EFFECT OF OXYGEN CONCENTRATION ON THE BIOCHEMICAL AND CHEMICAL CHANGES OF STORED LONGAN FRUIT

ABSTRACT

Longan fruits were stored for 6 days in atmosphere of 5, 21 (air) or 60% O₂ (balance N₂) at 28C and 90–95% relative humidity to examine effects of low and high O₂ concentration on enzymatic browning and quality attributes of the fruit. Changes in pericarp browning, pulp breakdown, disease development, total phenol content, activities of phenol metabolism‐associated enzymes, relative leakage rate, α,α‐diphenyl‐β‐picrylhydrazy (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, and contents of total soluble solids, titratable acidity and ascorbic acid were evaluated. Storage of fruit in a 5% O₂ atmosphere markedly delayed pericarp browning in association with maintenance of high total phenolic content and reduced activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD) and phenylalanine ammonia lyase. Moreover, the fruit stored in a 5% O₂ atmosphere exhibited a lower relative leakage rate and higher DPPH radical scavenging activity than fruit stored in air. This presumably was beneficial in maintaining compartmentation of enzymes and substrates, and thus, reducing pericarp browning. Pulp breakdown and disease development were also reduced by exposure to a 5% oxygenatmosphere. On the contrary, exposure of longan fruit to a 60% O₂ atmosphere accelerated pericarp browning, pulp breakdown and decay development. PPO and POD activities and relative leakage rate were similar for control and 60% O₂‐treated fruit after 4 and 6 days of storage. Furthermore, treatment with 60% O₂ significantly decreased the phenolic content and DPPH scavenging activity of fruit. In addition, exposure to 5 or 60% O₂ resulted in a higher level of total soluble solids, but a lower level of ascorbic acid of longan fruit flesh. In conclusion, exposure to a 5% O₂ atmosphere showed great potential to reduce pericarp browning and extend shelf life of longan fruit.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Pericarp browning and pulp breakdown are the major causes of deterioration in postharvest longan. Conventional controlled atmosphere with low O₂ and high CO₂ is effective in maintaining quality and extending shelf life of fruits and vegetables, including inhibition of tissue browning. In this study, 5%‐controlled atmosphere reduced significantly pericarp browning, pulp breakdown and rot development. It could potentially be useful as a postharvest technology of longan fruit for reducing or replacing the use of chemicals such as SO₂ and fungicides, but it requires further investigation.     

NO对采后龙眼常温贮藏效果的影响

以“石峡”龙眼(Dimocarpus longan Lour.cv.Shixia)为材料,研究了外源一氧化氮(NO)供体剂硝普纳(SNP)处理对龙眼保鲜效果的影响。结果表明:0.5mmol/L和1mmol/LSNP处理显著减缓了龙眼果皮褐变,降低了果实腐烂和果肉自溶,抑制了果皮POD活性。另外,SNP处理能保持果实较高的可溶性固形物和VC水平,而对可滴定酸含量影响不大。     

Inhibition of browning on the surface of peach slices by short-term exposure to nitric oxide and ascorbic acid

The effect of 0.2% ascorbic acid (AA), 5 μM nitric oxide (NO), and the simultaneous use of 0.2% AA and 5 μM NO solutions on inhibiting surface browning of fresh-cut peach slices stored at 10 °C and RH 95% was investigated. The browning index, relative leakage rate, microstructure, total phenol content, and activity of the phenol metabolism-associated enzymes phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) were evaluated. The results indicate that treatment with 0.2% AA, 5 μM NO and simultaneous use of 0.2% AA and 5 μM NO resulted in higher total phenol content, inhibition of PPO and POD activity, reduced membrane permeability and protection of cell microstructure to maintain compartmentation between enzymes and their substrates. In addition, NO increased PAL activity. The causes of inhibition in the browning of peach slices by NO are discussed.     

Effects of nitric oxide fumigation on phenolic metabolism of postharvest Chinese winter jujube (Zizyphus jujuba Mill. cv. Dongzao) in relation to fruit quality

The effect of nitric oxide fumigation on phenolic metabolism of harvested Chinese winter jujube in relation to the fruit quality was investigated. The fruits were fumigated for 3 h with NO (0, 10, 20 and 30 μl/l) then stored at 22 °C and RH 95%. Changes in color, phenol and anthocyanin levels in pericarp, activities of the related enzymes, and total soluble solids and vitamin C from mesocarp were measured. The results showed that treatment with 20 μl/l NO significantly slowed the increase in red index, inhibited changes of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activities, maintained a low total anthocyanin content and a high total phenol content, and delayed the increase of soluble solids and decrease of vitamin C. Treatment with NO solution at less than 1 μmol/l exhibited inhibitory effects on in vitro PPO and PAL activities in a dose-dependent manner.     

茉莉酸甲酯处理对采后龙眼果皮褐变的影响

本实验以10、50、100μmol/L MeJA处理‘储良’龙眼(Dimocarpus longan Lour.)果实,研究其对(20±1)℃、85%相对湿度贮藏条件下的龙眼果皮褐变的影响。结果表明：与对照组相比,MeJA处理可有效降低‘储良’龙眼采后果皮褐变指数、果皮细胞膜透性和果肉自溶指数,而且MeJA浓度越高,抑制效果越明显。与对照组相比,100μmol/L MeJA处理龙眼果实能够保持较高的果皮总酚和类黄酮含量,降低果皮多酚氧化酶活力,有效提高果皮过氧化物酶和苯丙氨酸解氨酶活力;另一方面,MeJA处理可以有效降低超氧阴离子自由基产生速率以及H₂O₂含量,有效增强抗氧化酶(超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶)活力以及1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼自由基清除能力,提高果皮抗氧化能力。综上,100μmol/L MeJA处理可抑制龙眼果实采后部分酚类物质代谢,增强其抗氧化能力,从而延缓龙眼采后果皮褐变的发生,延长贮藏保鲜期。     

‘东壁’和‘福眼’龙眼果实果皮褐变差异的生理机制

比较研究在温度（8±1）℃、相对湿度85%贮藏条件下‘东壁’和‘福眼’龙眼果实的果皮褐变差异及其与活性氧及酚类物质代谢的关系。结果表明：贮藏期间,‘东壁’龙眼果实的果皮褐变指数、果皮O2－·产生速率、丙二醛含量、细胞膜透性都显著低于‘福眼’龙眼,而活性氧清除酶（超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）、抗坏血酸氧化酶（APX））活性和内源抗氧化物质（还原型抗坏血酸（AsA）、还原型谷胱甘肽（GSH））含量都显著高于‘福眼’龙眼;‘东壁’龙眼果实的果皮多酚氧化酶（PPO）和过氧化物酶（POD）活性都低于‘福眼’龙眼,而果皮花色素苷、类黄酮和总酚含量则高于‘福眼’龙眼。因此,采后‘东壁’龙眼果实较不容易发生果皮褐变,与其具有较强的活性氧清除能力,能减少O2 － ·积累,减轻膜脂过氧化作用,较好地保持龙眼果皮细胞膜结构的完整性,延缓PPO、POD与酚类物质接触而减少酚类物质的酶促氧化褐变有关。     

The role of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase in the browning of water caltrop pericarp during heat treatment

The mechanism of browning involving enzymatic browning was investigated in the pericarp of water caltrop, an Asian vegetable popular for its taste and medicinal properties. Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) activities were determined in pericarp at various times and temperatures. Water caltrop consisted of 44.22% moisture content, 37.23% crude fibre, and 2.63% crude protein. PPO and POD activities dropped from 62 and 38 units/g sample, respectively, as water temperature was increased from 30 to 80 °C. Optimum pH and temperature for PPO activity was at pH 5.0, 25–45 °C, and POD activity peaked at 60 °C. High PPO and POD activities at 40–50 °C resulted in degradation of phenolic compounds, which led to increased aggregation of browning pigments and discolouration (lower L-values) of the pericarp. Enzymatic browning was determined as the major factor in the browning discolouration of heat-treated water caltrop pericarp.     

Identification of (−)-epicatechin as the direct substrate for polyphenol oxidase from longan fruit pericarp

Postharvest browning of longan fruit results in a short life and a reduced commercial value. The experiments were conducted to separate, then purify and finally identify the polyphenol oxidase (PPO) substrates that cause longan fruit to brown. PPO and its substrates were, respectively, extracted from longan fruit pericarp tissues. The substrate for longan PPO was separated and purified using polyamide column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography and silica gel column chromatography, respectively. The substrate was further identified by 0.5% FeCl₃ solution and enzymatic reaction with longan PPO. On the bases of UV, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and ESI-MS data, the direct substrate for the PPO from pericarp tissues of longan fruit was identified to be (−)-epicatechin. Furthermore, the contents of (−)-epicatechin of pericarp tissues of longan fruit of two major cultivars were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The HPLC analysis exhibited that the contents of (−)-epicatechin of fruit pericarp of ‘Shixia’ and ‘Chuliang’ were 0.26 and 0.56 mg/g on fresh weight (FW) basis at harvest and 0.15 and 0.09 mg/g FW after 3 days of storage. The more rapid decrease in the (−)-epicatechin content of ‘Chuliang’ was due to the oxidization catalyzed by PPO, which was in agreement with the higher browning index.     

Effect of hexanal vapour on longan fruit decay,quality and phenolic metabolism during cold storage

The effects of postharvest treatment with hexanal vapour on longan fruit decay, quality, hexanal residue, phenolic compound content, and polyphenoloxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) activities were studied during storage at 5 °C for 30 days. Hexanal exposure for 2 h at 900 μL L^?1 before cold storage reduced the percentage of fruit with decay and was deemed the optimum treatment. Hexanal exposure resulted in a pericarp that was more reddish brown and less intense in colour. Hexanal residue in the pericarp and aril of fumigated fruit was several fold higher than that of nonfumigated fruit, although levels were low at the end of cold storage. Electrolyte leakage of pericarp increased during 5 °C storage and was further increased by hexanal exposure. Hexanal reduced pericarp phenolic content, and increased PPO and POD activities. Overall, use of hexanal vapour reduced postharvest disease of longan fruit but increased the likelihood of pericarp browning.     

Exogenous salicylic acid inhibits browning of fresh-cut Chinese water chestnut

The potential usage of salicylic acid (SA) as a powerful anti-browning agent in fresh-cut Chinese water chestnut (CWC) was investigated. The fresh-cut CWC were dipped for 1 min in solutions of 0, 1, 2 or 4 mM SA, then placed in trays over-wrapped with plastic films, and finally stored at 4 °C. Changes in color, eating quality, and disease incidence were evaluated, while activities of phenol-associated enzymes, polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD) and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), and concentrations of total soluble solid, titratable acidity and ascorbic acid were measured. SA treatment delayed discoloration, maintained eating quality with higher content of the quality attributers, and reduced activities of or delayed the increases in activities of PPO, POD and PAL in fresh-cut CWC. However, SA had no significant inhibition of the activities of PPO and POD in an in vitro test, indicating that the beneficial effect of SA was indirect. Further research is needed to elucidate the inhibition of the surface browning of the fresh-cut CWC by SA.     

采前喷施胺鲜酯对采后龙眼果实贮藏期间病害发生的抑制作用及其机理

为阐明采前喷施胺鲜酯对采后龙眼果实贮藏期间病害发生的影响及其可能机理,用浓度为10 mg/kg的胺鲜酯溶液在‘福眼’龙眼盛花期后70、90、110 d各喷施果实1次,以蒸馏水喷施为对照,果实采收后在(28±1)℃下贮藏。采后贮藏期间取样测定龙眼果实感病指数、果皮木质素和总酚含量,以及果皮苯丙氨酸解氨酶、多酚氧化酶、过氧化物酶、几丁质酶和β-1,3-葡聚糖酶活力。结果发现:经采前喷施胺鲜酯的龙眼果实感病指数采后贮藏至第6 d比对照组低11.59%。与对照组龙眼果实相比,采前喷施胺鲜酯可降低采后龙眼果实贮藏期间的感病指数、果皮多酚氧化酶和过氧化物酶活力,保持较高的果皮苯丙氨酸解氨酶、几丁质酶和β-1,3-葡聚糖酶活力,以及果皮木质素和总酚含量。综合分析可知,采前喷施胺鲜酯能有效减轻龙眼果实采后病害的发生,这与采前喷施胺鲜酯能提高采后龙眼果实的果皮抗病相关酶活力和降低酚类物质氧化酶活力,从而有利于提高木质素、总酚等抗病物质含量,进而增强果实抗病性有关。     

Alleviation of chilling injury and browning of postharvest bamboo shoot by salicylic acid treatment

The effects of salicylic acid (SA) treatment on chilling injury, disease incidence, electrolyte leakage (EL), flesh browning index, malondialdehyde (MDA) and total phenolic content, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) activities, and polyamine (PA) content of bamboo shoot, during storage at 1 °C for 50 days, were examined. Chilling injury and disease incidence, EL, MDA content of control shoot increased progressively. Chilling injury promoted PAL, PPO and POD activities, which are associated with shoot total phenolic content and flesh browning index increase. Chilling injury was significantly positively correlated with putrescine (Put) or spermidine (Spd) contents. Suppression of chilling injury by SA treatment was associated with reducing EL, MDA and total phenolic content, retarding activities of PAL, PPO and POD, and promoting PA accumulation. The present findings suggest that SA treatment could be used commercially to control chilling injury in bamboo shoot during cold storage.     

臭氧处理对黄花梨果实褐变的影响

为研究臭氧处理对梨果实褐变的影响,采用5.0、2.5mg/L 臭氧水和蒸馏水浸泡黄花梨整果和鲜切果,5min后晾干,分别贮于20℃和5℃条件下,对贮藏过程中果实和切片的褐变指数、总酚(TP)含量及与酶促褐变相关的多酚氧化酶(PPO)、过氧化物酶(POD)和苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)活性变化进行研究。结果表明：臭氧处理的黄花梨整果与鲜切果各项指标均优于对照组;臭氧处理显著降低贮藏5d 后黄花梨整果果心和整个贮藏期鲜切片的褐变指数,维持梨整果与鲜切果较高的总酚含量,对二者PPO、POD 活性均有一定的抑制作用;可增加梨整果较高的PAL 活性,抑制鲜切梨果PAL 活性。抑制黄花梨整果和鲜切果褐变以2.5mg/L 臭氧水处理为好。     

Fruit quality and physiological responses of litchi cultivar McLean's Red to 1-methylcyclopropene pre-treatment and controlled atmosphere storage conditions

The effect of 1-MCP pre-treatment and two different controlled atmosphere storage conditions (CA-1, 17% O₂ + 6% CO₂; CA-2, 7% O₂ + 3% CO₂) on fruit quality parameters and physiological changes with respect to pericarp browning in ‘McLean's Red’ litchi were investigated. Fruits were pre-treated with 1-MCP (500 nl/l) and held at CA-1 or CA-2 for 21 d at 2 °C and at 90% RH. Stand-alone CA-1 or stand-alone CA-2 and the commercially adopted sulphur dioxide (SO₂) treatment were included in this study for comparison. Of the five treatments 1-MCP + CA-1 was most effective in preventing browning, loss of red colour (colour value a*) of the pericarp, ascorbic acid content; and retaining acceptable SSC/TA and taste. Fruit from 1-MCP + CA-1 showed higher overall acceptance after 21 d storage without any off-flavour according to the sensory panel data.1-MCP + CA-1 reduced the polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) activity, retained membrane integrity and anthocyanin content during storage. Although SO₂ treatment prevents browning it showed negative effects on SSC/TA, taste and membrane integrity. Stand-alone CA-2 condition indicated higher pericarp browning, PPO, POD activity and loss of membrane integrity. Therefore, 1-MCP pre-treatment and CA-1 retains overall fruit quality for up to 21 d.     

抗坏血酸、半胱氨酸与氯化钙复合处理对鲜切芋艿褐变的影响

研究抗坏血酸、半胱氨酸与氯化钙复合处理对于鲜切芋艿贮藏期间酶促褐变的控制效果及其机理。结果表明：切分后的芋艿片褐变度迅速上升,亮度（L*）值下降,苯丙氨酸解氨酶、脂氧合酶、多酚氧化酶和过氧化物酶活性升高,总酚积累。与对照相比,2.5%抗坏血酸＋0.05%半胱氨酸＋0.4%氯化钙浸泡处理能够有效降低鲜切芋艿贮藏期间的褐变度,保持较高的L*值和总酚含量,并抑制了苯丙氨酸解氨酶、多酚氧化酶、过氧化物酶和脂氧合酶活性和相对电导率的升高,达到提高鲜切芋艿贮藏品质和延长贮藏周期的目的。     

Effects of heat treatment on the quality of fresh-cut Chinese water chestnut

A heat treatment to inhibit browning and maintain the quality of fresh‐cut Chinese water chestnut was developed. Slices of Chinese water chestnut, cv. Guilin, were immersed in boiling water for 30 s, placed into film‐wrapped trays and then stored at 4 °C for up to 12 days. Changes in browning, eating quality and disease incidence were measured. The effect of heat treatment on the content of total phenolics and activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) was also evaluated. The heat treatment effectively prevented browning associated with PAL, PPO and POD activities and total phenolic content and delayed the decrease in eating quality, which is associated with reduced total soluble solids, titratable acidity and ascorbic acid, compared with fresh‐cut Chinese water chestnut. Inhibition of browning by heat treatment without microbial growth was achieved for 12 days of storage at 4 °C. These results showed that heat treatment effectively maintained the quality of fresh‐cut Chinese water chestnut.     

Browning inhibition on fresh‐cut chestnut kernel by exogenous nitric oxide

The potential usage of nitric oxide (NO) as a powerful anti‐browning agent in fresh‐cut chestnut kernels was investigated. Chestnut kernels were dipped in 0, 1, 5 or 10 μm NO solutions for 10 min, respectively, and then stored at 20 °C. Changes of browning index and colour were evaluated, while content of total phenols, activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) and individual phenolic compounds were measured. The results showed that NO treatment delayed browning and lightness of chestnut kernels and 5 μm NO treatment had the best control effect compared with others. PPO and POD activities were inhibited and total phenolic content was increased in NO‐treated fruit, and 5 μm NO significantly increased the content of catechin, chlorogenic acid, syringic acid, phloretic acid and ferulic acid but inhibited that of tannic acid. However, it had no significant effect on caffeic acid.     

低温贮藏对晚熟龙眼“立冬本”果实采后生理和品质的影响

研究了龙眼"立冬本"果实在采后(25±0.5)℃和(3±0.5)℃温度下的呼吸强度、细胞膜透性和品质的变化。结果表明:龙眼果实属于非呼吸跃变型果实;在(25±0.5)℃下贮藏4天,果实呼吸强度下降,之后明显上升;果实采后果皮细胞膜透性快速增加,果实易失重、衰老、腐烂和果皮褐变,贮藏后期果肉自溶;果肉可滴定酸和维生素C含量快速下降,总糖和蔗糖含量下降,还原糖含量先升后降,可溶性固形物含量在贮藏前期下降而后期上升,可溶性固形物和可滴定酸比值先升后降;贮藏后期果肉可滴定酸含量增加。而(3±0.5)℃低温贮藏可显著降低果实呼吸强度,抑制病原菌生长,延缓果实衰老和果皮细胞膜透性增加,延迟果皮褐变,减少果实失重和果肉营养成分变化,抑制果肉自溶,保持果实较高的品质,延长果实贮藏期。     

过氧化氢对采后龙眼果实贮藏品质的影响

过量的活性氧是导致果蔬采后品质劣变的主要原因之一。以活性最为稳定的过氧化氢作为活性氧,研究活性氧对采后龙眼果实贮藏品质的影响。结果显示：与对照龙眼果实相比,过氧化氢处理的龙眼果实采后贮藏期间具较低的果皮叶绿素、类胡萝卜素和类黄酮等色素含量,较低的果肉可溶性糖、蔗糖和VC等营养物质含量,较高的龙眼果皮褐变指数和果肉自溶指数,及较低的龙眼果实商品率。据此认为,活性氧在采后龙眼果实品质劣变中起重要的促进作用,活性氧会促进采后龙眼果实外观品质劣变和果肉营养物质的降解,从而降低采后龙眼果实商品价值。     

Light exposure inhibiting tissue browning and improving antioxidant capacity of fresh-cut celery (Apium graveolens var. dulce)

Fresh-cut celery is perishable and susceptible to tissue browning during storage. In this study, the effect of continuous light exposure (2000 lux) on browning related enzyme activity of fresh-cut celery was investigated during 8 d storage at 7 °C using darkness (0.2 lux) as control. Light exposure significantly suppressed polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) activities, and subsequently decreased soluble quinone accumulation and browning index (BI) evolution during storage. In addition, phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity, total phenol (TP) content, and antioxidant capacity (AC) values were all higher when the fresh-cut celery samples were exposed to light than in darkness during storage. A significant positive correlation between TP and AC was observed at both light (R = 0.884, P < 0.01) and dark (R = 0.705, P < 0.01) conditions.