Effect of deficit irrigation on apricot fruit quality at harvest and during storage

The effect of different irrigation strategies on the fruit quality at harvest and during storage at 1 °C of 'Búlida' apricots (Prunus armeniaca L.) was studied. Irrigation treatments consisted of a control irrigated at 100% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) throughout the season, and two deficit irrigation treatments consisting of continuous irrigation at 50% of control, and regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) at 100% of ETc during the critical periods (second rapid fruit growth and early post‐harvest) and at 25% during the rest of the season. Fruits at harvest from both deficit irrigation treatments showed higher values of total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity and hue angle (h°) than control fruits, whereas their diameter, fresh weight, firmness and maturity index values were similar to those in the control. During the first 10 days of the 30‐day chilling storage period, higher TSS and h° values were found in deficit irrigated fruits, whilst the other parameters were similar for all treatments. Weight loss and fungal attacks (mainly Rhizopus sp. and Monilinia sp.) during a subsequent retail sale period of 4 days at 13 °C were the lowest in RDI. Deficit irrigation was demonstrated to be commercially advantageous for keeping fruit quality, saving considerable amounts of water. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Delayed harvest and cold storage period influence ethylene production,fruit firmness and quality of ‘Cripps Pink’ apple

The effects of harvest date and cold storage period on ethylene production, fruit firmness and quality of ‘Cripps Pink’ apple were investigated. Fruit were harvested from Perth Hills and Donnybrook (Western Australia) at commercial maturity (CM), 2, 4 and 6 weeks after CM prior to 0, 45, 90 and 135 days cold storage in 2003 and 2004. Delayed harvest significantly increased ethylene production, CIE values a* and C* at both locations in 2 years. Delayed harvest and extended cold storage period increased the internal ethylene production and reduced fruit firmness, soluble solids concentration: titratable acidity (SSC:TA) ratio and reduced CIE values L*, b*, h° during both years and locations. Fruit harvested 2 weeks after CM can be cold‐stored for 90 days with acceptable fruit quality. If the fruit is intended to be sold fresh immediately in local markets, the harvest can be delayed up to 6 weeks after CM to harness substantially improved fruit colour with acceptable fruit quality.     

Effect of hot air treatment on quality and ripening of Chinese bayberry fruit

BACKGROUND: Postharvest decay and softening are the major factors limiting the extension of storage life of Chinese bayberry fruit. To evaluate the effects of hot air treatment (HAT) on Chinese bayberry fruit, fruits were stored at 2 °C after exposure to 20 °C (control), 40 °C (HAT₄₀), 45 °C (HAT₄₅) or 50 °C (HAT₅₀) hot air for 3 h. The effects of HAT on firmness, disease incidence, soluble solid content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), respiration, ethylene production, pectic substances and activities of pectinmethylesterase (PME) and polygalacturonase (PG) were examined. RESULTS: HAT inhibited decrease in firmness, SSC and TA and retarded increase in disease incidence, while it promoted decrease in respiration rate and ethylene production. HAT suppressed the activities of PME and PG, which resulted in delaying the depolymerisation of chelator‐soluble and alkali‐soluble pectic substances and reducing the increase in water‐soluble pectic substances compared with control fruits. CONCLUSION: The present findings show that HAT can maintain postharvest quality and delay ripening of Chinese bayberry fruit and suggest that HAT could be considered for commercial use to extend the postharvest life of Chinese bayberry fruit. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Pre‐ or post‐harvest applications of putrescine and low temperature storage affect fruit ripening and quality of ‘Angelino’ plum

BACKGROUND: Plum has a very short storage life. The role of pre‐ or post‐harvest applications of putrescine (PUT) and low temperature storage on fruit ripening and quality was investigated in plum fruit (Prunus salicina Lindl. cv. Angelino). RESULTS: Pre‐ or post‐harvest PUT treatments [(0.1, 1.0 or 2.0 mmol L^?1) + 0.01% Tween‐20 as a surfactant] delayed and suppressed the climacteric ethylene production and respiration rate irrespective of the method used to apply PUT. PUT‐treated fruit following low temperature storage (0 ± 1 °C; 90 ± 5% RH), at the ripe stage exhibited higher fruit firmness and titratable acidity (TA), while soluble solids content (SSC), levels of ascorbic acid, total carotenoids and total antioxidants were lower than in untreated fruit. Fruit both sprayed with PUT and stored in low temperature for 6 weeks, at the ripe stage showed reduced respiration rate, delayed changes in the SSC:TA ratio and levels of total carotenoids compared to post‐harvest PUT application. CONCLUSION: Pre‐harvest application of 2.0 mmol L^?1 PUT 1 week before the anticipated commercial harvest was more effective in delaying plum fruit ripening and can be used to extend the storage (0 ± 1 °C) life of plums for up to 6 weeks with minimum losses in fruit quality. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of preharvest sprays containing calcium,magnesium and titanium on the quality of peaches and nectarines at harvest and during postharvest storage

Peach and nectarine trees were foliar sprayed with a formulation containing Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Ti⁴⁺. Parameters related to fruit quality were evaluated at harvest, after 7–28 days of cold storage and after subsequent ripening for 4 days at 20 °C (shelf life). At harvest, treated fruits from both cultivars had higher weight and pulp firmness than control fruits, while no effect was observed for either colour, total soluble solid content (TSS) and titratable acidity (TA) or the time required to ripen on the tree. During cold storage, lower levels of weight loss, colour evolution, TSS/TA ratio and ethylene production and higher pulp firmness were found in treated peaches and nectarines compared with control fruits. Also, the storability of treated fruits was extended for up to 14 days more than that of control fruits. During ripening at 20 °C after different periods of cold storage, parameters related to ripening evolved faster in control than in treated fruits. Also, the occurrence of the climacteric peak of ethylene production was delayed and its intensity was lower in treated peaches and nectarines than in controls. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

The effects of fruit maturation,delayed storage and ethylene treatment on the incidence of low‐temperature breakdown of ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit

BACKGROUND: Low‐temperature breakdown (LTB), a disorder inducing quality loss, during and after cold storage of ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit was investigated. Harvested kiwifruits during fruit maturation or after delayed storage (DS) at 20 °C for 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks and 1 µL L^?1 ethylene treatment for 24 h were stored at ? 0.5 °C for 24 weeks and additional ripening at 20 °C for 5 days. Fruit quality indices and LTB incidence and severity were determined before and after treatments. RESULTS: Harvested fruits ripened during maturation, DS and after ethylene treatment. After storage and shelf life, fruits of all treatments were at complete ripening stage. LTB incidence of early harvested fruits was high, while that of fruits of the mid (third) and late harvests was low. Fruits of the third harvest date showed progressively increased LTB incidence with increasing duration of DS to as high as 95–100% after 4 weeks. Ethylene‐treated fruits showed a comparable increase in LTB to that corresponding to 2–3 weeks of DS. CONCLUSION: In contrast to fruit maturation, postharvest (after harvest and before storage) DS at non‐chilling temperature and ethylene treatment advanced the ripening of ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit and resulted in increased LTB incidence. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

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.     

Influence of regulated deficit irrigation strategies applied to olive trees (Arbequina cultivar) on oil yield and oil composition during the fruit ripening period

This study evaluated the effect of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) strategies applied to olive trees (Arbequina cv) during the fruit ripening and harvest periods on oil yield and oil composition. Fatty acid composition, pigments, colour, polyphenol content and stability of oils were evaluated. The results indicate that regulated deficit irrigation induces fruit ripening; at harvest, oil yield increased when water supply was decreased, probably as a consequence of lower water content in the olive. Acidic composition was not affected by irrigation treatments. Irrigation affected pigment content and oil colour primarily during the early stages of olive ripening. RDI increased polyphenol concentration and stability of oils at all picking dates, especially during the first stages of the ripening period, probably owing to water stress. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of fruit load on maturity and carotenoid content of clementine (Citrus clementina Hort. ex Tan.) fruits

BACKGROUND: Citrus fruits contain many secondary metabolites displaying valuable health properties. There is a lot of interest in enhancing citrus quality traits, especially carotenoid contents, by agronomic approaches. In this study the influence of carbohydrate availability on maturity and quality criteria was investigated in clementine fruits during ripening. Fruiting branches were girdled and defoliated after fruit set to obtain three levels of fruit load: high (five leaves per fruit), medium (15) and low (30). RESULTS: Considering the soluble solid content/titratable acidity (SSC/TA) ratio, it was found that fruits of the high and medium fruit load treatments reached maturity 1.5 months later than fruits of the control. At the time of maturity the SSC/TA ratio of fruits of all treatments was about 13.6. At harvest, fruits were 23% smaller and total sugar concentration of the endocarp was 12.6% lower in the high fruit load treatment than in the control. In contrast, the concentrations of organic acids and total carotenoids were 55.4 and 93.0% higher respectively. Total carotenoids were not positively correlated with either soluble sugars or total carbohydrates. CONCLUSION: Taken together, the results do not support the common view that carbohydrate availability directly determines carotenoid synthesis by influencing precursor availability. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

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.     

Influence of different concentrations of 1-methylcyclopropene on the quality of tomato harvested at different maturity stages

BACKGROUND: A wide range of 1‐methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP) concentrations as well as various treatment durations have been studied in tomatoes by different researchers. However, little is known about interaction of 1‐MCP doses and maturity stages of tomatoes. Therefore the effects of different concentrations of 1‐MCP on storage and postharvest quality of ‘Zorro’ tomatoes harvested at mature green or pink maturity stages were investigated in a 2‐year trial study. RESULTS: Higher concentrations of 1‐MCP delayed and/or inhibited all parameters related to fruit ripening, such as lycopene, chlorophyll, surface color, polygalacturonase (PG) activity and soluble solids content/titratable acidity (SSC/TA), and these effects were greater in tomatoes harvested at the mature green stages. Lower concentrations of 1‐MCP slightly reduced the loss in general quality features compared with untreated tomatoes. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that 1‐MCP, especially at higher doses, is effective for delaying ripening of mature green tomatoes. Mature green fruits treated with 1000 nL L^?1 1‐MCP were stored for 35 days without significant decreases in quality characteristics such as elasticity, surface color and SSC/TA with certain physiological processes (ethylene production, PG activity, lycopene synthesis). Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

苹果梨果皮中预存抗菌物质的提取、分离与鉴定

膨大期、采收期、采后100d的苹果梨果皮的乙醇(甲醇)-二氯甲烷粗提取液经TLC分离,以链格孢为指示菌进行生物活性分析均有不同比移值的抑菌带出现,采用气-质联用法(GC/MS)对其成分进一步分析表明,三个时期抑菌带成分存在差异。其中棕榈酸甲酯、油酸甲酯、亚油酸甲酯、鱼鲨烯(三十碳六烯)在膨大期含量最高,随着成熟和衰老的进行,含量逐渐降低,至采后100d,其含量分别为膨大期的1.8%、7.3%、19%和26.6%。推测它们是生长期间苹果梨果皮中存在的主要抗菌物质。邻苯二甲酸酯类是采收期和采后100d果皮中含量相对较高的抗菌物质,其中采后100d检出了6种邻苯二甲酸酯,相对含量高达60%。它们可能为采后果皮中主要的抗菌物质。     

EFFECTS OF 1‐METHYLCYCLOPROPENE AND MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE PACKING ON POSTHARVEST LIFE AND QUALITY IN TOMATOES

ABSTRACT

The effects of 1‐methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP), modified atmosphere packaging (Xtend, StePac L.A. Ltd., Tefen, Israel) and their combination were investigated on storage and quality maintenance of tomatoes cv. “Perla” harvested at two maturity stages. 1‐MCP treatment was performed in 1,000 nL/L doses for 24 h while untreated fruits were considered as control. Fruits were stored at 12C with 90% relative humidity for 21 days. Weight loss, skin color, elasticity, lycopene, ascorbic acid, soluble solid content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA) and SSC/TA were evaluated with the intervals of 7 days. MAP with and without 1‐MCP reduced weight loss and maintained to elasticity compared with control and 1‐MCP alone. Nevertheless, 1‐MCP or its combination with MAP significantly delayed changes in parameters related to fruit ripening, such as skin color, lycopene, TA and SSC/TA increase in both ripening stages. Overall results indicated that the combination of 1,000 nL/L 1‐MCP and modified atmosphere package was the most effective treatment in both ripening stages.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Tomato is a climacteric fruit and its ripening depends on ethylene production physiology. 1‐Methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP) prevents ethylene action by blocking ethylene receptors and extends the storage life of tomatoes. Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) of fresh fruits and vegetables refers to the still evolving technique of matching the respiration of the product with the O₂ and CO₂ permeability of packages in order to modify the oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations of the atmosphere to desired levels within the package. Recent studies revealed that combined applications of 1‐MCP and MAP have significant effects on maintaining storage quality of banana, litchi and plums. This study was conducted on the investigation of the effects of 1‐MCP and MAP combination on storage duration and quality of tomatoes harvested at different maturity stages.     

Yield,earliness and fruit quality of pepino clones and their hybrids in the autumn–winter cycle

The success of the pepino (Solanum muricatum Aiton) as a new crop for intensive horticultural areas relies on shortening the growing cycle and on securing a high standard of fruit quality. Irrigation with saline water and ethephon sprayings could be useful in achieving these goals. Two consecutive pepino crops consisting of two hybrids and their four parents were grown in the autumn–winter cycle. Plants were irrigated with water having electrical conductivities of 3 or 8 dS m⁻¹ and full sized fruits were sprayed with ethephon at 0 or 500 mg l⁻¹ . Salinity reduced yield and fruit size, although this effect was less important in the hybrids, which showed heterosis for yield characters. Overall, yields and fruit size of hybrids irrigated with saline water were greater than in the parents irrigated with non‐saline water. Ethephon had no effect on yield characters. Salinity and ethephon improved earliness. In most clones combination of salinity and ethephon shortened the growing cycle by 1 month. Salinity improved fruit quality as it increased the soluble solids content (SSC) and dry matter (DM) in all clones, and titratable acidity (TA) in some cases. Ethephon sprayings had no marked effects on quality characters, except for parental clone 9‐1 in which ethephon treated fruits had a lower SSC and TA. Organoleptic tests conducted on the best flavoured clones (0‐8 and 6‐10) showed that salinity improved fruit aroma and flavour although not texture, while ethephon had no effects. Results show that irrigation with saline water and ethephon sprayings improve earliness and fruit quality without dramatic yield depressions, especially in the hybrid clones. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Determination of optimum harvest maturity and physico-chemical quality of Rastali banana (Musa AAB Rastali) during fruit ripening

BACKGROUND: A series of physico‐chemical quality (peel and pulp colours, pulp firmness, fruit pH, sugars and acids content, respiration rate and ethylene production) were conducted to study the optimum harvest periods (either week 11 or week 12 after emergence of the first hand) of Rastali banana (Musa AAB Rastali) based on the fruit quality during ripening. RESULT: Rastali banana fruit exhibited a climacteric rise with the peaks of both CO₂ and ethylene production occurring simultaneously at day 3 after ripening was initiated and declined at day 5 when fruits entered the senescence stage. De‐greening was observed in both of the harvesting weeks with peel turned from green to yellow, tissue softening, and fruits became more acidic and sweeter as ripening progressed. Sucrose, fructose and glucose were the main sugars found while malic, citric and succinic acids were the main organic acids found in the fruit. CONCLUSION: Rastali banana harvested at weeks 11 and 12 can be considered as commercial harvest period when the fruits have developed good organoleptic and quality attributes during ripening. However, Rastali banana fruit at more mature stage of harvest maturity taste slightly sweeter and softer with higher ethylene production which also means the fruits may undergo senescence faster than fruit harvested at week 11. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

采后1-MCP和MAP处理对‘红富士’苹果冷藏和货架期品质的影响

对‘红富士’苹果进行1.0 μL/L 1-甲基环丙烯（1-methylcyclopropene,1-MCP）和自发气调包装（modified atmosphere package,MAP）处理,继而进行0 ℃冷藏和20 ℃货架贮藏。结果表明：贮藏期间,‘红富士’苹果果实硬度和可滴定酸含量下降,可溶性固形物含量升高,虎皮病和果心褐变增多。1-MCP处理能较好维持冷藏期间‘红富士’苹果果实硬度和可溶性固形物含量,降低了包装内CO2和乙烯含量。同时,1-MCP明显降低了冷藏期间虎皮病发病指数、果心褐变指数以及果柄端果肉褐变率,显著抑制果皮α-法尼烯及共轭三烯的生成。1-MCP＋MAP结合使用可较好维持果实可滴定酸含量和果皮色泽、抑制果柄端果肉褐变。综合分析认为,1-MCP＋MAP处理能较好维持‘红富士’果实冷藏和货架期间的品质,并显著抑制果实虎皮病的发生。     

1-MCP对采后果实贮藏品质影响的研究进展

1-甲基环丙烯(1-MCP)为一种新型乙烯受体抑制剂,具有延缓果实衰老作用。它通过与乙烯受体蛋白的不可逆的竞争结合,干扰乙烯与其受体上的金属离子正常结合而在激素水平上影响果实对乙烯的响应。本文就1-MCP处理分别对呼吸跃变型和非呼吸跃变型果实采后生理及品质的效应以及对贮藏病害的影响进行了综述,旨为1-MCP绿色安全果实保鲜剂的应用推广提供技术思路。1-MCP对果实保鲜具有双向调节作用,1-MCP对采后果实的贮藏品质影响与其使用浓度、处理时间、处理方法及不同种类果实、呼吸漂移类型、采收期、贮藏温度等多种因素密切相关。     

Physiological age at harvest regulates the variability in postharvest ripening, sensory and nutritional characteristics of mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Coghshall due to growing conditions

BACKGROUND: Climacteric fruits are harvested at the green‐mature stage and ripen during their marketing cycle. However, growing conditions induce variability into the maturity stage of mangoes at harvest, with an impact on their final quality. Assuming that the physiological age can be correctly evaluated by a criterion based on the variable chlorophyll fluorescence of the skin (F_v) and that differences in physiological age depend on growing conditions, controlled stress experiments were carried out on mango fruit by manipulating either the leaf/fruit ratio or the light environment. RESULTS: Delays from 9 to 30 days were observed, depending on stress level and harvest stage, to obtain the same F_v value. For moderate stress, fruit composition after ripening was partially compensated for, with little or no difference in sugar, dry matter, carotenoid and aroma contents. For more pronounced stress, the major metabolites were not particularly affected, but the synthesis capacity of carotenoids and aromas was lower after maturity. CONCLUSION: The ripening ability of a fruit is acquired on the tree and defines its postharvest changes. Control of the physiological age at harvest can minimise the variability observed under natural conditions and guarantee fruit batches whose postharvest changes will be relatively homogeneous. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry