Increase Storage Life Research Articles

Diseminasi Snack Ternak Berbahan Baku Lokal (Berakal) Sebagai Solusi Pakan Berkualitas dan Ekonomis di Kabupaten Sigi

Considering the abundance of underutilized local feed materials, particularly large amounts of agricultural waste that have yet to be optimized as a feed source, the production of feed snacks is expected to provide a solution for utilizing this waste. By adding local ingredients such as moringa leaves, which have highly potential nutritional content, the development of these feed snacks is further enhanced. Moringa leaves are a valuable commodity in terms of both their nutritional content and benefits when added to feed formulations, serving to complement the standardized nutrient requirements. Through a technological processing involving silage/fermentation and to facilitate application and increase storage life, the product is formed into snacks. Addressing the ongoing complaints of farmers regarding the need for feed with high protein content at an economical price, the BERAKAL livestock snack emerges as a solution to meet this demand. With an affordable price, it is expected to fulfill the needs of farmers who face a shortage of quality feed compared to commercial concentrates which are relatively more expensive. The methods of socialization and technical guidance typically involve several stages and strategies to enhance the competence and awareness of the community, such as initial socialization, training and technical guidance, and general technical guidance. BERAKAL livestock snacks can increase livestock productivity, leading to increased production of meat, milk, and eggs, and improving the competitiveness of Indonesian livestock products. BERAKAL livestock snacks can enhance the competitiveness of Indonesian livestock products in the global market. The BERAKAL livestock snack program has the potential to provide significant benefits to universities in terms of implementing MBKM and achieving IKU. Some of these benefits include increasing collaboration with industry partners and the community. This program will involve industry partners and the community in the development and marketing of BERAKAL livestock snacks. This collaboration can enhance the university's reputation as a reliable partner in developing products and services that benefit the community.

Environmental assessment of an innovative adhesive for the footwear industry: road map for product development

PurposeThis work presents an environmental assessment of two adhesives to evaluate the replacement of the traditional adhesive (PU) used in the footwear industry by a novel adhesive based on a microencapsulation approach (PUMC) which is more favorable from the safety and technical perspectives. The PU adhesive is polyurethane-based, while the PUMC adhesive is polyurethane-based but with its isocyanate compounds microencapsulated, increasing storage life and reducing risks related to the exposure of workers with the adhesives.MethodsThe potential environmental impact of the adhesives was evaluated using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. A detailed process model was developed (both for laboratory and for a pilot-scale implementation) to investigate the environmental impacts associated with these processes. The functional unit was one kilogram of adhesive (PU and PUMC adhesives) produced. A cradle-to-customers’ gate approach was defined. The system boundary starts from extraction of resources, through material production, until adhesive use. This includes microcapsule production in the case of the PUMC adhesive. This study investigates the important drivers behind the environmental impacts to help guide commercialization efforts. A scenarios study/sensitivity analysis was conducted to determine the response of the PUMC adhesive system to the variability of the model, scenarios, and parameters.ResultsThe results show that the PU adhesive environmental impact is due to acetone and polyol consumption in the production stage. In the PUMC adhesive system, acetone consumption and microcapsule production are the major factors responsible for the environmental impact. Polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), dichloromethane (DCM), and isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) consumption are the major factors responsible for the environmental impact of the microcapsules’ production. A sensitivity analysis was conducted using three alternative scenarios focused on the reduction in material consumption and increase in material recuperation, as well as using an alternative renewable energy source. Although the traditional PU adhesive has a lower impact, it was found that the three alternative PUMC adhesive systems can become comparable to the traditional PU adhesive.ConclusionsThis study shows the advance and development of a new technology for microencapsulation of isocyanate in adhesives and its environmental advantages and disadvantages with respect to a traditional product that uses non-encapsulated isocyanate. Finally, it was shown that there is significant potential for minimizing some environmental impacts of the PUMC adhesive, such as optimizing the microcapsules’ production stage, increasing the production efficiency to decrease the required material consumption.

Abscisic acid treatment prolongs the postharvest life of strawberry fruit by regulating sucrose and cell wall metabolism

After harvesting, strawberry fruit (Fragaria × ananassa, Duch.) are highly susceptible to deterioration in appearance, firmness and quality, all of which limit storage and transportation life. To increase storage life and reduce losses of strawberry, a pre-storage spray treatment of ripe fruit with relatively low concentrations (100 μM) of abscisic acid (ABA) were used. ABA treatment increased the concentration of the soluble sugars sucrose and glucose, and modified the expression of genes involved in sugar metabolism with a substantial reduction in the mRNA abundance of a highly-expressed neutral invertase. ABA treatment also suppressed the expression of polygalacturonase and a pectate lyase that have been shown to be involved in strawberry fruit softening. Corresponding improvements in middle lamella structure and intercellular adhesion were observed using microscopy. The results show that ABA extended the postharvest life of strawberries by increasing content of soluble sugars and maintaining integrity of cell wall.

Investigating The Effect of Postharvest Application of Putrescine and Spermidine on Preserving Quantitative and Qualitative Properties of Grape Cv. Shahroudi

Grape is one of the most important and ancient fruits in the world that have been used by humans. the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of post-harvest application of putrescine and spermidine polyamines on maintaining the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of ‘Shahroudi’ grapes during storage. Factorial experiment with two polyamine factors including two types of polyamines, putrescine and spermidine, each in 3 concentrations (0.5, 1 and 2 mmol) and storage time (0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 and 105 days) based on a completely randomized design in 2019. After treatment, the fruits were stored for 105 days at a temperature of 2 ° C and a relative humidity of 85-95% and their quantitative and qualitative characteristics were evaluated during storage. The results showed that the treatments had a significant effect on fruit firmness, weight loss, anthocyanin content, titratable acidity, vitamin C and total soluble solids at the level of 1% probability and on pH at the level of 5% probability, but on the percentage of fruit juice It had no significant effect. Also, the effect of storage time on all traits was significant at the 1% probability level. However, the interaction effects of treatment and storage time showed a significant effect on total phenol, acidity and Total soluble solids at 1% probability level and a significant effect on pH at 5% probability level. In conclusion, considering maintain different properties using putrescine and spermidine during storage and delaying in senescence and increasing storage life of fruits of ‘Shahroudi’ grape, polyamines application as a postharvest treatment recommended.

Molecular characteristics of some Botrytis isolates and antagonistic activity of Bacillus subtilis and its bacteriocin on tomato fruit

Gray mold, caused by Botrytis cinerea, is one of the most devastating agricultural diseases during the pre and postharvest stages. This study aims to investigate the application of Bacillus subtilis as a bioagent against B. cinerea and reducing pre and postharvest disease as a replacement method to chemical pesticides. Five Botrytis isolates were molecularly confirmed and the virulent isolate BC2 was registered for the first time in the National Center of Biotechnology Information (NCBI) with accession number OP257237. The mycelial growth of B. cinerea was inhibited by up to 84% when treated with the bio agent bacterium using the double drawing method in Petri plates. Pre-harvest application of B. subtilis at a concentration of 108/ml CFU reduced postharvest -gray mold of tomato fruit during ripening stages in the greenhouse. Preharvest application of bioagent bacterium B. subtilis induced the levels of B-1, 3-glucanase and Polyphenol oxidase, indicating enhanced plant resistance to gray mold. Disease severity was decreased compared with control and extended the shelf life at 25 °C.The field application of the bio agent bacterium at the maturity of ripening in preharvest had a significant effect on increasing the level of polyphenol oxidase PPO and B-1, 3-glucanase, which are related to the enhancement of plant defenses and resistance. Additionally, it led to an increase in storage life and a reduction in post-harvest losses. The results demonstrated that preharvest application of bio agent bacterium Bacillus subtilis improved the quality of postharvest tomato fruit and significantly reduced gray mold incidence, all without the use of chemical pesticides.

Changes of bacterial communities of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) at different processing steps in the production of burgers and their storage life enhancement by an acetate-based preservative

Fresh trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is a healthy and nutritious food which can be used for formulating ready-to-cook fish preparations, such as trout burgers. To investigate the impact of processing and the use of an acetate-based preservative on the spoilage microbiota and storage life of burgers, the dynamics of microbial communities were examined by using a combination of culture-dependent/independent techniques, Monte Carlo simulation, and PICRUSt2 analysis. Results of the microbial community analyses showed that most of the taxa of trout were lost during processing into burgers. Along the processing steps, an increase of contamination, with Flavobacterium and Pseudomonas becoming the most relative abundant genera in pulp and burgers, respectively, was observed. The Pseudomonas dynamic pattern was supported by the Monte Carlo simulation, which gave a picture of the bacterial transfer. Verdad® N6, which is a commercially available acetate-rich fermentate, was evaluated as preservative treatment for burgers during their storage life. Pseudomonas dominated the microbial community of stored burgers, irrespective of the treatment. However, their levels were lower in the fermentate-treated samples, which presented Lactobacillus as the second most relative abundant genus. PICRUSt2 analysis showed that Pseudomonas-correlated metabolic pathways of hexitol fermentation were significantly lower at the end of the storage period in burgers supplemented with the fermentate, corroborating Pseudomonas minor contribution to the metabolic activity. In summary, Verdad® N6, through its inhibiting effects on spoilage bacteria is an option for producing burgers with increased storage life.

Synergistic effect of zinc and denak (Oliveria decumbens) essential oil to extend the storage life of pomegranate arils

BackgroundSemi-processed pomegranates are increasingly being used around the world. Due to their perishability, however, arils currently have a limited supply and distribution. The treatment of arils with zinc and denak essential oil (DEO) can assist in reducing the growth of pathogens and can contribute to an increase in storage life. Since zinc is nutritionally valuable, the experiment involved immersing arils in 0.8% zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) and packaging them in polypropylene (PP) containers. Then, labels were supercritically impregnated with DEO (25 and 50 μL L−1) in the packages. Sampling was performed regularly at 10-day intervals for 60 days of storage.ResultsZinc and DEO had a synergistic impact on all indices. The treatment of arils with 0.8% ZnSO4 and 50 µL L−1 DEO caused the maximum total soluble solids (TSS), firmness, titratable acidity (TA), total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity, and anthocyanin content, as well as the lowest weight loss (WL) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity.ConclusionsIn general, the effect of 0.8% ZnSO4 + 50 µL L−1 DEO was most efficient for the increase in storage life and maintained the qualitative characteristics of arils. Also, it caused the zinc content of arils to increase 36-fold. This may be an excellent strategy to meet the body’s nutritional demand for zinc.Graphical

Ascertaining the refrigerated storage life of wheat bran and grape seed extract enriched meatballs (Goshtaba) under aerobic conditions

Three types of meatballs (Goshtaba) viz. control, dietary fiber (8% hydrated wheat bran) rich and anti-oxidant rich (0.1% grape seed extract) Goshtaba were prepared from good quality mutton, packaged in low density polyethylene pouches (LDPE-200µm gauge) and analyzed during its refrigerated storage (4±1◦C) to ascertain their aerobic refrigerated storage life. The emulsion stability and cooking yield of the dietary fiber rich product was improved. The pH of dietary fiber rich product increased significantly (P≤0.05), while as that of antioxidant rich Goshtaba decreased significantly (P≤0.05) with the increase in the storage period. The water activity of all the samples showed an increasing trend over the storage period. The microbial parameters (total plate count, psychrophilic count) increased during the storage period, but the values were decreased in the product fortified with grape seed extract (GSE), depicting an anti-microbial effect of GSE. The sensory quality was decreased in all the products with increase in storage life, but the rate of decline was slowest in GSE treated meatballs. It was concluded that the product treated with GSE as anti-oxidant source retained most of the desirable properties during the aerobic refrigerated storage for at least 26 days as against 17 days in case of other products.

Recent Advancements of Fungal Xylanase Upstream Production and Downstream Processing

Xylanase is a hydrolytic enzyme produced by fungi and bacteria utilized in various industrial applications such as food, biobleaching, animal feed, and pharmaceuticals. Due to its wide variety of applications, xylanase's large-scale industrial production has gained researchers' interest. Many factors and methods affect fungal xylanase's production in both upstream and downstream processing stages. The upstream production methods used are submerged fermentation (SmF) and solid-state fermentation (SSF), where SmF involves the usage of liquid substrates, while the SSF applies solid substrates to inoculate the microbes. The downstream processing of fungal xylanase includes extraction, purification, and formulation. The extraction methods used to extract fungal xylanase are filtration and solvent extraction. Meanwhile, the purification methods include ultrafiltration, precipitation, chromatography, Aqueous Two-Phase System (ATPS), and Aqueous Two-Phase Affinity Partitioning (ATPAP). The formulation of xylanase product is obtained in either liquid from the extraction-purification results, which can be converted to powder form using technologies such as spray drying to increase storage life. Moreover, immobilization of xylanase with nanoparticles of SiO2 could produce reusable xylanase enzymes. Several future studies have also been suggested. This review aims to explain the upstream and downstream processes of fungal xylanase production as well as the factors that affect those processes.

Regulation of pericarp browning in cold-stored litchi fruit using methyl jasmonate

Postharvest litchi fruit is highly perishable and vulnerable to pericarp browning (PB), which affects marketability. In this study, the effect of vacuum infiltrated methyl jasmonate (0, 1, or 2 mM) on the quality of fresh cold stored (7 ± 1 °C and RH 85–90%) litchi. The MeJA effectively reduced PB and increased storage life up to 16 d by retaining higher fruit weight, soluble solids, acidity, and anthocyanin contents. MeJA (2 mM) treated fruits maintained higher levels of phenols, ascorbic acid and antioxidant activity. Moreover, the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide), membrane permeability, lipid peroxidation, and quinone was downregulated. The MeJA treatment also reduced the activity of PPO and POD as well as maintained higher PAL activity with delayed PB in litchi. Therefore, the MeJA infiltration (2 mM) could be suggested to enhance the storability of litchi fruits during cold storage.

Evaluation of PE/POE/PA6 blends containing silica and clay toward nano composite packaging film

In the present study, we investigate PE/POE/PA6 blends containing nano silica and clay, which is one of the most important synthetic polymers utilized in food packaging industry. Nanocomposite films including C0S0, C1S0.75, and C2S0.75 (C and S denoting nanoclay and nanosilica, respectively) were prepared via melt mixing method. Then, structural, mechanical, thermal, and morphological traits of the prepared films were evaluated. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) results for parameters including strain and energy in the tensile test, elasticity modulus, and work in penetration test were significant at 0.05% probability. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns showed that polymer mixing resulted in the removal of 2.5–3 pick and the tendency of 3.5–4.5 and 6.5–7.5 picks appear at lower angles, suggesting the layers openness and partly sheet structure of the nanoparticles. According to SEM micrographs, soil nanoparticle distribution is almost suitable and there is no accumulation at various fracture surface areas. Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) presented a relatively good thermos ability. The results of the Differential scanning calorimetry test in the nanocomposite packaging films showed that enthalpy (ΔHm and ΔHc) and crystallinity percentage in all nanocomposites with PA6 and LDPE polymeric components from C0S0, C1S0.75, and C2S0.75 nanocomposite films had a decreasing trend. Therefore, physical, mechanical, thermal and morphological properties of PE/POE/PA6 blends containing Nano silica and clay were improved and increasing storage life, which are important in economic, marketability, and exporting terms.

Optimization of hot water treatment of guava fruits cv. ‘Shweta’ to prolong cold storage

In north India, winter guava crop is harvested in the coldest month of the year, yet it poses a challenge in post-harvest life due to its perishable nature. There is also concern about the use of any pesticide/chemicals for extension of shelf life in guava as fruits are consumed with peel and fresh. To prolong the shelf life of guava fruits use of cold storage is alternative but being a subtropical fruit, it is sensitive to low temperature. Therefore, an alternative mode to enhance the self-life of fruits by optimising hot water treatment and storage at low temperature was worked out. Mature fruits of guava were treated at 45 oC, 50 oC, 55 oC with check (normal tap water) for 3 minutes and stored at low temperature of 5±2 oC and 85 to 90 per cent R.H. Fruits were withdrawn at weekly interval and assessed for physico-chemical parameters. The cumulative physiological loss in weight (CPLW) per cent was maximum in control fruits (10.88 per cent), while it was minimum (8.66 per cent) in fruits treated with hot water at 45 oC. The total soluble solid (TSS) was 12.2oBrix in fruits treated with hot water at 45 oC. The acidity of the fruits decreased with increase in storage. In fruits treated with hot water at 50 oC, the ascorbic acid content of the fruits was maximum 274.16 mg/100g after 21 days of storage and minimum 114.05 mg/100g after 28 days of storage. The total polyphenols content of the fruits decreased with increase in storage life. Conclusively fruits treated with hot water at 45oC could be stored up to 28 days + 3 days under room temperature.

Potassium fertilization effects on quality, economics, and yield in a pear orchard

AbstractPotassium (K) nutrient existent in the soil does not always supply pear tree (Pyrus communis L.) demand, which makes the use of potassium‐based fertilizer necessary. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of potassium fertilization on yield and pears quality in order to establish critical K levels in soil and leaves. The treatments consisted of K application rates of control, 40, 80, 120 and 160 kg K2O ha−1 yr−1 during four crops (2013 to 2017). The fruit quantity, mass and yield were evaluated, and leaves were collected for nutrient analysis. Stratified soil samples were collected, prepared and subjected to exchangeable K extraction by Mehlich‐1. In the last two crops, peel color, ethylene production, and respiratory rate were also evaluated after 90 days inside a controlled atmosphere storage chamber. After storage, pears were submitted to a shelf life of 7 days to evaluate the epidermis color, ethylene production, respiratory rate, total titratable acidity (TTA), soluble solids (SS), and pulp firmness. Potassium fertilization increased the exchangeable K contents in the soil, but it was not always correlated with an increase of K concentration in the leaves and fruit. The most economical dose was 45.40 kg K2O ha−1 in the 2016/2017 crop season. It was not possible to estimate K critical levels in the soil and leaves. The fruits submitted to higher doses of K showed the lowest values of ethylene production and respiration rate, which resulted in an increase in storage life in cold rooms and on the shelves.

Agronomic and Environmental Aspects of Conservation Agriculture on Wheat Crop Production

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the major vegetable crops of Nepal. Potato is grown all over the globe and consumed as either vegetable or staple food depending upon the crop production scenario. It is also an integral part of human diet. Potato is a high nutrient mining crop and needs higher fertilization for economic tuber production. Despite sufficient application of Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P2O5), low replenishment and widespread potassium deficiency are limiting the potato production in Nepalese condition. Growth parameters such as plant height, leaf area and chlorophyll% was positively correlated with potassium application. Potassium alleviated stresses of frost and drought and reduced incidence of diseases like late blight, black scurf and hollow heart. Potassium also decreased the reducing sugar content and improved chips color and quality. Similarly, potassium application before harvest was found to increase storage life of potato tubers. Furthermore, potassium application significantly increased the yield of potato tubers and quality parameters such as Vitamin C content and specific gravity. Source of potassium and method of potassium application also affected growth, yield and quality parameters. Soil application of potassium in splits coupled with foliar spay was found to perform better. Optimum dose of potassium was recommended for economic tuber production
 Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 7(2): 161-166

Potassium Fertilization in Potato

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the major vegetable crops of Nepal. Potato is grown all over the globe and consumed as either vegetable or staple food depending upon the crop production scenario. It is also an integral part of human diet. Potato is a high nutrient mining crop and needs higher fertilization for economic tuber production. Despite sufficient application of Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P2O5), low replenishment and widespread potassium deficiency are limiting the potato production in Nepalese condition. Growth parameters such as plant height, leaf area and chlorophyll% was positively correlated with potassium application. Potassium alleviated stresses of frost and drought and reduced incidence of diseases like late blight, black scurf and hollow heart. Potassium also decreased the reducing sugar content and improved chips color and quality. Similarly, potassium application before harvest was found to increase storage life of potato tubers. Furthermore, potassium application significantly increased the yield of potato tubers and quality parameters such as Vitamin C content and specific gravity. Source of potassium and method of potassium application also affected growth, yield and quality parameters. Soil application of potassium in splits coupled with foliar spay was found to perform better. Optimum dose of potassium was recommended for economic tuber production.
 Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 7(2): 153-160

A study on commercial cultivation and storage of water chestnut (Trapa natans L.) under wetland ecosystem of North Bihar, India

Water chestnut is an excellent economical and medicinal winter crop from fresh water ecosystem. It is well known for its nutrient content including protein and antioxidants. Different water chestnut germplasm viz. Green Spineless, Green Spine, Red Spineless and Red Spine were studied at wetland ecosystem of North Bihar in India under Research Centre on Makhana, Darbhanga, during 2016-17. Under wetland ecosystem, Green Spineless variety of water chestnut produced large quality nut (24.42 g) followed by Red Spineless (23.11 g). Regarding yield, Green Spineless gave rise to the maximum yield of 12.24 t/ha. The Red Spineless variety exhibited the maximum TSS of 9.60B followed by Green Spineless (9.20B). Water chestnut beetle (Galerucella birmanica Jacoby.) was dangerous pest under wet land ecosystem as compared to aphid. Green colored varieties were resistant to beetle and aphid. Different approaches had been made to enhance the shelf life of water chestnut variety Red Spineless as it was sweetest and attractive in colour among trial varieties. The results revealed that poly packaging with 5% perforation and stored in refrigerator for 40C (T1) increased storage life up to 14.0days as compared to open ambient (T4) (4.72 days) maintaining fair market acceptability. This treatment (T1) also improved the TSS content of the fruit to 9.80B by slow and gradual PLW about 21.15 % during two weeks of storage. From our present study it may be concluded that irrespective of color, spineless varieties of water chestnut were promising under wetland ecosystem of North Bihar on account of their yield potential and nut quality.

Effect of different storage conditions on physico-chemical composition and shelf life of persimmon fruit

Persimmon is naturally divulged with bioactive molecules including tannins etc. and its utilization may be helpful to reducing the diabetes mellitus. Therefore this research study was carried out to enhance the shelf life of persimmon fruit at refrigeration and ambient temperature (Temperature 20-23oC Relative humidity 60-63%) during storage. The quality attribute such as weight loss, TSS (°Brix), pH, titrable acidity total tannin (mg/100g) and ascorbic acid were studied at an interval of 3 days for a total period of 12 days. However, the treatment of T5 (sun dried + low density polyethylene) was superior to all other treatments in retention of vitamin C, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, total tannin and pH with minimum weight loss compared to control whereas the treatment T6 (oven dried + HDPE) was found better to all other treatments during storage. The treated persimmon fruit have increased storage life as compared to control. Present study was proved helpful to evaluate the effect of storage condition on physico-chemical composition and increase the postharvest life of treated fruits during storage.

Alginate oligosaccharide postharvest treatment preserve fruit quality and increase storage life via Abscisic acid signaling in strawberry

Abscisic acid (ABA) has been advocated to play substantial role on ripening of non-climacteric fruit. Here we report that alginate oligosaccharide (AOS) postharvest treatments delayed the accumulation of ABA and ABA-conjugates and restrained the expression of ABA signaling genes, resulting enlarged storage life of strawberry. In addition, AOS postharvest treatments also increased the quality and reduced the degradation of cell wall components and repressed the expression of cell wall degradation genes. AOS treated fruits exhibited significant delays of hardness, decay percentage, titratable acidity, pH, total soluble solids and vitamin C content compared to untreated fruits. Moreover, AOS had a positive effect on retaining higher amount of anthocyanin, total phenol and flavonoids contents. The finding of this study suggests that AOS postharvest treatments are very useful for preserving fruit quality and enhancing shelf life by delayed ABA accretion, restrained the gene expression related to ABA signaling and cell wall degeneration.

Effect of pre-harvest foliar application of amino acids and seaweed (Ascophylum nodosum) extract on growth, yield, and storage life of different bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivars grown under hydroponic conditions

The study was set up to evaluate the efficiency of amino acids and seaweed on vegetative growth, reproductive phase, yield, and postharvest storage quality of hydroponically grown bell pepper cultivars “Sven Rz F-1” and “Red Knight.” Different concentrations of amino acid and seaweed were sprayed on bell pepper plants under hydroponic conditions. Pre-harvest foliar application of amino acids and seaweed significantly increased plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, yield per plant, number of marketable fruits per plant, average fruit diameter, fruit wall thickness, and average single fruit weight. Amino acid and seaweed significantly improved postharvest physicochemical quality of both bell pepper cultivars under extended cold storage conditions. Conclusively, amino acid as well as seaweed extract not only improved growth, development, yield, and overall quality of bell pepper cultivars but also increased storage life with reduced weight loss and decay along with better physicochemical quality.

Robotic cactus pear cryocauterization increases storage life

Cactus pear (Opuntia spp.) is a highly perishable fruit that starts to deteriorate after several days of storage at room temperature. After two weeks, 70% of the fruit show signs of deterioration. A cauterization process used a pneumatic robotic gripper to press a cactus pear against a dry-ice wall inserted inside a thermally isolated chamber. Batches of 1800 cactus pears were processed daily under different environmental conditions (sun, cloud, and rain). The best cryocauterizing treatment for fruit was 150 kPa for 15 s, which on sunny, cloudy, and rainy days resulted in marketable fruit index of 0.86, 0.84, and 0.82, respectively, after 90 d (where 1.0 = 100% marketable fruit). Cryocauterization is a good alternative to increase storage life of cactus pear, but it should be applied early in the working day and without rainy conditions.