Carboxymethyl cellulose coating and low-dose gamma irradiation improves storage quality and shelf life of pear (Pyrus communis L., Cv. Bartlett/William)

Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) coatings alone and in combination with gamma irradiation were tested for maintaining the storage quality and extending shelf life of pear. Matured green pears were CMC coated at levels 0.25% to 1.0% w/v and gamma irradiated at 1.5 kGy. The treated fruit including control was stored under ambient (temperature 25 ± 2 °C, RH 70%) and refrigerated (temperature 3 ± 1 °C, RH 80%) conditions. Irradiation alone at 1.5 kGy gave 8 and 4 d extension in shelf life of pear following 45 and 60 d of refrigeration, respectively. CMC coating at 1.0% w/v was effective in giving 6 and 2 d extension in shelf life of pear following 45 and 60 d of refrigeration, respectively. All combinatory treatments delayed the decaying of pear during postrefrigerated storage, but combination of 1.0% w/v CMC and 1.5 kGy irradiation proved significantly (P≤0.05) effective in maintaining the storage quality and delaying the decaying of pear. The above combinatory treatment gave an extension of 12 and 6 d in shelf life of pear during postrefrigerated storage at 25 ± 2 °C, RH 70% following 45 and 60 d of refrigeration.     

Influence of nano-ZnO on microbial growth,bioactive content and postharvest quality of strawberries during storage

A rapid decline of quality causes economic loss of strawberries after harvest. Treatments based on nano-ZnO at different concentrations (0.03%, 0.07% and 0.5%) were used to prolong the shelf-life of strawberry fruit in cold storage. After treatments microbial growth, weight loss, firmness, titratable acidity, soluble solid content, pH value, vitamin C, anthocyanin and total phenolics and antioxidant activity were evaluated at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 days of storage. Furthermore, the levels of zinc and the sensory attributes of treated strawberries were evaluated three days after treatment. Nano-ZnO treatments decreased the microbial load during fruit storage (total mesophilic bacteria in control and 0.5% nano-ZnO treated strawberries were 4.35 and 3.67 Log CFU g^− 1, respectively). Treatments delayed weight loss, retained fruit firmness and maintained anthocyanin, vitamin C, phenol content and antioxidant activity at higher concentration than those of untreated fruit. Fruit sweetness and aftertaste attributes were not affected by treatments but the 0.5% ZnO treated fruit was less luminous (1.6) compared to control (5.6). 0.5% nano-ZnO was the most effective in delaying changes in the ripening and reducing microbial populations among the treatments. These findings indicated that the nano-ZnO might provide an alternative to maintain quality and control decay of fresh strawberries during extended storage.Industrial relevanceStrawberries are a highly perishable fruit and postharvest life is limited to 4 days or even shorter at room temperature or 2 weeks at cold storage, therefore finding a method to extend the shelf life of strawberries is important. Modified atmosphere packaging is a useful method but control of spoilage microorganisms is still a problem. Fruit coating has great potential to extend fruit postharvest life and maintain nutritional quality. Nano-ZnO may be an effective alternative.     

Effect of chitosan coating combined with postharvest calcium treatment on strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) quality during refrigerated storage

Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) were coated with either 1% or 1.5% chitosan (CS) or chitosan combined with calcium gluconate (CaGlu). Following treatment, strawberries were stored at 10 °C and 70 ± 5% RH for one week. The effectiveness of the treatments in extending fruit shelf-life was evaluated by determining fungal decay, respiration rate, quality attributes and overall visual appearance. No sign of fungal decay was observed during the storage period for fruit coated with 1.5% CS (with or without the addition of CaGlu) or 1% CS + 0.5% CaGlu. By contrast, 12.5% of the strawberries coated with 1% CS lacking calcium salt were infected after five days of storage. The chitosan coating reduced respiration activity, thus delaying ripening and the progress of fruit decay due to senescence. Chitosan coatings delayed changes in weight loss, firmness and external colour compared to untreated samples. Strawberries coated with 1.5% chitosan exhibited less weight loss and reduced darkening than did those treated with 1% chitosan, independently of the presence or absence of CaGlu. However, addition of calcium to the 1% chitosan solution increased the firmness of the fruit. Coated samples had greater visual acceptability than had untreated fruits. The addition of calcium gluconate to the chitosan coating formulation increased the nutritional value by incrementing the calcium content of the fruit.     

不同pH值CMC涂膜对石榴果实采后生理指标及贮藏品质的影响

以陕西临潼净皮甜石榴为试材,研究了不同pH值CMC涂膜对石榴果实采后生理指标及贮藏品质的影响。结果表明:石榴在(4.0±0.5)℃条件下贮藏,采用pH值5.0、0.5%CMC溶液涂膜,能有效保持石榴籽粒可溶性固形物含量、总糖含量和可滴定酸含量,减缓果皮相对电导率和褐变指数升高速率,降低果实呼吸速率和腐烂率,抑制果皮抗坏血酸氧化酶(AAO)和多酚氧化酶(PPO)活性,保持果皮过氧化物酶(POD)活性相对较高水平。贮藏120d果实外观色泽鲜艳,籽粒感官品质良好,保鲜效果理想。     

OHAA涂膜保鲜冬枣

以冬枣为保鲜对象,以不同浓度(0.5%,1.0%,1.5%)的环氧乙烷高级脂肪醇(Oxyethyene higher aliphatic alcohol,OHAA)作为保鲜材料,在温度为0℃±2℃、相对湿度为85%~90%的条件下对冬枣进行贮藏。经过66 d的贮藏,试验结果表明:OHAA涂膜处理能改善果实的风味,色泽,提高果实的感官品质。以浓度为1.0%的OHAA涂膜处理效果较好,其果实腐烂率和失重率仅为8.98%和4.8%;果实贮运性能好,硬度为5.56 kg/cm2;果实营养成分损失较少,其果实VC、可溶性固形物分别为161.18 mg/100g、26%;果实内部生理环境状态良好。说明1.0%的OHAA涂膜保鲜处理可延缓冬枣果实衰老,明显延长其贮藏期。     

Effect of chitosan coatings enriched with cinnamon oil on the quality of refrigerated rainbow trout

The effects of a chitosan (Ch) coating enriched with cinnamon oil (Ch + C) on quality of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) during refrigerated storage (4 ± 1 °C) were examined over a period of 16 days. A solution of Ch (2%, w/v) and Ch + C (2%, w/v Ch + 1.5%, v/v C) was used for the coating. The control and the coated fish samples were analysed periodically for microbiological (total viable count, psychrotrophic count), chemical (TVB-N, PV, TBA), and sensory (raw and cooked fish) characteristics. The results indicated that the effect of the Ch + C coating on the fish samples was to enable the good quality characteristics to be retained longer and to extend the shelf life during the refrigerated storage.     

Effect of sucrose‐based polymers on quality of Satsuma mandarin fruit (Citrus unshiu Marc. cv. Miyagawa Wase)

In this study, the effects of an edible coating (sucrose‐based polymers, SBP) on postharvest fruit quality of Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc. cv. Miyagawa Wase) were investigated. All the fruit except the control was sprayed with SBP solution at a concentration of 0.1%, 0.3%, 0.5% and 1.0% (v/v), respectively, and then stored at room temperature (25 °C, 85% relative humidity) for 25 days. Results showed that 0.1%, 0.3% and 0.5% SBP treatment could significantly increase the soluble solids concentrations (SSC), vitamin C (Vc), total sugars, total carotenoids, the ratio of SSC to titratable acidity (TA) (SSC/TA), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and superoxidase dismutase (SOD) activities, while the decay rate, TA and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity were greatly reduced. In contrast, 1.0% SBP treatment resulted in fruit browning, despite maintaining fruit quality. Our present study provided the theoretical data for the practical application of the SBP on the citrus fruit quality of during postharvest storage.     

丁香提取液可食性复合涂膜对新余蜜橘常温保鲜效果的影响

为了开发新余蜜橘保鲜的新技术和延长其贮藏时间,探讨50 mg/mL丁香乙醇提取液复配1.0%羧甲基纤维素、700 mg/L柠檬酸、1.0%蔗糖酯及1.0%丙酸钙制成可食性复合涂膜,在常温(20±1℃)下,考察复合涂膜处理对新余蜜橘果实保鲜效果及采后生理生化变化的影响。结果表明:与对照相比,复合涂膜显著降低新余蜜橘果实常温贮藏期间腐烂率和失重率,两者的减少幅度分别为对照组的27.3%和24.6%,延缓了可溶性固形物、可滴定酸及抗坏血酸含量的下降;有效抑制了果实呼吸强度和丙二醛含量的升高,同时还能保持果实较高SOD、POD、PPO和PAL活性,延缓果实衰老。与CMC涂膜相比,加了丁香提取液的复合涂膜可显著降低果实的腐烂,对果实品质无不良影响,同时可以诱导PPO和PAL活性的上升,提高新余蜜橘果实的抗病性。丁香提取液可食性复合涂膜用于新余蜜橘的常温保鲜切实可行。     

Combination of heat treatment and chitosan coating to improve postharvest quality of wolfberry (Lycium barbarum)

The synergistic application of hot water dip at 42 °C for 30 min and 1% chitosan coating on differentiation in postharvest quality traits, microstructure as well as microbiological evolution of wolfberry fruits was investigated. Fresh wolfberry fruits were stored at 2 ± 0.5 °C and 90% relative humidity (RH) for 28 days. Results indicated the combination of prestorage heat treatment and chitosan coating maintained higher levels of ascorbic acid, total phenolic contents and antioxidant capacity as well as lower decay, compared with untreated wolfberry fruits. The possible mechanism was that the heat treatment almost sealed open stomata to limit the sites of pathogen penetration into fruits independently, followed by the biofilm formed by chitosan which controlled secondary infections as well as slowed changes in fruit respiration and metabolic activity in wolfberries. The synergistically treated fruit also exhibited a higher acceptability obtained by sensory analysis after cold storage. In this sense, the integrated application of heat treatment and chitosan coating could be regarded as an effective strategy to extend storage life and maintain the postharvest quality of wolfberry fruits.     

湿敏型保鲜纸箱对草莓保鲜效果的研究

利用PVA在湿度增大阻隔性降低的原理。使用浓度为10％的聚乙烯醇（PVA）和不同浓度的丁香精油以及浓度为0．5％吐温-80配制成湿敏型缓释保鲜剂,并将其均匀涂布在瓦楞纸箱内表面,制成湿敏型保鲜纸箱,并研究其对草莓的保鲜效果。采用分光光度法、光学测定法、酸碱滴定法等方法,检测了草莓在贮藏过程中水果的整体表观质量、腐烂率、失重率、呼吸强度、硬度、可溶性固形物、维生素C含量、可滴定酸度等各项理化指标。结果表明,对草莓保鲜效果最佳的是涂覆丁香精油浓度为2％的涂布液。与空白对照相比可以较好地维持草莓的外观品质,草莓的贮藏期延长3天,超过原来贮藏期的一倍。     

Effect of dipping in pomegranate (Punica granatum) fruit juice phenolic solution on the shelf life of chicken meat under refrigerated storage (4°C)

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of dipping in pomegranate fruit juice phenolics (PFJP) solution on the shelf life of chicken meat held under refrigerated storage at 4°C. Breast muscle obtained from spent hens was dipped (1:2w/v; muscle: liquid) in sterile water or in sterile water with 0.02% (v/v) PFJP, packed, stored at 4°C for 28 days and samples were analyzed on 2 days of intervals. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance values were lower in samples treated with PFJP. Total sulfhydryl and protein bound sulfhydryl content values were higher in samples treated with PFJP. Microbial quality evaluation showed that aerobic and psychrotrophic counts were higher in samples treated without PFJP. Sensory evaluation revealed that acceptability level of samples treated without PFJP decreased on 12th day of storage. It is concluded that spent hen breast meat samples dipped in 0.02% PFJP reduced protein oxidation and inhibited microbial growth and sensorily acceptable up to 12 days of refrigerated storage at 4°C.     

Electrostatic and Conventional Spraying of Alginate-Based Edible Coating with Natural Antimicrobials for Preserving Fresh Strawberry Quality

Microbial contamination and mold growth are common causes of strawberry deterioration during storage. The growing need for extending shelf-life while enhancing the overall quality of perishable fruits has generated increasing interest in the development of novel preservation technologies. This study used electrostatic spraying (ES) technology as an innovative and efficient technique for the application of edible alginate coating enriched with carvacrol and methyl cinnamate (natural antimicrobials) on fresh strawberries. The efficiency of the electrostatic technology was compared to non-electrostatic (conventional) spray (NES) technology in terms of transfer efficiency and coating evenness. Furthermore, physicochemical and textural parameters (such as weight loss, visible decay, firmness, surface color, total soluble phenolic content, and antioxidant capacity) of ES and NES coated fruits were studied and compared to uncoated controls. ES technology demonstrated higher transfer efficiency and evenness than NES, which led to a significant reduction of visible decay over uncoated controls. The delay in microbial spoilage by ES (11 days) was greater than by NES (10 days) and uncoated strawberries (7 days). ES coating significantly inhibited strawberry decay with only 5.6 % of infected fruits, compared to 16.6 and 8.3 % for control and NES fruits after 13 days of storage, respectively. At the end of 13 days of storage, ES coating demonstrated superior performance on strawberry firmness, color retention, and weight loss reduction. Additionally, no differences were observed between uncoated and coated fruits with regard to their antioxidant and total soluble phenolics.     

Preservation of strawberry fruit quality via the use of active packaging with encapsulated thyme essential oil in zein nanofiber film

Strawberry is highly perishable with a short shelf life mainly due to physiological deterioration and microbiological decay. Thyme essential oil (TEO), which is a natural antimicrobial and antioxidant agent, encapsulated in zein (Z) nanofiber could be used by electrospinning to examine the ability of the nanofiber for strawberry quality preservation. Test groups were designated as zein nanofiber film, and zein loaded with TEO nanofiber film (Z/TEO). The fruit packed in PET container without film on its lid was used as the control group. Packages of fruits were then stored in a cool room at 4 ± 0.5 °C and 85 ± 5% RH for 15 days. Results indicated that the scanning electron microscopy images of nanofibers had a linear morphology, smooth surface and bead-free structure. Fourier transform infrared also showed that the encapsulation of TEO in the zein was a physical process and no chemical interactions occurred between ingredients during electrospinning. Moreover, differential scanning calorimetry data confirmed the thermal stability of TEO encapsulated in zein nanofibers. Active packaging including nanofiber films significantly preserved the biochemical and microbial properties of fruit. Indeed, stored fruit in packages containing nanofiber Z/TEO (Zein loaded with TEO nanofiber film) significantly (p˂0.05) lowered total bacterial counts, fungi and yeast, and maintained the total phenols content, antioxidant activity and titratable acidity of the strawberries during 15 days of storage at 4 °C. In conclusion, this study revealed the benefits of incorporating TEO into zein films, which may have a great potential in active packaging and preservation of strawberry fruits.     

Antimicrobial Effects of Nisin,Essential Oil,and γ‐Irradiation Treatments against High Load of Salmonella typhimurium on Mini‐carrots

This study aimed at using essential oil (EO) alone or combined EO with nisin and γ‐irradiation to control Salmonella Typhimurium during the refrigerated storage of mini‐carrots. Peeled mini‐carrots were inoculated with S. Typhimurium at a final concentration of approximately 7 log CFU/g. Inoculated samples were coated by 5 different coating solutions: (i) nisin solution at final concentration of 10³ IU/mL; (ii) mountain savory EO solution at 0.35%; (iii) carvacrol solution at 0.35%; (iv) mountain savory EO at 0.35% plus nisin solution of 10³ IU/mL; or (v) carvacrol at 0.35% plus nisin solution of 10³ IU/mL. Coated mini‐carrots were then irradiated at 0.5 or 1.0 kGy and compared to an unirradiated control sample. Samples were kept at 4 °C and microbial analyses were conducted at days 1, 3, 6, and 9. The results showed that mini‐carrots coated by carvacrol plus nisin solution or mountain savory EO plus nisin solution in combination with irradiation at 1.0 kGy completely eliminated S. Typhimurium to under the detection limit during the storage. Thus, the combined treatments using carvacrol plus nisin or mountain savory EO plus nisin coating solution and irradiation at 1.0 kGy could be used as an effective method for controlling S. Typhimurium in mini‐carrots.     

Quality of fresh‐cut purple‐fleshed sweet potatoes after X‐ray irradiation treatment and refrigerated storage

The effect of X‐ray irradiation on the quality of fresh‐cut, refrigerated purple‐fleshed sweet potato (PFSP) cubes was investigated. Packaged sweet potato cubes were treated with 0, 250, 500, 750 or 1000 Gy X‐ray irradiation and stored at 4 ± 1 °C for 14 days. After 14 days, total aerobic bacteria counts were 4.1 and 3.2 log₁₀ CFU g^?1, and mould–yeast counts were 3.3 and 3.0 log₁₀ CFU g^?1 in 750 and 1000 Gy treated samples, respectively. Doses up to 1000 Gy did not affect the firmness, moisture content and anthocyanin content of PFSP cubes throughout storage. PFSP cubes' flesh colour did not change during the first week of storage, but lightness (L*) increased after 14 days. Also, irradiation doses at 750 and 1000 Gy decreased saturation (C*) significantly, producing duller flesh colour than controls. Results indicate that X‐ray irradiation treatment at doses up to 1000 Gy can reduce microbial populations while maintaining the physical quality and anthocyanin content of PFSP cubes up to 14 days of storage.     

Effect of chitosan coating on maintenance of aril quality,microbial population and PPO activity of pomegranate (Punica granatum L. cv. Tarom) at cold storage temperature

BACKGROUND: Chitosan edible coating was used in an attempt to extend the storage life of pomegranate arils during 12 days at 4 °C. Prior to storage, treated arils were dipped in 0.25, 0.5 and 1% (w/v) chitosan aqueous solutions and 1% (v/v) acetic acid for 1 min, while control arils were dipped in distilled water with 1% (v/v) acetic acid. RESULTS: Chitosan coating inhibited bacterial and fungal growth on the surface of arils. The water content of arils coated with 0.5 and 1% chitosan was maintained during 12 days of storage. Chitosan reduced the increase in total soluble solids (TSS) and titratable acidity (TA) of arils during storage. The lowest TSS and TA were detected in arils coated with 0.5 and 1% chitosan, which maintained the highest TSS/TA ratio after 12 days of storage. In contrast, application of chitosan delayed the decrease in total phenolics, total anthocyanins and antioxidant capacity during storage. The results also showed that chitosan coating suppressed the monophenolase activity of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) with pyrogallol substrate and the diphenolase activity of PPO with dopamine hydrochloride substrate, but the diphenolase activity of PPO with pyrocatechol substrate increased during storage. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that chitosan coating has the potential to extend the storage life of pomegranate arils by reducing the microbial population on their surface. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Chitosan Coating Effect on Storability and Quality of Fresh Strawberries

The effect of chitosan coating (1.0 and 1.5% w/v) in controlling decay of strawberries at 13°C was investigated as compared to a fungicide, iprodione (Rovral®). Chitosan coating significantly reduced decay of berries (P ≤ 0.05) compared to the control. There was no significant difference between chitosan and fungicide treatments up to 21 days storage. Thereafter, Rovral®-treated berries decayed at a higher rate than chitosan-coated berries. Chitosan-coated berries stored at 4°C were firmer, higher in titratable acidity, and synthesized anthocyanin at a slower rate than Rovral®-treated or nontreated berries. Chitosan coating decreased respiration rate of the berries with a greater effect at higher concentration.     

Antibacterial effects of chitosan coating containing Mentha aquatica L. essence against Escherichia coli,Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes in Iranian white cheese

The effect of a chitosan coating and Mentha aquatica L. essence on Iranian white cheese was investigated. Results showed 100% inhibition of Escherichia coli growth using 1.5% essence after 10 days. After 15 days of incubation, the Staphylococcus aureus population was reduced by 44.2%, 70.0%, and 88.5% using 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% essence, respectively. After 15 days, Listeria monocytogenes growth was inhibited by 63.84%, 70.12%, and 85.9% using 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% essence, respectively. Inhibition zone diameter studies also confirmed the antibacterial effects of applied coating against all the above‐mentioned bacteria in Iranian white cheese.     

Influence of CMC‐ and guar gum‐based silver nanoparticle coatings combined with low temperature on major aroma volatile components and the sensory quality of kinnow (Citrus reticulata)

Aroma profile and organoleptic quality of CMC‐ and guar gum‐based silver nanoparticle‐coated kinnow (Citrus reticulata cv. Blanco) was evaluated for 120 days at 4 °C and 10 °C, 85–95% relative humidity. Loss in three major aroma‐active volatile compounds (limonene, linalool and γ‐terpinene) was determined after every 15 days by GC‐MS. Sensory quality of coated and uncoated fruit stored at 10 °C was declined during storage. Twenty five volatile aroma compounds were identified in fresh kinnow juice. Guar gum‐Ag coatings and 4 °C storage has significantly reduced losses of limonene, linalool and γ‐terpinene contents from 91 to 23%, 99 to 10% and 97 to 29% respectively as compared to uncoated fruit stored at 10 °C. Study suggests that CMC‐ and guar gum‐based silver nanoparticle‐coated kinnow stored at 4 °C has preserved the fruit aroma and sensory quality for 120 days.     

Assessment of coating tomato fruit with shrimp shell chitosan and N,O-carboxymethyl chitosan on postharvest preservation

The effect of coating tomato fruit (Lycopersicon esculentum) with shrimp shell chitosan, a deacetylated form of chitin, and a chitosan derivative, i.e. N,O-carboxymethyl chitosan (NOCC) on postharvest preservation was studied. The effects of various chitosan and NOCC concentrations on fruit ripening behavior, as well as fruit physical and chemical characteristics were evaluated during storage at room temperature (25–30 °C). Coating the fruit with 2 % (w/v) chitosan or NOCC solutions was found to be more effective in extended its storage life than coating with 0.5 % (w/v) solutions. Covered tomatoes were firmer, higher in titratable acidity, and exhibited less red pigmentation than the control uncoated fruits at the end of storage. These results suggest the suitability of chitosan and its derivative NOCC as an alternative means of preserving fresh fruits.