Postharvest Quality Research Articles

24-Epibrassinolide improves quality and resistance against Botrytis cinerea of harvest table grapes through modulating reactive oxygen species homeostasis

24-epibrassinolide (EBR) application has been proven to be effective in the control of gray mold (Botrytis cinerea) and preservation in table grape, however, the possible underlying mechanism of EBR on maintaining the postharvest quality and controlling gray mold of table grape are incompletely understood. In this study, the application of EBR at veraison (T1) and postharvest (T2) could effectively alleviate the quality deterioration of table grapes during storage, as observed by higher fruit firmness, rachis chlorophyll content, titratable acidity, and total soluble solid, and lower shattering rate, decay incidence, weight loss rate, browning index and relative electrolyte leakage of rachis, and respiration rate. Moreover, EBR application inhibited the excess accumulation of superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde, and the expression of hydrogen peroxide sensor (HPCA) genes (VvHPCA1, VvHPCA2, and VvHPXA3). In addition, T1 and T2 treatments resulted in higher activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide anion, as well as the expression level of their corresponding gene expression. A considerable increase in key enzyme activities, antioxidant content, and gene expression in the ascorbate-glutathione (ASA-GSH) cycle was also observed in grape fruit treated with EBR. Importantly, the multivariate statistical analysis revealed that T2 treatment had a more remarkable effect on preserving the quality of postharvest grapes. In addition, under artificial infections, EBR treatment significantly reduced gray mold severity in table grapes and reduced malondialdehyde and superoxide anion generation while exhibiting no antifungal activity in vitro. Simultaneously, defensive enzyme activities, including peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, chitinase, and β-1,3-glucanase, were remarkably increased in fruit treated with EBR. Therefore, our findings suggest that exogenous application of EBR maintains the quality of postharvest grapes and improves the resistance of table grapes to gray mold during postharvest storage by regulating oxidative stress and the activity of antioxidant enzymes and defensive enzymes.

Bacteria in vase solution affect water uptake and postharvest qualities of cut Lilium, especially early-harvest lilies with small buds

Bacteria in vase solution affect water uptake and postharvest qualities of cut <i>Lilium</i>, especially early-harvest lilies with small buds

New strategies to control and improve the postharvest quality of lemon fruits

New strategies to control and improve the postharvest quality of lemon fruits

Designing of modified atmosphere package for enhancement of postharvest quality of Gladiolus hybridus Hort. spikes

Designing of modified atmosphere package for enhancement of postharvest quality of Gladiolus hybridus Hort. spikes

Utilization of LED illumination coupled with UV-C irradiation to improve the post-harvest quality of radish microgreens

Utilization of LED illumination coupled with UV-C irradiation to improve the post-harvest quality of radish microgreens

Understanding the challenges of community supported agriculture in Malaysia: farmers’ perspectives

ABSTRACT Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a promising and sustainable food model, yet its widespread adoption in Malaysia faces hurdles. This study explores these challenges through one-on-one interviews with 15 CSA farmers in Malaysia. Employing the snowball sampling technique, the interviews were conducted at the farms, lasting approximately 2 hours each. The findings show that while financial instability and community commitment constraints present obstacles, crop yield risks and post-harvest quality management further exacerbate their struggles. Recognizing these challenges, policymakers can design targeted support programs, such as subsidies and low-interest loans, to empower CSA farmers in expanding their marketing efforts and accessing essential resources. This, in turn, will foster a thriving CSA movement in Malaysia.

Effects of storage conditions and packaging materials on the postharvest quality of fresh Chinese tomatoes and the optimization of the tomatoes' physiochemical properties using machine learning techniques

This study evaluated the impacts of varying storage temperatures and packaging materials on the colour, enzymatic activity, phytochemical content, and antioxidant properties of Chinese tomatoes during storage. More so, machine learning (ML) and optimization models were employed to predict and optimize the effects of storage period, storage temperatures, and packaging materials on the tomatoes' physicochemical properties. According to two-way ANOVA analysis, storage temperature impacted all parameters except L and anthocyanin. Furthermore, packaging demonstrated a substantial effect on all factors. The combined effect of storage temperature and packaging also impacted all measurements except for L and ΔE. It was possible to obtain the optimized conditions for storing the tomatoes using four constructed models and two different optimization algorithms. According to the optimization findings from all four ML models, storing the product at 4 °C with 85 % relative humidity (RH) results in a higher-quality end product than at 25 °C. Additionally, the majority of the models predict that using NPHDP packing material will typically produce tomatoes that are of higher quality. The optimization of storage conditions and packaging materials is vital for maintaining the quality and nutritional value of tomatoes throughout their postharvest.

Signalling cascades choreographing petal cell death: implications for postharvest quality.

Senescence is a multifaceted and dynamic developmental phase pivotal in the plant's lifecycle, exerting significant influence and involving intricate regulatory mechanisms marked by a variety of structural, biochemical and molecular alterations. Biochemical changes, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, membrane deterioration, nucleic acid degradation and protein degradation, characterize flower senescence. The progression of senescence entails a meticulously orchestrated network of interconnected molecular mechanisms and signalling pathways, ensuring its synchronized and efficient execution. Within flowering plants, petal senescence emerges as a crucial aspect significantly impacting flower longevity and postharvest quality, emphasizing the pressing necessity of unravelling the underlying signalling cascades orchestrating this process. Understanding the complex signalling pathways regulating petal senescence holds paramount importance, not only shedding light on the broader phenomenon of plant senescence but also paving the way for the development of targeted strategies to enhance the postharvest longevity of cut flowers. Various signalling pathways participate in petal senescence, encompassing hormone signalling, calcium signalling, protein kinase signalling and ROS signalling. Among these, the ethylene signalling pathway is extensively studied, and the manipulation of genes associated with ethylene biosynthesis or signal transduction has demonstrated the potential to enhance flower longevity. A thorough understanding of these complex pathways is critical for effectively delaying flower senescence, thereby enhancing postharvest quality and ornamental value. Therefore, this review adopts a viewpoint that combines fundamental research into the molecular intricacies of senescence with a practical orientation towards developing strategies for improving the postharvest quality of cut flowers. The innovation of this review is to shed light on the pivotal signalling cascades underpinning flower senescence and offer insights into potential approaches for modulating these pathways to postpone petal senescence in ornamental plants.

Growth period determination and color coordinates visual analysis of tomato using hyperspectral imaging technology

Growth period determination and color coordinates prediction are essential for comparing postharvest fruit quality. This paper proposes a tomato growth period judgment and color coordinates prediction model based on hyperspectral imaging technology. It utilizes the most effective color coordinates prediction model to obtain a color visual image. Firstly, hyperspectral images were taken of tomatoes at different growth periods (green-ripe, color-changing, half-ripe, and full-ripe), and color coordinates (L*, a*, b*, c, h) were obtained using a colorimeter. The sample set was divided by the sample set partitioning based on joint X-Y distances (SPXY). The support vector machine (SVM), K-nearest neighbors (KNN), and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) were used to discriminate growth period. Results show that the LDA model has the best prediction effect with a prediction set accuracy of 93.1%. In addition, effective wavelengths were selected using competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS) and successive projections algorithm (SPA), and chromaticity prediction models were established using partial least squares regression (PLSR), multiple linear regression (MLR), principal component regression (PCR) and support vector machine regression (SVR) Finally, the color of each pixel of the tomato is calculated using the optimal model, generating a visual distribution image of the color coordinate. The results showed that hyperspectral imaging can non-destructively detect tomatoes’ growth stage and color coordinates, providing great significance for designing a tomato quality grading system.

Amelioration of sodium alginate- CNC edible coating with thyme and/ or clove essential oil for post-harvest quality of guava

Amelioration of sodium alginate- CNC edible coating with thyme and/ or clove essential oil for post-harvest quality of guava

Transcriptome profiling reveals postharvest quality losses of pink Auricularia cornea

The visually appealing pink Auricularia cornea (PAC) underwent noticeable discoloration when stored at 4 °C, adversely affecting their eye-catching colors, texture, and commercial value. The mechanisms underlying the quality losses during storage remained understudied. Here, data from 12 physiological indicators, 14 texture or color-related indicators, and transcriptome dynamics across 6 stages spanning 35 d were comprehensively evaluated. The results reveal a loss of key quality indicators, such as color, hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, chewiness, and resilience, etc. Enzyme activities associated with low-temperature stress exhibit fluctuating patterns. Quality remains acceptable when refrigerated for seven days. RNA sequencing revealed 1,106 to 1,974 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), based on 4-fold changes and validated via RT-qPCR. DEGs were enriched in processes including cell wall macromolecule catabolism, oxidation-reduction, and alcohol metabolism, along with KEGG pathways related to amino acid, galactose, and lipid metabolism. This study offers valuable insights into optimizing the postharvest preservation of PAC during refrigeration.

Dynamics of quality and metabolic activity of stored ‘Galaxy’ apples affected by maturity and 1-methylcyclopropene

ABSTRACT To preserve the quality traits of late-harvested ‘Galaxy’ apples during extended storage, the effects of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment and storage conditions on postharvest quality were analysed. Alongside quality measures, indicators like ethylene production, respiration rate, aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase (ACO) activity, and membrane permeability were assessed. Apples were harvested at an optimal harvest date or later and stored for 7 months at 1°C under regular atmosphere or controlled atmosphere. Treatments with 1–MCP at 300, 600 or 900 nL L−1 were applied pre- or post-storage. After 7 days shelf-life, apples subjected to 1-MCP and controlled atmosphere exhibited reduced ethylene production, respiration rate, and ACO activity compared to untreated or regular atmosphere counterparts. While the time of 1-MCP application and its concentration did not impact the respiration rate during shelf-life, controlled atmosphere effectively decreased it. The combination of controlled atmosphere and 1–MCP pre-storage was most effective in lowering ACO activity. Irrespective of conditions, 1-MCP curtailed ethylene production, respiration rate, and ACO activity during shelf-life, alleviating firmness and acidity loss. Only controlled atmosphere preserved quality and minimised disorders for optimally harvested apples, not late-harvested ones. None of the treatments maintained late-harvested apples’ quality after long-term storage plus shelf-life.

Exogenous Application of Melatonin on the Preservation of Physicochemical and Enzymatic Qualities of Pepper Fruit from Chilling Injury

This study investigates the impact of melatonin (MT) treatment at varying concentrations (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 µmol L−1) on the post-harvest quality and shelf life of long green pepper fruits stored under low temperature for 28 days. Every 4 days, pepper fruits were examined for the chilling injury (CI) index, weight loss (WL), respiration rates, firmness, electrolyte leakage (EL), reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, non-enzymatic antioxidant (NEA) content, antioxidant (AO) enzyme activity (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidases (PODs)), and cellular degrading enzymes (polygalacturonase (PG), pectin methylesterase (PME), phospholipase D (PLD), and lipoxygenase (LOX)). MT-treated samples exhibited delayed and reduced CI stress compared to controls, with higher exogenous MT concentrations (&gt;50 µmol L−1) offering significant (p &lt; 0.05) CI reductions. During storage, WL was notably mitigated by MT treatment in the tested samples compared to control samples. This study also demonstrated that MT-treated pepper fruits effectively decelerated respiration rates and consequently preserved pepper firmness. A higher concentration of MT-treated pepper fruits demonstrated a significantly (p &lt; 0.05) lowered level of ROS and MDA while maintaining membrane stability, as evidenced by reduced EL. MT treatment with increasing concentration increased the levels of glutathione (GSH), glutathione disulfide (GSSG), ascorbic acid (AsA), dehydroascorbate (DHA), and total phenolic content (TPC) in the pepper fruits compared to control and thus significantly (p &lt; 0.05) suppressed the ROS production (superoxide anion (O2•−) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) radicals) in the pepper fruits. Furthermore, AO enzymes such as SOD, CAT, and POD were also high in the pepper fruits that were treated with higher concentrations of MT (&gt;50 µmol L−1). Additionally, the activities of cellular degrading enzymes (PG, PME, PLD, and LOX), which are linked to senescence and stress-induced physiological disorders, were also effectively regulated by MT-treated (&gt;75 µmol L−1) pepper fruits. Overall, the application of MT at higher concentrations (&gt;75 µmol L−1) demonstrated substantial benefits in preserving the quality and extending the shelf life of pepper fruits during cold storage.

Pre- and postharvest chitosan coatings extend the physicochemical and bioactive qualities of minimally processed 'Crimson Seedless' grapes during cold storage.

Food marketers desire residue-free fresh grapes although grapes have a short postharvest life. This study was performed to determine the influences of pre- and/or postharvest chitosan (Ch) coatings on postharvest quality of minimally processed (stem-detached) organic 'Crimson Seedless' berries. Berries were sorted as: (a) control (untreated berries); (b) preharvest Ch (dipping the clusters on the vine into 1% Ch 10 days before harvest at 20% soluble solid content (SSC)); (c) postharvest Ch (dipping the stem-detached berries into 1% Ch); and (d) pre + postharvest Ch. Berries were stored in 12 × 15 cm rigid polypropylene cups for up to 42 days at 1.0 ± 0.5 °C. Pre- and/or postharvest Ch coating reduced weight loss during storage. Pre- + postharvest Ch was the best treatment for restricting polygalacturonase (PG) activity, extending the visual quality, color features (L*, C and h°), skin rupture force, biochemical (SSC, titratable acidity, maturity index and pH) and bioactive (total phenol content, antioxidant activity) features. Pre- or postharvest Ch was also significantly effective in maintaining many quality features. Pre- and/or postharvest 1% Ch coatings effectively maintained the quality of minimally processed grape berries of organically produced 'Crimson Seedless' grapes by delaying weight loss and PG activity and keeping the postharvest physical, biochemical and bioactive features for 42-day cold storage at 1.0 ± 0.5 °C. The combined use of pre- and postharvest Ch found to be more effective than single treatment. Thus, pre- + postharvest 1% Ch coating could be recommended as an ecofriendly sustainable methodology for extending the postharvest quality of minimally processed fresh grapes. © 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.

Xanthan gum-based edible coating effectively preserve postharvest quality of ‘Gola’ guava fruits by regulating physiological and biochemical processes

BackgroundGuava is a fruit prone to rapid spoilage following harvest, attributed to continuous and swift physicochemical transformations, leading to substantial postharvest losses. This study explored the efficacy of xanthan gum (XG) coatings applied at various concentrations (0.25, 0.5, and 0.75%) on guava fruits (Gola cultivar) over a 15-day storage period.ResultsThe results indicated that XG coatings, particularly at 0.75%, substantially mitigated moisture loss and decay, presenting an optimal concentration. The coated fruits exhibited a modified total soluble soluble solids, an increased total titratable acidity, and an enhanced sugar-acid ratio, collectively enhancing overall quality. Furthermore, the XG coatings demonstrated the remarkable ability to preserve bioactive compounds, such as total phenolics, flavonoids, and antioxidants, while minimizing the levels of oxidative stress markers, such as electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde, and H2O2. The coatings also influenced cell wall components, maintaining levels of hemicellulose, cellulose, and protopectin while reducing water-soluble pectin. Quantitative analysis of ROS-scavenging enzymes, including superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase, revealed significant increases in their activities in the XG-coated fruits compared to those in the control fruits. Specifically, on day 15, the 0.75% XG coating demonstrated the highest SOD and CAT activities while minimizing the reduction in APX activity. Moreover, XG coatings mitigated the activities of fruit-softening enzymes, including pectin methylesterase, polygalacturonase, and cellulase.ConclusionsThis study concludes that XG coatings play a crucial role in preserving postharvest quality of guava fruits by regulating various physiological and biochemical processes. These findings offer valuable insights into the potential application of XG as a natural coating to extend the shelf life and maintain the quality of guava fruits during storage.

Peppermint essential oil enhances the vase life of Dendrobium orchids

To extend the vase life of cut flowers, there is now a trend of using plant essential oils in place of synthetic chemicals, as they are fully biodegradable, more eco-friendly, and safer. The objective of this study was to examine the possible application and postharvest quality effects of three plant essential oils namely, ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), peppermint (Mentha piperita L.), and citronella (Cymbopogon nardus Rendle), as natural vase solution for cut Dendrobium flowers. Peppermint essential oil showed promise as a holding solution for extending the vase life of Dendrobium orchids. To confirm vase life extension, emulsions containing peppermint essential oil at concentrations of 50 and 100 μg mL−1 combined with 4 % glucose to formulate holding solutions applied to Dendrobium orchids. Vase life, some biochemical changes, electrolyte leakage, total microbial count in the holding solution, and physical condition via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were evaluated over a period of 25 days. The three major compounds in peppermint essential oil were identified as menthol (33.24 %), 1-menthone (18.91 %) and menthofuran (14.85 %). The essential oil was applied in emulsion form as a holding solution. Treatment with 4 % glucose and either 50 or 100 μg mL−1 peppermint essential oil prolonged the vase life of Dendrobium orchids to up to 28 days. Scanning electron microscopy on Day 7 showed that the xylem vessels of treated orchids remained clear, suggesting reduced microbial plugging at the stalk end. Similarly, on Day 20, a reduced microbial cell count was observed for treated orchids (<1 log CFU mL−1) in comparison with controls (7.20 ± 0.04 log CFU mL−1). Finally, the essential oil improved flower quality by helping preserve petal membrane stability and petal anthocyanin content. Our results suggest the application of peppermint essential oil as a novel alternative to chemicals used in holding solutions for extending the vase life of Dendrobium orchids.

Postharvest Quality of Citrus medica L. (cv Liscia-Diamante) Fruit Stored at Different Temperatures: Volatile Profile and Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils.

Citron (Citrus medica L. cv. Liscia-diamante), cultivated in the "Riviera dei Cedri" (southern Italy), is mainly utilized in the production of candied fruit and essential oils (EOs). Up to now, no information regarding the effect of storage temperatures on citron has been reported. Here, citron samples, after harvesting, were stored at different temperatures (5, 10 and 20 °C at 70% relative humidity) for two weeks, and the main postharvest quality parameters were evaluated. Moreover, EOs extracted from the stored samples were chemically characterized to reveal changes in the volatiles profile and antimicrobial activity. The EOs presented monoterpene hydrocarbons (87.1 to 96.3% of the total oil profile) as the most abundant compounds, followed by oxygenated metabolites ranging from 9.7 to 3.1% of the total pattern. Postharvest quality traits showed a good retention of green peel color during storage at 5 °C, while EOs from samples stored for 7 and 14 days at 10 and 20 °C, respectively, showed the highest antimicrobial activity against most assayed strains. The results indicated storage at 10 °C for 7 days as the most suitable for the preservation of the postharvest quality of the fruit and the antimicrobial activity of the extracted EOs.

Evaluating the application feasibility of thyme oil nanoemulsion coating for extending the shelf life of papaya (Carica papaya cv. Tainung No. 2) with postharvest physiology and quality parameters

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is a typical climacteric fruit with a brief shelf life due to the rapid degradation of quality during post-ripening, necessitating appropriate postharvest management to address this challenge. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of thyme oil nanoemulsion (TO-NE) coating and utilize its benefits for preserving papaya. This study also investigated the physiological properties and quality changes of papaya storage at 20 ℃ and, in parallel, examined the effects of TO-NE coating to mitigate microbial infection of papaya during storage. The postharvest papaya was soaked in different concentrations (0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 mg/g) of TO-NE for coating. At the same time, the decay loss rate and effective shelf life were also evaluated. This study revealed that polygalacturonase (PG) and pectinesterase (PME) activities were inhibited during the storage of papaya treated with 0.25 mg/g TO-NE coated compared to the control group. This resulted in the preservation of the firmness of papaya fruits, in addition to a higher ascorbic acid content, delayed total soluble solids (TSS) accumulation, and total chlorophyll content (TCC) degradation, with a lagging color change for two days. The respiration rate and ethylene production were suppressed, while the 0.25 mg/g TO-NE coated group at day 14 (ethylene peak) were 63.2 mg CO2 kg−1 h−1 and 7.3 µL kg−1 h−1, lower than control. The 0.25 mg/g TO-NE coating treatment significantly reduced the decay rate for 10 days of storage, preserving their appearance and facilitating ripening. This is a viable option for extending Tainung No.2 papaya shelf life.Graphical

Evaluation of the postharvest quality of Agaricus bisporus packed using PVA/SG-based active packaging film containing tea tree essential oil

Evaluation of the postharvest quality of Agaricus bisporus packed using PVA/SG-based active packaging film containing tea tree essential oil

Short-term anaerobic treatment with microperforated packaging enhanced postharvest quality of Stropharia rugosoannulata mushrooms

This study explored the impact of short-term anaerobic treatment combined with microperforated packaging (SAT-MP) on the postharvest quality and physiology of Stropharia rugosonulata mushrooms at 3 ℃. Results indicated that both SAT-MP treatments (T1, T2) and microperforated packaging alone (T3) establish a favorable environment with low O2 (8%−12%) and high CO2 (around 10%). All treatment groups showed significant improvements in firmness, color, and internal structure. Specifically, T1, T2, and T3 exhibited 38%, 41%, and 24% greater stipe firmness and 119%, 173%, and 48% lower browning index, respectively, compared to the control. These treatments also maintained high levels of antioxidant enzyme activity, including Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Peroxidase (POD), and Ascorbate Peroxidase (APX), as well as non-enzymatic antioxidants such as total phenols, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid. The combined treatment demonstrated the most significant effect, activating the mushroom's antioxidant system, reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) content, conductivity, and ethanol/acetaldehyde accumulation, thus mitigating lipid peroxidation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results confirmed better preservation of tissue and cell structure with the 12 h anaerobic treatment. Correlation analysis showed a negative correlation between firmness and oxidative damage indicators, as well as with the browning index and antioxidant-related indicators. Overall, short-term anaerobic treatment with microperforated packaging enhanced antioxidant capacity, maintains reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism balance, and cell membrane integrity, effectively delaying firmness decline and browning, highlighting its critical role in extending shelf life.