Efficacy of thyme oil-alginate-based coating in reducing foodborne pathogens on fresh-cut apples

In this study, the inhibition of an alginate-based edible coating (EC) containing thyme oil (0.05%, 0.35% and 0.65%) was evaluated against Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli O157:H7 inoculated onto fresh-cut apples. To investigate the antibacterial mechanism of thyme oil, the constituent compounds of that were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and the cellular damage of pathogens was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results showed that alginate-based EC containing thyme oil effectively inhibited the growth of pathogens on fresh-cut apples. GC-MS analysis revealed thymol (47.23%) as the major compounds in thyme oil. SEM showed that the cell membrane of foodborne pathogens was damaged by thyme oil, causing their inactivation. Treatment with alginate-based EC containing 0.05% thyme oil preserved the sensory characteristics of fresh-cut apples. Therefore, using alginate-based EC with thyme oil may represent a potential approach to preserve and enhance the safety of fresh-cut apples.     

Edible coatings enriched with essential oils for extending the shelf‐life of ‘Bravo de Esmolfe’ fresh‐cut apples

Edible coatings based on sodium alginate (AL) and pectin (PE) at 1% and 2%(w/v) enriched with eugenol (Eug) and citral (Cit) at minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) (0.10% and 0.15%) and double MIC were used to preserve the quality of fresh‐cut apples ‘Bravo de Esmolfe’. Samples were taken, through 14 day at 4 °C, for analysis of colour CIE(L*h°C*), firmness, °Brix, weight loss, antioxidant activity (TEAC), microbial growth and taste panels. With those quality characteristics, three groups were formed by the principal component and hierarchical cluster analysis, for each coating base (AL or PE). Based on, for each quality parameter measured, the mean closest value to the one at harvest for colour, higher value for firmness, °Brix and TEAC, and lower value for weight loss and microbial spoilage, the best group was selected for AL and PE. From each group, two edible coatings with the highest scores in overall acceptability were selected for fresh‐cut apples: AL2% + Eug 0.1%, AL2% + Cit 0.15% + Eug 0.1%, PE 2% + Cit 0.15% and PE 2% + Eug 0.2%.     

A profile of physicochemical and antioxidant changes during fruit growth for the utilisation of unripe apples

The physicochemicals associated with fruit quality, antioxidant activities and changes in polyphenol composition during Fuji apple growth were investigated from the 25th to 105th day after full bloom day (DAFB). Three kinds of antioxidant assays, including oxygen radical absorbing capacity (ORAC) were executed, and polyphenol composition were examined using HPLC. The change in weight of the Fuji apples during fruit growth showed a typical sigmoidal curve. Both the rise of the soluble solid content and the drop of the titratable acidity appeared to be more significant (p < 0.05) after the 85th DAFB. Concurrently, the antioxidant activities and the polyphenol content decreased (p < 0.05) rapidly after the same date. Accordingly, a profitable thinning date can be chosen around the 85th DAFB to utilise dropped unripe apples as resources of antioxidants. Furthermore, the antioxidant activities of Fuji apples may be highly affected by the chlorogenic acid content.     

我国北方高酸苹果综合品质评价

为了推动高酸苹果基地合理规划,提高产业竞争力,对我国北方高酸苹果综合品质进行了定量综合评价。基于2011—2014年我国8省区多点采样检验资料,采用层次分析法和K-均值聚类分析方法,综合高酸苹果榨汁和鲜食两种用途,将可滴定酸、可溶性固形物、VC含量、出汁率等主要品质因子根据生理品质、物理品质和外观品质分为3类,构建了高酸苹果品质评价指标和评价体系,对各地高酸苹果综合品质进行了评价。结果表明,我国宁夏、辽宁两省区采样点上高酸苹果综合评价等级较高,品质相对较好,陕西、河南两省采样区域高酸苹果品质不稳定,甘肃、山西和山东等省采样点上多数年份高酸苹果综合评价等级偏低,品质一般。2011—2012年各地高酸苹果品质多为良好,2013—2014年各地苹果品质则不稳定。所构建的评价体系能够反映高酸苹果品质地域和年际间的波动,评价结果可为高酸苹果产区结构调整和苹果果汁企业发展提供参考。     

FUDT在苹果近红外光谱分类中的应用

苹果的分类是苹果采收后商品化处理的重要环节。为了快速、无损和有效地实现苹果的分类,利用近红外光谱技术采集四种苹果的近红外反射光谱,用主成分分析对高维的近红外光谱进行降维处理,分别运行线性判别分析,二次判别分析,模糊非相关判别转换和Foley-Sammon判别分析提取鉴别信息,用k-近邻分类器进行分类。分类结果表明,模糊非相关判别转换能更好地提取苹果近红外光谱的品种鉴别信息,达到了最高的分类准确率。     

1-MCP结合纳他霉素对富士苹果贮后货架品质和芳香物质的影响

以富士苹果为实验试材,研究1-甲基环丙烯（1-methylcyclopropene,1-MCP）（1 μL/L）结合不同质量浓度纳他霉素（0、400、800、1 200 mg/L）对贮后常温货架期间果实品质的影响及其货架期芳香物质的变化。结果表明,与对照组相比,1-MCP结合纳他霉素处理富士苹果后能更好地减缓果实质量损失率的增加和硬度的下降,保持果实VC、可滴定酸和可溶性固形物含量,其中800 mg/L纳他霉素处理保鲜效果优于其他处理;主要特征香气成分有己醛、反式-2-己烯醛、乙酸-2-甲基丁酯、乙酸己酯和正己醇等,不同处理富士苹果芳香物质种类存在一定差异性,其组成及相对含量在货架期内发生相应变化,4 种处理醇类物质相对含量均减少,对照组与1 200 mg/L纳他霉素组酯类、醛类物质以及总芳香物质相对含量增加,400 mg/L纳他霉素组酯类物质相对含量增加,800 mg/L纳他霉素组酯类物质相对含量减少,总芳香物质相对含量略有减少,其变化规律与理化指标分析结果相吻合。     

半胱氨酸控制鲜切苹果褐变的生理机制

为研究半胱氨酸对鲜切苹果褐变控制的生理机制,以鲜切苹果为研究对象,采用0.5 g/L的半胱氨酸溶液处 理1 min,分析贮藏过程中鲜切苹果褐变指数（browning index,BI）、多酚氧化酶（polyphenol oxidase,PPO）和 抗氧化酶活力、抗氧化物质和丙二醛（malondialdehyde,MDA）质量摩尔浓度及抗氧化能力的变化。结果表明, 与蒸馏水处理相比,半胱氨酸处理能够显著抑制鲜切苹果的褐变,在贮藏初期半胱氨酸处理降低了鲜切苹果的PPO 活力,同时在贮藏过程中不同程度提高了鲜切苹果的抗氧化酶活力以及抗氧化能力,减缓了抗氧化物质在贮藏过程 中的损失,并且抑制了MDA的积累。相关性分析显示,鲜切苹果的BI值与抗坏血酸含量、过氧化氢酶活力以及抗 氧化能力呈极显著负相关（P＜0.01）,与MDA质量摩尔浓度呈极显著正相关（P＜0.01）。因此,半胱氨酸可能是 一方面通过抑制鲜切苹果的PPO活力,另一方面通过提高其抗氧化能力,延缓贮藏过程中的组织褐变。     

Using polysaccharide-based edible coatings to maintain quality of fresh-cut Fuji apples

The effect of alginate and gellan-based edible coatings on the shelf-life of fresh-cut Fuji apples packed in trays with a plastic film of a known permeability to oxygen (110 cm³ O₂ m⁻² bar⁻¹ day⁻¹) was investigated by measuring changes in headspace atmosphere, color, firmness and microbial growth during 23 days of storage at 4 °C. Concentration of O₂ and CO₂ in the package was measured and no significant differences between coated and uncoated fresh-cut apples were observed. Ethylene concentration in coated apples seemed to be delayed since it remained below 50 μl l⁻¹ throughout the whole refrigerated storage period, while production of this gas was detected in uncoated apples from the very initial days of storage. Coated apple wedges exhibited ethanol and acetaldehyde formation from the second week of storage indicating fermentative metabolism. Polymers were crosslinked with a calcium chloride solution, to which the antibrowning agent N-acetylcysteine was added, being incorporated into the coatings formulation and helping to maintain firmness and color of apple wedges during the entire storage time. The application of the edible coatings also retarded the microbiological deterioration of fresh-cut apples. Alginate and gellan edible coatings effectively prolonged the shelf-life of Fuji apple wedges by 2 weeks of storage compared with the control apple slices which showed a considerable cut surface browning and tissue softening from the very early days of storage, limiting their shelf-life to less than 4 days.