gupton’ is a new southern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium hybrid) released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS). ‘Gupton’ is a productive and relatively early-ripening southern highbush blueberry cultivar that possesses favorable fruit quality attributes including large berries containing high soluble solids content and have excellent flavor and firmness, light blue color, and good resistance to raininduced physiological splitting that is expected to perform well in the gulf coast region and other areas of the United States where southern highbush blueberries are grown.