Lower Soluble Solids Content Research Articles

Preserving refrigeration and shelf life quality of hardy kiwifruit (Actinidia arguta) with alginate oligosaccharides preharvest application.

Alginate oligosaccharide (AOS) is a bioactive carbohydrate known for its preservation properties. However, the efficacy of preharvest AOS treatment in maintaining the postharvest quality of hardy kiwifruit (Actinidia arguta) has not been previously reported. This study explores the effects of preharvest AOS treatment (80mg L-1) on A. arguta fruit, assessing visual quality, physiological attributes, aroma, and antioxidant capacity during refrigeration and shelf life. Results showed that AOS treatment maintained higher lightness, chroma, firmness, and antioxidant levels (total phenolics, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, and glutathione), along with antioxidant enzyme activities (peroxidase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase). Specifically, AOS-treated fruit had 9% higher chroma and double the firmness after 60 days of refrigeration. AOS treatment reduced ripening and senescence, with 25% lower soluble solids content, 22% lower respiration rate, 30% lower ethylene production, and 35% lower malondialdehyde content. Electronic nose analysis indicated that AOS treatment suppressed changes in fruit aroma and off-odor development, maintaining significantly higher quality during the shelf life period. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of AOS as a sustainable method to extend shelf life and preserve the quality of A. arguta fruit, enhancing its market value and consumer appeal. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The research on using alginate oligosaccharides (AOS) for preharvest treatment of hardy kiwifruit (Actinidia arguta) has practical applications in the food industry. By extending the shelf life and preserving the quality of the fruit during storage, this method can help reduce postharvest losses and improve the market value and consumer appeal of A. arguta fruit. This sustainable preservation technique offers an eco-friendly alternative to traditional methods, enhancing the freshness and nutritional quality of the fruit available to consumers.

Heat Stress and Water Irrigation Management Effects on the Fruit Color and Quality of ‘Hongro’ Apples

Increasing fruit crop production sustainability under climate change, particularly increasing temperatures, is a major challenge in modern agriculture. High temperatures affect apple fruit quality and decrease its color. Herein, we constructed an experimental field under temperature simulation to evaluate climate change mitigation strategies for apples. ‘Hongro’ apples were subjected to three treatments: (1) cultivation inside a vinyl house for heat treatment (heat induction), (2) cultivation under water irrigation (heat reduction), and (3) cultivation under normal atmospheric temperature (control). At harvest, the fruits of the heat treatment group exhibited poor coloration, with a lower gene expression and pigment accumulation than those of the water irrigation and control groups. Furthermore, the fruit quality of the heat treatment group decreased, with a lower soluble solid content (SSC) and titratable acidity (TA), and smaller fruits. Additionally, a higher fruit disorder (cracking and spots) ratio was observed in the heat treatment group than in the water irrigation and control groups. However, the fruits of the water irrigation group exhibited higher quality indexes (flesh firmness, SSC, and TA) and less cracking than those of the heat treatment and control groups. Heat reduction, including water irrigation, may be used for orchard management to prevent climate change-induced increasing temperatures.

Agronomic performance and fruit sensory and quality analyses of pineapple cultivars

The objective of this study was to assess the agronomic performance and fruit sensory and quality characteristics in traditional and modern pineapple cultivars grown in Tangara da Serra, MT, Brazil. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, with five replications and 20 plants per plot. Planting was carried out in double rows with spacing of 1.2×0.4×0.4 m, in May 2018. The evaluated cultivars were BRS-Ajuba, BRS-Imperial, BRS-Vitoria, Gigante-de-Tarauaca, IAC-Fantastico, Jupi, Perola, and Smooth-Cayenne. Gigante-de-Tarauaca exhibited the highest fruit weight but presented low soluble solids content and soluble solids to titratable acidity ratio (SS/TA); thus, it is not recommended for fresh fruit market. Jupi exhibited fruit weights (>1500 g) suitable for the market and soluble solids above 12 °Brix, but SS/TA below 20. Considering the modern cultivars, BRS-Ajuba presented the highest fruit weight, but BRS-Imperial and IAC-Fantastico were the most attractive to consumers, as well as the traditional cultivar Perola. However, BRS-Imperial and IAC-Fantastico yield small fruits, which reduces their per-unit value in the market, as pineapples are typically valued based on their sizes.

Differences in primary metabolism related to quality of raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) fruit under open field and protected soilless culture growing conditions.

The raspberry (Rubus idaeus) fruit is characterized by good taste and high acceptability by consumers. Thus, the impact on the quality attributes and metabolites related to raspberry taste should be evaluated in crop alternatives such as the protected soilless culture. This study aimed to evaluate the metabolic changes during fruit development and postharvest of raspberry grown in open field and protected soilless culture and their relationship with quality parameters and sensory perception. In this study, the quality parameters and polar metabolites -sugar and amino acids- content were evaluated during raspberry ripening. In addition, ripe fruit was stored at 1 °C for five days, followed by one day of shelf life at 20 °C. The physiological and quality parameters showed typical changes during ripening in both growing conditions: a constant production of CO2, a drastic loss of firmness, an increase in weight and soluble solids content, loss of acidity, and a turning to red color from the green to fully ripe fruit stages in both growing conditions. Fruit from the protected soilless culture had significantly higher weight but a lower soluble solids content. The metabolic analysis showed differences in primary metabolites content during ripening and storage at 1 °C between both growing conditions. The raspberries grown in the open field showed higher contents of sugars such as D-glucose and D-fructose. On the contrary, the fruit from the protected soilless culture showed higher contents of some amino acids such as L-alanine, L-serine and L-valine, among others. The sensorial panel showed significant differences in the perception of the sweetness, acidity, color and firmness of ripe fruit from both growing conditions. The present study provides interesting and useful results with direct commercial application for this alternative growing system, mainly in areas where soil and water scarcity are a reality.

Análise econômica dos efeitos do ponto de colheita sobre a qualidade e a produtividade de maçãs ‘Fuji Suprema’

Abstract This study aimed to analyze the effect of harvest date on ‘Fuji Suprema’ apple quality, productivity, and economic profitability at harvest and after storage. Apples were harvested at the beginning of the commercial harvest window (H1), ten days after H1 (H2), and 22 days after H1 (H3) in the 2008 and 2009 growing seasons. A total of six samples with ~400 kg of fruit (~2,900 apples) each were picked at each growing season and harvest date, which were assessed at harvest (six subsamples of 100 fruit) and after 250 days of controlled atmosphere storage at 0.8 °C. The economic analysis considered fixed and variable production costs in the orchard and postharvest practices and the productivity of packaged apples (pack-out). Early harvested (H1) apples had greater flesh firmness, acidity, and lower soluble solids content than late-harvested apples (H3), both at harvest and after storage. Delaying harvest by 22 days increased the production by 10.2% due to increased fruit size but reduced the production by 3.6% due to severe sunburn and pre-harvest decay incidence. Late harvest also increased production losses due to decay by 4.4% and 10.9% during storage and shelf, respectively, but reduced production losses due to superficial scald by 17.1 to 22.7%. The net revenue (R$ ha-1) is higher for apples harvested late (H3, flesh firmness of 15.6 lb and starch index of 7.1) than for apples harvested early (H1 and H2) when the fruit is marketed soon after harvest (between April and May). However, for apples marketed after long-term storage, economic profitability is maximum when harvested at an intermediate maturity stage (H2, flesh firmness of 16.4 lb and starch index of 6).

Haskap Juicing Method Effects on Haskap Juice Quality

This research is the first study on the influence of juicing methods on the ‘Aurora’ haskap juice quality. Three common juice extraction methods, namely, using a steam juicer, a centrifugal juicer, and a bladder wine press, were applied for haskap juice extraction. Both physicochemical assays and tests of antioxidant activities were employed to evaluate the qualities of the haskap juice. Generally, the centrifugal juicer increased and the steam juicer reduced concentrations of measured juice components relative to the press. The juice from the centrifugal juicer had the highest cloudiness. Sugar concentrations were about 40% lower in steam juice compared to the centrifugal juicer. Pressed juice had a slightly lower soluble solid content than the juice made with the centrifugal juicer and concentrations of glucose and fructose were similar between these methods. The methods altered pH and malic acid content without affecting the concentrations of tartaric and malic acids. Similar effects of juicing methods were seen in secondary compounds associated with health benefits and antioxidant capacities. Anthocyanin concentrations in press and centrifugal juicer extracts were similar, about 1.6 times higher than steam juicer extracts. Total phenolics and antioxidant activities were from two to four times higher in the centrifugal juicer extraction compared to steam juicing. Ascorbic acid and total flavonoid content in the haskap juice was increased by centrifugal juicing and decreased by steam juicing compared to the press. Overall, the juice extracted with the centrifugal juicer had concentrations of juice components that were 1.5–2 times higher than the steam juicer. The pressed juice had similar to slightly lower concentrations of components compared to the centrifugal juicer.

Long-term field evaluation of Pera sweet orange selections under the Brazilian humid subtropical climate

Currently, a low number of citrus varieties are commercially planted to supply the Brazilian citrus industry demand. The diversification of citrus scion and rootstock varieties is an important strategy to prevent disease outbreaks and to obtain higher off-season profits, as well as to extend fruit supply for the citrus processing industry. The aim of this study was to evaluate 16 Pera sweet orange selections (Citrus ×sinensis Osbeck) under a humid subtropical climate in the northwest region of the state of Paraná, Brazil regarding tree development, production, and disease incidence. The experimental orchard was planted in December 2012 in a randomized block design with three replications and five trees per plot. All scions were grafted on Rangpur lime rootstock (C. ×limonia Osbeck). The evaluations were performed from 2016 through 2022, and included vegetative growth, yield, fruit quality, estimated tree density and productivity for new plantings, and incidence of diseases as citrus canker, huanglongbing (HLB), and citrus tristeza virus (CTV). All data was submitted to ANOVA and means grouped by the Scott Knott’s test (p ≤ 0.05). Pera Perão was the most vigorous variety, with the heaviest and largest fruit, and was among the selections with the highest content of soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (TA) and juice. However, this variety showed a light-yellow juice color, and one of the lowest SS·TA−1 ratio. This selection had the lowest percentage of fruits with citrus canker but was among the selections with the highest HLB incidence. The selections Ovale, Clone 9, and Clone 42 also showed higher vegetative growth and fruit length, but lower SS content, juice yield and technological indices. All other Pera selections had lower tree height and canopy volume than Ovale, Clone 9, and Clone 42, and adequate overall fruit quality. Conversely, Pera Comprida, Dibbern, Morretes, and Seleç ão 12 scored lower cumulative fruit yield. Pera Pirangi and Comprida had the highest citrus canker incidence on fruits, while Morretes, Ovo, Pirangi, Seleç ão 12, and Seleç ão 27 had the highest HLB incidence alongside Perão. Low severity level of stem pitting was observed within the evaluated selections. The scores ranged from one (absence of stem pitting) to two (sparse surface stem pitting). IAC, Olímpia, Mel, Bianchi, and IPR 159 revealed to be the most suitable for new plantings under humid subtropical edaphoclimatic conditions, as trees had small vegetative growth, high yield performance and fruit quality, in addition to showing lower incidences of citrus canker, HLB and CTV.

Coatings Based on Gelatin and Chitosan in the Conservation of Papaya (Carica papaya L.) Minimally Processed

Minimally processed fruits undergo changes that require careful monitoring. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of edible coatings based on chitosan and gelatin using various application techniques for minimally processed papayas. The treatments included: control (distilled water), 1% chitosan, 4% gelatin, 1% chitosan + 4% gelatin (blend), and 1% chitosan with a 4% gelatin undercoat (layer-by-layer). The coatings’ infrared spectroscopies (FTIR) were analyzed, and the fruits’ fresh mass, firmness, pulp color (L*, a*, b*, and hue angle), pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, ascorbic acid, phenolic compounds, lycopene, β-carotene, total sugars, and catalase activity were measured. The results revealed that gelatin and the layer-by-layer treatment positively influenced the preservation of minimally processed papaya. These coatings effectively reduced fresh mass loss while maintaining firmness and the characteristic orange color of the mesocarp. Furthermore, the treated samples consistently exhibited low soluble solids content during the storage period, with minimal variations in acidity, thereby influencing the maturation process. Gelatin coatings demonstrated low polyphenol content, while the layer-by-layer treatment showed no significant changes in vitamin C levels. Lycopene and β-carotene levels remained stable throughout the storage period, with a slight increase observed in total sugars. Consequently, the application of gelatin polymers and the undercoat treatment (LBL) represents a viable alternative for extending the shelf life of minimally processed papayas for at least eight days.

Performance of Sweet Cherry Cultivars and Advanced Selections on Gisela 5 Rootstock in Young Orchards.

Six sweet cherry cultivars and two advanced selections of Gisela 5 rootstock were tested in 2015-2021 at the Institute of Horticulture, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry. Fruit trees were planted at distances of 4.5 × 2.5 m and trained as spindles. Orchard floor management included frequently mown grass in alleyways with herbicide strips along tree rows. Cultivars 'Mindaugė' and 'Irema BS' were the most vigorous at the end of the seventh leaf. Their trunk diameter achieved 11.6 cm. The 'Merchant' cultivar had the smallest trunk diameter-9.3 cm. The average yield in 2018-2021 ranged from 2.75 t/ha for 'Vega' to 8.73 t/ha for 'Regina'. Cultivars 'Regina', 'Sunburst', 'Irema BS' and 'Merchant' had the highest cumulative yield efficiency of 0.440-0.503 kg/cm2 with respect to the trunk cross-section area (TCSA). The least productive cultivar 'Vega' produced fruits of the highest average weight-9.9 g. Fruits of 'Regina' and 'Sunburst' were large as well-8.8-9.1 g. 'Irema BS' fruits had the highest soluble solids content (SSC)-20.2%. The lowest SSC was recorded in 'Merchant' and 'Sunburst' fruits-14.7-15.8%. The yield of advanced selection, No. 102, equaled to the yield of cv. 'Regina'. No. 102 had a high fruit weight, and fruits were distinguished by attractiveness and taste.

Soil Amendment and Storage Effect the Quality of Winter Melons (Benincasa hispida (Thunb) Cogn.) and Their Juice.

Winter melon fruits were grown in the field using anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) and conventional fertilizer alone as the control treatment. Fruits were harvested and stored at 20 °C for 120 d, the juice was processed on day one and day 120, and the effects of soil amendment and 120 d storage on the juice's physical and chemical (sugars, acids, volatile and nutritional compounds) properties were evaluated. Fruit juice extracted from ASD-grown fruit had greater magnitude of zeta potential than the control juice, indicating it was physically more stable than the juice obtained from the control conditions. ASD fruit juice had lower soluble solids content (SSC), and lower volatile compounds that contribute green, grass, and sulfur notes, and negatively influence flavor quality. ASD fruit juice had higher vitamin B5 and cytidine. Juice processed from 120 d stored fruit had less yield due to 12.4-15.6% weight loss. The non-soluble solids content was higher and particle size was larger, and the SSC and individual sugars decreased. However, titratable acidity (TA) increased primarily due to increased citric acid. Out of 16 free amino acids, 6 increased and only 1 decreased. However, three out of five nucleosides decreased; vitamins B1 and B6 increased; vitamins B2, B3 and C decreased. Overall, juice derived from fruit produced using ASD was physically more stable and had less SSC and off-odor volatiles than the control, while the fruit juice of those stored for 120 d had lower SSC and higher TA and nutritional profiles, comparable to freshly harvested fruit.

Postharvest application of gamma irradiation affects fruit quality and antioxidant enzymes activities of ‘kinnow’ mandarin fruits during cold storage

Food safety with maintained fruit quality is an important challenge for postharvest industry of citrus fruits. The present study was designed to check the effects of gamma irradiation on postharvest fruit quality of ‘Kinnow’ mandarin stored at 5 ± 1 °C and 90 ± 5% Relative Humidity. In the first experiment, fruits were exposed to different doses of gamma radiation (100-500 Gy), while after analyzing the results of first experiment, in the second experiment fruits were treated with 500, 600, 800 and 1000 Gy of gamma radiation. It was observed that higher doses of gamma irradiation exhibited lower weight loss and disease incidence as well as inhibiting the increase of soluble solid content (SSC) and retained higher titratable acidity (TA) and lower SSC: TA ratio. After 90 days of storage, maximum levels ascorbic acid, total phenolic contents and total antioxidants along with catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were recorded higher in fruits treated with 800 Gy. These fruit also exhibited higher score of taste, aroma and texture during storage. Overall results suggest that pre-storage treatment of 800 Gy is the most effective treatment and have potential application for quality management of ‘Kinnow’ mandarin under long term cold storage.

Segregation of apple cultivars on the basis of main fruit physical and chemical properties and antioxidant activity

This study aims to analyze the essential physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity of 25 apple commercial cultivars grown in Serbia during 2019 and 2020 in order to segregate the apples with the best size, shape, and also nutritious and health promoting values. The results showed that 'Morens Jonagore' and 'Red Boscop' had similar and the highest fruit weight (FW) whereas 'Golden Delicious', 'Hired', 'Red Chief' , and 'Morens Jonagored' had the highest and similar fruit length (L). The lowest both these values were found in 'Akane'. 'Red Boscop' had the highest fruit diameter (D), whereas the lowest had 'Galaxy'. Twenty-two or 88% of the examined cultivars have a D greater than 70 mm. Both fruit shape indexes [sphericity (φ) and aspect ratio (R$_{a}$)] were the highest and similar in 'Akane' and 'Budimka' and the lowest in 'Red Chief'. Peel was a better source of dry matter (DM), total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC) and had higher antioxidant capacity than flesh. Moroever, pH juice was higher in peel. In contrast, titratable acidity (TA) was higher in flesh in comparison with peel, whereas ash content was statistically similar in both peel and flesh tissues. 'Akane' had the highest total anthocyanin content (TAc), whereas the lowest was found in 'Red Boscop'. Old cultivar 'Budimka' had the highest TPC and TFC in both peel and flesh, whereas 'Ginger Gold' had the lowest TPC and TFC and also the lowest antioxidant power. Peel of 'Red Chief' and flesh of 'Braeburn' had the best antioxidant activity. Among others, correlation analysis showed that the DM content in the peel is a crucial factor that determines the DM, soluble solids content (SSC), TPC, TFC, and DPPH free-radical scavenging activity values in the flesh. The principal component analysis (PCA) showed high discrimination capabilities of variables measured and revealed that a more nutritious peel may be darker or redder while a more nutritious flesh may have a lighter color and lower SSC.

Exogenous melatonin treatment reduces postharvest senescence and maintains the quality of papaya fruit during cold storage.

Exogenous melatonin (EMT) application has been used to reduce postharvest senescence and improve the quality and antioxidant enzyme activities of papaya fruits during cold storage. The effects of exogenous melatonin application (1. 5 mM) were investigated on papaya fruits during cold storage (10°C ± 2°C) for 28 days in the present study. The EMT treatment delayed postharvest senescence significantly with lower maturing status compared with untreated papaya fruits (control). In addition, EMT treatment maintained substantially higher titratable acidity values and ascorbic acid content but significantly lower soluble solids content and lower weight loss compared with the untreated fruits. Concerning the antioxidant capacity, the EMT-treated papaya fruit exhibited markedly higher total phenolic content and, consequently, higher DPPH-radical scavenging activity than the control group. The EMT treatment not only kept a higher enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase but also significantly inhibited the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde, along with satisfying sensory attributes. The findings of this study indicated that EMT application could be commercially used as an eco-friendly strategy to reduce postharvest senescence and maintain the fresh-like quality traits of papaya fruit during cold storage.

Effects of black geotextile mulch and grass mulch on the microclimate, fruit quality and anthocyanin components of ‘Xinyu’ table grape

ABSTRACT We analysed the effects of black geotextile inter-row mulch, grass mulch and clean tillage as a control on the microclimate, anthocyanin components and fruit quality of ‘Xinyu’ table grape in a semi-arid climate. Black geotextile inter-row mulch increased the air and soil temperatures, while grass mulch decreased these. Six types of anthocyanins were detected in the grapes. Around 50% of the total anthocyanins were malvidin based (38.60%–39.10%) and peonidin based (25.80%–31.10%), with malvidin-3-O-glucoside being the main pigment (38.75%–39.05%), followed by peonidin-3-O-glucoside (23.84%–28.68%). The soluble solid content, reducing sugar content and sugar-acid ratio for the black geotextile treatment group were 12.93%, 10.05% and 25.85% higher, respectively, than the control. By contrast, grapes in the grass mulch treatment group had a significantly lower soluble solid content than the control, with a 7.32% reduction being observed. Neither type of mulch had a large effect on the vitamin C content nor yield. However, both black geotextile inter-row mulch and grass mulch could regulate the orchard microclimate and increased the total anthocyanin content by 36.04% and 5.03%, respectively, compared with the control. These findings suggest that grass mulch is the preferable cultivation method in the Turpan area.

Assessment of quality attributes, susceptibility to postharvest disorders, and nutrient uptake of ‘Bartlett’ and ‘d′Anjou’ pears in response to pre-harvest harpin β protein spraying

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the effects of pre-harvest application concentration, frequency, and timing of harpin β protein on quality attributes, nutrient uptake, and susceptibility to physiological disorders in ‘Bartlett’ and ‘d′Anjou’ pears. Split applications of 1.5 mg L−1 harpin at 30 + 7 d before harvest (30 +7 DBH) resulted in higher fruit firmness (FF) and peel chlorophyll content with a lower soluble solids content in ‘Bartlett’ pears at harvest compared to the control, but not in ‘d′Anjou’ pears. This treatment reduced the ethylene production rate (EPR) and FF loss of ‘Bartlett’ pears at the initial 3 months of regular-air (RA) storage. Extending the storage periods to 5 months, a high EPR with low incidence of senescent disorders was observed after storage and during ripening, respectively. Increasing the application concentration of harpin from 1.5 to 10 mg L−1 did not further affect the quality of ‘Bartlett’ pears. Early application of harpin between full bloom (FB) and 2 months after full bloom (2 MAFB) repeated up to 3 times resulted in high FF and green color of ‘d′Anjou’ pears at harvest, but not in ‘Bartlett’ pears. A single application of harpin 2 MAFB to ‘d′Anjou’ trees provided the greatest reduction the losses in FF and green color, extend storage life, and suppress the development of superficial scald. No difference was observed in nutrient uptake in either cultivar when harpin was sprayed at 30 + 7 DBH. Spraying harpin once at 1 MAFB, once at 2 MAFB, and three times at FB+ 1 MAFB+ 2 MAFB resulted in low-boron ‘Bartlett’ and low-calcium ‘d′Anjou’ pears. Fortunately, harpin-treated pears with lower B or Ca levels did not result the quality deterioration and development of disorders. In conclusion, harpin has the potential to improve fruit quality, but recommended timing varies by cultivar: spraying 1.5 mg L−1 harpin at 2 MAFB improved the quality of ‘d′Anjou’ pears, whereas quality of ‘Bartlett’ pears was improved by applying harpin at 30 + 7 DBH.

Postharvest 24-epibrassinolide treatment alleviates pomegranate fruit chilling injury by regulating proline metabolism and antioxidant activities

Pomegranate fruit is susceptible to chilling injury (CI) during long term cold storage. In the current work, we studied the impact of pre-storage 24-epibrassinolide (24-EBL) application for CI amelioration of pomegranate during cold storage. The fruit were treated with 0, 5, 10 and 15 µmol L−1 24-EBL and stored for 84 d at 5 ± 1 ºC. Results showed that 15 µmol L−1 24-EBL treatment markedly alleviated CI, suppressed weight loss and reduced decay. Similarly, 15 µmol L−1 24-EBL application stimulated the activity of ornithine-δ-aminotransferase (OAT) and Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase (P5CS) along with suppressed increase in proline dehydrogenase (PDH) enzyme which subsequently resulted in increased proline accumulation. The 15 µmol L−1 24-EBL treated pomegranate fruit had substantially lower activity of lipoxygenase (LOX) enzyme along with reduced concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), electrolyte leakage (EL), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide anion (O2•−) contents. In addition, 15 µmol L−1 24-EBL treated pomegranate fruit showed significantly higher activity of catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme in contrast with control. The 15 µmol L−1 24-EBL treated pomegranate fruit showed higher phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and had lower polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity that subsequently resulted in conserved total phenols content. In the same way, pomegranate fruit treated with 15 µmol L−1 24-EBL had markedly higher total anthocyanins content, ascorbic acid and glutathione content as compared with control. It was also observed that 15 µmol L−1 24-EBL treated pomegranate fruit showed lower juice pH, higher titratable acidity (TA) and relatively lower soluble solids content (SSC) in contrast with control. In conclusion, 15 µmol L−1 24-EBL could be considered suitable for CI alleviation and quality maintenance of pomegranate fruit under cold storage.

Changes in Quality Traits and Phytochemical Components of Blueberry (Vaccinium Corymbosum Cv. Bluecrop) Fruit in Response to Postharvest Aloe Vera Treatment

ABSTRACT The effect of Aloe vera application (33% and 66% as dipping, AV) on ‘Bluecrop’ blueberry’s (Vaccinium corymbosum) quality properties such as weight loss, respiration rate, fruit color, soluble solids content (SSC), acidity, phytochemical components (vitamin C, total phenolics, and total flavonoids) and antioxidant activity was investigated during the cold storage (at 0 ± 0.5°C and 90 ± 5% RH) for 28 days. During cold storage, significantly lower weight loss was recorded in fruit treated with AV compared to control. At the end of the cold storage, the weight loss was 20% lower in AV treated fruits and AV concentration was not effective in weight loss. On the contrary, the respiration rate (except for the 7th day) and fruit firmness were higher in these fruit. It was observed that color changes were less in AV-treated fruit during storage. In general, AV-treated fruit had significantly lower SSC, while acidity and vitamin C were higher. Moreover, 66% AV application was more effective in delaying the loss of vitamin C at the end of storage. During cold storage, 33% AV-treated fruit had significantly higher total phenolics (except day 28) and total flavonoids content compared to control. In the last two measurements of the cold storage, it was determined that fruit dipped in AV had higher antioxidant activity (both DPPH and FRAP assays) compared to control fruit. As a result, it was revealed that postharvest AV gel applications can be used as an effective postharvest tool to delay the loss of quality, the loss of phytochemical components and antioxidant activity of the blueberry fruit.

Addition of external water improves the quality attributes of vacuum-frozen and thawed apple slices

Vacuum freezing is an innovative rapid freezing technique with various advantages and huge potential for diverse applications. This study aimed at investigating variations in the moisture, main quality, microstructure, and mechanical properties of vacuum-frozen and thawed apple slices resulting from the use of different amounts of external water added prior to freezing. Increased external water content (30%) contributed to lower frozen temperature and less water loss in vacuum-frozen apple samples, and higher drip loss, equivalent vitamin C content, lower relative electrical conductivity, lower soluble solids content and lower total color difference in thawed samples. Slices of thawed samples with more added external water before vacuum freezing displayed higher density of moisture distribution and reduced microstructure destruction. They also displayed higher elastomeric and less viscous behaviors, as assessed with stress-relaxation analysis, and increased hardness and chewiness and reduced cohesiveness, as assessed with texture profile analysis. The quality of thawed apple slices with 30% pre-added external water was closest to that of the fresh apples. The traditional contact plate freezing treatment produced the worst quality. Thus, vacuum freezing with 30% pre-added external water is recommended for the rapid freezing processing of apple slices.

Identification of Low TSS Content Jackfruit Genotypes Suitable For Diabetic Patients

The experiment was conducted with the bearing trees of different Jackfruit genotypes at Pudukkottai District of Tamil Nadu during the year 2016–2019. Fifty five jackfruit genotypes viz., KDM-AhJ-01 to KDM-AhJ-55 were selected for the study to identify low total soluble solids(TSS) content Jackfruit genotypes suitable for diabetic patients. Jackfruit trees are cross pollinated and mostly seed propagated. As a result, morphological and agronomical characters of jackfruit showed a distinct range of variation. Among the fifty-five jackfruit germplasms, TSS ranged from 6.00 to 29.00 with mean value of 14.36 (Table 1). Meanwhile the genotype the minimum of (60brix) was found from the germplasm KDMAh-51 followed by the genotypes KDM-Ah-6, KDM-Ah-18, KDM-Ah-20, KDM-Ah-21, KDM-Ah-22, KDM-Ah-24, KDM-Ah-25 and KDM-Ah-26 (7 0brix)was found to be suitable for diabetic patients.

Physicochemical characterization of Pera orange fruits selections grafted on two rootstocks in the São Francisco Valley, Brazil.

?Pera? orange is a scion variety widely grown in commercial orchards of various citrus-producing regions in Brazil due to the good acceptance of its fruits by the consumer market, both for fresh consumption and industrial processing. The development of clones or selections occurs by genetic mutations within genetic improvement studies with the different varieties, consisting of the selection of plants with superior quality and production characteristics to the variety of origin. In this perspective, this study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics of four ?Pera? orange selections (?D9?, ?D12?, ?D25?, and ?C21?) grafted on two rootstocks (Rangpur lime (Citrus limonia Osbeck) and ?Volkamer? lemon (Citrus volkameriana Tan. and Pasq.), under the semi-arid conditions of the Sao Francisco Valley, Brazil. The experimental design was completely randomized, in a 4 x 2 factorial arrangement, with the first factor corresponding to the orange selections (?Pera D9?, ?Pera D12?, ?Pera D25?, and ?Pera C21?) and the second factor corresponding to the Rangpur lime and ?Volkamer? lemon rootstocks, using five replications of 10 fruits. The physical characteristics evaluated were: fruit mass (g), diameter, and length (mm); fruit firmness (Lb), peel thickness (mm), number of seeds, and juice yield (%). The chemical parameters were determined through the contents of vitamin C, soluble solids (oBrix), and titratable acidity (g of citric acid 100 mL-1), also calculating the maturation index (SS/TA ratio). The interaction between rootstock varieties and orange scions (selections) induced differences in the physical and chemical attributes of fruits, with the Rangpur lime rootstock inducing better fruits for the orange selection ?Pera D-9?, which showed the highest values of fruit mass and diameter, associated with thicker peels, lower soluble solids content, lower acidity, and higher vitamin C content, while inducing higher values of fruit length and soluble solids content in the fruits of the orange selection ?Pera C-21?, and lower number of seeds and higher juice yield for the orange selection ?Pera D-12?. Based on these results, under these conditions, the physical and chemical characteristics observed in the fruits of the ?Pera? orange selections meet the standards required by the market of fresh fruits.