Postharvest Conditions Research Articles

Antifungal Properties of Sargassum cinereum and Padina boergesenii Extracts Against Fungi Associated with Strawberry Fruits Concerning Mycotoxin Production

Strawberries are susceptible to decay and destruction while being harvested and stored. This study had the following objectives: (1) the documentation of fungi and mycotoxin production associated with infected strawberry fruits; (2) the evaluation of the primary phytochemicals of Sargassum cinereum and Padina boergesenii by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis to identify the active chemical composition of the seaweed extracts; and (3) the assessment of the antifungal activity of five extracts from brown seaweeds both in vitro and in vivo against fungal infections on fresh fruit under post-harvest conditions. The most common fungi were Aspergillus niger 14.36%, Botrytis cinerea 38.29%, and Mucor irregularis 16.88%. Padina boergesenii acetone extract had the highest in vitro antifungal activity. The methanol extracts of both S. cinereum and P. boergesenii were effective against the pathogenicity and aggressiveness (in vivo) on post-harvest strawberry fruits. B. cinerea could produce botrydial and dihydrobotrydial toxins with concentrations of 8.14 µg/mL and 4.26 µg/mL, respectively. A. niger could produce ochratoxin A with a concentration of 10.05 µg/mL. The present study demonstrates that the extracts of macroalgae S. cinereum and P. boergesenii contain secondary metabolites and antioxidants, indicating their potential utilization in antifungal applications.

Bio synthesis of chitosan from shrimp shell chitin using Streptomyces griseoincarnatus RB7AG:Characterization and application as coating material to enhance shelf life of tomatoes (var. Ruby pusa) in post-harvest storgae condition

In this investigation, chitosan was successfully obtained from shrimp shell chitin through microbial degradation by Streptomyces griseoincarnatus RB7AG. The resulting chitosan showcased remarkable characteristics, including high solubility, a high degree of deacetylation, a well-defined crystalline structure, and a rough surface with minimal pores. The application of chitosan as a coating material for tomatoes demonstrated significant preservation benefits compared to commercially available chitosan. The chitosan coating proved effective in minimizing weight loss, reducing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and preserving essential compounds such as anthocyanin content and antioxidant enzymes in tomatoes. Firstly, the chitosan coating served as a physical barrier, preventing moisture loss and maintaining the tomatoes' structural integrity. Secondly, the antimicrobial properties of chitosan hindered the growth of spoilage-causing microorganisms, extending the shelf life of the tomatoes. Additionally, the chitosan coating exhibited antioxidant properties, scavenging ROS and preserving the natural antioxidants in tomatoes. Furthermore, the chitosan coating facilitated controlled gas exchange, allowing optimal levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide to maintain the freshness of the tomatoes without accelerating the ripening process. With the help of the above-mentioned mechanisms, the potential of the microbially synthesized chitosan to enhance the shelf life of the tomatoes can be explained which was found better than the commercially synthesized chitosan coating. This research underscores the potential of microbially synthesized chitosan as an effective coating material but also provides insights into the intricate mechanisms involved in preserving tomatoes. The findings pave the way for innovative applications of chitosan-based coatings in the food industry, ensuring prolonged freshness and nutritional quality of perishable fruits and vegetables.

Multiparametric Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) Fruit Textural Trait Development for Harvest and Postharvest Evaluation in Representative Cultivars.

Fruit texture is a priority trait that guarantees the long-term economic sustainability of the cranberry industry through value-added products such as sweetened dried cranberries (SDCs). To develop a standard methodology to measure texture, we conducted a comparative analysis of 22 textural traits using five different methods under both harvest and postharvest conditions in 10 representative cranberry cultivars. A set of textural traits from the 10%-strain compression and puncture methods were identified that differentiate between cultivars primarily based on hardness/stiffness and elasticity properties. The complementary use of both methodologies allowed for a detailed evaluation by capturing the effect of key texture-determining factors such as structure, flesh, and skin. Furthermore, the high effectiveness of this approach in different conditions and its ability to capture high phenotypic variation in cultivars highlights its great potential for applicability in various areas of the value chain and research. Therefore, this study provides an informed reference for unifying future efforts to enhance cranberry fruit texture and quality.

Internal Disorders of Mango Fruit and Their Management-Physiology, Biochemistry, and Role of Mineral Nutrients.

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is a popular fruit grown in tropical and subtropical regions. Mango has a distinctive aroma, flavour, and nutritional properties. Annual global mango production is >50 million tonnes. Major producers of mango include India, Bangladesh, China, Mexico, Pakistan, Indonesia, Brazil, Thailand, and the Philippines, and it is shipped worldwide. Harvested mango fruit are highly perishable, with a short shelf life. Physiological disorders are among the major factors limiting their postharvest quality and shelf life, including when fruit need phytosanitary treatments, such as hot water treatment, vapour heat treatment, and irradiation. This review focuses on problematic physiological disorders of mango flesh, including physiology and biochemistry. It considers factors contributing to the development and/or exacerbation of internal disorders. Improved production practices, including pruning, nutrient application, and irrigation, along with monitoring and managing environmental conditions (viz., temperature, humidity, and vapour pressure deficit), can potentially maintain fruit robustness to better tolerate otherwise stressful postharvest operations. As demand for mangoes on international markets is compromised by internal quality, robust fruit is crucial to maintaining existing and gaining new domestic and export consumer markets. Considering mango quality, a dynamic system, a more holistic approach encompassing pre-, at-, and post-harvest conditions as a continuum is needed to determine fruit predisposition and subsequent management of internal disorders.

CS and ZnO Nanoparticles as Fungicides against Potato Fungal Pathogens Alternaria solani and Fusarium solani. Mechanism Underlining Their Antifungal Activity

Fusarium solani (F. solani) and Alternaria solani (A. solani) are among the most destructive pathogenic fungi affecting potatoes, causing significant crop losses in both field and post-harvest conditions. Current control relies heavily on synthetic fungicides which pose serious environmental and health risks. Therefore, there is a growing need to find efficient and environmentally friendly alternatives to combat fungal infections in potatoes. This study offers chitosan (CS) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) as potential fungicides against A. solani and F. solani. We evaluated their antifungal properties and elucidated the mechanism underlining their activity. Our results revealed that both CS and ZnO NPs exhibited pronounced antifungal activity against the two pathogenic strains by effectively inhibiting the mycelium growth. Furthermore, we discovered that the activity of the NPs involved the induction of oxidative stress in fungal cells and changes in the molecular organization of their membranes.

Fungal community and toxigenic taxa in chestnut fruits in postharvest conditioning process and storage.

Chestnut fruit quality is affected by fungal contamination. The study of the patterns of contamination in the postharvest is crucial to individuate the critical phases and propose solutions. To understand how fungal colonization varies on fruits, the composition of mycobiota was investigated in postharvest handling and in between tissues (shell and kernel). Fungal sequences were clustered into 308 operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Biodiversity was higher in shell than kernel tissues. Results evidenced the risk of new contamination in specific phases such as the 'cold bath' and storage. Genera known as mycotoxin producers were detected in all phases. Specifically, 47 OTUs belonging to Penicillium, eight to Fusarium and two to Aspergillus genera were identified. While Fusarium spp. was sensitive to 'warm bath' phase, Penicillium spp. was largely insensitive and accumulated in storage conditions. Surprisingly, Aspergillus spp. was poorly represented. Aflatoxin, ochratoxin A, fumonisins and T-2/HT-2 detection was performed for shell and kernel, and process phases. Higher contamination was observed on shell than in kernel samples. While aflatoxins were within the European Union (EU) limits for dry fruits, Ochratoxin exceeded the EU limits. The present study represents the first report of fumonisins and T-2/HT-2 detection in chestnuts. Fungal contamination taxa is high in chestnut fruits following postharvest handling and storage. A parametrization of process phases such as the 'warm bath' is functional to reduce the risk for some taxa. For other spoilage and mycotoxigenic genera strict sanitation procedures of equipment and water must be individuated and implemented to reduce their impact. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Partial Least Square Regression for Nondestructive Determination of Sucrose Content of Healthy and Fusarium spp. Infected Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Utilizing Visible and Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Conventional methods of quantifying the chemical content of potatoes at different storage temperatures are time-consuming and expensive. This research studied the Visible and Near Infrared (Vis-NIR) spectroscopy for possible rapid and nondestructive methods. In this study, healthy and Fusarium spp. Potato seeds of Granola L varieties were infected artificially through the process of inoculation of fungi, and healthy potatoes were stored in various post-harvest storage conditions, namely temperatures 12°C, 25°C and a combination of temperatures 12°C and 25°C. VIS-NIR spectral data from seeds are observed periodically during the storage period. The study results showed that Vis-NIR predicted sucrose content in potatoes. The best-developed PLSR calibration model for potatoes stored at 25°C and a combination of 12°C and 25°C show R2c of 0.87 and 0.83 and RMSEC of 0.26 and 0.28. The models also successfully predicted the sugar content of potato stored at 25°C and a combination of temperatures 12°C and 25°C with R2p 0.75 and 0.78, RMSEP of 0.36 and 0.32, and RPD of 1.99 and 2.81 for sucrose. The developed model of sucrose content or potato storage temperatures of 12°C is not recommended for monitoring and detection due to the low RPD < 1.9 even though the R2c values are 0.65 – 0.9. the results of this investigation indicate that VIS-NIR spectroscopy could potentially serve as a tool for quantifying the chemical composition of potatoes during post-harvest storage.

Antioxidative enzymes, phytochemicals and proximate components in jujube fruit (Ziziphus mauritiana L.) with respect to genotypes and harvest maturity

Jujube is an underutilized fruit having high maturity variation at harvest. Investigations were made on eight different cultivars of jujube (Umran, Karela, Gurrh, Amrodia, Mehmood Wali, Aakash, Foladi and Khubani) for changes in antioxidative enzymatic activities, phytochemical functions and proximate composition with respect to different harvest maturity stages (M1: mature green, M2: yellow and M3: crispy brown) under postharvest ambient conditions (25 ± 2 °C; 60 %–65 % RH) at three shelf intervals (1, 3 and 5 d). Significant genotypic and maturity related variation was recorded regarding studied attributes. The fruit of cv. ʽKhubaniʼ had better attributes among the cultivars evaluated. The crispy brown jujube fruit had higher peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activity and more protein, total soluble solids (TSS), ash, crude fat and fiber than early mature stages. Over time, the ascorbic acid (vitamin C), titratable acidity (TA), total phenolic (TPC), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), crude protein, crude fiber, moisture, crude fat and activity of antioxidative enzymes [CAT and superoxide dismutase (SOD)] exhibited a significant decline; while increase was recorded in TSS, pH and POD activity. Overall, this work identified that jujube's antioxidative, biochemical and proximate properties are significantly influenced by cultivar, fruit harvest maturity and duration of postharvest handling under ambient shelf.

Edible Coatings: A Novel Approach to Extending the Shelf Life of Fruits and Vegetables

The rapid deterioration of fruits and vegetables during pre- and post-harvest conditions leads to significant post-harvest losses, affecting both quality and shelf life. Edible coatings have emerged as an effective solution to mitigate these issues, providing a protective layer that can be safely consumed as part of the food. Recently, there has been growing interest in using herbal extracts such as lemongrass, oregano, Aloe vera, Tulsi, mint, neem, cinnamon, and clove for edible coatings due to their beneficial properties. These herbal-based coatings have been shown to prevent water loss, control the ripening process and respiration rate, delay oxidative browning, and reduce microbial growth in various fruits and vegetables, including grapes, papaya, oranges, cucumbers, tomatoes, apples, and mangoes. Research indicates that these herbal edible coatings can extend the storage time of fresh produce to 15-35 days at low temperatures, compared to the 8-10 days for uncoated produce. The use of herbal extracts in edible coatings is a promising alternative to post-harvest chemical treatments, offering an innovative approach for commercial application. Edible coatings not only extend the post-harvest life of fresh produce but also improve food appearance and safety due to their environmentally friendly nature. They can be derived from animal or vegetable sources and may consist of proteins, lipids, polysaccharides, resins, or combinations thereof. Acting as barriers to moisture and gases, these coatings reduce food deterioration and enhance safety, often incorporating antimicrobial compounds. The advantages of edible coatings include reduced packaging waste, extended shelf life, and protection from environmental effects while maintaining the transfer of oxygen, carbon dioxide, moisture, aroma, and taste. Given the high market demand for nutritious fruits and vegetables and their perishable nature, edible coatings present an effective method to address post-harvest challenges, benefiting both consumers and the environment. This review discusses the components, benefits, and application techniques of edible coatings, focusing on their potential to enhance the shelf life and quality of fresh produce.

Non-wounding contact-based Inoculation of fruits with fungal pathogens in postharvest

BackgroundFungal pathogens significantly impact the quality of fruits and vegetables at different stages of the supply chain, leading to substantial food losses. Understanding how these persistent fungal infections occur and progress in postharvest conditions is essential to developing effective control strategies.ResultsIn this study, we developed a reliable and consistent inoculation protocol to simulate disease spread from infected fruits to adjacent healthy fruits during postharvest storage. We tested different combinations of relevant fruit commodities, including oranges, tomatoes, and apples, against impactful postharvest pathogens such as Penicillium digitatum, Penicillium italicum, Botrytis cinerea, and Penicillium expansum. We assessed the efficacy of this protocol using fruits treated with various postharvest methods and multiple isolates for each pathogen. We optimized the source of infected tissue and incubation conditions for each fruit-pathogen combination. Disease incidence and severity were quantitatively evaluated to study infection success and progression. At the final evaluation point, 80% or higher disease incidence rates were observed in all trials except for the fungicide-treated oranges inoculated with fungicide-susceptible Penicillium spp. isolates. Although disease incidence was lower in that particular scenario, it is noteworthy that the pathogen was still able to establish itself under unfavorable conditions, indicating the robustness of our methodology. Finally, we used multispectral imaging to detect early P. digitatum infections in oranges before the disease became visible to the naked eye but after the pathogen was established.ConclusionsWe developed a non-invasive inoculation strategy that can be used to recreate infections caused by contact or nesting in postharvest. The observed high disease incidence and severity values across fruit commodities and fungal pathogens demonstrate the robustness, efficacy, and reproducibility of the developed methodology. The protocol has the potential to be tailored for other pathosystems. Additionally, this approach can facilitate the study of fruit-pathogen interactions and the assessment of innovative control strategies.

The Potential of Multi-Screening Methods and Omics Technologies to Detect Both Regulated and Emerging Mycotoxins in Different Matrices.

Mycotoxins are well-known secondary metabolites produced by several fungi that grow and occur in different crops during both pre-harvest and post-harvest conditions. The contamination and occurrence of mycotoxins currently represent some of the major issues in the entire agri-food system. The quantification of mycotoxins in different feeds and foodstuffs is extremely difficult because of the low concentration ranges; therefore, both sample collection and preparation are essential to providing accurate detection and reliable quantification. Currently, several analytical methods are available for the detection of mycotoxins in both feed and food products, and liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) represents the most reliable instrumental approach. In particular, the fast development of high-throughput methods has made it possible to screen and analyze, in the same analytical run and with high accuracy, multiple mycotoxins, such as those regulated, masked, or modified, and emerging ones. Therefore, the aim of this review is to provide an overview of the state of the art of mycotoxins occurrence, health-related concerns, and analyses, discussing the need to perform multi-screening approaches combined with omics technologies to simultaneously analyze several mycotoxins in different feed and food matrices. This approach is expected to provide more comprehensive information about the profile and distribution of emerging mycotoxins, thus enhancing the understanding of their co-occurrence and impact on the entire production chain.

Successful biocontrol of Pichia spp. strains against Botrytis cinerea infection in apple fruit: Unraveling protection mechanisms from proteomic insights

Botrytis cinerea causes major crop losses, especially under postharvest conditions. We have found that Pichia fermentans Pf-31 and Pichia terricola Pt-36 are two promising yeast strains that are able to efficiently control B. cinerea infection in apples. This effect is most pronounced when the yeasts are applied as live cells, although dead cells or culture filtrates also show some degree of control. Both strains arrest spore germination, inhibit mycelial growth, strongly attach to hyphae and promote their own proliferation in the fruit when B. cinerea is present, probably due to preferential colonization of apple wounds. Indeed, this metabolism enhancement was corroborated by a proteomic analysis, which revealed the differentially accumulated yeast proteins that contribute towards this antagonistic behavior. Besides the boost in proteins involved in energetic metabolism, other changes in proteins related to cell envelope composition are implicated in the biocontrol abilities of both strains, and this might be to facilitate hyphal adhesion or biofilm formation. The results of this study are of great value because they promote a deep understanding of the proteins that undergo changes during yeast antagonistic interactions, but also because they provide new insights into the proteomes of non-Saccharomyces yeasts, which have not been previously described.

Modeling the relationship between postharvest storage conditions and grapefruit quality

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

Biocontrol of Escherichia coli O157:H7 by Enterobacter asburiae AEB30 on intact cantaloupe melons.

Escherichia coli O157:H7 causes >73,000 foodborne illnesses in the United States annually, many of which have been associated with fresh ready-to-eat produce including cantaloupe melons. In this study, we created a produce-associated bacterial (PAB) library containing >7500 isolates and screened them for the ability to inhibit the growth of E. coli O157:H7 using an invitro fluorescence-based growth assay. One isolate, identified by 16S and whole-genome sequence analysis as Enterobacter asburiae, was able to inhibit the growth of E. coli by ~30-fold invitro and produced zones of inhibition between 13 and 21 mm against 12 E. coli outbreak strains in an agar spot assay. We demonstrated that E. asburiae AEB30 was able to grow, persist and inhibit the growth of E. coli on cantaloupe melons under simulated pre- and post-harvest conditions. Analysis of the E. asburiae AEB30 genome revealed an operon encoding a contact-dependent growth inhibition (CDI) system that when mutated resulted in the loss of E. coli growth inhibition. These data suggest that E. asburiae AEB30 is a potential biocontrol agent to prevent E. coli contamination of cantaloupe melons in both pre- and post-harvest environments and that its mode of action is via a CDI system.

A comprehensive review on recent advances in postharvest treatment, storage, and quality evaluation of onion (Allium cepa): Current status, and challenges

AbstractOnion is an important economical and nutritional vegetable crop having a global demand. However, the long‐term storage and availability of quality produce during off seasons remain a constraint. The intricate process of quality degradation in onions, both pre and postharvest, is influenced by internal factors and storage conditions. To preserve the postharvest quality and prolong the shelf life of onions, effective postharvest technologies incorporating quality assessment and preservation treatments are crucial. This paper delves into the key factors associated with crop quality, postharvest treatments, and storage, providing a comprehensive understanding of their cause‐effect relationships. The primary objective of this review is to shed light on diverse postharvest treatments, storage conditions, and structures, along with their effects on the physical, chemical, and biochemical aspects of onions. Additionally, the study explores destructive and non‐destructive assessment technologies to evaluate the quality of onions. Storage and marketability is intricately tied to the advancement of appropriate technology aimed at minimizing losses during various stages of harvesting and storage conditions. This review serves as a preliminary document that can assist in exploring critical factors and advancing technologies to enhance the shelf life and quality of onions, bridging the gap between traditional methods and promising advancements.

Biological and phytochemical variation with pre- and post-harvest conditions for the Acanthus mollis L. leaf

This study investigated for the first time the temporal variation of compounds and biological activities in Acanthus mollis leaves harvested during different seasons. Variables like the harvest date, edaphic-climatic conditions, storage, drying process, and extraction methods can potentially affect phytochemicals content, potentially influencing its safety and efficacy. The study was conducted over two consecutive years, and leaves were harvested at three different vegetative stages: early vegetation, pre-flowering, and flowering. The main non-volatile compounds in the harvested leaves' ethanol extracts were quantified using HPLC-PDA (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Photodiode Array Detection). Additionally, the antioxidant capacity of the extracts was evaluated using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay. Finally, the anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts on RAW 264.7 murine macrophages stimulated with LPS (lipopolysaccharide) was studied. Phytochemical analysis revealed different compounds crucial for identifying the most favorable harvesting season for Acanthus mollis. These compounds included DIBOA (2,4-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one), HBOA (2-hydroxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one), and verbascoside. The concentration of these compounds varied depending on the vegetative state, with lower levels observed during the flowering season. During the initial vegetation stage, DIBOA emerged as the primary compound, gradually diminishing as the plant advanced through its vegetative state. Notably, the concentrations of both DIBOA and verbascoside exhibited a reverse correlation with temperature, rising as temperatures declined. Under elevated temperatures, humidity, and sun exposure, DIBOA is prone to degradation, while verbascoside, a phenylpropanoid, remains relatively stable in these conditions. It was found that the antioxidant activity of the leaves depends mainly on the amount of verbascoside, while the anti-inflammatory potential is primarily attributed to DIBOA. Verbascoside also showed a protective function against the cytotoxicity of the extracts in this study. Tyrosinase activity was affected by the levels of total benzoxazinoids and phenylpropanoids. Overall, this study elucidates the temporal variation of compounds in Acanthus mollis leaves harvested during different seasons, highlighting the importance of the quantification of specific compounds, such as DIBOA, HBOA, and verbascoside, for the selection of the most favorable harvesting season, and providing insights into the effects of temperature and environmental factors on the concentration of these compounds as well as their biological activities.

Fuel types misrepresent forest structure and composition in interior British Columbia: a way forward

BackgroundA clear understanding of the connectivity, structure, and composition of wildland fuels is essential for effective wildfire management. However, fuel typing and mapping are challenging owing to a broad diversity of fuel conditions and their spatial and temporal heterogeneity. In Canada, fuel types and potential fire behavior are characterized using the Fire Behavior Prediction (FBP) System, which uses an association approach to categorize vegetation into 16 fuel types based on stand structure and composition. In British Columbia (BC), provincial and national FBP System fuel type maps are derived from remotely sensed forest inventory data and are widely used for wildfire operations, fuel management, and scientific research. Despite their widespread usage, the accuracy and applicability of these fuel type maps have not been formally assessed. To address this knowledge gap, we quantified the agreement between on-site assessments and provincial and national fuel type maps in interior BC.ResultsWe consistently found poor correspondence between field assessment data and both provincial and national fuel types. Mismatches were particularly frequent for (i) dry interior ecosystems, (ii) mixedwood and deciduous fuel types, and (iii) post-harvesting conditions. For 58% of field plots, there was no suitable match to the extant fuel structure and composition. Mismatches were driven by the accuracy and availability of forest inventory data and low applicability of the Canadian FBP System to interior BC fuels.ConclusionsThe fuel typing mismatches we identified can limit scientific research, but also challenge wildfire operations and fuel management decisions. Improving fuel typing accuracy will require a significant effort in fuel inventory data and system upgrades to adequately represent the diversity of extant fuels. To more effectively link conditions to expected fire behavior outcomes, we recommend a fuel classification approach and emphasis on observed fuels and measured fire behavior data for the systems we seek to represent.

Investigating the effect of postharvest conditions on the microbial quality and physicochemical characteristics of bee pollen

Considering the scarcity of information on postharvest management of bee pollen, especially its fresh form, this study aims to investigate the effect of storage conditions and duration on the microbial load of fresh and dried pollen, while also considering changes in physicochemical parameters. Specifically, microbiological analyses were applied to record the growth of Mesophilic Total Viable Counts (MTVC), Yeasts & Moulds (Y&M), Enterobacteriaceae (ENT), Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB), and Escherichia coli. The results showed that fresh pollen can be stored in the freezer (-18 °C) for one year, without exceeding the legislative limits for the studied pathogens, as after storing for 12 months, the mean counts of MTVC, Y&M, ENT, and LAB were 3.93, 4.04, 1.71, and 2.82 log cfu/g, respectively, whereas moisture, protein and lipid content, fatty acid composition, and colour remained unchanged. When fresh pollen was stored at 4 °C, over a six-month period, the MTVC & ENT counts were out of limits, and changes were observed in colour, total lipid content (32.18% decrease), and fatty acid composition (31.68% for C18:2 and 21.56% for C18:3 reduction, 31.5% increase for C18:0). Finally, storing fresh pollen at 25 °C is deemed insufficient for maintaining quality characteristics. Dried pollen demonstrated better results, compared to fresh pollen, maintaining values of microbial load within legislative limits at all storage temperatures, thus making long-term storage easier. The data gathered during this study may form the basis for a guide including proper beekeeping practices and postharvest bee pollen treatment and management, contributing to the optimization of pollen production.

Relationship between volatiles and antioxidant compounds in scald on ‘Alexander Lucas’ pear in different postharvest conditions

Relationship between volatiles and antioxidant compounds in scald on ‘Alexander Lucas’ pear in different postharvest conditions

Characterization and pathogenicity of Aspergillus carbonarius on Coffea excelsa causing berry rot and premature fall in Southern Philippines

Mycotoxigenic fungi in the family Aspergillaceae are among the most popular pathogens associated with post-harvest conditions. However, a recent discovery of a disease in 30–year–old trees of Excelsa coffee that caused black rot and resulted in the premature falling of the coffee berries in the Philippines. This study aims to characterize the pathogen of Coffea excelsa berries under pre-harvest conditions. Aspergillus carbonarius was ascertained through the combined results of cultural, morphological, molecular, and phylogenetic analyses of the rDNA ITS region of the isolate obtained from thirty diseased berries of twenty coffee trees examined. The results of the pathogenicity test also verified the virulence of the fungus. Hence, this study confirms that the disease infection of A. carbonarius is not only limited to post-production but also initiates pre– harvest disease infection by causing black rot and premature fall of coffee berries in the Philippines.