Room Storage Conditions Research Articles

Preserving Postharvest Quality of Medjool Date Palm Fruits by Edible Oil Emulsions Application

Edible oils work to protect the fruit in more than one way. They act as a barrier or insulating layer that prevents moisture loss from the fruits, prevents the development of microbes on the surface, prevents chemical changes in the fruits, and prevents the deterioration of the fruits. These functions work to improve the quality of the fruits and increase the shelf life of the fruits. Medjool date palm fruits experience post-harvest difficulties such as weight loss, reduced taste, microbial contamination, and general quality degradation during storage, particularly at room temperature. Essential oils with antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant qualities, such as jasmine oil, black cumin oil, and jojoba oil, have demonstrated significant promise for improving fruit storability and quality. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of treatment with edible coating with jasmine oil, black cumin oil, and jojoba oil of Medjool date palm fruits under room storage conditions to lengthen shelf life, preserve quality, and reduce refrigeration during the seasons of 2021 and 2022. The study treatments were jasmine oil 1.5%, black cumin oil 1.5%, jojoba oil 7%, and untreated fruits as a control. Data showed that treatment with edible coating with jojoba oil reduced Medjool date palm fruit decay percentages and weight loss, delayed skin separation, and improved chemical fruit properties such as total sugar and total soluble solids (TSS%), followed by black cumin oil and then jasmine oil. The results showed that using jasmine oil, black cumin oil, or jojoba oil as a layer of essential oils provides a realistic option to enhance storability, extend shelf life, maintain quality, and reduce refrigeration in Medjool date palm fruits.

Improving the Quality and Shelf Life of Guava Fruits Using 1-Methylcyclopropene

Storage of guava fruits by using refrigerators as post-harvest treatment is commercially acceptable but is expensive, especially in developing countries. So, the present investigation was carried out with the objective to compare the efficacy of 1-MCP and their most effective concentrations for the shelf-life enhancement of guava fruits without any deterioration in fruit quality in the winter season at both cold and room-temperature storage conditions. Horticultural mature guava fruits were treated with 150, 300, and 600 ppb, and then stored at room temperature at 21°C, RH 45%, or cold storage at 6°C, RH 85%. The Results showed that the highest concentration of 1-MCP (600ppb) significantly (P<0.05) preserved fruit firmness, and organoleptic quality attributes. In addition, the fruit weight loss, decay percentage, titratable acidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS), and fruit color development were significantly preserved compared to other treatments under both cold and room storage conditions. Generally, 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) could maintain the quality of guava fruit combined with cold temperatures for 24 days. While 150 and 300 ppb 1-MCP preserved the quality of fruits for up to 20 days compared to untreated fruits for 16 days. Otherwise, treated fruits with 600ppb of 1-MCP kept at room storage temperature preserved fruits quality for up to 20 days compared with untreated fruits for up to 12 days stored at room storage condition. Hence, 1-MCP as post-harvest treatments preserved the overall quality parameters and enhanced the shelf life of guava fruit even after two weeks of storage at ambient temperature and three weeks after cold storage. Otherwise, 1-MCP could be an alternative to cold storage, as it is more economical than cold storage, especially in developing countries.

Postharvest physiology and biochemistry of Valencia orange after coatings with chitosan nanoparticles as edible for green mold protection under room storage conditions.

Because of their unique features, nanomaterials have been proposed and have gained acceptance in postharvest applications in fruit. Increasing the storage life and improving the quality of Valencia oranges was investigated using nano-chitosan. A chitosan nanoparticle was prepared by using high-energy ball milling. Chitosan nanoparticles were characterized by Dynamic light scattering, FTIR spectroscopy and Surface morphology by transmission electron microscopy. Fully mature Valencia oranges were harvested and then coated with one of these concentrations (0.2, 0.4, and 0.8% nano-chitosan) and control. The fruits were stored under room storage conditions for 75 days. The quality parameters (fruit weight losses, fruit decay percentage, fruit firmness, total acidity, total soluble solids percentage and T.S.S./acid ratio, ascorbic acid content) were taken in biweekly intervals after 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75 days. Beside the in vitro testing of antifungal activity of chitosan nanoparticles. According to the findings of the two succeeding seasons, the nano-chitosan 0.8% treatment showed the best effects and had the lowest rate of fruit weight loss, fruit deterioration, and T.S.S./acid ratio in comparison to the other treatments in both seasons. Furthermore, the 0.8% nano-chitosan reveled the highest levels of fruit hardness and fruit pulp firmness. Fruit weight loss, fruit deterioration, TSS, and TSS/acid ratio, as well as other metrics, were steadily elevated prior to the storage time. The best results were obtained when Valencia oranges fruits were treated with 0.8% nano-chitosan for 75 days at room temperature.

Formulation and stability evaluation of a cosmetics emulsion loaded with different concentrations of synthetic and natural preservative

Essential oils are currently the topic of extensive scientific research, and their potential as active pharmacological chemicals or natural preservatives has attracted the attention of the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Modern cosmetics, with their complex compositions, watery formulations, and direct contact with bacterial skin flora, provide excellent habitat for microbe growth. The use of preservatives is required due to the significant danger of contamination and, as a result, a risk to customers' health. The aim of the study was to formulate and subsequently evaluate the stability of a cosmetic emulsion based on different concentrations of synthetic and natural preservatives. We have performed a cosmetic emulsion base with triethanolamine as an emulsifier. Four samples were prepared using the formulation base and a synthetic preservative, methylparaben, in concentrations 0.2% and 0.3%, and a natural preservative, lemongrass essential oil, in concentrations, 1%, and 2%. The samples were stored for 4 weeks in room conditions. They were evaluated immediately after preparation and for four weeks related to smell, color, odor, consistency, homogeneity, pH, phase separation, viscosity changes and microbial growth. After two weeks, there was a phase separation in two formulations with methylparaben. After four weeks, other formulations were stable in odor, appearance, color, homogeneity. The essential oils didn’t significantly affect the pH values of the formulation, it was in the recommended range. Adding the essential oil affected the viscosity of the formulation base, and the more the concentration of essential oil was more the viscosity of the formulation lowered. The emulsions formulated with lemongrass essential oil had no microbial and fungal growth, so the self-preserving effect was demonstrated. We concluded that cosmetic emulsion entrapped with lemongrass essential oil in a concentration of 1% showed promising stability, physicochemical characteristics and self-preserving effect in room storage conditions.

ENCAPSULATION OF ANTIOXIDANT PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS IN ZEIN ULTRA-THIN FIBERS VIA ELECTROSPINNING

Phenolic compounds are of great interest for the food industry, in particular due to their antioxidant capacity. Nevertheless, their relevance as bioactive substances is often hindered by poor stability and solubility. Phenolic compounds can be encapsulated for that better maintaining their bioactivity. In this work, we explore an alternative for the encapsulation of phenolics using zein (Z), a food-grade biopolymer, as the carrier material. In particular, gallic acid (GA) and naringenin (NAR) were homogeneously incorporated in ultrathin zein fibers by means of a simple one-step electrospinning process. Morphology, cargo stability and cargo-carrier molecular interaction were studied. The phenolics release behavior was analyzed in aqueous media at different pH conditions. Pure Z fibers present a ribbon-like structure of variable dimensions, characteristically ranging between 230 – 396 nm in width up to 0.8 μm. Incorporation of the antioxidants did not visibly affect this morphology. Loading values were 4.93 ± 0.15% (GA) and 5.12 ± 0.60% (NAR). Phenolic loadings remained stable for the period observed (~3 months) at room storage conditions. Release studies revealed a burst release trend with a cumulative release threshold minimum for pH 2 and maximum for pH 7. Results show that this is a promising approach for phenolic compounds encapsulation.

The effects of ACS (1-aminocyclopropane-l-carboxylate synthase) gene down regulation on ethylene production and fruit softening in transgenic apple

A detailed examination of the production of ethylene and other ripening parameters during storage period has been undertaken in transgenic apple fruits, where the ethylene biosynthesis was inhibited by antisense ACS (l-aminocyclopropane-l-carboxylate synthase) gene. Data indicate down regulation of ethylene production, softening and spoilage in some transgenic lines. In some cases ethylene production was inhibited for over 90 percent, considerable reduction of softening and spoilage was observed probably due to the reduced activity of cell wall degradable enzymes. ACS activity was also monitored during ripening. The fruits of the best transgenic lines could be stored for minimum 4-5 months longer under 5 °C cold room storage conditions and one month longer at normal room temperature. This molecular approach can provide an alternative way to replace the commonly used and costly atmospheric storage of fruits.

Monitoring post‐harvest quality of Granny Smith apple under simulated shelf‐life conditions: destructive, non‐destructive and analytical measurements

The purpose of this research was to use destructive and non‐destructive measurement methods to evaluate Granny Smith apple quality changes under room storage conditions (20°C, 65% relative humidity) and to relate it to internal structure changes as observed using light microscopy. The Granny Smith apple Firmness was non‐destructively measured with forced vibration and acoustic impulse techniques. At the determined time intervals, compression and tensile tests were carried out to determine apple Flesh mechanical properties. The cell‐wall rupture was examined with light microscopy. The pH value, internal air space (IAS), soluble solids concentration (SSC), colour changes and weight losses of the apples were also monitored during storage. Apple Firmness measured with forced vibration correlated well with the impulse test. The acoustic impulse measurement had less deviation compared with the vibration test. The pH value and IAS increased during storage at room temperature. The Granny Smith apple has a long storage life and the criteria for the mealiness are suggested from compression and tensile tests.

Dormancy patterns in accessions of caryopses from savanna grass species in South Eastern Botswana

SUMMARY Caryopsis dormancy patterns of indigenous grass species from South Eastern Botswana were studied. Observed dormancy patterns in accessions from Aristida congesta, Aristida stipitata, Chloris virgata, Eragrostis superba, Eragrostis rigidior, Heteropogon contortus, Rhyncelytrium repens, Schmidtia pappophoroides, and Tragus berteronianus, indicated a drought avoidance dormancy syndrome while caryopses from Cynodon dactylon did not show dormancy. Under room storage conditions, most accessions lost at least part of their dormancy within 6 to 12 months. For some species differences in dormancy pattern were observed between accessions from the same season, as well as for accessions from different seasons. As the type of dispersal unit of the plant may influence its dormancy mechanisms, it is argued, that studies of dormancy patterns and mechanisms of indigenous grass species should include information on the seed dispersal strategy of the species and be based on the comparison of more than one accession.

Testing method of pre-harvest sprouting and genealogical pedigree of pre-harvest sprouting resistant cultivars in wheat.

Sprouting damage in wheat usually occurs at the ripening stage which coincides with the rainy season in Japan. The attempts to test a great breeding lines for sprouting resistance have not been successful. The objectives of our studies were to develop effective testing methods for the selection of lines with pre-harvest sprouting resistance and analyze the genealogical pedigree of resistant cultivars in wheat. In the first part of the study, the sprouting percentage immediately after sampling was found to be high at 35 and 55 days after heading (DAH), and low at 45 DAH (near maturity) except for Saitama 27, while the sprouting percentage one month after sampling increased with the number of days after heading (Fig. 1). The sprouting percentage depending on the storge conditions among 19 cultivars increased in proportion to the storage ternperature, namely, in the order of -16°C0°C16°CRoom. The sprouting differences observed immediately after sampling were significantly correlated with the 0°C (r=0.691**), 16°C (r=0.489*), room (r=0.550*) storage conditions for 1 month and room storage conditions for 2 months (r=0.628**), but were not correlated with the O°C and 16°C for 2 months among 19 cultivars. The sproutng performance at different ripening stages under constant ternperature testing conditions (17°C) and alternating temperature testing conditions (25°C in day time for 12 hrs. and 15°C at night for 12 hrs.) was very similar but the sprouting percentage under the constant temperature testing conditions was higher than that under the alternating ones (Fig. 2). The sprouting differences among cultivars immediately after sampling were observed at 14 days after simulated rain treatment, while at 6 days after simulated rain treatment in stored spikes (Fig. 3). A significant correlation was observed between sprouting immediately after sampling and sprouting of spikes wrapped with wetted filter paper (filter paper wrapping method) under different testing temperatures (16°C, 21°C, 26°C, 31°C, 26°C+16°C).

Carbohydrate content of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers treated with Isopropyl‐N (3‐chlorophenyl) carbamate under different storage conditions

AbstractPost harvest application of Isopropyl‐N (3‐chlorophenyl) carbamate considerably reduced the degradation of starch when potato tubers were stored in an evaporative cooling chamber. The starch degraded at a faster rate when tubers were kept under refrigerated and room storage conditions.