Quality of electron beam irradiation of blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) at medium dose levels (1.0-3.2 kGy)

We assessed the effect of electron beam irradiation of packaged fresh blueberries at doses greater than 1.0 kGy on the quality attributes of the fruits. Irradiation experiments were conducted using a 10 MeV (18 kW) linear accelerator with single beam fixture. Fruits were stored at 5 °C and 70.4% RH for 14 days and tested at days 0, 3, 7 and 14 for physico-chemical, textural, microstructural, and sensory characteristics. Control samples consisted of non-irradiated fruits. Irradiation at doses higher than 1.1 kGy did affect (P<0.05) the texture of blueberries as the fruits became considerably softer and less acceptable throughout storage. Only irradiation at 3.2 kGy affected the color of blueberries by the end of storage. Irradiation slightly reduced the respiration rates of the blueberries by the end of storage. In terms of overall quality, texture and aroma, only fruits exposed to 3.2 kGy were found unacceptable by the sensory panelists. Irradiation at the dose levels used in this study did not affect the density, pH, water activity, moisture content, acidity and juiciness of blueberries. Electron beam irradiation of blueberries up to 1.6 kGy is a feasible decontamination treatment that maintains the overall fruit quality attributes.     

Influences of preharvest spraying Cryptococcus laurentii combined with postharvest chitosan coating on postharvest diseases and quality of table grapes in storage

The effects of preharvest spray with Cryptococcus laurentii combined with chitosan coating after harvest on decay and quality of table grapes during storage periods were evaluated in the present study. Preharvest spray with C. laurentii (PreA) significantly decreased decay index (DI), and postharvest chitosan coating (PCC) enhanced the effectiveness of the pre-harvest spray when fruits were stored at 0 °C. PreA combination with PCC increased the activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) of fruit in storage. PreA + PCC treatment was effective in reducing weight loss of fruits by 85% at 17 d storage and 38% at 42 d storage as compared to PreA alone at the same stage. In addition, PreA enhanced the ratio of soluble solids content (SSC) to titratable acid (TA) by 12% at harvest time, 7% at 17 d storage and 25% at 42 d storage, mainly by increasing SSC and decreasing TA in fruit stored at 0 °C. These results suggested that integration of preharvest spray with C. laurentii and postharvest chitosan coating treatment may be a promising management strategy for decay control and quality maintenance of table grapes.     

Methyl jasmonate enhances biocontrol efficacy of Rhodotorula glutinis to postharvest blue mold decay of pears

The effect of Rhodotorula glutinis treatment alone or in combination with methyl jasmonate (MeJA) in controlling blue mold decay, the natural fungal decay of pears and the postharvest quality parameters including fruit firmness, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and ascorbic acid were investigated. The combination of methyl jasmonate (200 μM) and R. glutinis (1 × 10⁸ CFU/ml) was a more effective approach to reduce the disease incidence and lesion diameter of blue mold decay of pears than the application of MeJA or R. glutinis alone after incubation for 7 d at 20 °C. The natural fungal decay of pears treated with the application of R. glutinis combined with MeJA resulted in reduced average decay incidence of 10.42% or 4.16%, respectively, compared with 27.17% or 20.83% in the control fruits following storage at 20 °C for 15 d or 4 °C for 60 d followed by 20 °C for 15 d. The combined treatment did not impair quality parameters of fruits under both conditions.     

Effect of nitric oxide on pericarp browning of harvested longan fruit in relation to phenolic metabolism

The effects of nitric oxide (NO) on enzymatic browning of harvested longan fruit in relation to phenolic metabolisms were investigated. Fruits were dipped for 5 min in 1 mM sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a nitric oxide donor, then packed in 0.03 mm thick polyethylene bags, and finally stored for 6 days at 28 °C. Changes in pericarp browning and pulp breakdown were evaluated, while total phenol content, activities of phenolic-associated enzymes, polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD) and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), and concentrations of total soluble solids, titratable acidity and ascorbic acid were measured. SNP treatment delayed pericarp browning, inhibited activities of PPO, POD and PAL and maintained a high total phenol content of longan fruit during storage. Furthermore, NO showed a significant inhibition of the in vitro activities of PPO and POD, indicating that the beneficial effect of NO was direct. Moreover, application of NO resulted in a lower pulp breakdown and maintained relatively high levels of total soluble solids and ascorbic acid.     

Physicochemical changes in fresh-cut wax apple (Syzygium samarangenese [Blume] Merrill & L.M. Perry) during storage

Physicochemical changes, such as peel and flesh colours, total anthocyanin content, browning index, firmness, total soluble solid (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), sugar acid ratio (TSS/TA), antioxidant capacity, total phenolic content and ascorbic acid content, in fresh-cut Taaptimjan wax apple fruit stored at 4 ± 2 °C and 12 ± 2 °C for 7 days were investigated. The skin of fresh-cut fruit stored at 4 ± 2 °C showed higher a^∗ value, chroma and total anthocyanin content and lower hue angle than those stored at 12 ± 2 °C. Lightness (L^∗ value) and whiteness index of the fresh-cut fruit flesh stored at 12 ± 2 °C showed significantly lower than those stored at 4 ± 2 °C which related to an significant increase in browning index. Firmness, total soluble solid, titratable acidity and sugar acid ratio did not significant changes during storage. Antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content increased throughout storage. Ascorbic acid content of the fresh-cut fruit stored at 4 ± 2 °C remained constant throughout storage whilst ascorbic content at 12 ± 2 °C decreased and was lower than that at 4 ± 2 °C. At 4 ± 2 °C antioxidant capacity and ascorbic acid content were higher than that stored at 12 ± 2 °C whilst there was no significant difference in total phenolic content. In conclusion, the reduction of whiteness index and the increase in browning index of fresh-cut wax apple flesh were the key factors affecting its quality and storage at 4 ± 2 °C could reduce the change in the flesh colour and maintained the peel colour and nutritional values of fresh-cut wax apple fruit during storage.     

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.     

Antioxidant capacity,ascorbic acid,total phenols and carotenoids changes during harvest and after storage of Hayward kiwifruit

The influences of harvest time and storage on the quality indices and nutritional content of kiwifruit were evaluated. Antioxidant capacity, ascorbic acid, total phenol content, carotenoids, soluble solids content and flesh firmness were determined in kiwifruit gathered at two different time (T1: 17-11-2005 and T2: 24-11-2005) and stored at 0 °C, for 2 or 6 months (S1 and S2, respectively). At the end of the cool storage, fruits were maintained for a week at 25 °C (S1 + 7d and S2 + 7d).     

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.     

Changes in strawberry phenolics, anthocyanins, and antioxidant capacity in response to high oxygen treatments

Changes in fruit quality, decay, phenolic and anthocyanin content, and antioxidant capacity of strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa Duch. cv. Allstar) stored under air and high oxygen atmospheres at 5 °C were investigated. Freshly harvested strawberries were placed in jars and ventilated continuously with air or with 40, 60, 80, or 100 kPa O₂ at 5 °C for up to 14 days. Samples were taken initially, and after 3, 7, 10 and 14 days of storage. While fruit quality parameters such as titratable acidity, total soluble solids and surface color were only slightly affected by differing levels of O₂, the higher oxygen concentration treatments significantly reduced decay. Oxygen concentrations higher than 60 kPa also promoted increases in ORAC values, total phenolics and total anthocyanins as well as individual phenolic compounds analysed by HPLC during the initial 7 days of storage. However, this effect diminished with prolonged storage. No significant differences in ORAC values, total phenolics, total anthocyanins, or the individual phenolic compounds were observed among the high O₂ and air-stored fruits after 14 days of storage. These results indicate that high oxygen treatments exert the most effects on fruit quality and antioxidant capacity of strawberry fruit in the first 7 days of storage.     

Physiological and biochemical response of harvested plum fruit to oxalic acid during ripening or shelf-life

The effect of oxalic acid application on plum fruit (Prunus salicina cv. ‘Damili’) ripening properties during storage or shelf-life was determined. The fruits were dipped for 3 min in solutions containing 5 mmol/L oxalic acid and then were packed into polyethylene bags and stored at 25 °C for 12 days, or at 2 °C for 20 days and subsequently at 25 °C for 12 days. Ethylene production, fruit firmness, contents of pectin and anthocyanin, specific activities of polygalacturonase (PG), pectin methylesterase (PME) and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), and chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) were measured. The application of oxalic acid reduced ethylene production and delayed softening of plum fruit. The inhibition of softening was associated with decreased PG and PME activities; that is, the retardation of pectin solubilization/degradation. During storage or shelf-life, flesh reddening and anthocyanin synthesis were significantly inhibited in oxalic acid-treated plum fruit, accompanied with decreased PAL activity. Furthermore, it was found that variable:maximalchlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm), an indicator of ripening, senescence or stress injury of fruit and vegetable, decreased much more slowly in oxalic-treated plum fruits than in control fruits. Thus, oxalic acid treatment can be an effective means to extend the shelf life of plum fruit.     

Fructooligosaccharide fortification of selected fruit juice beverages: Effect on the quality characteristics

Fortification of selected fruit juice beverages (Pineapple, Mango and Orange juice) with fructooligosaccharides (FOSs), a low calorie prebiotic has been discussed. Results indicated that sucrose which is usually used as a sweetener in fruit juice beverages can be partially substituted with FOS without significantly affecting the overall quality. The fruit juice beverages were evaluated for physicochemical and sensory changes during 6 months storage period at ambient (25 ± 2 °C) and refrigeration temperature (4 °C). The pH, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and colour did not change significantly (P ≥ 0.05) during storage. The initial FOS content of pineapple, mango and orange juice beverages was 3.79, 3.45, and 3.62 g/100 mL. The FOS content of the fruit juice beverages stored at refrigeration temperature was 2.00-2.39 g/100 mL after 6 months of storage and 2.69-3.32, 1.65-2.08 and 0.38-0.58 g/100 mL at the second, fourth and sixth months of storage at ambient temperature respectively. The sensory analysis showed that the beverages were acceptable up to 4 and 6 months storage at ambient and refrigeration temperature respectively.     

Shelf-life extension of highbush blueberry using 1-methylcyclopropene stored under air and controlled atmosphere

The potential of 1-methylcyclopropene for controlling ripening in ‘Lateblue’ blueberry fruit was explored. After harvest, blueberry fruits were exposed to 1-MCP (0.3 and 0.6 μl l⁻¹). After treatment, samples were stored in air at 0 °C for 35 days and in a controlled atmosphere (3 kPa O₂ + 11 kPa CO₂) for 60 days. Quality parameters were monitored (weight loss, total soluble solids content, titratable acidity, firmness, anthocyanin content, phenolic content, total antioxidant capacity). Blueberries treated with 1-MCP showed a reduced weight loss during storage and a lower total soluble solid content compared to untreated fruit. High titratable acidity values were observed after controlled atmosphere storage, but no significant effect of 1-MCP on this parameter was observed. 1-MCP had no significant effects on anthocyanins, phenolics or antioxidant activities.     

Heat and anaerobic treatments affected physiological and biochemical parameters in tomato fruits

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of thermal and anaerobic treatments on physiological and biochemical parameters in a variety of tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Colt 45). Treatments applied to mature green tomatoes were: (A) heat treatments by water immersion at 42 °C for 30 min (HS30′) or for 60 min (HS60′); or by air at 38 °C for 72 h (HS72h); and (B) anaerobic treatments carried out at 20 °C under humidified nitrogen atmosphere for 3 days (ANA3d) or 6 days (ANA6d). After treatments, fruits were stored at 2 or 14 °C. Parameters evaluated were: colour, total acidity, major organic acids, firmness, and ethanol and acetaldehyde concentration. Anaerobic and long-term heat shock treatments inhibited colour development irrespective of storage temperature. Air heat treatment reduced tritratable acidity by increasing malic acid metabolism. Anaerobic treatments induced ethanol accumulation, which could be reversed during storage for the short treatment (3 days), but not for the longer treatment (6 days). Acetaldehyde concentration was increased by anaerobic treatments, but also by immersion in hot water for 60 min, which would produce a “low-aerobic” environment.     

SENSORY QUALITY AND NUTRIENT COMPOSITION OF THREE HAWAIIAN FRUITS TREATED BY X-IRRADIATION

Papayas, rambutans, and Kau oranges were irradiated at 0 (control) and 0.75 (irradiated) kGy and stored for 2 and 9 days to determine the effect of X‐irradiation on objective and sensory quality attributes. Irradiation at 0.25 kGy, as a minimum dose, has been approved as a quarantine treatment for the export of tropical fruits grown in Hawaii. The effects of irradiation and storage on specific sensory attributes were dependent on the specific fruit. Aroma and flavor tended to be more intense in the irradiated fruit. Firmness decreased as a result of irradiation and storage, though significant only in rambutans. The color of the rambutans and oranges were significantly affected by irradiation. Irradiation did not contribute to significant changes in the ascorbic acid and carotenoid contents, pH, titratable acidity, and total soluble solids. Adaptation of X‐ray irradiation as a quarantine treatment should enhance the marketability of tropical fruits.     

Storage quality of pineapple juice non-thermally pasteurized and clarified by microfiltration

Microfiltration (MF) is classified as a non-thermal process for the fruit juice industry. It could provide a better preservation of the phytochemical property and flavor of the juice. This work aimed to study the stability of phytochemical properties including vitamin C, total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity (2-Diphenly-1-picrylhydrazyl: DPPH, free radical scavenging capacity and Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity: ORAC assays), microbial and chemical–physical (color, browning index, pH and total soluble solid) properties of MF-clarified pineapple juice during storage at various temperatures (i.e. 4, 27, and 37 °C). The juices were clarified by microfiltration using hollow fiber module. The results showed that most of the phytochemical properties and soluble components were retained in the juice after microfiltration. No microbial growth was detected after 6 months of storage. The storage time and temperature did not affect total soluble solids and pH (P > 0.05). The color (L^*) of clarified juice stored at 4 °C was lighter than the juices stored at higher temperature levels (P < 0.05). The phytochemical properties and total phenol content of the juice significantly decreased as storage time and temperature increased (P < 0.05). Vitamin C content was the attribute that affected storage time and temperature most as indicated by reaction rate constant and activated energy. Storage of non-thermally pasteurized and clarified pineapple juice at 4 °C was the most suitable since it allowed the best quality preservation.     

Electron-beam irradiation of fresh broccoli heads (Brassica oleracea L. italica)

Broccoli is a popular item in the diet of the US population, commonly found in salads ready-to-eat. The recent recalls of fresh produce due to contamination with Escherichia coli and other pathogens emphasize the need to find effective means to treat minimally processed fresh foods. Our study assessed the effect of ionizing radiation using electron beams on the shelf-life, physicochemical properties, and consumer acceptability of broccoli florets. One-hundred broccoli heads were irradiated at 1, 2, and 3 kGy with a 10 MeV linear accelerator at 22 °C. We monitored pH, color, texture, respiration rate, weight loss, chlorophyll, total carotenoids, and vitamin C of irradiated and non-irradiated samples at 5-day intervals up to 14 days at 4 °C and 95% RH. Fifty consumer panelists scored the samples using a nine-point hedonic scale.Irradiation did not affect color, firmness, pH, and weight loss of the samples. Both irradiated samples and controls showed a slight change in color during storage, though the effect was not dose-dependent. Irradiation affected (P < 0.05) the respiration rates on the first 5 days of storage (higher CO₂ levels) but all samples, including the controls, attained the same equilibrium value. Vitamin C content of all samples decreased (P < 0.05) with storage time. Chlorophyll and total carotenoids content followed the same trend. In terms of overall acceptability, color, odor, and texture, all irradiated samples were highly accepted by the panelists with scores of 5 and above. By the end of shelf-life, only the controls showed significant quality decline (yellow color, off-odor) due to microbial spoilage. In summary, electron-beam treatment up to 3 kGy maintains the overall quality of fresh broccoli.     

Changes in physiology and quality of peach fruits treated by methyl jasmonate under low temperature stress

The quality and physiological changes were determined in peach (Prunus persica L. cv. Jiubao) fruits in low temperature storage with or without methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment. Peach fruits stored for 3 weeks at 5 °C and following 3 d shelf life intervals at 20 °C appeared chilling injury (CI) symptom, expressed as flesh browning. MeJA treatment decreased the CI index, which was possibly attributed to higher activity of peroxidase and lower content of phenolic compounds than that without MeJA treatment. Moreover, MeJA treatment not only enhanced the rate of SSC/TA in peach fruits by mainly restraining the decrease of the SSC in peach, but also affected the degradation of cell wall, perhaps by regulation of cell wall modifying enzymes and the calcium content in cell wall of flesh. The results suggested that MeJA treatment was beneficial for maintaining quality owing to reducing chilling injury of peach fruits under low temperature stress.     

Effect of gamma and electron beam irradiation on the survival of pathogens inoculated into salted, seasoned, and fermented oyster

The objective of this study was to identify the efficacy of gamma and electron beam irradiation of the food-borne pathogens including 3-strain cocktail of Listeria monocytogenes (ATCC 19114, 19115, and 19111), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538, 25923, and 29213), and Vibrio parahaemolyticus (ATCC 17802, 33844, and 27969) in salted, seasoned, and fermented oyster (oyster Jeotkal, 8% salt), commercially available in the market. Irradiation (0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 5 kGy) significantly reduced the initial microbial level not only immediately after irradiation but also during storage at 10 °C for 4 weeks (P ≤ 0.05). No viable cell was detected at 5 kGy of irradiation at a detection limit of 10¹ CFU/g. Gamma irradiation was more effective than electron beam irradiation, and yielded D₁₀ values of 0.60, 0.71, and 0.29 kGy for L. monocytogenes, S. aureus, and V. parahaemolyticus, and those of electron beam irradiation were 0.69, 0.94, and 0.29 kGy, respectively. V. parahaemolyticus was most sensitive to irradiation and storage among all pathogens tested. Sensory quality was not affected by irradiation treatment. Results suggest that a low dose irradiation can improve the microbial quality and reduce the risk by the food-borne pathogens of oyster Jeotkal, which has limited alternative sterilization methods due to the temperature sensitivity of food products.     

Effect of cold storage and ozone treatment on physicochemical parameters,soluble sugars and organic acids in Actinidia deliciosa

The production of kiwi fruits is a dynamic agricultural activity in Corsica (France). The fruits are either consumed directly or used to produce kiwi wine. They are often stored for 4–6 months in industrial freezer chambers at 0 °C or industrial ozone chambers. The aim of this study was to measure physical, chemical and fungicidal parameters, soluble sugars and non-volatile organic acids during storage in each of these types of chamber. Various standard and instrumental methods (physicochemical techniques, HPLC) in conjunction with statistical analysis were used. During storage, the kiwi mass, firmness and acidity decreased, whereas reducing sugar, °Brix and pH increased. There were statistical differences between the two chambers regarding reducing sugar and acidity. The ozone gas treatment had a fungicidal effect on Botrytis cinerea. The major soluble sugar present in the kiwi fruit was fructose, followed by glucose and sucrose. The concentrations of these sugars increased during storage in both air at 0 °C and ozone-enriched air. Organic acids are one of the important factors influencing fruit flavour. Citric and quinic acids predominated over malic, tartaric and ascorbic acids. During storage in the ozone chamber, concentrations of non-volatile organic acids decreased sharply after 25 weeks. Storage at 0 °C enabled better retention of organic acids.     

Acrylamide content in fried chips prepared from irradiated and non-irradiated stored potatoes

The content of reducing sugars and asparagine, responsible for the formation of acrylamide, was determined in eight Indian potato varieties. Among these, Kufri chipsona-2 and Kufri lavkar showed the lowest level of reducing sugar (680.68 ± 56.50 mg/kg) and asparagine (2074.36 ± 122.27 mg/kg), respectively. The acrylamide content in potato chips prepared from Kufri chipsona-2, the variety that is used commercially in India for making potato chips was also the lowest. Irradiation of this variety of potatoes at the sprout inhibition dose of 60 Gy and subsequent storage for six months showed a 10.7% lower content of reducing sugars at both 14 and 4 °C. The acrylamide content was 8.41% and 6.95% lower in chips from irradiated potatoes stored at 14 and 4 °C than the corresponding non-irradiated controls. The colour of the chips was also better in irradiated potatoes as judged from the L∗ and a∗ values.