INFLUENCE OF YEAR,CULTIVAR AND FRUIT MATURITY ON QUALITY OF PEACH PUREE1

A 3-year study was conducted to evaluate the effect of year, cultivar and fruit maturity on the quality of peach puree and to determine the relative importance (RI) of these factors on the quality components hue angle (color), pH, acidity, soluble solids (SS) and SS/acid ratio. The results indicated that year, cultivar and fruit maturity had a strong effect and that they are very important in determining the quality of peach puree by affecting the different quality components. In general, fruit maturity had stronger RI than year and cultivar on the quality parameters studied. The data obtained for different maturities and cultivars fit a linear regression that accounted for 95% of the variability for all quality parameters measured. pH and SS/acid ratio increased while acidity and hue angle decreased and SS showed small or no increase as the fruit reached more advance stages of maturity.     

Combination of salicylic acid and ultrasound to control postharvest blue mold caused by Penicillium expansum in peach fruit

The effect of ultrasound (40 kHz, 10 min) and salicylic acid (SA, 0.05 mM) either separately, or combined on blue mold caused by Penicillium expansum in peach fruit was investigated. The results showed that the application of SA alone could reduce blue mold, while the use of ultrasound had no effect. Our results also revealed that SA combined with ultrasound treatment was more effective in inhibiting fungal decay during storage than the SA treatment alone. The combined treatment increased the activities of defense enzymes such as chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase, which were associated with higher disease resistance induced by the combined treatment. Furthermore, the combined treatment did not impair the quality parameters of peach fruit after 6 days of storage at 20 °C. These results suggested that the combination of ultrasound and SA treatment may be a useful technique to reduce blue mold in peach fruit.

Industrial relevance

This paper investigates the effect of ultrasound combined with SA on decay incidence of peach fruit. The results presented demonstrate that the effect of the combined treatment on the disease resistance and fruit quality should be considered by processors prior to its adoption as a preservation technique.     

基于主成分分析与聚类分析的中、早熟桃品种制汁品质评价

为了探讨桃果实品种和成熟度对出汁率和桃汁品质的影响,选择适宜的制汁品种,对15?个中、早熟桃品种3?个成熟度（I、II、III）果实的出汁率以及桃汁的糖、酸组分及质量浓度、总酚质量浓度、褐变度等15?个指标进行测定,运用描述性分析、主成分分析和聚类分析对桃汁品质进行综合评价。结果表明：不同品种和成熟度桃果实制备的桃汁品质差异较大。主成分分析一共提取了5?个主成分,反映了原变量80.333%的信息。第一、第二主成分主要综合了糖、酸质量浓度的信息;第三、第四主成分主要综合了出汁率和色泽的信息;第五主成分主要综合了总酚质量浓度和褐变度的信息。在第一主成分和第二主成分得分图上,综合得分排名较高和较低的品种可以明显区分;通过第一主成分和第三主成分得分图可以将3?个成熟度很好地区分。聚类分析将45?个样品聚为6?类,与主成分分析结果基本一致。在所有样品中,综合得分排名第一的是‘中油桃12号’-III,排名最后的是‘中桃1号’-I。整体而言,黄肉品种桃汁的综合品质较好,中熟品种优于早熟品种,成熟度高的原料制得的桃汁品质较好。     

Characterization and Multivariate Analysis of Physical Properties of Processing Peaches

Characterization of physical properties of fruits represents the first vital step to ensure optimal performance of fruit processing operations and is also a prerequisite in the development of new processing equipment. In this study, physical properties of engineering significance to processing of three popular cultivars of clingstone peaches were evaluated, including dimensional parameters, mass, dimensional ratios, aspect ratio, elongation index, sphericity, bulk density, texture, color, and flavor. Based on these physical properties, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), canonical variate analysis (CVA), principal component analysis (PCA), and partial least squares and linear discriminate analysis (PLS-LDA) were applied to qualitatively and quantitatively discriminate the cultivar difference. Results showed that the studied peach cultivars had significantly different (p?<?0.05) geometric characteristics. The peaches can be classified based on the cheek diameter (D_c) into three different size categories, including small- (D_c less than 60 mm), medium- (D_c between 60 mm and 70 mm), and large- (D_c higher than 70 mm) sized peaches. The peach flesh firmness significantly (p?<?0.05) decreased with the increase of peach size, while the pit dimensions were independent of peach size. There were no apparent distinctions in color characteristics, bulk density, and sugar content among the three cultivars. The measurements and quantitative discrimination of peach properties in this study would benefit equipment design and process innovation to enhance the processing efficiency and quality of processed peaches.     

COMPARISON OF QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF THREE NONMELTING CLINGSTONE PEACH SELECTIONS

The effect of maturity and ripening on the quality characteristics of three nonmelting clingstone peach cultivars was compared. In general, size, weight, Minolta “a” values and SS/TA increased significantly with increased degree of maturity of fruit as harvested; whereas, firmness, hue angle, acidity and total pectins decreased significantly. Ripening for 7 days at 20C resulted in softening of L9-A47–33 and Babygold 7 peaches but had no significant effect on the firmness of FLA 9–20C. Ripening appeared to have little effect on the chemical characteristics of all three cultivars except for water soluble pectin, which increased slightly. L9-A47–33 peach selection was significantly more fruity, peachy, sweet, juicy and had a higher overall acceptance score than Babygold 7 or FLA 9–20C, indicating it might have potential for fresh market use.     

Relationship of Quality Characteristics of Peaches (cv. Loring) to Maturity

The effect of maturity and ripening on the quality characteristics of Loring peaches was determined. Size, weight, Minolta a values, sucrose, total sugar, soluble solids (SS) and SS/TA ratio of cv. Loring peaches increased significantly with increased degree of maturity of fruit. Firmness, titratable acidity (TA) and delayed light emission (DLE) decreased significantly with increased maturity grade. The fruit of grades 1 and 2 did not attain sensory characteristics similar to tree ripe fruit (grades 6 and 7). The fruit of those grades were less sweet and more sour than grades 3-7. The optimum maturity for harvesting Loring peaches for optimum quality was maturity grade 5.     

Effects of exogenous nitric oxide on contents of soluble sugars and related enzyme activities in 'Feicheng' peach fruit

BACKGROUND: Sugar content is one of the main characteristics related to the quality of fruit. Research confirms that nitric oxide (NO) involves a physiological process and prolongs the storage life of fruit. However, little attention has been paid to the effects of NO on sugar metabolism in fruit during storage. In this study, the effect of different concentrations (0, 10, 30 µmol L^?1) of exogenous NO treatment on sugar content and related enzyme activities in ‘Feicheng’ peach fruit was investigated during storage (0–12 days after harvest) at room temperature (25 °C). RESULTS: Results showed that the decrease of firmness and accumulation of sugar and acid:sugar ratio in peach fruit during storage were significantly inhibited by treatment with 10 µmol L^?1 NO. Treatment with 10 µmol L^?1 NO could promote fructose and glucose metabolism during the first 4 days of storage, and increase the content of sucrose and the activities of sorbitol dehydrogenase, sorbitol oxidase and sucrose phosphate synthase in peach fruit during storage. However, acid invertase activity from 8 to 12 days of storage and neutral invertase activity during the first 4 days of storage were inhibited by treatment with 10 µmol L^?1 NO. At the same time, treatment with 10 µmol L^?1 NO inhibited sucrose synthase (SS) activity in decomposition during storage and SS activity in synthesis from 8 to 12 days of storage. CONCLUSION: Treatment with 10 µmol L^?1 NO had a significant impact on content of soluble sugars and related enzyme activities in ‘Feicheng’ peach fruit during storage (0–12 days) at room temperature (25 °C). Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of Pichia membranaefaciens combined with salicylic acid on controlling brown rot in peach fruit and the mechanisms involved

BACKGROUND: Fruits are usually stored at low temperature to slow physiological metabolism, maintain quality and extend storage life. However, brown rot caused by Monilinia fructicola often occurs in peach fruit at low temperature, resulting in serious losses. As a promising alternative to the use of synthetic fungicides, the antagonistic yeast Pichia membranaefaciens showed a potential effect on controlling post‐harvest brown rot. To improve biocontrol efficacy of the yeast against fungal pathogen, the biocontrol efficacy of P. membranaefaciens combined with salicylic acid (SA) in inhibiting brown rot in peach fruit caused by M. fructicola was investigated. RESULTS: As compared to P. membranaefaciens used alone, the yeast combined with SA significantly reduced lesion diameter caused by M. fructicola, and increased the activities of chitinase, β‐1,3‐glucanase and peroxidase (POD), as well as enhanced the expressions of chitinase and β‐1,3‐glucanase genes in peach fruit. Moreover, SA at 2 mmol concentration did not affect yeast growth, but inhibited pathogen growth. CONCLUSION: The mechanism by which SA enhances the biocontrol efficacy of the antagonistic yeast against brown rot may be related to inducing biochemical defence responses in peach fruit, and a moderate inhibitory effect of SA on growth of M. fructicola. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

The effects of 1-methylcyclopropene on peach fruit (Prunus persica L. cv. Jiubao) ripening and disease resistance

In order to learn how 1‐methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP) affects ripening and disease‐resistance of peach fruit (Prunus persica L. cv. Jiubao) after harvest, they were treated with 1‐MCP and some were inoculated with Penicillium expansum. Treating peach fruit with 0.2 μL L^?1 of 1‐MCP at 22 °C for 24 h effectively slowed the decline in fruit firmness. The minimal concentration of 1‐MCP able to inhibit fruit softening was 0.6 μL L^?1. Changes in other parameters related to peach ripening, such as content of soluble solids, total soluble sugar, titratable acidity, soluble pectin and ethylene production were also significantly reduced or delayed by 1‐MCP. Repeated treatment of peach with 1‐MCP resulted in more effective inhibition of ripening. Post‐harvest decay of peach fruit was reduced by treatment with 1‐MCP and disease progress in fruit inoculated with P. expansum was reduced. The activities of phenylalanine ammonialyase, polyphenoloxidase and peroxidase in the inoculated fruit were also enhanced by 1‐MCP.     

Interrelationships between ideologically important thiol,disulphide groups and yield—quality parameters of wheat cultivars (triticu aestivumm L.)

Experiments were conducted with 22 wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) from the 1976 season which showed the following: grain yields and rheologically important SS/SH ratios were negatively correlated (r= ?0.78). Rdeologically important SS/SH ratios were positively correlated with total flour protein percentages (r=0.61), residue flour protein percentages (r=0.62) and all better dough quality properties. Grain yields and total flour protein percentages were negatively correlated (r=?0.66). However, only the first relationship was statistically valid for 12 recurrent cultivars within the group of 22 which had been yield tested annually from 1971 to 1976, inclusive. Their long-term average yield data (1971–76) were more negatively correlated (r= ?0.87) with the 1976 SS/SH values than their 1976 yield data (r= ?0.78). It is considered that grain yield differences between the cultivars studied were inherently related to differences in their abilities to synthesise more rheologically important thiol groups than disulphide groups during plant growth and grain formation. The SS/SH ratio and grain yield relationship appears to be largely independent of seasonal influences and therefore should be of interest to wheat breeders trying to combine higher yield and better quality objectives in their programmes.     

Saccharomyces cerevisiae YE‐7 reduces the risk of apple blue mold disease by inhibiting the fungal incidence and patulin biosynthesis

The yeast strain, Saccharomyces cerevisiae YE‐7, was tested to control the apple blue mold disease caused by Penicillium expansum and the accumulation of patulin mycotoxin. Compared with control, pre‐treatment of pathogen‐infected apples with YE‐7 significantly reduced the incidence of blue mold diseases and patulin accumulation in rotten apple tissue by 48% and 42.6%, respectively. Interestingly, late treatment of pathogen‐infected apples with YE‐7 did not decrease patulin accumulation in the rotten tissue compared with pre‐treatment or simultaneous‐treatment. Independently, patulin amount and gene expression of isoepoxydon dehydrogenase were also measured. YE‐7 pre‐treated apples showed 75% and four times reduction in patulin accumulation and IDH gene expression, respectively. The results indicated that YE‐7 directly affected patulin biosynthesis and did not affect accumulated patulin. On the other hand, cold storage enhanced the effect of YE‐7 on apple blue mold disease incidence.

Practical applications

Postharvest blue mold decay caused by Penicillium expansum was important postharvest disease of apples. In addition, under favorable conditions, P. expansum can cause severe losses in apple fruits due to the production of patulin. In this study, a strain of S. cerevisiae (YE‐7) was assessed for its efficacy not only in controlling apple blue mold diseases, but also in reducing patulin accumulation in fruit tissue. The research will give a practical way to control the decay in a bio‐control way instead of the chemical.     

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.     

Comparison of Quality Characteristics of Selected Yellow-and White-fleshed Peach Cultivars

Physical, chemical and sensory characteristics and volatile constituents of five yellow-and six white-fleshed peach cultivars were compared. The soluble solids/titratable acidity ratios were significantly higher and the Minolta “b” values were significantly lower for white-fleshed than for yellow-fleshed cultivars. Shelf life of white-fleshed fruit equalled that of yellow-fleshed fruit. Amounts of five compounds that contribute significantly to typical peach aroma were significantly higher in white-fleshed than in yellow-fleshed peaches. Generally, flesh color showed little influence on hedonic scores, peach impact and sweet/sour balance.     

PHYSICAL AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THREE U.S. STRAWBERRY CULTIVARS GROWN IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

Totem, Shuksan, and Puget Reliance are the three predominant strawberry cultivars in the U.S. Northwest. Fruit shape and size, volume, density, porosity, specific gravity, moisture content, water activity, color, firmness, pH value, titratable acid, and mineral content were determined. The three cultivars had significantly different physical and physicochemical properties (P < 0.05). Shuksan had the largest volume, and lowest density and specific gravity. The soluble solids and texture of Puget Reliance were the highest among the three cultivars. Totem had the highest ratio of soluble solids to total acids (SS/TA). Despite these differences, all three strawberry cultivars had attractive color, a high SS/TA ratio, and thus, good commercial qualities. These strawberry cultivars were also excellent sources of manganese, ranging from about 19% to 21% DRI (Dietary Reference Intake) manganese in 100 g fresh strawberries.     

Changes in firmness, pectin content and nanostructure of two crisp peach cultivars after storage

To investigate the fundamental of firmness changes of crisp peaches, firmness and pectin contents of two peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) cultivars (‘Cangfangzaosheng’ and ‘Songsenzaosheng’) stored at 2 °C, 8 °C and 15 °C were investigated. Sodium carbonate-soluble pectin (SSP) extracted showed the highest correlation (positive) with firmness among the three kinds of pectins (water-soluble pectin, chelate-soluble pectin and SSP). The qualitative and quantitative information about SSP nanostructures were determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The widths of the peach SSPs were very consistent. The SSP chain widths of both peach cultivars were similar and were composed of several basic units. Schematic models of the changes of the chain widths were proposed. The results indicate that the firmness of peach was closely related with the contents and nanostructural characteristics of SSP, which might be hydrolyzed by enzymes in fruit flesh.     

Monitoring the sensorial quality and aroma through an electronic nose in peaches during cold storage

BACKGROUND: The poor eating quality of fresh peaches transported to far markets is one of the main problems that fresh‐fruit exporting countries have to face. This research is focused on the evaluation of the sensorial quality, with emphasis on aroma, of four peach cultivars kept in long‐term storage, through maturity parameters, sensorial attributes and electronic nose (e‐nose) assessments. Fruits were stored at 0 °C and 90% elative humidity, for 14, 28 and 42 days. Evaluations were carried out after the fruit was taken out of cold storage and after a variable period of ripening at 21 °C, until flesh firmness reached 1–2 kgf. RESULTS: On fruit recently harvested, the e‐nose was suitable for discriminating among cultivars, even if it corresponded to an early pre‐climacteric phase. As cold storage proceeded, liking degree, and specially aroma, declined for each cultivar tested. Cultivars showed different behavior patterns for liking degree and especially aroma during cold storage. Flavor showed significant correlation with sweetness (r = 0.92), juiciness (r = 0.92) and texture (r = 0.93), but not with aroma and acidity, being these last ones being independent from each other. CONCLUSION: Post‐harvest storage life of peaches is limited by loss of quality. ‘Tardibelle’ peaches showed the highest quality attribute scores after 42 days of cold storage. This evidences the availability of commercial peach cultivars which are able to withstand long‐term storage periods, allowing far markets to be reached with high quality standards. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Genotype and growing season influence blueberry antioxidant capacity and other quality attributes

Forty‐two blueberry cultivars (thirty‐six Vaccinium ashei, three V. ashei derivative hybrids and three northern highbush standards) were evaluated for their antioxidant capacities and other fruit quality attributes over two growing seasons. Total anthocyanins, phenolic content and antioxidant capacities varied substantially among species and cultivars. ‘Early May’ (V. ashei) had the highest amounts of anthocyanins, phenolics and antioxidant capacity. Cultivars from V. ashei hybrid derivatives had lower mean antioxidant components than those from northern highbush standards or V. ashei. The antioxidant capacity, as well as total anthocyanins and phenolics, had significant cultivar × year interactions. Correlation coefficient between years for total anthocyanins, total phenolics and oxygen radical absorbance capacity were high with values of 0.86, 0.81 and 0.93, respectively. Similar interactions were observed for soluble solids content (SSC), sugar, titratable acid and organic acids among cultivars both within and across the growing seasons. Correlation coefficients between years for SSC, fructose, glucose and sucrose were 0.78, 0.71, 0.83 and 0.96, respectively. Fructose and glucose were detected as two major sugars with sucrose as a minor constituent. ‘Clara’ contained the highest amounts of SSC and sugars, while ‘Satilla’ had the lowest. In general, V. ashei cultivars had a higher mean SSC and sugar contents than did the hybrid derivatives or the northern highbush standards. Cultivars of V. ashei contained higher malic acid than citric acid, whereas in hybrid derivatives and northern highbush cultivars, citric acid was the predominant organic acid. The diversity in the amount of these fruit quality attributes and antioxidant capacities presents a great opportunity for genetic improvement of blueberries through breeding programmes. The objective of the study was to identify blueberry cultivars with high antioxidant activity and good fruit quality, so they can be used as parents for future blueberry breeding programmes to develop new cultivars with higher antioxidant activity.     

Comparative analysis of flavonoids in white and red table grape cultivars during ripening by widely targeted metabolome and transcript levels

The flavonoid metabolites were compared between red ‘Summer Black’ (SB) and white ‘Shine Muscat’ (SM) table grapes during fruit development based on widely targeted metabolome. A total of 134 flavonoids were identified in two cultivars, including 37 flavones, 33 flavonols, and 11 anthocyanidins, and so on. From young to veraison, the composition and the content of most flavonoids were decreasing in both cultivars but increased at maturation in SB. In general, SB has higher flavonoid compositions and content than SM during the whole fruit development, especially the content of anthocyanin after veraison. While the SM had higher content of flavonols such as quercetin, kaempferol and their derivatives. The expression of anthocyanin-related genes such as UFGT, OMT, GST, MATE, MYBA1, and MYBA2 was remarkably higher in SB than those in SM, which may attribute to higher anthocyanin content, while the higher expression of F3H and FLS resulted higher level of flavonols in SM. These results improve our understanding of flavonoid profiles and molecular mechanism in table grape cultivars.     

Soybean whole-plant ensiled with chitosan and lactic acid bacteria: Microorganism counts,fermentative profile,and total losses

Chitosan is a biopolymer derived from chitin deacetylation, present in the exoskeleton of crustaceans and insects. Chitosan has been evaluated as rumen modulator and silage additive due to its antimicrobial properties. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of both chitosan and a bacterial additive on microbiological quality, chemical composition, nutrient in vitro degradation, fermentative profile, and total losses of whole-soybean plant silage (SS) harvested at R6 stage. Four treatments in a factorial arrangement were randomly assigned to 40 experimental minisilos as no additives (CON), 8 g/t fresh forage of microbial inoculant (INO; Kera SIL, Kera Nutrição Animal, Bento Gonçalves, Brazil); 5 g/kg of fresh forage chitosan (CHI); and CHI + INO. Microbial inoculant was composed of Lactobacillus plantarum (4.0 × 10¹⁰ cfu/g) and Propionibacterium acidipropionici (2.6 × 10¹⁰ cfu/g). The CHI and INO alone increased counts of lactic bacteria and anaerobic bacteria and decreased counts of mold and yeast in SS. The CHI or INO alone increased in vitro degradation of dry matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber, and decreased nonfiber carbohydrate content of SS. Chitosan increased NH₃-N and lactate concentrations and decreased ethanol concentration in SS. The CHI increased dry matter recovery from SS; INO increased silage aerobic stability. The combination of CHI+INO showed the lowest value of gas losses. In general, the combination of CHI and INO had small positive effects on gas losses of SS; however, both CHI or INO alone improved nutrient in vitro degradation and decreased mold and yeast in SS. Chitosan or INO utilization improves SS quality.