Maintaining Storage Quality Research Articles

Water Loss: A Postharvest Quality Marker in Apple Storage

AbstractApple fruit can be stored for long periods of time, especially with the use of controlled atmosphere storage, but like many fruits and vegetables are susceptible to water loss. Water loss can result in compromised appearance such as skin shriveling, as well as loss of firmness, and reduced saleable weight, which in turn affect the income of growers and other industry stakeholders. Preharvest factors that can influence water loss in apples during the postharvest period include climate, cultivar, fruit size, tree age, orchard practices, and harvest maturity. Postharvest factors such as the storage temperature, relative humidity, storage type, and duration can also affect water loss in apple fruit during storage. The mechanisms of cuticle biosynthesis in water permeance, the role of stomata and lenticels, microcracking, crosstalk with mechanical injuries, storage disorders, and decay incidence during the storage of apples are reviewed. Additionally, the review summarizes: preharvest and postharvest factors influencing water loss; recent management strategies including pre-cooling, cold storage, controlled atmospheres, packaging, and anti-senescence chemicals; the use of edible coatings, as well as other non-chemical approaches for modulating water loss and maintaining storage quality. The review also provides direction for the industry to manage this destructive problem in the postharvest supply chain of apple fruit.

Cuticular Wax Triterpenes Maintain Storage Quality of Blueberries by Reducing Water Loss.

Cuticular wax contributes to maintaining postharvest storage quality against fruit water loss and softening. Triterpenoids, such as oleanolic acid (OA) and ursolic acid (UA), are the main components in blueberry cuticular wax, but their role in water migration during the storage of blueberries remains to be determined. Here, we examined the relationship between the content of OA and UA and the storage quality of blueberry fruit (25 °C). The results revealed that the UA content during eight-day postharvest storage ranged from 58 to 77 μg cm-2, which was negatively related to weight loss. Additionally, we investigated the effect of exogenous OA and UA on water migration in the blueberry fruit during storage at room temperature; the weight loss was significantly lower (by 22%) with UA treatment than in the control fruit. Our findings indicate that OA and UA effectively affect water migration in blueberry fruit during postharvest storage, which could contribute to improving postharvest preservation techniques.

A combination of acidic electrolyzed water with modified atmosphere packaging improves quality of jujube during cold storage by enhancing antioxidant activity.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a combination of acidic electrolyzed water (AEW) and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on the quality of jujube stored at 1±0.5°C for 40 days. Jujube was treated with AEW+MAP, AEW, and MAP, respectively, to identify an appropriate preservation method based on the changes of quality indicators, activities of antioxidant enzymes and nonenzymatic antioxidant systems, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and cell membrane permeability. Results showed that the combined treatment maintained higher storage quality of jujube than the other threetreatments. The combined treatment significantly suppressed softening, weight, and color loss and maintained total soluble solid and titratable acidity. Moreover, the combined treatment improved antioxidant capacity showing high levels of nonenzymatic antioxidant systems (ascorbic acid and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging capacity), and the activities of antioxidant enzymes (ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase). These effects remarkably suppressed the increase of MDA level and cell membrane permeability, thereby inhibiting oxidative damage and alleviating quality deterioration. Furthermore, kinetic model indicated that AEW+MAP decreased rate constant of quality deterioration. Principal component analysis also showed that AEW+MAP treatment alleviated quality deterioration, with higher comprehensive score than other treatments. In summary, AEW+MAP was an effective preservation method to maintain storage quality and delay postharvest senescence of jujube. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: In this study, a combination of acidic electrolyzed water (AEW) with modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) has been found to have effective preservation effects on jujube. AEW+MAP treatment improved quality of jujube during cold storage mainly by enhancing antioxidant capacity. The combined treatment may provide a new preservation technology for jujube.

Organic acids metabolism and GABA shunt involved in maintaining quality of Malus domestica by methyl jasmonate treatment

Apples (cv. Golden Delicious) were used as the materials to investigate methyl jasmonate (MeJA) dipping on quality parameters, organic acids metabolism and GABA shunt during storage at 21 ± 1 °C and 75 ± 5 % relative humidity. Results demonstrated that MeJA treatment reduced mass loss, respiratory intensity and ethylene release, and maintained higher flesh firmness and soluble solid content of apples. MeJA also decreased malic acid content, increased succinic and tartaric acids contents, and inhibited cytoplasmic aconitase (Cyt-ACO), NADP-malate (NADP-ME), phosphoenolpyruvate dehydrogenase (PEPC), mitochondrial citrate synthase (Mit-CS), glutamate dehydrogenase (GAD), and GABA transferase (GABA-T) activities in apples. NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase (NADP-IDH), mitochondrial cis-aconitase (Mit-ACO), and cytoplasmic NAD-malate dehydrogenase (CytNAD-MDH) activities in apples were also enhanced by MeJA dipping. Moreover, MeJA dipping enhanced MdCytNAD-MDH and MdNADP-IDH expressions, and down-regulated MdGAD, MdGABA-T, MdNADP-ME, MdPEPC, MdCyt-ACO and MdMit-CS expressions in apples. These results suggest that MeJA dipping can maintain storage quality of “Golden Delicious” apples by regulating organic acids metabolism and GABA shunt.

Acidic electrolyzed water improves the postharvest quality of jujube fruit by regulating antioxidant activity and cell wall metabolism

Disease development of ‘Lingwu Long’ jujube fruit treated with acidic electrolyzed water (AEW) at 4 ± 1℃ for storing 30 d was evaluated by the reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism, phenylpropanoid metabolism, and cell wall metabolism. Compared to the control, jujube fruit treated with AEW had a lower disease index. At the end of storage, AEW treatment maintained lower malondialdehyde (2.1 μmol kg−1) and superoxide anion generation rate (41.5 nmol g−1 min−1) compared to the control, while enhancing catalase (127.2 U g−1) and superoxide dismutase activities (244.2 U g−1). AEW treatment increased 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl scavenging ability and hydrogen peroxide. The higher contents of ascorbic acid and glutathione were related to higher activities of ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, and dehydroascorbate reductase in AEW-treated jujube fruit. Moreover, the highest activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (21.1 U g−1), cinnamate-4-hydroxylase (304.2 U g−1), and 4-coumarate-CoA ligase (6.4 U g−1) and contents of total phenolics (5.3 g GAE kg−1) and total flavonoids (0.3 mg RE g−1) were observed in AEW-treated fruit compared to the control. Higher firmness, Na2CO3-soluble pectin, cellulose, and hemicellulose and lower water-soluble pectin in AEW-treated fruit were due to lower activities of polygalacturonase, pectinate lyases, β-galactosidase, and cellulase. As a result, AEW could be used for decreasing decay occurrence and maintaining storage quality of jujube fruit.

Effect of low‐dose high‐energy electron beam irradiation on postharvest storage quality of Actinidia arguta

To study the effect of low-dose electron beam irradiation treatment on the postharvest storage quality of Actinidia arguta. The kiwifruit was irradiated with 300, 400, and 500 Gy electron beams, respectively, stored at 0–1°C with 90%–95% RH. The physical and chemical indexes, physiological indexes, and resistance enzyme activities of the fruits were determined. The results showed that 400 Gy electron beam irradiation (EBI) effectively inhibited the increase of weight loss, total soluble solid (TSS) content, respiration rate, malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation, and the ethylene production, slowed down the moisture and titratable acid (TA) content loss, while significantly increased the peroxidase (POD) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activities. Compared with the untreated fruits, 400 Gy EBI treatment prolonged the shelf life by 20 days. The overall results indicated that as a green postharvest treatment technology, EBI could effectively delay the senescence process, maintain storage quality, and extend the shelf life of the kiwifruit. Practical applications In recent years, electron beam irradiation (EBI) technology has been widely employed for fruit and vegetable storage and processing due to its advantages of high energy utilization, low cost, easy control, safety, and pollution-free. Kiwifruit, a typical climacteric fruit, is prone to dehydration shrinkage, and rot, significantly reducing its edible quality and commercial value. Thus, choosing an appropriate storage and preservation technology is of great significance for the postharvest storage of kiwifruit. The present study results elucidated that 400 Gy dose EBI treatment had a positive effect on inhibiting weight loss of kiwifruit during storage, improving the activities of PAL and POD resistant enzymes, and reducing MDA accumulation. Therefore, the EBI treatment could be a potential green physical preservation technology for kiwifruit post-harvest treatment to maintain fruit storage quality and extend shelf life.

Transcriptome sequencing reveals mechanism of improved antioxidant capacity and maintained postharvest quality of winter jujube during cold storage after salicylic acid treatment

Harvested winter jujube fruit undergo rapid senescence and oxidation, which seriously affects their commercialization. This study aimed to investigate the effects of exogenous salicylic acid (SA) treatment on postharvest quality, antioxidant systems, and differential expressed genes (DEGs) of winter jujube during cold storage. We found SA treatment delayed weight loss and decay, inhibited respiratory rate and ethylene production, and maintained higher activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbic acid peroxidase, and glutathione reductase. It also increased contents of phenols, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, and reduced glutathione. Transcriptome analysis showed that the DEGs in comparison groups were mainly involved in metabolic pathways, secondary metabolic biosynthesis, and plant hormone signal transduction. SA treatment up-regulated the antioxidant-related genes (SOD1/3, GRXC2, APX1, and CTV5), and also participated in the regulation of plant hormone signaling related genes (ABF4, SnRK2, PYL2, PP2C, MKK4, ERF, EBF2 and JAZ), senescence associated genes (PME15, CTL2, INVE, ADH2, SAG21, SRK2H and ATG4), and transcription factors (MYB, ERF, C2H2, MTB3, WRKY, and FAR1). Therefore, we concluded that exogenous SA could enhance the antioxidant systems and maintain storage quality by regulating related gene expressions and metabolic pathways. These results contribute to understand the mechanism of delaying ripening and senescence of winter jujube.

Novel Combined Use of Red-White LED Illumination and Modified Atmosphere Packaging for Maintaining Storage Quality of Postharvest Pakchoi

Novel Combined Use of Red-White LED Illumination and Modified Atmosphere Packaging for Maintaining Storage Quality of Postharvest Pakchoi

Physical, chemical and oxidative changes in raw peanuts: Effect of relative humidity

SummaryPeanuts are susceptible to oxidative deterioration due to various factors during storage. This research studied the proximate composition (lipid, protein, total sugar, moisture and ash.), composition and content of amino acids and fatty acids, peroxide value (PV), carbonyl value (CV), malondialdehyde content (MDA), protein composition and structure changes in the peanuts stored for 320 days under different relative humidity (RH; 50%, 65% and 80%) conditions. Lipid oxidation was delayed at low RH (50% and 65%) storage conditions. At high RH (80%), the contents of unsaturated fatty acids, amino acids, protein and lipids decreased significantly during storage (P < 0.05), whereas the PV, CV and MDA contents increased significantly (P < 0.05). The CV values of YH‐9326 and YH‐22 increased by 14.46 and 17.48 times respectively. In addition, the protein structure changed throughout the whole storage period (P < 0.05). This research provides a theoretical reference for maintaining storage quality and extending shelf life.

Effect of nanocomposite‐based packaging on inhibiting respiratory and energy metabolism in storage of lotus root

The effects of nanocomposite-based packaging material (Nano-PM) on respiratory and energy metabolism of postharvest lotus root under vacuum storage conditions and the potential influence mechanism were investigated. The results showed that the CO2 content and respiration intensity in the normal packaging material (Normal-PM) were significantly higher than those in the Nano-PM. In addition, the Nano-PM maintained a higher activity of succinate dehydrogenase and a lower activity of lactic dehydrogenase in lotus root, resulting in less lactic acid and ethanol accumulation. Moreover, the Nano-PM reduced the mitochondrial lipid peroxidation level, maintained the high ATP content and energy charge in lotus root. Furthermore, RNA-sequencing results showed that the Nano-PM could regulate the expression of seven key genes in lotus root respiration metabolism, thus inhibiting the respiration of lotus root during storage. Our results proved that Nano-PM can maintain storage quality of lotus root by regulating the respiration and energy metabolism. Novelty impact statement Nano-PM reduced the mitochondrial lipid peroxidation level, maintained the high ATP content and energy charge in lotus root. Moreover, Nano-PM could regulate the expression of seven key genes in lotus root respiration metabolism, inhibiting its respiration during storage. Nano-PM is important for the preservation of postharvest products.

Potential of low dose irradiation to maintain storage quality and ensure safety of garlic sprouts

Ten days old garlic sprouts were gamma irradiated in the dose range of 0.25–1.25 kGy followed by storage under refrigerated conditions (3 ± 1 °C, RH 85 %) for 15 days. Samples were evaluated at 4 days interval for storage quality parameters and microbial load. Results of the study revealed that gamma irradiation treatment of 1.25 kGy proved significantly (p ≤ 0.05) effective in maintaining the external appearance, texture and appeal of irradiated sprouts throughout the storage. Besides maintaining visual quality, irradiation at 1.25 kGy enhanced the content of total phenols of garlic sprouts and delayed the oxidation of total phenols, total ascorbic acid and chlorophyll degradation during storage. After 15 days of storage, chlorophyll degradation was 54.4 % in control sprouts and 12.7 % in 1.25 kGy treated sprouts; indicating a 4-fold retention of chlorophyll content in sprouts irradiated at 1.25 kGy. Sensory evaluation revealed that control and 0.25 kGy irradiated sprouts were unacceptable only after 12 days of storage, while as sprouts irradiated at 1.25 kGy were in acceptable condition even after 15 days of storage. Microbial analysis indicated that dose of 1.25 kGy inhibited the mold as well as bacterial growth up to 8 days of storage and resulted in around 2 log reduction in yeast and mold count as well as bacterial count after 15 days of storage, therefore ensures both consumer concerns and microbial safety.

Molecular Hydrogen Maintains the Storage Quality of Chinese Chive through Improving Antioxidant Capacity.

Chinese chive usually becomes decayed after a short storage time, which was closely observed with the redox imbalance. To cope with this practical problem, in this report, molecular hydrogen (H2) was used to evaluate its influence in maintaining storage quality of Chinese chive, and the changes in antioxidant capacity were also analyzed. Chives were treated with 1%, 2%, or 3% H2, and with air as the control, and then were stored at 4 ± 1 °C. We observed that, compared with other treatment groups, the application of 3% H2 could significantly prolong the shelf life of Chinese chive, which was also confirmed by the obvious mitigation of decreased decay index, the loss ratio of weight, and the reduction in soluble protein content. Meanwhile, the decreasing tendency in total phenolic, flavonoid, and vitamin C contents was obviously impaired or slowed down by H2. Results of antioxidant capacity revealed that the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was differentially alleviated, which positively matched with 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity and the improved activities of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). Above results clearly suggest that postharvest molecular hydrogen application might be a potential useful approach to improve the storage quality of Chinese chive, which is partially achieved through the alleviation of oxidative damage happening during the storage periods. These findings also provide potential theoretical and practical significance for transportation and consumption of perishable vegetables.

24-Epibrassinolide delays senescence in harvested kiwifruit through effects on mitochondrial membrane and antioxidant activity

To explore the effects of 24-epibrassinolide (EBR) on senescence, kiwifruit were treated with 5 μmol L−1 EBR and then stored at 20 °C for 20 days. Results showed that EBR delayed changes in quality characteristics including respiration rate, pulp color and ascorbic acid content and inhibited accumulation of superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide in kiwifruit. EBR-treated kiwifruit had higher levels of mitochondrial membrane fluidity and cytochrome c/a and lower levels of mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening, succinic dehydrogenase and cytochrome c oxidase, which were responsible for better mitochondrial membrane integrity and function. EBR also promoted the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase leading to an enhancement of antioxidant activity in kiwifruit to counteract oxidative stress. We suggest that EBR treatment is an applicable strategy for kiwifruit to delay senescence and maintain storage quality.

Effects of trisodium phosphate treatment after harvest on storage quality and sucrose metabolism in jujube fruit

Trisodium phosphate (TSP), generally recognized as safe (GRAS), could control postharvest diseases and maintain fruit quality. However, changes of fruit quality and sucrose metabolism in harvested jujube after TSP treatment remain largely unknown. In the current study, jujube fruit (cv. sanxing) was used to study the effects of TSP on storage quality and sucrose metabolism during storage at 20±2 °C with 40-50% relative humidity (RH). The results showed that 0.5 g L-1 TSP treatment reduced weight loss and reduced sugar content, suppressed the reduction of fruit firmness, maintained ascorbic acid (AsA) content and inhibited respiratory rate of jujube fruit. In addition, TSP treatment also reduced acid invertase (AI) and neutral invertase (NI) activities in sucrose metabolism in jujube fruit. Sucrose synthase-cleavage (SS-c), sucrose synthase-synthesis (SS-s) and sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) activities were also suppressed by TSP treatment. Treatment with TSP could effectively reduce enzymes activities in sucrose metabolism and maintain storage quality of jujube fruit during storage. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of L-Arginine on Maintaining Storage Quality of the White Button Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus)

Decreased postharvest quality is one of the main reasons for the short shelf life of the white button mushroom. The effects of L-arginine on color, weight loss, firmness, electrolyte leakage rate, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, PPO activity, PAL activity, SOD activity, POD activity, total phenolic levels, flavonoid amounts, total sugar, and soluble protein amounts in white button mushrooms were assessed during storage at 4 °C for 8 days. The results showed that treatment with 10 mM L-arginine maintained tissue firmness, reduced electrolyte leakage, and delayed browning compared with the control treatment. In addition, 10 mM L-arginine treatment inhibited PPO and PAL activities, while inducing SOD and POD activities. Furthermore, L-arginine treatment increased the accumulation of phenolic substances and flavonoids, while total sugar and soluble protein contents were maintained at high levels throughout the storage period. These findings suggested that 10 mM L-arginine treatment may maintain the quality of the button mushrooms and extend their shelf life.

Gamma irradiation treatment of quince fruit (Cydonia oblonga Mill): effect on post-harvest retention of storage quality and inhibition of fungal decay

ABSTRACTQuince fruits harvested at commercial maturity were evaluated for using the feasibility of gamma irradiation to maintain storage quality and extend shelf-life. Matured green quince fruits w...

Carboxyl methylcellulose (CMC) containing moringa plant extracts as new postharvest organic edible coating for Avocado ( Persea americana Mill.) fruit

Abstract This study investigated the potential of edible carboxyl methylcellulose (CMC) containing moringa leaf and seed extracts as a novel postharvest treatment for maintaining storage quality and controlling diseases in ‘Hass’ and ‘Gem’ avocado fruit. The study also investigated the antifungal activity of methanolic and ethanolic moringa plant extracts. Briefly, 1% CMC was blended with 2% of moringa leaf (MLE) or seed extract (MSE). After the fruit was dipped in either CMC + MLE or CMC + MSE, it was stored at 5.5 °C (95% RH) for 21 days. After cold storage, fruit were stored at ambient conditions (21 ± 1 °C) and 60% RH to simulate retail conditions. Postharvest quality attributes such as ethylene production, respiration rate and fruit firmness were measured. Both coatings were also tested against postharvest fungi in reference to potato dextrose agarose (PDA). Coated fruit had lower mass loss, ethylene production and respiration rate compared to the uncoated fruit. Ethanolic leaf extract had an inhibition of 43.6% and 42.9% against C. gloeosporioides and A. alternata, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed damaged hyphal structures for all pathogens exposed to coatings while such structures remained intact in uncoated fruit. Ethanolic moringa leaf extracts proved to have higher antimicrobial activity compared to methanolic extracts. The findings reported in this study demonstrated that CMC containing moringa extract suppresses diseases, prolongs the shelf-life and maintain the overall quality avocados during postharvest supply chain. The CMC blended with moringa extracts could potentially be commercialized as a new organic edible coating for avocado fruit industry.

Application of a chitosan coating as a carrier for natamycin to maintain the storage quality of ground cherry (Physalis pubescens L.)

Ground cherry (Physalis pubescens L.) is a kind of berry fruit favored by consumers in China; however, this fruit is particularly vulnerable to physiological senescence and pathogen attack during the traditional cold storage period. In order to maintain storage quality, a 1.5% (w/w) chitosan (CS) water solution containing 50 mg/L of natamycin (NA) was introduced. After all treatments were completed, the fruit was stored at 0 °C and sampled every 10 d. At each sampling date, the following tests were performed: mold and yeast analyses; enzyme activity and content analyses which included superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and malondialdehyde (MDA); and color analysis. In addition, a sensory evaluation was carried out for quality assessment at the end of the storage period. The results showed that the application of a chitosan coating combined with natamycin (CSNA) enhanced the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), reduced the physiological rate of senescence, and inhibited pathogen attack. Thus, CSNA treatment can maintain ground cherries at an acceptable level of storage quality for 50 d.

Potential of carboxymethyl cellulose coating and low dose gamma irradiation to maintain storage quality, inhibit fungal growth and extend shelf-life of cherry fruit.

Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) coatings alone and in combination with gamma irradiation was tested for maintaining the storage quality, inhibiting fungal incidence and extending shelf-life of cherry fruit. Two commercial cherry varieties viz. Misri and Double after harvest at commercial maturity were coated with CMC at levels 0.5-1.0% w/v and gamma irradiated at 1.2kGy. The treated fruit including control was stored under ambient (temperature 25±2°C, RH 70%) and refrigerated (temperature 3±1°C, RH 80%) conditions for evaluation of various physico-chemical parameters. Fruits were evaluated after every 3 and 7days under ambient and refrigerated conditions. CMC coating alone at levels 0.5 and 0.75% w/v was not found effective with respect to mold growth inhibition under either of the two conditions. Individual treatment of CMC coating at 1.0% w/v and 1.2kGy irradiation proved helpful in delaying the onset of mold growth up to 5 and 8days of ambient storage. During post-refrigerated storage at 25±2°C, RH 70%, irradiation alone at 1.2kGy gave further 4days extension in shelf-life of cherry varieties following 28days of refrigeration. All combinatory treatments of CMC coating and irradiation proved beneficial in maintaining the storage quality as well as delaying the decaying of cherry fruit during post-refrigerated storage at 25±2°C, RH 70% but, combination of CMC at 1.0% w/v and 1.2kGy irradiation was found significantly (p≤0.05) superior to all other treatments in maintaining the storage quality and delaying the decaying of cherry fruit. The above combinatory treatment besides maintaining storage quality resulted in extension of 6days in shelf life of cherry varieties during post-refrigerated storage at 25±2°C, RH 80% following 28days of refrigeration. Above Combination treatment gave a maximum of 2.3 and 1.5 log reduction in yeast and mold count of cherry fruits after 9 and 28days of ambient and refrigerated storage, thereby ensuring consumer safety.

Rosemary Extract in Combination with ɛ-Polylysine Enhance the Quality of Chicken Breast Muscle during Refrigerated Storage

Chicken breast muscle was treated with rosemary extract combined with ɛ-polylysine, and its quality was assessed throughout 10 days during refrigerated storage. Characteristics of peroxide value, thiobarbituric acid, total volatile basic nitrogen, K value, pH, color, sensory, and bacteriological were all periodically analyzed. Rosemary extract plus ɛ-polylysine treatment effectively improved physicochemical and sensory quality parameters, and reduced microbial growth as compared with rosemary extract or ɛ-polylysine alone or the control. Therefore, the treatment of rosemary extract combined with ɛ-polylysine could be a promising method of extending shelf life and maintaining storage quality of chicken breast muscle during refrigerated storage.