Yellow Skin Color Research Articles

MEASUREMENT OF MANGO FIRMNESS BY NON-DESTRUCTIVE LIMITED COMPRESSION TECHNIQUE

Thai mango ‘Nam Dok Mai Si-Thong’ has an attractive golden yellow skin colour even in immature fruit, not ready for consumption. Firmness becomes an important quality attribute to assess the ripening stage of the fruit during storage. In this study, the possibility of a non-destructive method using a texture analyser for assessing the firmness behaviour during storage was investigated in three different experiments for (1) probe selection, (2) distance selection using the selected probe and (3) evaluation of the selected probe and distance on mango quality. The results revealed that an aluminium flat probe with 35 mm diameter is a suitable probe for measurement. Limited distance compression at 1 mm was selected since that combination did not leave any compression marks on the fully ripened mangoes. Evaluation of mango quality attributes obtained by this technique could be used to assess non-destructively the firmness behaviour of the mango fruit during storage. The technique can be used to monitor the firmness of mango fruit on an individual basis, using the same fruit in successive assessments. Non-linear indexed regression can be applied to extract information on the behaviour and variation of firmness of individual mangoes. Obtained explained parts (R2adj) frequently are well over 90%.

TABLE GRAPE BREEDING AT THE BEIJING INSTITUTE OF FORESTRY AND POMOLOGY

A breeding program was started in the Institute of Forestry and Pomology 40 years ago aiming to develop early ripening table grape cultivars with ?Muscat? flavor and good adaptability for local areas. Since that time approximately 150,000 hybrid plants have been grown resulting from 2,500 hybridizations. To date, twelve table grape cultivars have been released, among them, ten cultivars were obtained by interspecific hybridization in the species of Vitis vinifera, and two cultivars were selected from interspecific hybridization between V. vinifera and Vitis labrusca. ?Aishenmeigui? is a seedless cultivar with a purple-reddish color and sweet ?Muscat? flavor. It matures extremely early, usually at middle to late July. ?Zaomeiguixiang? is a cultivar with a color and eating quality that is similar to its female parent ?Muscat of Hamburg? but matures four weeks earlier. ?Xiangfei? is a green seeded cultivar that matures at early August with very strong ?Muscat? flavor and crisp flesh, average berry weight is 7-8 g. ?Zaomanao? is a red seeded cultivar that matures at the third to fourth week of July and has good resistance to cold. ?Cuiyu? is a seeded cultivar with yellow green skin color and good resistance to disease. ?Ruiduxiangyu? is a very crispy and sweet cultivar, with good cluster shape, berry size over 18 mm, and like its male parent ?Xiangfei?, has ?Muscat? flavor. ?Yanhong? is a late ripening seeded cultivar with good resistance to disease. ?Ruiducuixia? is a seeded cultivar that matures in early August, with beautiful red color and very crisp flesh. ?Zizhenzhu? has purple skin color with good shipping quality. ?Ruiduwuheyi? is a late ripening seedless cultivar with purple reddish color; natural berry weight is 7.8 g. ?Fenghou? is selected from the seedlings of ?Kyoho? but with firmer flesh and better shipping quality. ?Ruifengwuhe? is from a seedless mutation of ?Pione? and it matures in middle September. These cultivars have been used in the Beijing area and have spread to some northern provinces. The program aims to release more seedless cultivars with ?Muscat? flavor.

CARACTERIZAÇÃO PÓS-COLHEITA E SENSORIAL DE GENÓTIPOS DE BANANEIRAS TIPO PRATA

RESUMOO norte de Minas Gerais é grande produtor de banana ‘Prata-Anã’ irrigada, cultura altamente suscetível ao Mal-do-Panamá. O uso de genótipos resistentes é uma alternativa, mas os frutos devem apresentar características pós-colheita o mais próximo possível da ‘Prata-Anã’, para melhor aceitação pelos consumidores. O objetivo do trabalho foi caracterizar frutos em pós-colheita, identificar a preferência e a intenção de compra de diferentes genótipos de bananeira tipo Prata. Os genótipos Prata-Anã, BRS Platina e Fhia-18. foram caracterizados no ponto de colheita (verdes) e maduros (estádio seis de maturação), por avaliações químicas, físicas e sensoriais. Quando verde, ‘BRS Platina’ apresentou maior massa fresca e tamanho que ‘Fhia-18’ e ‘Prata-Anã’. ‘Fhia-18.’ teve a tonalidade verde da casca mais intensa que a dos demais genótipos. Madura, ‘BRS Platina’ foi mais firme, mas com a mesma resistência ao despencamento que ‘Fhia-18’ e superior à ‘Prata-Anã’. ‘Fhia-18’ apresentou cor da casca com amarelo mais clara e tão brilhante quanto da ‘Prata-Anã’, mas ‘BRS Platina’ teve a tonalidade de amarelo mais intensa. Bananas ‘Fhia-18’ foram mais ácidas, ‘BRS Platina’, com menor acidez titulável, e ‘Prata-Anã’, o maior teor de sólidos solúveis. Os genótipos Prata-Anã e BRS Platina tiveram maior preferência e intenção de compra pelos consumidores, sendo as bananas ‘Prata-Anã’ em dedos e ‘BRS Platina’ e ‘Fhia-18’ em dedos, buquê e penca, as mais preferidas. Entretanto, a maioria compraria bananas ‘Prata-Anã’ em buquê e ‘BRS Platina’ e ‘Fhia-18’ em penca. Enquanto verdes, os genótipos foram semelhantes à ‘Prata-Anã’, e maiores diferenças químicas e físicas ocorreram quando maduros.

Changes in the aroma of organic passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa Deg.) during ripeness

The odoriferous importance of volatile compounds during maturation of organic passion fruit was studied. The volatile compounds were analyzed using GC-FID-OSME and GC-MS. The volatile profile changed throughout maturation. Relative peak area improved from the 1/3 to 2/3 yellow skin color state of ripeness and was still improved from the 2/3 to 3/3, but the profile remained. Ethyl butanoate showed the highest relative peak area and importance for the aroma of the organic passion fruit in the 1/3 yellow skin color. Ethyl butanoate and hexanoate, propyl acetate and alpha-terpineol showed odoriferous importance from the 2/3 yellow skin color, and together with diethyl carbonate and cis-3-hexen-1-ol were the most important compounds in the 3/3 yellow skin color state of ripeness. PCA allowed clearly differentiate all ripening states, indicating that hexanal and caramel, earthy and synthetic aroma were most closely associated with the unripe passion fruit. 2-methylpropyl acetate characterized the passion fruit at the 2/3 yellow skin color together with cis-beta-ocimene, benzaldehyde and aroma sweet and passion fruit, skin, which also were associated with the 3/3 yellow skin color. Esters, terpenes, alcohols, octanal, dodecanol and aroma of passion fruit, fruity, citric, candy and plastic were closely associated with the whole maturation.

Prevalence of hepatitis C in selected patients in Parachinar, Kurrum Agency, Pakistan

A survey prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Patients in Parachinar, Kurrum Agency , Pakistan was performed from March 2010 to March 2011. 100 positive HCV cases were selected and interviewed. The highest prevalence of HCV was found in 36% males and 8% females with aged 16-30 years. HCV infection in married 55% males and 10% females. Population in rural area was more affected as in males 72% and females 10%. Socioeconomic condition of the cases belongs to business class people, in which 74% male and 7% females +ve. Risk factors of HCV patients from higher to lower range as share syringe were found in males 31% and females 7%, patients with surgical operations were in males 17% and females 12%. Health care workers, in 14% males and no female was affected. Sexually transmission of HCV, in males 3% and females 2%. Symptoms of HCV found in patients with descending order: abdominal pain in males 67% and females 12%; fatigue in males 65% and females 12%; fever in males 64% and females 6%; yellow skin color in males 53% and females 7%; dark color urine in males 35% and females 7%; rashes in males 35% and females 6%; vomiting in males 21% and females 4%; pale color stool in males 19% and females 5%. The HCV was diagnosed by strip, ELISA and PCR methods. Strip method was performed by males 9% and females 3%. The ELISA was performed by 74% males and 9% females while PCR was performed by only 2% males.

A New Grafted Cactus with Bright Yellow Color, 'Hwangseon'

A new grafted cactus cultivar, called 'Hwangseon', Gymnocalycium mihanovichii, is a hybrid crossed between two orange color cultivars 'Geoseong' and 'Huhwang'. Mating was performed in the greenhouse of National Institute of Horticultural & Herbal Science (NIHHS) in 2005. The harvested seeds were sown at 100 mL volumetric flasks filled with 'Kyoto' medium. Seedling had been grafted into a young rootstock, Hylocereus trigonus, and cultured in vitro in 100 mL test tube for more than six months. After re-grafting and planting in the green house in 2006, their characteristics were evaluated three times until 2009. The new cultivar has a flat round shape and bright yellow skin color. In addition, it has 7 to 9 ribs with gray and straight spines on the body and produces an average of 12.3 offsets.

Perfil epidemiológico da díade mãe-bebê internados em alojamento conjunto obstétrico de um hospital universitário para tratamento de hiperbilirrubinemia do recém-nascido

Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, clinically identified by jaundice, is characterized by a yellow skin color and mucous membranes. Normal treatment consists of phototherapy which, combined with postpartum emotions and concerns, may cause conflicts and mother’s resistance to treatment. Hospitalization period may therefore be prolonged. The epidemiological profile of mothers and newborn infant undergoing phototherapy in obstetric twin-room is identified. Analysis comprises a quantitative, exploratory and descriptive study comprising the collection of data collection by a structured questionnaire and by retrieval of clinical records. Data analysis was used for descriptive non-probabilistic statistics. Data highlighted the individual, social, obstetric and others characteristics related to the newborn. Current research showed that variables such as mothers’ age bracket, schooling, predominance of white skin color, mother's occupation, family income, blood group, complications during pregnancy, labor or delivery, drugs used during labor and birth, sex of the newborn, newborn’s blood group and exclusively breastfeeding nutrition were the main predictive factors of jaundice in newborns in the obstetric twin-room under analysis.

Cystinosis Presenting with Findings of Bartter Syndrome - Case Report

A five-year-old boy was referred to our pediatric clinic for evaluation of failure to thrive, headache, intermittent high fever, restlessness, polyuria, and polydipsia. His weight and height measurements were under the 3rd percentile. Clinical findings consisted of frontal bossing, carious teeth, O-bain deformity of the lower extremities, and moderate dehydration. The presence of metabolic alkalosis, hypokalemia, hypochloremia, and high renin and aldosterone levels were suggestive of Bartter syndrome and a treatment regimen for Bartter syndrome was started. At follow-up, the polyuria and hyponatremia were found to persist. A reassessment of the patient revealed findings consistent with proximal renal tubular acidosis such as metabolic acidosis with a high urinary pH, proteinuria, aminoaciduria with phosphaturia and hypercalciuria. Based on the presence of parental consanguinity as well as polyuria, proteinuria, low tubular reabsorption of phosphorus, generalized aminoaciduria, light yellow skin and hair color, the probable diagnosis of cystinosis was established and was confirmed by slit-lamp examination of the cornea showing cystine crystal deposition. Our case is a good example demonstrating that development of metabolic alkalosis does not exclude cystinosis and that all findings of the patient should be thoroughly evaluated.Conflict of interest:None declared.

INFLUENCE OF FRUIT BAGGING ON POSTHARVEST QUALITY OF 'HARUMANIS' MANGO (MANGIFERA INDICA L.)

One of the famous varieties of mango in Malaysia is 'Harumanis' mango. It is pleasant in smell and sweet in taste with orange pulp. The skin remains green although it has ripened. These green-riped mango gains low priority on the market due to consumers preference of fruit with a yellow skin color as an indicator of ripeness. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the influence of bagging on postharvest quality of 'Harumanis' mango. Five types of bagging bags with 3 replications were used to bag young mango fruit at the age of 8 weeks after flower anthesis. The 5 different bags were constructed using old newspaper, brown and black paper. Fruits were manually harvested at 8 weeks after bagging when the fruits have matured. The ripening operation was initiated by using 10 ml/L of ethylene for 24h at 26°C. Postharvest quality such as skin and pulp color, skin chlorophylls and carotenoid content, pulp firmness, soluble solids concentration (SSC), pH, titratable acidity (TA), vitamin C, weight loss, skin glossiness and disease severity were determined at day 0,1, 3 and 5. The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design and obtained data were analyzed using analysis of variance and mean separation following the Least Significant Difference method. Bagging 'Harumanis' mango fruit during preharvest with different color of paper did not affect mango pulp color, carotenoid content, weight loss, pulp firmness, SSC, pH, TA, vitamin C, skin glossiness and disease severity. However, bagging using brown and/or black paper had shown significant effect on skin color and chlorophylls content of 'Harumanis' mango fruit.

RESPONSE OF PAPAYA ('EKSOTIKA') FRUIT TO DIFFERENT 1-METHYLCYCLOPROPENE CONCENTRATIONS

Treatment of papaya (Carica papaya L.) 'Eksotika' at the 5% yellow stage of maturity with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) at 90 or 270 ppb for 12 h, and subsequent storage at ambient temperature, delayed reaching full yellow skin colour from day 6 for control fruit to day 10 and day 12 for the 90 and 270 ppb 1-MCP treated fruit, respectively. Softening was delayed and mesocarp tissues attained acceptable softness when treated with 90 ppb 1-MCP. However, exposure to 270 ppb significantly retarded fruit softening. Fruit at an advanced stage of maturity (25% yellow) treated with 90 ppb 1-MCP took 8 days to reach full colour compared to 4 days for the non-treated fruit, and softening was slightly delayed. Activities of antioxidant enzymes in fruit treated at the 5% yellow stage with 90 or 270 ppb 1-MCP were measured. 1-MCP at both 90 and 270 ppb had the same effect on antioxidant enzyme activity. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was enhanced whereas catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were maintained at about the same level in both 90 and 270 ppb 1-MCP-treated fruit as control fruit. This suggests that 1-MCP may influence antioxidant capacity of fruit. Overall, for 'Eksotika' papayas to be stored at ambient temperature, treatment of fruit at the 5% yellow stage of maturity with 90 ppb 1-MCP seems promising for retarding ripening, maintaining quality including tissue softness, and perhaps also improving the antioxidant capacity of the fruit.

Effect of biocontrol agent Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and 1-methyl cyclopropene on the control of postharvest diseases and maintenance of fruit quality

Efficacy of biocontrol agent Bacillus amyloliquefaciens PPCB004 was evaluated on the control of anthracnose and phomopsis rot in ‘Solo’ papaya pre-treated with 1-methyl cyclopropene (100 μl) (1-MCP) during storage. This treatment was compared to the untreated control, commercial treatment (washing in chlorinated water), stand alone 1-MCP and PPCB004 treatment. Although fruit pre-treated with 1-MCP delayed the ripening (100% yellow) after cold storage by 9–10 d, it showed higher incidence and severity of anthracnose and phomopsis rot than the fruit subjected to commercial treatment. Application of PPCB004 after 1-MCP pre-treatment (1-MCP + PPCB004) reduced the anthracnose and phomopsis incidence and severity after cold storage (10 °C, 85% RH for 14 d) and ripening at 25 °C. The 1-MCP + PPCB004 treatment helped to retain the fruit firmness, overall quality and uniform yellow skin (100%) and flesh colour after ripening. The PPCB004 was effectively recovered from stand alone PPCB004 and 1-MCP + PPCB004 treated fruit after cold storage and ripening. The PPCB004 population showed an increase by 1 log units after ripening in 1-MCP + PPCB004 treated fruit. After ripening the recovery of PPCB004 population was higher (0.7 log units) in 1-MCP + PPCB004. The total recovery of fungal population on the fruit surface after ripening was lower in 1-MCP + PPCB004 and stand alone PPCB004 treated fruit. It can be concluded that application of B. amyloliquefaciens PPCB004 with 1-MCP pre-treated papaya (at 25–30% skin yellow stage) can significantly reduce disease incidence associated with 1-MCP treatment. This treatment has the potential for commercial application in the ‘organic’ papaya industry.

Sequential Use of Nitazoxanide (NTZ) as a Salvage Therapy in Patient with Recurrent Mild to Moderate Clostridium Difficile Infection (CDI): A Prospective, Open-label, Randomized Clinical Trial

Purpose: Vancomycin and metronidazole are currently the recommended therapies for CDI. Treatment failure is due to increasing antimicrobial resistance, insufficient length of therapy, and suboptimal drug exposure. Recurrence is estimated up to 20-50% in susceptible populations. We utilize a novel sequential nitazoxanide treatment for 28 days for recurrent CDI. Methods: Thirty (n=30) patients (age: 57.9±8.1 years; 13 non-hospital and 17 hospital acquired) were treated with oral vancomycin or metronidazole for 14 days and had recurrent CDI within 60 days posttreatment. All patients had abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea >3 times/day, leukocytes >12,000, and positive stool toxin assay with Elisa A/B. All were randomized into two groups: Group A (n=15) patients received nitazoxanide 500 mg BID for 14 days, followed by 250 mg BID for 7 days, followed by 125 mg BID for 7 days; Group (n=15) received vancomycin 250 mg QID for 14 days, followed by 250 mg BID for 7 days, followed by 125 mg BID for 7 days. Exclusion criteria: sepsis, toxic megacolon, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, other colitidies, renal sufficiency, probiotic use, immunocompromised state, hemodialysis, or recent chemotherapy. Results: Stool assay PCR for CDI was negative in 10/15 (66.7%) patients after sequential nitazoxanide treatment and in 11/15 (73.3%) patients with sequential vancomycin therapy. There was no significant difference (p=0.99, Fisher's exact test) in fecal eradication rate of CDI between the two treatment groups. Side effects with nitazoxanide treatment were minimal including nausea (n=3), vomiting (n=1), constipation (n=4), bloating (n=2), loss of appetite (n=5), and yellow skin color (n=3). This was comparable to vancomycin. Conclusion: This novel sequential therapy with nitazoxanide shows a comparable cure rate to sequential oral vancomycin treatment for recurrent CDI. Nitazoxanide has an advantageous cost benefit over oral vancomycin with minimal side effects. A larger, double-blinded clinical trial is warranted for validation.

PL-003 Studies on constructing epidemic dynamic system model and applying contact network technique to novel influenza

Objectives: Vancomycin and metronidazole are currently the recommend therapies for CDI. Treatment failure is due to increasing antimicrobial resistance, insufficient length of therapy and suboptimal drug exposure. Recurrence is estimated up to 20 50% in susceptible populations. We utilize a novel sequential nitazoxanide treatment for 28 days for recurrent CDI. Methods: Thirty (n = 30) patients (age:57.9±8.1 years; 13 non-hospital and 17 hospital acquired) were treated with oral vancomycin or metronidazole for 14 days and had recurrent CDI within 60 days post treatment. All patients had abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea >3 times/day, leukocytes >12,000, and positive stool toxin assay with Elisa A/B. All were randomized into two groups: Group A (n = 15) patients received nitazoxanide 500mg BID for 14 days, followed by 250mg BID for 7 days, followed by 125mg BID for 7 days; Group B (n = 15) received vancomycin 250mg QID for 14 days, followed by 250mg BID for 7 days, followed by 125mg BID for 7 days. Exclusion criteria: sepsis, toxic megacolon, inflammatory bowel disease, Celiac disease, other colitidies, renal sufficiency, probiotic use, immunocompromized state, hemodialysis, or recent chemotherapy. Results: Stool assay PCR for CDI was negative in 10/15 (66.7%) patients after sequential nitazoxanide treatment and in 11/15 (73.3%) patients with sequential vancomycin therapy. There was no significant difference (p = 0.99, Fisher’s exact test) in fecal eradication rate of CDI between the two treatment groups. Side effects with nitazoxanide treatment were minimal including nausea (n = 3), vomiting (n = 1), constipation (n = 4), bloating (n = 2), loss of appetite (n = 5), and yellow skin color (n = 3). This was comparable to vancomycin. Conclusion: This novel sequential therapy with nitazoxanide shows a comparable cure rate to sequential oral vancomycin treatment for recurrent CDI. Nitazoxanide has an advantageous cost benefit over oral vancomycin with minimal side effects. A larger, double-blinded clinical trial is warranted for validation.

OL-011 Clinical features and 3-month follow up study of pneumonia caused by influenza A (H1N1) virus in Beijing, China

Objectives: Vancomycin and metronidazole are currently the recommend therapies for CDI. Treatment failure is due to increasing antimicrobial resistance, insufficient length of therapy and suboptimal drug exposure. Recurrence is estimated up to 20 50% in susceptible populations. We utilize a novel sequential nitazoxanide treatment for 28 days for recurrent CDI. Methods: Thirty (n = 30) patients (age:57.9±8.1 years; 13 non-hospital and 17 hospital acquired) were treated with oral vancomycin or metronidazole for 14 days and had recurrent CDI within 60 days post treatment. All patients had abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea >3 times/day, leukocytes >12,000, and positive stool toxin assay with Elisa A/B. All were randomized into two groups: Group A (n = 15) patients received nitazoxanide 500mg BID for 14 days, followed by 250mg BID for 7 days, followed by 125mg BID for 7 days; Group B (n = 15) received vancomycin 250mg QID for 14 days, followed by 250mg BID for 7 days, followed by 125mg BID for 7 days. Exclusion criteria: sepsis, toxic megacolon, inflammatory bowel disease, Celiac disease, other colitidies, renal sufficiency, probiotic use, immunocompromized state, hemodialysis, or recent chemotherapy. Results: Stool assay PCR for CDI was negative in 10/15 (66.7%) patients after sequential nitazoxanide treatment and in 11/15 (73.3%) patients with sequential vancomycin therapy. There was no significant difference (p = 0.99, Fisher’s exact test) in fecal eradication rate of CDI between the two treatment groups. Side effects with nitazoxanide treatment were minimal including nausea (n = 3), vomiting (n = 1), constipation (n = 4), bloating (n = 2), loss of appetite (n = 5), and yellow skin color (n = 3). This was comparable to vancomycin. Conclusion: This novel sequential therapy with nitazoxanide shows a comparable cure rate to sequential oral vancomycin treatment for recurrent CDI. Nitazoxanide has an advantageous cost benefit over oral vancomycin with minimal side effects. A larger, double-blinded clinical trial is warranted for validation.

MATURATION PHYSIOLOGY UNDER MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE OF 'PRATA' BANANA TREATED POSTHARVEST WITH 1-METHYLCYCLOPROPENE

The aim of this research was to evaluate the influence of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and modified atmosphere packaging on the maturation of banana cultivar 'Prata' harvested in the maturation stage 1. Banana hands were treated at room temperature with 0 and 60 ppb 1-MCP in sealed plastic chambers of 0.19 m 3 , during 24 hours. Following the exposition to 1-MCP, a set of three fruits were packed in polystyrene trays and packed using Xtend™ film (Stepac, L. A., Israel) for modified atmosphere generation and kept under ambient (AA) and modified atmospheres (MA) at 15°C and 90±2% of Relative Humidity and room temperature (23±2°C and 85±2% RH). At each evaluation period, three replications (1 set of three fruit/rep) from each treatment were used. 1-MCP application delayed the onset of respiratory peak, also maintained fruit gloss and retarded the increase in the a * and b * values, which is a result of the also delayed transition from the green to the yellow skin color. However, the development of the skin yellow color was very irregular at 15°C storage. On the other hand, 1-MCP treatment resulted in a more intense skin yellow color development for fruits kept at room temperature.

RESULTS OF AN APRICOT BREEDING PROGRAMME AT THE CRA - FRU

A breeding programme was started about 25 years ago with the following main objectives: the extension of the ripening or marketing period, that now extends over 45-50 days; greater ability of cultivars to adapt to different climate conditions; big fruit size; round shaped or slightly heart-shaped fruit; yellow or orange skin colour with red blush; excellent organoleptic characteristics, which are often unsatisfactory in more recently introduced varieties. The programme allowed carrying out a series of observations about the way important fruit characters such as organoleptic quality, fruit size and shape, flesh colour and firmness, ripening time and resistance to Monilinia spp. are transmitted to the progeny. It also produced 21 advanced selections, of which at least three are considered as candidate to be introduced into the market.

Postharvest physiology and browning of longkong ( Aglaia dookkoo Griff.) fruit under ambient conditions

Longkong ( Aglaia dookkoo Griff.) fruit rapidly loses its yellow skin color and turns brown after harvest. We aimed to elucidate the postharvest physiology and browning mechanism of longkong fruit stored at a 70–85% RH and at room temperature (25 °C). The respiration rate slightly decreased with progressive fruit browning, while ethylene production was dramatically increased. Preliminary experiments showed that ethylene treatment markedly increased peel browning, suggesting that this is induced by ethylene. The peel L-value continuously decreased during storage, in relation to the severity of peel browning. The peel surface morphological data indicated that the ultrastructure of longkong peel collapsed after harvest, especially around brown areas. The total phenolic content of peel tissue rapidly increased, concomitant with rapid increases in phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity and browning score on day 2. Tissue from the lower part of the fruit had higher total phenolic contents, as well as polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and PAL activities, compared to the top and middle parts of the fruit; however, peroxidase (POD) activity slightly changed during storage, possibly independent of phenol oxidation. The browning of longkong peel was not associated with changes in soluble solids contents, titratable acidity or ascorbic acid levels.

Biodiversity, Ex-Situ Conservation and Characterization of Cornelian Cherry (Cornus Mas L.) Genotypes in Turkey

ABSTRACTTurkey has a rich gene pool of cornelian cherry genotypes adapted to different local conditions in different regions of the country. Most trees are open pollinated seedlings of wild genotypes which vary widely in terms of productivity and fruit characteristics. Seed propagation and long-term human selection has also given rise to a great diversity of trees. However, this gene pool is threatened by genetic erosion. The purpose of this study was to determine biodiversity on fruit characteristics of cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) germplasm established at Fruit Research Institute, Malatya-Turkey. The germplasm are consisting 41 genotypes previously selected from the most important cornelian cherry growing areas in Turkey. Twelve fruit parameters were studied in this germplasm to determine biodiversity. A wide variation was found among genotypes in fruit properties. Fruit weight varied from 1.4 to 9.2 g among genotypes. On average, the genotypes had 17% SSC content with the range of 11.3% (44–03) to 25.9% (44–27). In general most of the genotypes had various degree of red skin color, whereas two genotypes (44–03 and 44–17) had yellow skin color.

Effect of harvest maturity stage on the sensory quality of ‘Palsteyn’ apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) after cold storage

SummaryFresh apricots (Prunus armeniaca L.) are in high demand, but are available for only a short period during the Spring and the beginning of the Summer. There is no information on the correct harvest maturity stage that should be chosen to ensure a long post-harvest life and high sensory quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of maturity stage at harvest on the sensory quality of ‘Palsteyn’ apricots after 14, 28, or 42 d in cold storage. Sourness, flavour, and acceptability showed major changes during cold storage. Ripe fruit (orange-yellow skin colour) showed the highest acceptability, as assessed by a “mini-consumer test” (i.e., an untrained panel; n = 36). Fruit harvested at an intermediate stage of maturity (light yellow skin colour) reached an average acceptability, while unripe fruit (greenish skin colour) were not acceptable. After 28 d of cold storage, fruits were still acceptable; but, after 42 d, fruits reached the “dislike” zone. On a principal component analysis, acceptability was shown to be positively associated with sweetness, flavour, juiciness, and aroma, and negatively associated with sourness. After 28 d and 42 d of cold storage, unripe fruit appeared to have low acceptability and quality attributes. ‘Palsteyn’ apricot harvested with an orange-yellow skin colour, as the least ripe fruits, showed that they could reach high sensory quality standards and were able to withstand long periods of cold storage.

Color memory match under disparate viewing conditions

A color memory experiment with 5 colors (red, green, blue, yellow, and Caucasian skin color) was carried out. The color patches, shown on an LCD monitor, was memorized under a given viewing condition. The mixing of the memory color was then done first under the same viewing condition, and subsequently under other two altered viewing conditions. The conditions were different in the background and surround parameters. The color appearance model CIECAM02 was then used to predict color attributes under the altered viewing conditions. The lowest color memory shift in hue attribute was found for the red color. CIECAM02 seemed to have some limitation in colorfulness and chroma attribute prediction, for colors viewed on a black background. The result show, that the color attributes prediction in color memory experiment was not successful.