Higher Total Soluble Solids Research Articles

Adaptation of grape cultivars to the semi-arid climate of Saïs: the case of Sultanine for sultana raisin production

ABSTRACT This study evaluated five grape cultivars, viz. Cardinal, Prima, Victoria, Regal Seedless, and Sultanine, grown at four sites in the semi-arid Saïs region of Morocco. The research aimed to assess how the region’s climatic conditions influence grape growth and quality, to identify cultivars suitable for local golden raisin production. Pomological and physico-chemical characteristics were measured, including fruit size, seed and skin weight, juice yield, and soluble solids. The Sultanine cultivar proved advantageous, with the longest bunch length (27.96 cm), heaviest bunch weight (651.39 g), highest total soluble solids (25.50° Brix), and highest sugars (18.11%). Victoria, a white grape cultivar, had the largest berry diameter (2.15 cm) and highest ascorbic acid content (22.23 mg/100 g). The study highlights Sultanine’s exceptional quality and suitability for the Saïs region, making it an ideal candidate for high-quality local sultanas. There is potential to boost production and reduce Morocco’s dependence on imported golden raisins.

Optimization attributes of fig (<i>Ficus carica</i> L.) salad dressing enrichment by <i>Mentha pulegium</i> L. extract and carboxymethyl cellulose

Common salad dressings led to further calories for consumers owing to high fat in their formulations. The aim of this research is to produce low-calorie salad dressing with high nutritional value and reduced fat. Box-Behnken designs were applied including figs (Ficus carica L.) (40 to 80%), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) (0.25 to 1.25%) and Mentha pulegium L. (MPL) extract (0.01 to 0.05%) as independent variables. The total soluble solids (TSS), pH, viscosity, stability, peroxide index and sensory evaluations were performed; afterwards, calorie, and fatty acids (FA) were evaluated, and also scanning electron microscopy was carried out. The optimal conditions were obtained for salad dressing formulations with the highest TSS (40.3479%), viscosity (15898.75 cP), stability (94.2994%) and sensory (4.6282) and also the lowest pH (4.6032) and peroxide (0.9778 mEq/kg oil) related to fig (65.4545%), CMC (1.995%) and MPL (0.01%) concentrations, respectively. The optimal sample reduced 6-fold the calories compared to control and also demonstrated the maximum monounsaturated FAs with uniform distribution for particles. Fig salad dressing produced as a low-calorie product has the potential to be used by consumers.

Effect of Plant Growth Regulators on Growth and Yield of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Cv. MAHY 701 under Agroclimatic Conditions of Bhubaneswar

Exogenous application of plant growth regulators play a vital role on effectively enhancing plant growth along with crop output. In order to determine the effect of plant growth regulators and the ideal concentration of GA₃ and NAA for improved tomato growth and yield (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cv. MAHY-701 under Bhubaneswar condition, a field experiment was conducted in Rabi 2022 at Agricultural Research Station, Binjhagiri, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Siksha "O" Anusandhan (Deemed to be) University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha using plant growth regulators, namely GA₃ and NAA. The experimental design was randomized block design, which consisted of three replications and seven treatments. When compared to the control treatment, all growth, yield, and quality parameters were shown to be significantly better at various concentrations of GA₃ (30, 60, and 90 ppm) and NAA (25, 50, and 75 ppm). The findings of the investigation reinforce the claim that, as compared to the control, tomato growth and yield were considerably affected by both GA₃ and NAA. The results categorically demonstrated that the treatment where the plant was sprayed with GA₃ @ 90 ppm had the highest total soluble solids (4.33°Brix), acidity (0.42%), and shelf life (18.73), as well as the highest number of fruits per plant (42.90), fruit length (6.40cm), fruit diameter (6.80cm), weight of fruit (118.80g), yield per plot (31.70kg), yield per ha. (423.50qt), and other quality attributes. In conclusion, farmers may be suggested to apply GA₃ at 90 ppm and NAA at 50 ppm when raising tomatoes in Bhubaneswar Agroclimatic environments for MAHY-701.

Comparative effect of FYM and Azotobacter on morphology and nutritional quality of high and low altitude grown knol khol (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes L.) cultivar White Vienna

Extreme environmental conditions of high altitude (HA) expose the food crops to abiotic stresses that may impact their growth and nutritional composition, which also varies depending on agricultural practices being used. Therefore, the present study is designed to a compare the efficacy of organic agri-treatments viz. farm yard manure (FYM) and Azotobacter on morphological and nutritional traits of knol-khol cultivar White Vienna grown at HA and low altitude (LA). The field trial was conducted as a two-factorial experiment in a randomized block design. The first factor was treatments (T1-FYM, T2-Azotobacter, T3-FYM+Azotobacter and T4-(control) and second factor was cultivation locations (HA vs. LA). The findings revealed that the application of treatment T3 at HA resulted in higher total soluble solids (1.38-fold), titratable acidity (0.06-fold), total carbohydrate (1.9-fold), crude protein (3.7-fold), crude fat (3-fold) and dietary fiber content (78-fold) whereas, yield (137.6-fold) and ash content (0.85-fold) content were found higher at LA. The current study emphasizes upon the superior efficiency of combination treatment of FYM and Azotobacter at HA to improve the nutritional quality of food crops, with added benefits of environmental sustainability and nutritional security.

Jasmonate and salicylic sprays improve cherry tomato fruit productivity and quality in unheated greenhouses

Introduction. Arable regions often have insufficient soil nutrients, which means that fertilizers must be used. However, using fertilizers excessively can harm the environment, human health, and food safety. Natural growth regulators derived from plants are environmentally friendly and reasonably priced. Salicylic acid (SA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) phytohormones are crucial for enhancing plant biomass, quality, productivity, and resistance to environmental stresses. Objective. To evaluate the foliar effect of MeJA and SA on fruit quality and production of cvs. colorful tomato under greenhouse conditions. Materials and methods. The trial was carried out in the University of Diyala, Iraq, from 1 December, 2022 to 5 June 2023. Foliar of 0, 200 mg/L SA and or 200 mg/L MeJA was evaluated to determine effects on fruit quality and production of colorful cherry tomato cultivars indeterminate: LA4013, LA353, LA2921, LA3899 and IQ2, with a randomized complete block design with each treatment having three replicates. Results. The cv. IQ2 had the heaviest fruit (82.13 g), highest yield (4.56 kg/plant), total yield (4.56 t/house) and highest treatable acidity (0.62 %). The cv. LA4013 had a higher fruit number (612.88 fruit/plant) and the highest total soluble solids (2.933 %). Foliar of SA at 200 mg/L had the highest chlorophyll index (36.68 SPAD) highest fruits per plant (373.73), highest yield (3.15 kg/plant) and total yield (3.93 t/house). Conclusion. When considering all variables together, the best genotypes were IQ2 and LA4013, which were found to be superior to the other genotypes in quality and yield trials. The 200 mg/L foliar SA improved the yield and quality of cherry tomatoes under greenhouse conditions.

Estimation of Heterosis and Combining Ability for Quality Traits in Bottle Gourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl.

An experiment was conducted at the Vegetable Research Farm, Maharajpur, Department of Horticulture, JNKVV, Jabalpur in kharif season of 2022 and 2023. The current study evaluated the performance of 23 bottle gourd genotypes, including 6 parental lines, their 15 diallel crosses, and 2 checks, focusing on their quality traits. Over two years of pooled data, genotype, JBG-4×JBG-5 was found to possess maximum TSS (3.93 °Brix), followed by JBG-2×JBG-4 (3.77 °Brix). JBG-4×JBG-5 was found to have maximum ascorbic acid content (14.48 mg 100-1 g) followed by JBG-4 (14.01 mg 100-1 g). Rind thickness was found maximum in JBG-2×JBG-4 (3.36 mm) followed by JBG-2×JBG-3 (3.28 mam). This study found a substantial association between the total soluble solids (TSS) and ascorbic acid content with the yield of bottle gourd genotypes. Among the genotypes, JBG-4×JBG-5 demonstrated the highest yield per plant, along with the highest total soluble solids (TSS) and ascorbic acid content. Regarding heterosis, JBG-4×JBG-5 has found the highest heterosis for total soluble solids and ascorbic acid content. JBG-4 and JBG-2 are the best general combiners for TSS, ascorbic acid content, and rind thickness. JBG-4×JBG-5 has found the best specific combiner for TSS and ascorbic acid content.

Enzymatic catalytic dynamics of lactic-acetic acid co-fermentation: Effect of cellulase on the physicochemical, phytochemicals, volatiles, and antioxidant activity of jujube puree extracts

The processing of jujube (Ziziphus jujuba) is imperative due to its esteemed status and rich pharmacological properties despite its sensory challenges and short shelf-life. Traditional drying methods preserve jujube quality but complicate bioactive compound extraction due to the conjugated polysaccharide matrix. This study addresses the gap in research on enzymatic pretreatment by investigating the use of cellulases to break down the rigid cellulose structure, thus enhancing the efficiency of subsequent fermentation processes. Besides, this research explored the catalytic dynamics of cellulase pretreatment in lactic-acetic acid co-fermentation to improve jujube puree's functional and quality properties. Methodologies involved applying cellulase at concentrations of 1 %, 3 %, and 5 % (v/v) at 40 °C for 4 hours, followed by fermentation with Lactobacillus plantarum CGMCC 3346 and Acetobacter pasteurianus (Ap CICC 20001, CGMCC 1.41). Results indicated that fermentation and enzyme hydrolysis significantly influenced jujube puree's physicochemical and sensory attributes. Fermentation increased densities and moisture content, while unfermented and enzyme-treated samples had higher total soluble solids (TSS) values (11.00–11.50 °Brix). Enzyme concentration affected the reducing sugar and protein content, with higher enzyme concentrations (5 %EF) producing lighter products (L* = 52.00). Total phenolic content increased with fermentation, particularly in the 3 %EF treatment (351.89 mg GAE/100 g FW), while flavonoid and flavonol contents peaked in the 5 %EF (426.33 mg RE/100 g FW) and 3 %EF (25.80 mg QE/100 g FW) treatments, respectively. Proanthocyanidin content was highest at moderate enzyme concentrations, notably in the 3 %EF treatment (715.95 mg CE/100 g FW). Fermentation also enhanced antioxidant properties and altered flavor profiles by decreasing acetoin levels and increasing acid and ester production. This study highlights the significance of the combinative effect of enzyme concentration and fermentation processes in augmenting jujube puree extracts' nutritional and sensory qualities.

Assessment of Elite Mulberry Genotypes for Fruit Traits and Biochemical Composition

This study aimed to identify the most promising mulberry genotypes for fruit production by evaluating fruit characteristics, biochemical traits and nutritional composition. Eight elite mulberry genotypes were selected from the mulberry germplasm unit at the Department of Sericulture, GKVK, Bengaluru. The saplings were raised and transplanted into the main field 90 days after planting, following a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with a spacing of 5 × 3 feet, with three replications per genotype. The results revealed that among the eight genotypes, ME-0006 exhibited superior fruit characteristics, with the highest values for fruit length (3.16 cm), fruit width (2.01 cm), fruit weight (3.02 g) and fruit yield per plant (166.55 g). Biochemical analyses indicated that ME-0220 had the highest total soluble solids (TSS) (19.71°B), carbohydrate content (166.49 mg/g), anthocyanin (38.41 mg/g), and zinc content (mg/100g). Genotype ME-0006 recorded the highest calcium content (153.80 mg/100 g), while MI-0014 showed the highest levels of phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium. Additionally, ME-0086 was notable for its higher content of micronutrients and vitamin C (34.17 mg/100 g). These findings may provide valuable insights for selecting mulberry genotypes with superior fruit yield and biochemical properties, which can be further utilized in breeding programs and commercial mulberry fruit cultivation.

Effects of rootstocks and developmental time on the dynamic changes of main functional substances in 'Orah' (Citrus reticulata Blanco) by HPLC coupled with UV detection.

Citrus fruit is rich in important functional constituents such as flavonoids, phenolic acids terpenes and other functional substances that play an important role for treating clinical diseases or controlling major agricultural diseases and pests. Plant secondary metabolites have become one of the most important resources of novel lead compounds, especially young citrus fruits contain multiple functional substances. 'Orah', a type of citrus reticulata, is known for its fine appearance, productivity, delicious sweetness, late-maturing characteristics, and is widely cultivated in China. Fruit thinning and rootstock selection are commonly used agronomic measures in its production to ensure its quality and tree vigor. However, few studies have demonstrated the effects of these agronomic measures on the functional substances of 'Orah'. In this study, we used HPLC coupled with UV to detect the dynamic changes of fruit quality, 13 main flavonoids, 7 phenolic acids, 2 terpenes, synephrine and antioxidant capacity in both peel and pulp of citrus fruits grafted on four rootstocks (Red orange Citrus reticulata Blanco cv. red tangerine, Ziyang xiangcheng Citrus junos Sieb. ex Tanaka, Trifoliate orange Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf, and Carrizo citrange Citrus sinensis Osb.×P.trifoliate Raf) at six different developmental stages (from 90 DAF to 240 DAF). The results indicated that rootstock can significantly affect the contents of functional constituents and antioxidant capacity in 'Orah'. Additionally, it was found that pruning at either 90 DAF (days after flowering) or 150 DAF produced the most favorable outcomes for extracting functional substances. We also identified rootstock 'Trifoliate orange' has the highest total soluble solids (TSS) and 'Ziyang xiangcheng' to be the optimal in terms of comprehensive sensory of fruit quality, while 'Red orange' and 'Ziyang xiangcheng' are optimal in terms of functional substance quality, and 'Red orange' excels in antioxidant capacity. Overall, the findings demonstrate the important role of rootstocks and developmental stage in shaping fruit sensory quality and functional substance synthesis, providing valuable insights for guiding rootstock selection, determining thinning time, and utilizing pruned fruits in a more informed manner.

Pomegranate Quality from Consumers' Perspective: Drivers of Liking, Preference Patterns, and the Relation between Sensory and Physico-Chemical Properties.

Acquiring information on consumer preferences for the sensory properties of pomegranates is a cue for breeding programmes to set their quality targets and promote the consumption of this particularly healthy fruit. In this study, a total of 12 pomegranate varieties were evaluated, including commercial (Valenciana, Illina, Tastem, Rugalate, Wonderful, Mollar 49 y Mollar 45) and new varieties (Ref 102, Ref 383, H3/27, and D27/12). For the first time, consumers not only scored their acceptance of different pomegranate varieties but also described their sensory properties using CATA questions. This approach allowed us to identify the main drivers of liking, preference patterns, and the relationship between sensory and physico-chemical properties. Of all the sensory attributes, acidity intensity was revealed as the main driver of liking/disliking, and two different consumer preference patterns were identified: 'low acid pomegranate lovers' and 'acid pomegranate lovers'. Seed properties like the intensity of woody flavour and seed/aril ratio were also key drivers for preferences. A relationship between sensory and physico-chemical properties was also established. Interestingly, sweetness perception correlated more strongly with low titratable acidity levels than with high total soluble solids levels, corroborating that acidity level is a key measurement for quality assessments. 'H3/27' was the most promising of the new varieties for having the well-appreciated internal properties of the 'Mollar' varieties and external and internal red colouration, which makes it much more appealing to consumers. This study shows that there is still room on the market for pomegranate varieties with very different sensory properties and highlights the need to develop sensory labels that help consumers make the right choices.

Preventing enzymatic browning of freshly cut green bananas through immersion in normal water, lemon juice, and coconut water

AbstractThe rising demand for freshly cut agricultural produce like bananas, apples, pears, potatoes, and roots due to health concerns and modern lifestyles has heightened awareness of their susceptibility to browning, which diminishes their appeal and contributes to food waste. The present study explored the efficacy of natural anti‐browning agents in prolonging the quality and shelf‐life of freshly cut green banana slices. The bananas underwent treatment with normal water (NW), lemon juice (LJ), and coconut water (CW), and the changes in physicochemical properties, such as browning intensity, color, firmness, total soluble solid (TSS), total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and also microbial attributes, were evaluated during their storage at 4 ± 1°C for 12 days. The results demonstrated significant enhancements in treated samples compared to untreated ones. While normal water and lemon juice‐treated banana slices exhibited visual browning during storage, coconut water immersion proved superior in maintaining visual appeal, whiteness, and lightness while delaying yellowing and browning. Coconut water‐treated samples also displayed firmer texture (0.75 kg), lower TSS (5.67 °Brix), and reduced weight loss (9.14%) after 12 days, in contrast to samples subjected to lemon juice and normal water treatments which showed lesser texture (0.68 kg, 0.58 kg), higher TSS (5.87 °Brix, 6.10 °Brix), and greater weight loss (11.76%, 16.09%), respectively. Furthermore, coconut water‐treated samples retained higher levels of total phenols (392.67 mg GAE (gallic acid equivalent)/100 g FW (fresh weight), total flavonoids (55.67 mg QE (quercetin equivalent)/100 g FW), and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity (38.68%). Coconut water treatment also significantly suppressed polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity (14 U/g) compared to lemon juice (16 U/g) and normal water (26 U/g) treatments, and untreated samples (133 U/g) after 12 days. Additionally, microbial load remained within acceptable limits for all samples, with coconut water‐treated samples showing the lowest values. Thus, coconut water is a promising natural solution for inhibiting browning and preserving the quality of fresh‐cut green banana slices during storage.

Effect of Organic Manure and Biofertilizers on the Growth, Yield and Productivity of Guava under Meadow Orcharding

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of organic manure and biofertilizers on the growth, yield and productivity of guava under meadow orcharding at Horticulture Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj. In this experiment, various organic sources (Farm yard manure (30 kg/plant/y), vermicompost (30 kg/plant/y) and neem cake (3 kg/plant/y) along with various biofertilizer combinations (Azotobacter, Azospirillum, PSB) were tested on five-year-old guava cultivar 'Allahabad Safeda' to study its effect on growth, fruiting and yield. The results obtained showed higher fruit weight (218.00 g), fruit length (7.60 cm), fruit diameter (7.42 cm), maximum number of fruits produced per plant (26.64 fruits/plant), maximum yield per plant of 5.81 kg/plant and maximum yield per ha (23.12 t/ha) with the application of T9. The highest total soluble solids (12°Brix) and total sugar content of fruit (8.26%) with the application of T9. Application of nutrients through organic along with biofertilizers improve soil health in terms of mean microbial population in the rhizosphere of root zone soil as compared to control. From the present study, the application of biofertilizers with the combination of organic manures has a beneficial effect on the availability of major nutrients in the soil to help in maintaining of the soil fertility and plant growth of the fruits at a desired level. It can be concluded that, for better growth, yield and quality guava fruits, the guava trees should be fertilized with (FYM (30kg/plant) +Azospirillum @250g/tree +PSB @250g/tree +Neem cake @3kg/tree) per year with treatment T9.

Evaluating the Potential of Vegetable Powders as Nitrite Replacements in Cured Pork Sausages: Effects of Different Processing Methods to Produce Chinese Cabbage and Radish Powders.

This study investigated the potential of Chinese cabbage and radish powders as natural sources of nitrite in ground pork sausages. Four vegetable powders from Chinese cabbage and radish, depending on the processing method, were prepared for evaluation: filtered Chinese cabbage juice powder (FCJP), crushed Chinese cabbage powder (CCP), filtered radish juice powder (FRJP), and crushed radish powder (CRP). Both FCJP and FRJP from filtered juice of Chinese cabbages and radishes had higher total soluble solids and water soluble index compared to CCP and CRP from crushed Chinese cabbages and radishes. Additionally, FRJP and CRP showed a higher nitrate content than CCP and FCJP. The evaluation of vegetable powders against products containing sodium nitrite (control) or commercial vegetable powder in ground pork sausages showed that the use of FRJP and CRP resulted in similar levels of CIE a* compared to the control, whereas those cured with FCJP or CCP resulted in lower CIE a* values. However, regardless of the type and processing method of vegetables, all sausages treated with vegetable powders were similar in terms of cured pigment, total pigment, curing efficiency, and lipid oxidation compared with the control. Although lower hardness was observed in sausages treated with FRJP, no other treatments affected textural attributes. These results indicate that FRJP and CRP have great potential as natural curing agents for replacing nitrite in cured sausages. The use of powders obtained from filtered juices may provide extended utility as vegetable-based curing methods for other meat products.

Modeling the relationship between postharvest storage conditions and grapefruit quality

The postharvest loss in quality of grapefruit during storage can be quantified by determining the change of the quality traits of grapefruit, including total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), TSS/TA, weight loss (WL), and the development of decay (DC) and chilling injury (CI). The objective of this study was, therefore, to develop models that encompass the relationship between both storage conditions and duration and the quality traits of grapefruit to predict the loss of grapefruit quality during storage. The models of TSS, TA and TSS/TA were developed with experimental data collected during the 2007–08 and 2008-09 growing seasons that were obtained from the literature. The models for WL, DC, and CI were developed with experimental data collected in Florida during the 2004–05 and 2005-06 growing seasons. The WL, DC and CI models were applied to determine storage life. The results indicated that there was a second-order polynomial relationship between storage duration and TSS and linear relationships between storage duration and TA and TSS/TA. A longer storage duration resulted in a higher TSS, a lower TA and a higher TSS/TA. There were linear relationships between storage duration and WL, thermal time above a threshold temperature of 0 °C and DC and thermal time below 10 °C and CI, with higher WL, DC and CI resulting from longer storage duration and larger number of thermal times. Model performance for simulating TSS, TA, TSS/TA for storage temperature between 2 °C and 11 °C was good. There is good performance for simulating WL for storage temperature between 4 °C and 12 °C, DC for storage temperature of 21.1 °C, and CI for storage temperature of 4.4 °C. Following model development, it was applied to determine the optimum storage life. Optimum storage condition was a storage temperature of 7.6 °C for approximately 20 d, resulting in less than 5 % of the stored fruits lost due to unacceptable quality based on predictions for WL, DC and CI.

Improving the storage quality and suppressing off-flavor generation of winter jujube by precise micro-perforated MAP.

Traditional modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) cannot meet the preservation requirements of winter jujube, and the high respiration rate characteristics of winter jujube will produce an atmosphere component with high CO2 concentration in traditional MAP. Micro-perforated MAP is suitable for the preservation of winter jujube due to its high permeability, which can effectively remove excess CO2 and supply O2. In this study, a microporous film preservation system that can be quickly applied to winter jujube was developed, namely PMP-MAP (precise micro-perforated modified atmosphere packaging). An experiment was designed to store winter jujube in PMP-MAP at 20°C and 2°C, respectively. The quality, aroma and antioxidant capacity, etc. of winter jujube at the storage time were determined. In this study, the optimal micropore area required for microporous film packaging at different temperatures is first determined. To ensure the best perforation effect, the effects of various factors on perforation efficiency were studied. The gas composition within the package was predicted using the gas prediction equation to ensure that the gas composition of the perforated package achieved the desired target. Finally, storage experiments were designed to determine the quality index of winter jujube, including firmness, total soluble solids, titratable acid, reddening, and decay incidence. In addition, sensory evaluation, aroma and antioxidant capacity were also determined. Finally, the preservation effect of PMP-MAP for winter jujube was evaluated by combining the above indicators. At the end of storage, PMP-MAP reduced the respiration rate of winter jujube, which contributed to the preservation of high total soluble solids and titratable acid levels, and delayed the reddening and decay rate of winter jujube. In addition, PMP-MAP maintained the antioxidant capacity and flavor of winter jujube while inhibiting the occurrence of alcoholic fermentation and off-flavors. This can be attributed to the effective gas exchange facilitated by PMP-MAP, thereby preventing anaerobic stress and quality degradation. Therefore, the PMP-MAP approach is an efficient method for the storage of winter jujube.

Effect of tropospheric ozone and its protectants on gas exchange parameters, antioxidant enzymes and quality of Garlic (Allium sativum. L).

An experimental study was conducted to assess the detrimental effect of ground-level ozone (O3) on garlic physiology and to find out appropriate control measures against ground-level O3, at TNAU-Horticultural Research farm, Udhagamandalam. Elevated ground ozone levels significantly decreased garlic leaf chlorophyll, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, total soluble solids and pungency. The garlic chlorophyll content was highest in ambient ozone level and lowest in elevated ozone@200ppb, highest stomatal conductance was recorded in ambient ozone with foliar spray of 3%Panchagavya, and the lowest was observed in elevated ozone@200ppb. Since the elevated O3 had reduced in garlic photosynthetic rate significantly the lowest was observed in elevated O3@200ppb and the highest photosynthetic rate was observed in ambient Ozone with foliar spray 3% of panchagavya after a week. The antioxidant enzymes of garlic were increased with increased concentration of tropospheric ozone. The highest catalase (60.97µg of H2O2/g of leaf) and peroxidase (9.13 ΔA/min/g of leaf) concentration was observed at 200ppb elevated ozone level. Garlic pungency content was highest in ambient ozone with foliar spray of 0.1% ascorbic acid and the lowest was observed under elevated O3@200ppb. Highest total soluble solids were observed in ambient ozone with foliar spray of 3%Panchagavya and the lowest observed in elevated ozone@200ppb. Thus, tropospheric ozone has a detrimental impact on the physiology of crops, which reduced crop growth and yield. Under elevated O3 levels, ascorbic acid performed well followed by panchagavya and neem oil. The antioxidant such as catalase and peroxidase had positive correlation among themselves and had negative correlation with chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic rate, pungency and TSS. The photosynthetic rate has high positive correlation with chlorophyll content, pungency and TSS. Correlation analysis confirmed the negative effects of tropospheric ozone and garlic gas exchange parameters and clove quality. The ozone protectants will reduce stomatal opening by which the entry of O3 in to the cell will be restricted and other hand they also will alleviate ROS and allied stresses.

Effect of ultrasound treatment in fresh apple juices from different cultivars

The sonication process is based on the cavitation phenomenon, which allows the extraction of target compounds, homogenization of solutions, and breakdown of plant cells. Thus, this paper aimed to assess the effect of ultrasound treatment in fresh apple juice to control the enzymatic browning effect. Three different apple varieties, Gala, Fuji and Argentina, were used to extract the juices, and were then subjected to ultrasound treatment for 0, 5, 15, and 30 minutes. Total soluble solids, citric acid content, pH, phenolic compound concentration, and color aspects were evaluated. Argentina apple variety had higher total soluble solids and pH values, with no visual differences between treatments. In contrast, ultrasound treatment of the fuji apple had a statistical difference to the control sample, regarding citric acid content. The analysis of the L* parameter, representing luminosity, showed slight variations ranging from 24.78 to 28.27 in all samples, with no significant differences observed among different treatment durations. Furthermore, the a* parameter showed a significant difference only for the Gala apple in the 0 and 5 min treatment. The b* and Chroma value was higher in Argentina variety (5.78 to 7.05 and 6.08 to 7.42, respectively) than in Fuji and Gala. On the other hand, a statistical difference was observed in the °HUE in Gala variety, faced to Fuji and Argentina. The content of phenolic compounds in the apples’ varieties remained unaltered by ultrasound treatment, with values ranging from 52.47 to 116.23 mg of gallic acid equivalent L-1. These unexpected results indicated no significant variations between the sonification durations in the evaluated parameters. Thus, it is suggested that a new ultrasound procedure utilizing a probe and/or temperature control may be more effective in diminishing the enzymatic browning effect.

Evaluating the efficacy of different botanicals on prolonging shelf life and maintaining quality of mandarin (Citrus reticulate Blanco var. Banshkharka Local)

Mandarin (Citrus reticulate Blanco) has been cultivated in 56 districts of Nepal. Huge losses in mandarin were reported and use of safer alternatives to synthetic chemicals to solve post-harvest losses is a matter of great concern. An experiment was conducted at the Directorate of Agricultural Research, Lumle for two consecutive years 2019 and 2020. Mandarin having similar maturity indices were harvested and transported to DoAR, Lumle. The fruits were treated with five different botanicals (garlic extract @ 10 %, ginger extract @ 10 %, aloe vera extract @ 10 %, neem extract @ 10 %, and control) allocated in randomized complete block design with four replications. The post-harvest study was conducted for 3 weeks under laboratory conditions (7.9 ± 3° C and RH 74 ± 4%). Different parameters such as physiological loss in weight (PLW), decay loss, total soluble solid (TSS), titrable acidity (TA) and fruit weight to juice ratio were recorded. Fruit treated with ginger extract @ 10 % recorded the minimum physiological loss in weight (6.31% and 5.15%), minimum decay loss (16 % and 17%) in the year 2019 and 2020, respectively. Highest TSS: TA ratio (13.54 and 12.79) and fruit weight to juice ratio (0.33 and 0.35) was also observed in fruit treated with ginger extract @ 10 % in both years. In both years, results obtained in the fruits treated with ginger extract was followed by fruit treated with aloe vera extract and garlic extract. Control treatment gave the poor result as compared to ginger extract @ 10 %. Thus, this study concluded that the use of ginger is suitable for postharvest treatment of mandarin fruit to increase its shelf life and maintain its quality parameters.

Fruit quality assessment based on mineral elements and juice properties in nine citrus cultivars

IntroductionCitrus fruit is considered a superfood due to its multiple nutritional functions and health benefits. Quantitative analysis of the numerous quality characteristics of citrus fruit is required to promote its sustainable production and industrial utilization. However, little information is available on the comprehensive quality assessment of various fruit quality indicators in different citrus cultivars.MethodsA total of nine different fresh citrus fruits containing seeds were collected as the experimental materials. The objectives of this study were: (i) to determine the morphological and juice properties of citrus fruits, (ii) to measure the mineral elements in the peel, pulp, and seeds, and (iii) to evaluate the fruit quality index (FQI) using the integrated quality index (IQI) and the Nemoro quality index (NQI) methods.ResultsThere were significant differences in fruit quality characteristics, including morphological, mineral, and juice quality, among the investigated citrus cultivars. The proportion of pulp biomass was the highest, followed by that of peel and seeds. N and Cu had the highest and lowest concentrations, respectively, among the measured elements across all citrus fruits, and the amounts of N, P, Mg, Cu, and Zn in seeds, K and Al in pulp, and Ca, Fe, and Mn in peel were the highest, dramatically affecting the accumulation of minerals in the whole fruit and their distribution in various fruit parts. Additionally, Ningmeng fruits had the highest vitamin C and titratable acidity (TA) but the lowest total soluble solids (TSS) and total phenolic (TP) contents, resulting in the lowest TSS/TA and pH values. In contrast, Jinju fruits had the highest TSS and TP contents. Based on the mineral element and juice quality parameters, principal component analysis showed that the citrus fruits were well separated into four groups, and the dendrogram also showed four clusters with different distances. The FQI range based on the IQI method (FQIIQI) and NQI method (FQINQI) was 0.382-0.590 and 0.106-0.245, respectively, and a positive relationship between FQIIQI and FQINQI was observed.ConclusionOur results highlight the great differences in mineral and juice characteristics among fruit parts, which mediated fruit quality. The strategy of fruit quality assessment using the FQI can be expanded for targeted utilization in the citrus industry.

Nutrient profiling of Wild Aonla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) populations in Northeast India: Assessing the potential of this fruit tree for ecological and human health restoration

Assessing the potential of native species like Emblica officinalis (Aonla) is vital for various reasons. It supports biodiversity conservation, sustainable agriculture, ecological equilibrium, human well-being, and climate resilience. This study, conducted across 30 diverse locations in Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast India, unveiled substantial morphological and nutrient variations among Aonla genotypes. Notable findings include G24's high total soluble solids content, G1's maximum acidity, and G13's elevated total carbohydrate content. G29 stood out with increased pectin, vitamin C, and phosphorus, while G19 exhibited higher total chlorophyll, carotenoids, and potassium. Additionally, genotypes displayed differences in crude protein, total starch, crude fibre, and total phenol content. Four promising genotypes (G29, G19, G24, and G1) hold the potential for genetic crop enhancement, offering benefits in local nutrition, health, soil quality, and water retention, not only in Northeast India but also beyond. This research underscores the significance of understanding and utilizing native resources to foster both ecosystems and human communities.