Physiological and biochemical changes of different fresh-cut mango cultivars stored at 5 °C

Treatments to inhibit browning, decay and to extend shelf life of ‘Keitt’, ‘Kent’ and ‘Ataulfo’ mango cultivars as a fresh‐cut produce were investigated. Combinations of calcium chloride (CaCl₂), antioxidants [ascorbic acid (AA), citric acid (CA)] and two commercial film coatings resulted in a reduction of browning and deterioration of fresh‐cut mangoes stored at 5 °C, especially for the Ataulfo cultivar. The use of CaCl₂ + AA + CA significantly reduced colour deterioration, loss of firmness and did not affect sensory characteristics of fresh‐cut mango, with a larger effect in the Ataulfo cultivar. In general, these treatments prevented loss of sugar and vitamin C of cubes during storage at 5 °C. Shelf life of this cultivar was 21 days, while that of Keitt and Kent was only 9 and 12 days, respectively. There is a correlation between carotene and vitamin C content of Ataulfo mango and its longer shelf life compared with the other cultivars.     

PREVENTION OF BROWNING OF BANANA SLICES USING NATURAL PRODUCTS AND THEIR DERIVATIVES1

Fresh-cut banana slices were treated with pineapple juice, neutral sugars, isoascorbic acid, citric acid, other organic acids, N-acetylcysteine, 4-hexylresor-cinol and mixtures of these compounds and evaluated for browning reaction. A number of other compounds previously reported to be antibrowning agents were also tested. Preliminary tests revealed that many purported antibrowning agents, including pineapple juice, had only transitory or no effects on browning of banana slices. Subsequent replicated treatments of slices stored at 5C and 15C for 7 days showed that of the several treatments, those using citric acid and N-acetylcysteine were highly effective at reducing browning. Reflectance measurements taken immediately after treatment, after 2 days of storage, and at the end of the 1 week storage period confirmed that a mixture of 0.5 M citric acid and 0.05 M N-acetylcysteine provided the best protection against browning at both temperatures. No microbial decay was observed during the 7 day period studied.     

Browning Susceptibility and Changes in Composition During Storage of Carambola Slices

Browning and changes in the composition of sliced and whole carambola (Averrhoa carambola L.) fruit during storage were investigated. Susceptibility to browning after slicing, packaging and storage for 4 wk at 4.4°C varied considerably between four cultivars and five selections. There was no difference in browning susceptibility between fruit harvested at mature green or breaker stages of maturity. Freshly sliced carambola browned only slightly when exposed to air, but packaged slices that had been stored for 2 or more wk at 4.4°C browned rapidly (within 6 hr) when exposed to air. Whole fruit stored at 4.4°C for up to 6 wk, then sliced, showed much less susceptibility to browning. Ascorbic acid decreased and polyphenoloxidase activity increased in carambola slices during storage, but less in whole fruit. Treating slices with 1.0 or 2.5% citric acid + 0.25% ascorbic acid (in water) prior to packaging was very effective in limiting browning.     

Prevention of enzymatic browning of apple cylinders using different solutions

Inhibition of enzymatic browning and decay on cut surfaces of Golden Delicious apple using ascorbic acid, cysteine, sodium chloride, calcium chloride, citric acid and sodium ascorbate alone or in combinations was investigated at 4 and 10 °C for a storage period of 0, 7 and 14 days, in an attempt to find the most effective treatment. Apple segments immersed in ascorbic acid and citric acid alone showed visual traces of browning after 7 days storage at 4 °C. After 14 days storage, only ascorbic acid and ascorbic acid plus sodium chloride had moderate browning, while all other treatments were severely affected. However, at 10 °C, only ascorbic acid was effective in reducing the level of browning, although its effect was minimal after 14 days storage. Browning was more severe at 10 °C than 4 °C in all solutions. The browning measurement (a* value) became increasingly positive from 7‐ to 14‐day storage. Microbial decay was absent in all treatments within 7 days at 4 and 10 °C. However, three test solutions showed microbial decay after 14 days storage at 10 °C in addition to the control solution, which showed decay at both 4 and 10 °C storage temperatures.     

EFFECT OF ANTIBROWNING TREATMENT ON COLOR AND FIRMNESS OF FRESH-CUT PEARS1

A 30‐second dip in a solution of 4‐hexylresorcinol, isoascorbic acid, N‐acetylcysteine, and potassium sorbate prevented browning of fresh‐cut ‘Anjou’ and ‘Bartlett’ pears (Pyrus communis L.) for 9 days at 5C in air, regardless of initial ripeness. Firmness of pears did not change in response to chemical treatments or time in storage, except that pears slices initially < 25 N, quite ripe, generally became translucent and excessively soft during storage. Firmness of the 5‐mm thick slices was measured by puncturing to 2.5 mm using a 4 mm diameter cylindrical probe and by a three‐point bending test. A puncture test was more suitable (and more convenient) than bending for measuring firmness of the slices. Color (L*, a*, and b*) and transmittance through the slices in the visible and near infrared range (400 to 1900 nm) were measured. The a* value was more sensitive to browning and less affected by ripeness and storage than transmittance at specific wavelengths or the overall absorbance in the visible range.     

Surface treatments and coatings to maintain fresh‐cut mango quality in storage

BACKGROUND: Edible coatings may extend fresh‐cut fruit storage by preventing moisture loss and decreasing gas exchange. This study evaluated the effect of an antibrowning dip (calcium ascorbate, citric acid and N‐acetyl‐L ‐cysteine), followed or not with carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) or carrageenan coatings on quality of fresh‐cut mangoes stored at 5 °C for up to 20 days. A fourth treatment, only used in one of four experiments, consisted of chitosan. Treatments were applied on ‘Tommy Atkins’, ‘Kent’ and ‘Keitt’ mangoes harvested from Homestead (FL), and on imported store‐bought mangoes. RESULTS: The antibrowning dips maintained the best visual quality during storage for all cultivars, as indicated by higher b*, hue and L*. The CMC coating maintained similar visual quality, but carrageenan or chitosan decreased L* and b*. The antibrowning dip containing calcium ascorbate reduced firmness loss on cut pieces of ‘Keitt’, ‘Kent’ and store‐bought mangoes. The antibrowning treatment maintained higher titratable acidity for ‘Kent’ and ‘Keitt’, resulting in lower sensory sweetness. CONCLUSION: This study with repeated experiments showed that calcium ascorbate with citric acid and N‐acetyl‐L ‐cysteine maintained cut mango slices attractiveness in storage by keeping light color in both varieties. The addition of a polysaccharide coating did not consistently improve quality. Published in 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

柠檬酸处理对鲜切苹果的保鲜效果

为研究柠檬酸处理对鲜切苹果品质的影响,将鲜切‘寒富’苹果分别放入0.5%、1.0%、1.5%柠檬酸溶液中浸泡2 min后沥干,用0.11 mm厚度的聚乙烯保鲜膜包装后置于4 ℃冷库中贮藏,每2 d检测与成熟衰老相关生理生化指标。结果表明,适当质量分数的柠檬酸处理可保持苹果切块的感官品质,延缓营养物质的下降,抑制微生物的繁殖,对鲜切苹果有较好的护色效果;1.5%柠檬酸溶液浸泡处理能在8 d贮藏期内4 ℃冷藏条件下保持着鲜切苹果的良好品质,能有效延迟果肉褐化进程,降低褐变程度,抑制硬度和可溶性固形物、可滴定酸及抗坏血酸含量的下降,并能延缓相对电导率和丙二醛含量的上升,降低多酚氧化酶、过氧化物酶的活性。     

Combined effects of postharvest heat treatment and chitosan coating on quality of fresh‐cut mangoes (Mangifera indica L.)

The influence of heat treatment combined with coating on sensory quality, physico‐chemicals characteristics (firmness, colour, pH, titratable acidity, total soluble solids and total carotenoids content) and microbiological quality of fresh‐cut mangoes were studied. Whole mangoes (Mangifera indica cv ‘Tommy Atkins’) were subjected to hot water dipping (HWD) at 50 °C for 30 min and cooled for 15 min. Heated and unheated fruits were minimally processed and mango cubes were coated with chitosan solution (0.25% w/v) dissolved in 0.5% (w/v) citric acid, and stored for 9 days at 6 °C under ambient atmosphere. This study showed that both HWD 50 °C for 30 min and chitosan coating, either alone or combined, did not affect the taste and the flavour of mangoes slices. The chitosan coating combined with HWD or not inhibited the microbial growth for 9 days at 6 °C. Indeed chitosan coating was used for his antimicrobial proprieties. HWD 50 °C for 30 min was the beneficial treatment to maintain firmness and colour during 9 days at 6 °C.     

GAMMA IRRADIATION, HOT WATER AND IMAZALIL TREATMENTS ON DECAY ORGANISMS AND PHYSICAL QUALITY OF STORED NETTED MUSKMELON FRUIT

Nonchemical treatments of gamma irradiation (2 Kilograys) and hot water (57°C) and the fungicide imazalil (1000 ppm) were compared with and without shrink-film wrap for effects on decay and physical quality of netted muskmelon fruit stored at 4°C for 0 through 60 days. Gamma irradiation was ineffective in controlling decay and surface molds, and injurious to physical quality by decreasing firmness, increasing fresh weight loss, membrane leakage and vein track browning. Hot water treatment coupled with shrink-film wrap was effective in controlling decay activity and maintaining physical quality up to 20 days storage. Imazalil coupled with shrink-film wrap controlled the incidence and severity of decay and maintained fruit firmness, moisture loss, membrane permeability and vein track browning for almost 60 days storage.     

The Effect of Antibrowning Agents on Inhibition of Potato Browning,Volatile Organic Compound Profile,and Microbial Inhibition

Abstract: Burbank and Norkotah potato slices were dipped into 3% sodium acid sulfate (SAS), citric acid (CA), sodium erythorbate (SE), malic acid (MA), sodium acid pyrophosphate (SAPP), or a combination of SAS‐CA‐SE. Browning by polyphenol oxidase (PPO) obtained from potato extract with 0.04 to 0.016 g/mL of antibrowning solutions at pH 2.0 to 6.9 were measured by UV‐Vis spectroscopy. The color of slices dipped in antibrowning solutions at pHs 2 to 7 and stored at 4 °C for 15 d was measured every 5 d by colorimeter. Headspace analysis of volatiles in raw and cooked potato samples was performed by selected ion flow tube mass spectrometer (SIFT‐MS) and soft independent modelling by class analogy (SIMCA) analysis of the calculated odor activity values (OAV) determined interclass distances. Microbial growth was measured at 15 d. At unadjusted pHs (1.1 to 7.1), the PPO browning of the control and samples with SAPP was not significantly different, SAS, CA, and MA produced some inhibition and SE and SAS‐CA‐SE prevented browning. At pH 5 to 7, only SE and SAS‐CA‐SE were effective browning inhibitors. Based on the color of potato slices, SE was the most effective at pH 2 to 7, but SAS was most effective at unadjusted pH. Cooking increased volatile levels in the treated potatoes and decreased differences between volatile profiles. Differences between cooked samples may not be noticeable by the consumer because volatiles with high discriminating powers have low OAVs. SAS, CA, and SAS‐CA‐SE treatments inhibited microbial growth but SAPP, control, and SE did not, most likely due to pH. Practical Application: Antibrowning agents inhibit polyphenol oxidase, increasing shelf life and consumer acceptability of processed raw potato products by preserving the color. Their effectiveness was shown to be mainly due to a pH effect, except SE, which was not pH dependent. MA, CA, and SAS‐CA‐SE are better acidulants for inhibition of color change as well as growth of spoilage bacteria, yeast, and mold than SAPP, the industry standard.     

EFFECTS OF THE RATE OF HEATING ON APPLE AND PEAR FRUIT QUALITY

There is evidence that the rate of heating to meet quarantine security impacts fruit quality as well as insect mortality. Linear heating rates, of 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12C/h to treatment temperatures of 44 and 46C were used to treat 8 cultivars of apples (‘Delicious’, ‘Golden Delicious’, ‘Granny Smith’, ‘Fuji’, ‘Gala’, ‘Jonagold’, ‘Braeburn’, and ‘Cameo’) and two cultivars of winter pear (‘d'Anjou’ and ‘Bosc’). Fruit were stored, ripened, and tested for various quality parameters. Scald was controlled, firmness was higher in heat treated fruit, ripening was delayed but uniform in pears, decay organisms were suppressed, red fruit became redder and green fruit remained green, the Brix‐acid ratio (SS/TA) was either unchanged (‘Granny Smith’) or increased. Physiological disorders such as bitter pit were exacerbated by the heat treatment, requiring culling after treatment to avoid storage of fruit so affected.     

INFLUENCE OF CHEMICAL TREATMENT ON QUALITY OF CUT APPLE (cv. JONAGORED)

The quality of a new variety of apple, ‘Jonagored’, after peeling and cutting was evaluated during ten days of storage in air at 4C. The objective was to evaluate the shelf-life of apple cubes by detecting the limiting parameter and to test the influence of different chemical dips on the cut apple quality with the aim of extending shelf-life. Color, i.e. browning at the cut surface, was found to be the critical quality parameter determining the shelf-life of the cut apple to less than three days. There were no significant differences between the dip treatments in measurements of CIE values. When apple cubes were treated with ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid plus calcium chloride or ascorbic acid plus calcium chloride and citric acid, the 0.75% ascorbic acid dip was found to be the most effective preservation treatment in terms of reducing color change of the cut surface. Both 0.75% ascorbic acid and 0.75% ascorbic acid plus 0.75% calcium chloride inhibited the loss of firmness of apple cubes. When citric acid was added to the dip treatment, there were color changes similar to those of the control.     

Chitosan nanoparticle coatings reduce microbial growth on fresh‐cut apples while not affecting quality attributes

This study addressed the effects of chitosan‐based nanoparticles on microbiological quality, colour, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) and firmness of fresh‐cut ‘Gala’ apple slices during storage at 5 °C for 10 days. The treatments carried out were as follows: (i) slices pulverised with 110‐nm chitosan nanoparticles, (ii) slices pulverised with 300‐nm chitosan nanoparticles, (iii) 2 g L^?1 chitosan dissolved in 2% citric acid and (iv) noncoated samples. There was an increase in chroma and a proportional decrease in hue angle and lightness. Browning of the slices coated with conventional chitosan and control was slightly intense than those coated with chitosan nanoparticles of 110 and 300 nm. The PPO and PDO activities increased with time for all samples, with irrelevant difference among the treatments. Flesh firmness did not change for any treatment and period. Coatings with chitosan nanoparticles of 110 nm showed higher antimicrobial activity against moulds and yeasts, and mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacteria than the other treatments. No Salmonella, and total and faecal coliforms were detected. This investigation supports the potential use of chitosan nanoparticles as edible coatings in controlling microbial activity in fresh‐cut apples.     

SHORT‐TERM CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE STORAGE FOR STORAGE‐LIFE EXTENSION OF WHITE‐FLESHED PEACHES AND NECTARINES1

Abstract Response of white‐fleshed peaches (‘Sugar Lady’, ‘Snow Giant’, ‘White Lady’and ‘Snow King’) and nectarines (‘Arctic Queen’and ‘Arctic Rose’) to controlled‐atmosphere (CA) storage is cultivar dependent. Samples of fruit of these six cultivars were collected just prior to commercial harvest and held in either regular‐atmosphere (RA) storage at 1C or controlled‐atmosphere (CA) storage at 2% O₂ and 6, 12 or 18% CO₂, all at 1C. Four of the six cultivars (‘Snow Giant’, ‘White Lady’, ‘Snow King’and ‘Arctic Queen’) displayed excessive internal browning and poor flesh color after only 30 days of storage and should not be considered for long storage (+30 days). While ‘Sugar Lady’and ‘Arctic Rose’performed better and are possible candidates for CA storage, they should not be stored more than 45 days after harvest. The value of CA storage to extend the marketing of white‐fleshed peaches and nectarines is questionable at best. If CA storage is to be used for storage‐life extension of white‐fleshed peaches and nectarines, O₂ level should be maintained at 2% or less and CO₂ level maintained at 12% or higher.     

Quality Changes in Fresh-cut Peach and Nectarine Slices as Affected by Cultivar, Storage Atmosphere and Chemical Treatments

The shelf-life of slices from 13 cultivars of peaches and 8 cultivars of nectarines, varied (between 2 and 12 days at 0°C). Controlled atmospheres of 0.25 kPa O₂ and/or 10 kPa or 20 kPa CO₂ extended the shelf-life at 10°C of ‘O'Henry’ or ‘Elegant Lady’ peach slices by 1–2 days beyond the air control. Low (0.25 kPa) O₂ acted synergistically with CO₂ levels of 10 and 20 kPa to induce fermentative metabolism as indicated by ethanol and acetaldehyde production. A 2% (w/v) ascorbic acid + 1% (w/v) calcium lactate postcutting dip resulted in limited reduction of cut surface browning and tissue softening in ‘Carnival’ peach slices.     

Low O2 Atmospheres Affect Storage Quality of Zucchini Squash Slices Treated with Calcium

Calcium chloride treated or nontreated zucchini squash slices were stored in air or low O₂ (0.25, 0.5 and 1%) at 10°C. Respiration rate, ethylene production, and development of browning/decay were reduced under low O₂. Slices stored under 0.25% O₂ had less weight loss and browning/decay, and greater shear force and L-ascorbic acid content than those stored in air. Microbial count, pH, and color at the end of storage were improved by low O₂. Calcium treatment had no additive effect on maintaining quality of zucchini squash slices stored in 0.25% O₂ atmosphere.     

Effect of pre-soaking treatments on the nutritional profile and browning index of sweet potato and yam flours

The use of sweet potato and yams for product development is hindered by the discoloration from enzymatic and non-enzymatic browning. The effect of pre-soaking treatments on the nutritional changes and browning index (BI) of sweet potato and yam (greater yam and white yam) flours was investigated. Ascorbic acid (AsA), citric acid (CA), acetic acid (AA) and sodium metabisulfite (SMS) were used for soaking at three concentrations (0.25%, 0.50% and 1.00%) and two durations (1 h and 2 h). AsA and SMS removed more starch during soaking of sweet potato, while CA and AA removed more starch from greater yam and CA removed more starch from white yam. Highest removal of reducing sugars was observed in sweet potato in AA, while CA removed maximum reducing sugars from both the yams. Phenol and total free amino acid (TFA) levels were more in SMS treatment than the control sweet potato flour, and least in AA (2 h). Whilst AsA raised the phenols and TFA in greater yam, it removed phenols to the maximum in white yam. Maximum BI was in AsA treatment for the three crops, and least for flour from CA (0.25%) treated yams and AA (1.00%) treated sweet potato.Industrial RelevanceBrowning resulting from enzymatic and non-enzymatic reactions is a major drawback in the processing of sweet potato and yams for product development. The study showed that this could be successfully tackled through soaking the slices in low cost chemicals like acetic acid or citric acid and sodium metabisulfite at low concentrations. The treated slices yielded flour with very low browning indices compared to the respective native flours, which could enhance the potential of such flours in the development of food products.     

Poststorage Behavior of Apple Fruit After Low Oxygen Storage as Influenced by Temperatures During Storage and in Transit

‘Delicious’, ‘Newtown’ and ‘Granny Smith’ apples (Malus domestica Borkh.) maintained acceptable flesh firmness and high levels of titratable acids and soluble solids after 9 months of storage in 1% 0₂ at either 0°C or 3.3°C. Low-0₂-stored ‘Delicious’ were kept at 0°C for 6 wk without developing physiological disorders before or after 8 days of ripening at 20°C. Storage at 3.3°C caused ‘Delicious’ to soften faster during 6 wk of post-storage holding plus 8 days of ripening. ‘Newtown’ apples developed flesh browning and alcohol flavor after 9 months of low 0₂ storage at 0°C. ‘Newtown’ fruit stored at 3.3°C developed only minimal incidence of flesh browning and alcohol flavor. ‘Granny Smith’ fruit were free from scald, core flush, flesh browning and alcohol flavor after low 0₂ storage, regardless of storage temperature. However, core flush and flesh browning appeared when ‘Granny Smith’ were kept for 6 wk at 0°C plus 8 days at 20°C.     

ETHYLENE CAPSULE PROMOTES EARLY RIPENING OF 'd'ANJOU' PEARS PACKED IN MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE BAGS

‘d'Anjou’ pears (Pyrus communis, L.) harvested commercially with flesh firmness of 64.5 N were incapable of ripening normally at 20C within 60 days of air storage at ‐1C (denoted as “under‐chilled” fruits). When under‐chilled ‘d'Anjou’ fruits (8 fruits, total fruit weight of 1.8 kg) were packed in a 3.8‐liter perforated bag inserted with an ethylene capsule, fruit would ripen normally at 20C. The ethylene concentration in the packed bag maintained no less than 100 ppm after 4 days at 20C, and declined to about 25 ppm on day 7. Regardless of the storage length, ripened fruit induced by the ethylene capsule developed high buttery and juicy texture. If ‘d’ Anjou’ fruit had been stored at ‐1C for less than 30 days, ripened fruit lacked high flavor quality. Flavor quality of ripened fruit improved rapidly when the fruit had been stored for longer than 30 days.     

Antioxidative enzyme activity and internal browning of 1‐methylcyclopropene‐treated European pear fruits (cv. ‘Shahmiveh’ and ‘Sebri’)

The effects of 1‐methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP) on antioxidative enzyme and internal browning (IB) incidence of two European pear cultivars ‘Shahmiveh’ and ‘Sebri’ stored at 0.5 °C were investigated. Ethylene production of ‘Sebri’ was delayed by 1‐MCP but suppressed in ‘Shahmiveh’. IB increased in both cultivars, with a higher level of the incidence in ‘Shahmiveh’, and was reduced by 1‐MCP. Activities of catalase (CAT) and peroxidase, but not superoxide dismutase (SOD), decreased in untreated fruit during the first 40 days. 1‐MCP had little effect on SOD activity or on total phenolics. Polyphenoloxidase activity did not increase over time in 1‐MCP‐treated fruit of the IB sensitive ‘Shahmiveh’, and the effect was inconsistent for ‘Sebri’. Ascorbic acid (AA) levels in 1‐MCP‐treated fruit of both cultivars declined at a lower rate compared with untreated fruit during storage, but the reduction in AA levels was faster in ‘Shahmiveh’ compared with ‘Sebri’. Also, the effects of 1‐MCP on antioxidative systems may be related to IB development.