Fresh Fruit Quality Research Articles

Tomato puree quality from field to can: Effects of water and nitrogen-saving strategies

Processing tomato is a main source of phytomicronutrients in the human diet due to its micronutrient content, and the diversity of derived products consumed worldwide. A large proportion of processing tomatoes are grown under Mediterranean climate where increasing water scarcity and heat are expected to reduce yields and to have negative impacts on fruit quality. Despite this, the effects of changes in fresh fruit quality on processing and end-product quality have been under-investigated. It therefore seems imperative to work along the food chain to improve food sustainability while maintaining quality and access to important phytonutrients. The present study adopts a holistic approach from field to processing plant, assessing the effects of reduced water and nitrogen supplies on yields, fresh fruit quality and suitability for processing, and puree quality. The 5-year trial included eight varieties, several levels of water and nitrogen supply, and two processes. It was found that water deficit induced a decrease in fresh commercial yield, partially compensated by an increase in dry matter content. The yield loss was the result of a lower number of fruits per plant, while the average fruit weight and biochemical composition showed little change. Water use efficiency decreased above 120% of water demand restoration and improved under low nitrogen supply. Puree viscosity and dry matter content increased with water deficit with beneficial effects for the industry, while the reduction of nitrogen supply did not affect puree quality. This work highlighted the possibility of monitoring quality traits in tomato puree directly from field. Nevertheless, the trade-offs between WUE, quality and yield need to be optimized. Selection of varieties rich in lycopene could be a promising avenue as they appear more tolerant to water deficit. This work also stressed the need to reassess the crop coefficient for new varieties, to improve evaluation of water needs.

Isolation and Identifi cation of Postharvest Fungal Pathogens of Some Selected Fruits in Yunnan, China

Fruits are one of the major economic commodities worldwide and postharvest rot diseases is one of the major problems that led to decreasing fruit production. Fungal contaminants reduce the quality of fresh fruits after harvest and it is one of the leading causes of economic loss in global fresh fruits. The purpose of this research was to isolate and identify pathogens causing postharvest rots on common fruits available in markets in Panlong District, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China. The fruits viz. apple (Malus domestica), dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus), peach (Amygdalus persica) and pear (Pyrus sorotina) were selected to examine post-harvest rots since they are commonly available fruits in Yunnan markets. We isolated six fungal strains from the above-mentioned fruits. The pathogenicity tests and phylogenetic analyses were carried out for the fungi isolated from fruits. Our results showed that Fusarium spp. are common on apple, peach and dragon fruit. In the pathogenicity test, Monilinia yunnanensis inoculated on the pear had the strongest effect on the pear, and the disease spot expanded over half of the total area of the fruit. Our results are expected to provide a reference and basis for preventing postharvest diseases of common fruits in Yunnan.

Quality Attributes of Cold-Stored Khalal Barhi Dates Treated with Guava Leaf Extract and/or Lactic Acid as Natural Preservatives.

The use of natural ingredients to preserve the quality of fresh fruits is a promising approach to healthier products and a more sustainable industry. The present study was carried out to assess the effect of lactic acid (LA) and guava leaf extract (GLE) as natural preservatives on the quality parameters of Khalal Barhi dates. Physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity, color parameters, firmness, sensory properties, and yeast and mold counts of date fruits were evaluated during five weeks of storage at 4 ± 1 °C. The bioactive compounds in GLE were estimated by HPLC, which exhibited that GLE contains significant amounts of bioactive compounds, mainly, phenolics and flavonoids. With prolonged storage, the moisture content decreased, while the total soluble solids (TSS) increased in all samples. Similarly, a slight decrease in the pH with a concomitant increase in titratable acidity (TA) was observed throughout the storage. Generally, the samples treated with natural preservatives revealed lower changes in moisture content, TSS, pH, and TA than the control. The results exhibited decreased total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity for all samples with extended storage. The GLE and LA + GLE treatments significantly (p < 0.05) increased TPC and antioxidant activity on day 0 and preserved higher values of both during storage. Additionally, a decrease in the L* and b* values with an increase in the a* values of all samples was observed with advancement of storage. The LA + GLE treatment minimized the changes in color parameters and maintained higher firmness values during storage. Similarly, the sensory properties of all samples decreased with prolonged storage, but insignificant (p > 0.05) differences were found among the samples. Dipping treatments inhibited microbial growth over time, with the lowest yeast and mold counts achieved by the LA + GLE treatment. It can be concluded that the LA + GLE treatment has a protective effect on Khalal Barhi dates by minimizing post-harvest changes and decreasing the microbial load.

Effects of xanthan gum and calcium ascorbate treatments on color and nutritional quality of fresh cut pear fruit

Effects of xanthan gum and calcium ascorbate treatments on color and nutritional quality of fresh cut pear fruit

Physicochemical Properties of Plasma-Activated Water and Its Control Effects on the Quality of Strawberries

In this study, the effects of plasma-activated water (PAW), generated by dielectric barrier discharge cold plasma at the gas-liquid interface, on the quality of fresh strawberries during storage were investigated. The results showed that, with the prolongation of plasma treatment time, the pH of PAW declined dramatically and the electrical conductivity increased significantly. The active components, including NO2-, NO3-, H2O2, and O2-, accumulated gradually in PAW, whereas the concentration of O2- decreased gradually with the treatment time after 2 min. No significant changes were found in pH, firmness, color, total soluble solids, malondialdehyde, vitamin C, or antioxidant activity in the PAW-treated strawberries (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the PAW treatment delayed the quality deterioration of strawberries and extended their shelf life. Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis showed that the PAW 2 treatment group demonstrated the best prolonged freshness effect, with the highest firmness, total soluble solids, vitamin C, and DPPH radical scavenging activity, and the lowest malondialdehyde and ∆E* values, after 4 days of storage. It was concluded that PAW showed great potential for maintaining the quality of fresh fruits and extending their shelf life.

Responses of High Carbon Dioxide Concentration on Postharvest Quality of Fresh Fig Fruit during Storage

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of high CO2 with the constant O2 level on the postharvest quality of fig cv. Bursa Siyahi. For this purpose, the atmospheric compositions of 3% O2 + 10% CO2 (PA-1), 3% O2 + 15% CO2 (PA-2), 3% O2 + 20% CO2 (PA-3), and 21% O2 + 0.03% CO2 (RA) were tested under a palliflex controlled atmosphere (PA) storage system at 0°C for 28 days. At the end of the storage, weight loss increased during the storage period, but this increase slowed down in all tested PAs compared to RA. PA-1 and PA-2 delayed softening while PA-3 accelerated this process. There were no side effects in fruits stored under PAs for taste. The lowest total microorganism and decay rates were found in PA-2 and PA-3. The fig fruits stored under PAs had higher sugar and organic acid contents compared to the figs stored under the RA. Respiration rate decreased in all PAs compared to the RA. Ethylene productions increased with senescence in all atmospheres, but PA-3 inhibited this increase. Consequently, 15% CO2 (PA-2) can be used to maintain postharvest quality of Bursa Siyahi fresh fig for 28 days at 0 °C.

ANALISIS BUSINESS MODEL CANVAS MENGGUNAKAN PENDEKATAN SWOT PADA PERUSAHAAN PERKEBUNAN KELAPA SAWIT SG DI KABUPATEN SINTANG PROVINSI KALIMANTAN BARAT

Indonesia is one of the largest CPO (Crude Palm Oil) producing countries in the world. In addition to producing CPO, oil palm fruit is also used as raw material for food and non-food production, alternative fuels, biodiesel development, and many others. SG's oil palm plantation, which is located in West Kalimantan, Sintang Regency, Kelam Permai District, is a company engaged in palm oil processing that was founded in 2008. In order to improve the quality of production, it is necessary to evaluate and analyze its business. So, the purpose of this study is to analyze the business model canvas using the SWOT method on the SG oil palm plantation company. The research method uses descriptive quantitative methods. The results showed that with a SWOT analysis approach, the SG oil palm company took advantage of the existing opportunities, namely the demand for fresh fruit bunches continued to increase in the market and government policies that supported the oil palm plantation business. SG's oil palm plantations must maintain the quality of fresh fruit bunches that will be sold to palm oil mills and increase the number of fresh fruit bunches harvested in order to remain competitive in the market. While the strategy for minimizing weaknesses is to improve good plantation maintenance techniques. As for the strategy, while maintaining good relations with partners, namely SG's oil palm plantations, the strategy for minimizing weaknesses and avoiding threats is to always cooperate with the Sintang Regency Government, West Kalimantan Province.

Influence of chemical and organic fertilizers in fruits of camapu (Physalis angulata L.)

Camapu (Physalis angulata L.) is an exotic Amazonian fruit rich in nutrients, such as minerals, fibers, vitamins, and several secondary phenolic compounds. This fruit has been increasing in importance in the consumer market, however, cultivation is still limited due to the lack of knowledge of planting methods and nutrient management practices. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of chemical and organic fertilizer on the post-harvest quality and physicochemical composition of fresh camapu fruit. A randomized block design consisting of a 6 × 5 factorial design, with six fertilization treatments (T1, control 0% fertilization; T2, 100% NPK; T3, tanned chicken manure; T4, tanned chicken manure + NPK; T5, bovine manure; and T6, bovine manure + NPK) and five repetitions was applied. The basic chemical composition (e.g., moisture, proteins, lipids, ash, and carbohydrates) and minerals were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry, hue angle color, average weight, longitudinal and transverse diameters, density, pH, and soluble solids. The best responses for nutritional and mineral compounds were those subjected to organic fertilization at 40 ton.ha−1 of tanned bovine manure, and the organic source 20 ton.ha−1 of tanned poultry manure, and the interactions between chemical and organic fertilization 20 ton.ha−1 of tanned poultry manure and 60 kg ha−1 of N, 800 kg ha-1 of P2O5, and 260 kg ha−1 of K2O promoted larger and heavier fruits (p < 0.05).

Innovations in the development and application of edible coatings for fresh and minimally processed Apple

The quality and safety of fresh and cut fruits deteriorate during storage due to various chemical, physical, and microbial changes, which limits their shelf life and increases food waste. The shelf life can be improved by coating them with edible films made up of various biological molecules such as starch, carrageenan, soy proteins, corn zein, whey proteins, and waxes etc. Macromolecules are natural biopolymers that can be used as preservatives and have been reported to improve their nutritional properties, in addition to their biodegradable nature. This article reviews the various types of edible coatings from macromolecules that have been developed to preserve fresh and fresh-cut apples, thereby increasing their quality and shelf life. Approaches for fabricating edible coatings, their mechanisms of action as well as methods for fortifying them with natural active ingredients, such as antimicrobial or antioxidant plant extracts and oil are discussed. Moreover, the potential of incorporating probiotics and prebiotics in edible coatings is also described as a means of improving their health profile. The edible coatings have an appreciable influence on the functional properties of apples besides sensory and nutritional attributes and are one of the key challenges for further development of commercially viable edible coatings.

QTL analysis reveals reduction of fruit water loss by NAC042 through regulation of cuticular wax synthesis in citrus fruit

Postharvest water loss is a critical factor that determines the quality and shelf life of fresh fruit. Cuticular wax constitutes a key barrier to reduce fruit water loss. Our previous study has shown that HJ (Citrus reticulata) has a significantly higher postharvest water loss rate than ZK (Poncirus trifoliata). Here, we investigated the fruit water loss rate of the HJ × ZK F1 pseudo-testcross population in 2016 and 2019. QTL mapping for fruit water loss rate was performed by high-density genetic map and bulk segregant analysis, and QTL9 was identified to be associated with fruit water loss. The expression of NAC042 from QTL9 in ZK was 170-fold that in HJ. Heterologous expression in Arabidopsis showed that NAC042 could reduce the water loss of leaves by increasing the cuticular wax content (especially alkanes). Further expression analysis revealed that NAC042 could enhance the expression of many wax-related genes in Arabidopsis leaves, including AtKCS1, AtKCS2, AtKCS9, AtKCS20, AtCER1 and AtCER3. Therefore, NAC042 might be involved in fruit cuticular wax synthesis to reduce fruit water loss. The findings provide new insights into the regulation of cuticular wax and fruit water loss as well as valuable information for breeding of citrus with better storability.

Decision-making analysis of air supply strategies for high rack cold stores

The thermal performance of a high rack cold store is related to the quality of fresh fruit and vegetable preservation. As the complex air supply strategies, a comprehensive evaluation of the thermal and airflow performance needs more than one demand. Therefore, the Z-score method was used to evaluate the thermal and airflow performance of the high rack cold store in this paper. The Z-score considered the energy utilization coefficient, non-uniformity coefficient and Air Diffusion Performance Index (ADPI). Firstly, a numerical simulation model of a high rack cold store was developed and validated. The effects of air supply form, air supply angle and air supply velocity on thermal performance and flow properties were then investigated. The velocity, temperature and pressure distribution were analyzed. Based on the previous data, the air supply strategies of the high rack cold store were evaluated with the proposed Z-score method, and the results proved that it could be utilized as the multi-indicator comprehensive analysis method for the high rack cold store. The cooling effect and the thermal uniformity of the vertical wall attached ventilation was excellent in a high rack cold store. When the air supply angle is −90°, the high rack cold store has a more uniform and reasonable temperature field. Considering the energy consumption of fans, the optimal air supply velocity was 11.7 m·s−1. Those results could provide a reference for the design of air supply form in the high rack cold store.

FARKLI DOZLARDA UV-C IŞIN UYGULAMALARININ TAZE İNCİRİN HASAT SONRASI KALİTESİ ÜZERİNE ETKİLERİ

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 kJ/m2 UV-C illumination doses on the postharvest quality of fresh fig (cv. Bursa Siyahi). For this purpose, fruit were stored at 0 ºC temperature with 90-95% humidity for 21 days and some fruits were kept at 20 °C for 3 days to simulate a period of shelf-life. UV-C treatments did not affect fruit firmness, total soluble solids, and titratable acidity content during cold storage and shelf-life. On the other hand, UV-C doses increased total phenolic content and antioxidant activity compared to control. In both storage conditions, 3.0 and 4.5 kJ/m2 UV-C doses were found to be more effective to control unmarketable fruit rate. In conclusion, a 4.5 kJ/m2 UV-C illumination dose can be effective in maintaining the postharvest quality of fresh fig fruit harvested at a 2/3 maturity stage.

Temperature Difference in Loading Area (Tarmac) during Handling of Air Freight Operations and Distance of Production Area Affects Quality of Fresh Mango Fruits (Mangifera indica L. ‘Nam Dok Mai Si Thong’)

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) ‘Nam Dok Mai Si Thong’ is an important cultivar for export from Thailand. Export mainly takes place via air transport, but for about 2 h at the loading area (tarmac), unit loading devices (ULDs) are exposed to ambient environmental conditions. In this research, the effects of different temperature conditions at the loading area (tarmac) and the distance of the production area from the tarmac on the quality of fresh mango fruits were studied. The treatments included three temperature conditions for 2 h (simulated handling in tarmac)—constant temperature (20 °C), non-insulated or insulated and exposed to sun—and two distances of the tarmac from the production area—short distance (i.e., transport occurring 53 h after harvest) and long distance (i.e., transport occurring 70 h after harvest). The temperature variation in the boxes exposed to the sun was greater in the non-insulated than in the insulated boxes, but this effect was more pronounced in fruit from the short-distance production area (28.1 °C insulated and 36.9 °C non-insulated) than in fruit from the long-distance production area (34.2 °C insulated and 38 °C non-insulated). Insulation and short distance increased the shelf life, decreased weight loss, delayed the decrease in average firmness and rupture force, etc. The insulation of mango fruit boxes mitigates the deleterious effect of exposure to 2 h of direct sun by reducing the increase in temperature, thus improving the shelf life and quality of mango fruit.

Effects of 60Coγ irradiation on storage quality and physiology of fresh hazelnut fruits

AbstractDuring the storage process of hazelnut fresh fruits, browning is easy to occur, which reduces the storage quality. In this study, the method of 60Coγ irradiation was used to dynamically monitor the effects of fresh hazelnuts on storage quality, physiological indicators, and sterilization effect after being irradiated and refrigerated at 4 ± 0.5°C for 3 months. The results showed that irradiation at a dose of 0.25 to 1.0 kGy could preserve the current quality of the product, delay the browning of hazelnut shells, and reduce the activity of polyphenol oxidase. In addition, 0.5 kGy irradiation inhibited the respiration intensity and the accumulation of malondialdehyde in hazelnut fruits at the later stage of storage. Further research found that the content of microorganisms in hazelnut fruits decreased with the increase in irradiation dose. In addition, 0.5 kGy was the best irradiation dose to slow down the transpiration of hazelnut water and delay the reduction of fat, but the irradiation treatment of less than 1.0 kGy was effective for hazelnuts. Fruit peroxide value had no significant effect. At the same time, through the principal component analysis of hazelnut fruits stored for 90 days, the results also show that the 60Coγ irradiation with a dose of 0.5 kGy has the best storage effect and can effectively prolong the shelf life. The results of this study provide an effective theoretical basis and technical support for the preservation of fresh hazelnut fruits and the inhibition of the browning of hazelnut shells during storage.Novelty impact statementIn this study, 60Coγ irradiation inhibited the polyphenol oxidase activity of polyphenol oxidase to a certain extent, thus delaying the browning of hazelnut shells. The synergistic effect of irradiation and low temperature prolonged the shelf life of hazelnut. The results showed that treatment with 0.5 kGy had the best effect, which was validated by the results of principal component analysis.

Effects of Plant-Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) and Cyanobacteria on Botanical Characteristics of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.) Plants.

Tomatoes are an important agricultural product because they contain high concentrations of bioactive substances, such as folate, ascorbate, polyphenols, and carotenoids, as well as many other essential elements. As a result, tomatoes are thought to be extremely beneficial to human health. Chemical fertilizers and insecticides are routinely utilized to maximize tomato production. In this context, microbial inoculations, particularly those containing PGPR, may be utilized in place of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. In this study, we investigated the effects of PGPR (Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens) and cyanobacteria when utilized alone, and in conjunction with each other, on the growth, quality, and yield of fresh fruits of tomato plants. The results showed that the inoculation significantly increased all measured parameters of tomato plants compared with the control. Combined use of B. subtilis and B. amyloliquefaciens had a positive impact on tomato yield, increasing fruit yield. Moreover, leaflet anatomical characteristics were altered, with increased thickness of the upper epidermis, lower epidermis, palisade tissue, spongy tissue, and vascular bundles. Tomato fruit quality was improved, as measured by an increased number of fruit per plant (76% increase), fruit weight (g; 33% increase), fruit height (cm; 50% increase), fruit diameter (cm; 50%), total soluble solids (TSS; 26% increase), and ascorbic acid (mg/100 g F.W.; 75% increase), relative to the control, in the first season. In addition, fruit chemical contents (N, P, and K) were increased with inoculation. The results suggest that inoculation with B. subtilis and B. amyloliquefaciens could be successfully used to enhance tomato plant growth and yield.

Effect of exogenous postharvest application with thyme and cinnamon oils on quality and storability of cherry tomato

Cherry tomato are classified as perishable fruits that deteriorate vastly after harvest. The use of natural and eco-friendly products, such as essential oils, for preserving the quality of fresh fruits and vegetables is highly demands for the consumers. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of exogenous postharvest application with thyme oil (1%), cinnamon oil (1%), and their combination on quality and shelf-life of cherry tomato stored for 28 days at 10°C and 90% RH. The results indicated that both essential oils were able to preserve the quality of cherry tomato by reducing weight loss, decay, appearance, and firmness. Additionally, essential oils application conserved total soluble solids, total carbohydrates, and total phenolic compounds. Lycopene and carotene contents were decreased by essential oils application. In conclusion, the application of both essential oils could be effective in maintain the quality and increase the shelf-life of cherry tomato during refrigerated storage.

Genotypic Differences Affecting Biometric, Processing and Functional Quality Attributes in Tomato Fruits

Processing tomato is an important agricultural crop worldwide suffering from genetic erosion due to a severe genetic diversity reduction and domestication hindrance. In Tunisia, some old underutilized tomato cultivars are increasingly being considered as genetic resources and are marginally used by small farmers constituting a real safety valve for the sustainability of the processing tomato value chain. Those tomato cultivars differ in their biometric, processing and functional quality attributes. Therefore, there is an increasing interest to examine their performances for processing and fresh market quality improvement. Recently, there was also a particular focus on improving the quality of fresh fruit via the introgression of high-pigment genes in processing tomato in order to obtain a high quality processed products. The results are important as large differences are highlighted and the main traits affecting tomato quality are also reported and clearly discussed. This suggest that maintaining of the existing genetic pools among cultivated tomato is as important as creating novel hybrids.

Convolutional Neural Networks for Estimating the Ripening State of Fuji Apples Using Visible and Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

The quality of fresh apple fruits is a major concern for consumers and manufacturers. Classification of these fruits according to their ripening stage is one of the most decisive factors in determining their quality. In this regard, the aim of this work is to develop a new method for non-destructive classification of the ripening state of Fuji apples using hyperspectral information in the visible and near-infrared (Vis/NIR) regions. Spectra of 172 apple samples in the range from 450 to 1000 nm were studied, which were selected from four different ripening stages. A convolutional neural network (CNN) model was proposed to perform the classification of the samples. The proposed method was compared with three alternative methods based on artificial neural networks (ANN), support vector machines (SVM), and k-nearest neighbors (KNN). The results revealed that the CNN method outperformed the alternative methods, achieving a correct classification rate (CCR) of 96.5%, compared with an average of 89.5%, 95.93%, and 91.68% for ANN, SVM, and KNN, respectively. These results will help in the development of a new device for fast and accurate estimation of the quality of apples.

A Specular Highlight Removal Algorithm for Quality Inspection of Fresh Fruits

Nondestructive inspection technology based on machine vision can effectively improve the efficiency of fresh fruit quality inspection. However, fruits with smooth skin and less texture are easily affected by specular highlights during the image acquisition, resulting in light spots appearing on the surface of fruits, which severely affects the subsequent quality inspection. Aiming at this issue, we propose a new specular highlight removal algorithm based on multi-band polarization imaging. First of all, we realize real-time image acquisition by designing a new multi-band polarization imager, which can acquire all the spectral and polarization information through single image capture. Then we propose a joint multi-band-polarization characteristic vector constraint to realize the detection of specular highlight, and next we put forward a Max-Min multi-band-polarization differencing scheme combined with an ergodic least-squares separation for specular highlight removal, and finally, the chromaticity consistency regularization is used to compensate the missing details. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can effectively and stably remove the specular highlight and provide more accurate information for subsequent fruit quality inspection. Besides, the comparison of algorithm speed further shows that our proposed algorithm has a good tradeoff between accuracy and complexity.

Effect of invasive blue crab chitosan coating on extending the shelf life and quality of fresh strawberry fruits

The diversity of marine biomasses is a set of exploitable and renewable resources with application in several sectors. The blue crab was considered as a threat by the Tunisian fishermen in 2014, since it induces several damages on nets but also on captures. In addition, in 2017, the Tunisian State launched a plan to exploit and promote this species of crab. In the context of valuation, the chitin was isolated by a conventional chemical method from the shell of blue crabs. The efficiency of chitin extraction from Callinectes sapidus (C. sapidus) was achieved with a yield of 27.6 %.Then; the chitosan was prepared by N-deacetylation of chitin with a yield of 16 %, leading to a degree of acetylation (DA) of 89.9%. For Portunus segnis (P. segnis) the yield of chitin was 31.2% while the chitosan yield was 20% and the degree of acetylation was 79.9% After these analyzes, it can be deduced that chitosan has a high degree of purity and that it is considered effective for the preservation of strawberries in favor of its antioxidant and antimicrobial capacity.