Effects of controlled atmosphere storage on respiratory metabolism of apple fruit tissue

The effects of CO₂ and O₂ concentrations commonly used in fruit storage upon various respiratory processes in apple fruit tissue have been investigated. In manometric experiments 10% CO₂ inhibited CO₂ release from succinate supplied to peel discs by over 50%; CO₂ release from malate was inhibited at high substrate concentrations, while CO₂ release from pyruvate was not affected. High CO₂ concentrations also inhibited ¹⁴CO₂ release from succinate 1,4-¹⁴C and succinate 2,3-¹⁴C supplied to peel discs. It is concluded that succinate dehydrogenase is the respiratory enzyme most affected by CO₂ concentration. Oxygen uptake was found to be 50% inhibited at ambient concentrations of 0.5% O₂ for cortical tissue and 5% O₂ for peel tissue. It is concluded that cytochrome oxidase is responsible for O₂ uptake in peel and cortical tissue. The apparent low affinity for O₂ in peel respiration may be due to limited O₂ diffusion through the tissue. It is concluded that O₂ uptake by the bulk of the apple is not directly affected by O₂ concentrations employed in fruit storage.     

Combination of 1-methylcyclopropene treatment and controlled atmosphere storage retains overall fruit quality and bioactive compounds in mango

BACKGROUND: Postharvest application of fungicide prochloraz and hot‐water dip are commercially practiced to control postharvest diseases in mangoes. Owing to the increasing consumer demand for organically produced fruit, the search for natural environmentally friendly alternative products and processes has become important for the fruit industry. This study evaluated the combined effect of 1‐methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP) (500 nL L^?1) and controlled atmosphere storage conditions (CA‐1, 5% O₂ + 5% CO₂ or CA‐2, 3% O₂ + 8% CO₂) on the maintenance of fruit quality and bioactive compounds on hot‐water treated mangoes (cv. Kent) during postharvest storage. RESULTS: In comparison to the 1‐MCP + CA‐1 treatment, 1‐MCP + CA‐2 reduced the incidence of anthracnose, weight and firmness loss; delayed the skin and flesh colour development; prevented the increase of soluble solids concentration/titratable acidity ratio, ethanol and acetaldehyde content; and maintained the ascorbic acid, carotenoid, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant scavenging activity in hot‐water treated mangoes. The untrained panel preferred 1‐MCP + CA‐2 treated fruit to the fruit subjected to other postharvest treatments adopted in this investigation. CONCLUSION: Our investigation suggests that the combined effect of 1‐MCP and CA‐2 storage can be recommended as an alternative treatment to replace prochloraz application for hot‐water treated mangoes and can be adopted commercially for organic export markets. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Ripening and ethylene biosynthesis in controlled atmosphere stored apricots

 Ethylene synthesis and metabolism were studied in apricot fruits (Prunus armeniaca L. cv. Búlida, under controlled atmosphere (CA) conditions (20% CO₂ and 20% O₂; 20% CO₂ and 1% O₂; 0.03% CO₂ and 1% O₂) and at a temperature of 2  °C. In control apricots stored outdoors in air containing 20% O₂ and 0.03% CO₂, the evolution of the physical and chemical parameters characteristic of ripening (loss of texture, decrease in acidity and increase in soluble solids) was slow during the storage period. However, for apricots stored in CAs containing 1% O₂ and 20% or 0.03% CO₂, these parameters did not show significant changes during the storage period. Ethylene production was completely inhibited in apricots stored in the three CAs, while control fruits showed a maximum ethylene level after 2 weeks of storage. This inhibition was accompanied by lower levels of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid, free and total, which were more pronounced in apricots stored in the CAs containing 20% CO₂. In apricots stored in the CAs containing 1% O₂, the ethanol content increased after 1 week of storage, and this caused a smell and taste that made the fruits unsuitable for consumption. Received: 16 October 1998     

Effects of short-term controlled atmosphere treatment at elevated temperature on dried fig fruit

Commercial sun-drying has been practiced around the Mediterranean Basin for many centuries. Dried fruit are goods with a long shelf life but many factors including storage pests may limit their marketability. Before the decision to phase it out under the Montreal Protocol, methyl bromide (MB) was the most widely used fumigant to control storage pests due to its efficacy and relatively low cost. Now there is an urgent need to find MB alternatives for post-harvest use. The present research work comprised 3 experiments in 2005-6 carried out in a pilot fumigation chamber designed by EcO₂ (EcO₂ B.V., AG Numansdorp, The Netherlands). The objective was to test the effectiveness of controlled atmosphere (CA) (decreased O₂ at 1 ± 0.5%) at elevated temperature (41 °C) in controlling the major storage pests, fig moth (Ephestia cautella), Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella), and dried fruit beetle (Carpophilus spp.). In addition, major quality parameters of the hosts, dried figs, were analyzed soon after the treatments, and after 4 months of storage under ambient conditions, in comparison with MB-treated controls (60 g/m³ for 24 h). The CA treatment can be recommended as a post-harvest MB alternative for dried figs since it provided 100% control of the pest species tested, had neutral or positive effects on dried fruit quality and required comparatively short (c.26 h) treatment times compared with other MB alternatives.     

Primary metabolites and organic acid metabolism in apple (Malus sylvestris) fruit callus culture

In-vitro culture cells were obtained from seven different varieties of Indian apples (Malus sylvestris L). The cultivar Golden Delicious showed the highest yield of callus tissue followed by Maharaji and American Epirouge. Cultured apple cells exhibited some deviation from the apple fruit in primary metabolism as well as primary metabolite profiles. In callus cultures, the pool size of free amino acids and organic acids increased considerably while the free sugar pool decreased drastically compared with apple fiuit. There was higher incorporation of ¹⁴C acetate, ¹⁴C citrate, ¹⁴C malate and ¹⁴C succinate into the CO₂, lipid, protein, carbohydrate and amino acid fractions and lower incorporation into the free sugar fraction in cultured cells compared with the explant. The incorporation of ¹⁴CO₂ showed a similar trend. Qualitatively, there was some similarity between the callus and explant in free amino acid and sugar profiles and dissimilarity in organic acids. Compounds such as citrate, succinate and fumarate and also some amino acids (methionine, arginine, leucine and proline) were present at higher concentration in callus cultures whereas they were almost absent in the original tissue. There were also differences in the carbohydrate and protein profiles of explant ana callus as judged by their sugar and amino acid make-up respectively.     

Microstructure changes of sodium carbonate-soluble pectin of peach by AFM during controlled atmosphere storage

Yellow peaches (Prunus persicu L. Batsch.) were stored under controlled atmospheres (CA) of 2% O₂ + 5% CO₂, 5% O₂ + 10% CO₂, 2% O₂ + 10% CO₂, 5% O₂ + 5% CO₂, and normal atmosphere at 2 °C, to investigate the effects of different concentrations of O₂ and CO₂ on the structure of a single sodium carbonate-soluble pectin (SSP) molecule. The microstructure changes, including aggregates and branches, were studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM) at initially, on the 15th and 45th day. The microstructure of SSP molecules and polymers showed that aggregates separated gradually with the storage time. The degradation took place in the linear backbone as well as in side chains. The degradation of SSP molecules was inhibited by lower O₂ and higher CO₂ concentrations. Almost all of the chains were composed of four basic units with widths of 11.719, 15.625, 19.531 and 17.578 nm, which can be visualized and calculated exactly by AFM. This indicated that parallel linkage or intertwist between the basic units was a fundamental characteristic of SSP molecules.     

Sugar metabolism in relation to chilling tolerance of loquat fruit

The relationship between chilling injury and sugar metabolism was investigated in loquat fruit stored at 1 °C for 35 days. No symptoms of chilling injury occurred in the fruit, of ‘Ninghaibai’ cultivar, during the whole storage whereas, in ‘Dahongpao’ fruit, severe chilling symptoms were observed after 20 days of storage at 1 °C. ‘Ninghaibai’ fruit had higher levels of glucose and fructose and higher activities of sucrose hydrolyzing enzymes, such as sucrose synthase-cleavage and invertase, than had ‘Dahongpao’. Furthermore, the chilling resistant ‘Ninghaibai’ fruit also showed higher activities of hexokinase and fructokinase, involved in hexose phoshorylation and sugar signal generation. These results suggest that the higher content of hexoses and activities of hexose sensors were likely part of the mechanism for chilling tolerance of loquat fruit.     

Activities of enzymes involved in sugar metabolism in Passe-Crassane pears during cold storage

During cold storage, invertase, sucrose synthetase and α- and β-amylases reach a maximum activity towards maturity when protein synthesis is highest. However, when activities are expressed on a protein basis, no consistent changes appear except for sucrose synthetase and α-amylase which increase notably. The possible role of these enzymes in sugar accumulation and interconversion is discussed.     

Volatile ester-synthesising capacity in ‘Tardibelle’ peach fruit in response to controlled atmosphere and 1-MCP treatment

Peach fruit is highly perishable, which drastically restricts storage potential and marketing possibilities. Although aroma is a very important attribute for sensory quality of peach, post-harvest procedures, aimed at extending commercial availability of fruit, have focused preferentially on other quality aspects. In this work, we were interested in assessing the effect of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment and controlled atmosphere storage on the post-storage production of volatile esters, important aroma-contributing compounds, by fruit of the late season cultivar ‘Tardibelle’. Results indicate that the supply of alcohol and acyl-CoA precursors was altered as a consequence of treatments considered, leading to significant changes in the emission of some volatile esters, particularly of the straight-chain type. Some enzyme activities involved in the production of volatile esters from fatty acids were partially inhibited in 1-MCP-treated fruit, suggesting that they are under ethylene regulation, although tissue-specific differences were also observed. Lipoxygenase and hydroperoxide lyase activities were particularly relevant for these modifications.     

Redistribution of minerals in apple fruit during storage: Effects of storage temperature,varietal differences and orchard management

Transverse calcium redistribution from the cores to the outer zones of the fruit was interrupted for a short period when calcium was imported by the cores of both Cox and Spartan apples, especially at 3.5°C. Bitter pit lesions developed in mid and outer cortical tissues of Cox fruit stored at 3.5°C 2 to 4 weeks after calcium concentrations in these zones were reduced. Redistribution of magnesium from the outer zones to the cores of Spartan apples occurred during storage at 3.5°C but was inhibited at 0°C. Redistribution of magnesium in Cox's Orange Pippin apples was mainly from inner cortex to the core and outer zones at 3.5°C and from central to outer zones at 0°C, but immediately low temperature breakdown become evident at 0°C, magnesium was transferred from the peel and core to the affected zones. The redistribution of phosphorus to the cores, which occurred in Spartan apples (resistant to low temperature breakdown) stored at either 3.5°C or 0°C was barely evident in Cox fruit (susceptible to low temperature breakdown) stored at 3.5°C and did not occur at 0°C. Irrigated grass compared with overall herbicide soil management increased the proportion of calcium in the core zones of both Cox and Spartan apples and the proportion of magnesium in the core zone of Spartan apples at harvest. Irrigated grass management also increased the rate of calcium redistribution in Cox and Spartan fruit during storage and altered magnesium redistribution in Spartan apples stored at 0°C.     

Effects of controlled atmosphere storage and low-dose irradiation on potato tuber components affecting acrylamide and color formations upon frying

The effects of normal and controlled atmosphere combinations on tuber components responsible for acrylamide formation were studied during prolonged storage at 9±1 °C using the tubers of “Agria” and “Russet Burbank.” The effects of low-dose irradiation (50, 200 Gy) prior to normal atmosphere storage were also studied. There was only a limited increase in the concentrations of sugars during 6 month of storage under normal atmosphere conditions. Low-dose irradiation slightly decreased the rate of sweetening in the tubers. The potential of acrylamide formation remained almost the same; however, the loss of firmness became clearer during 6 month of storage under normal atmosphere conditions. Controlled atmosphere storage in which O₂ was deficient to a sufficient respiration increased the concentrations of sugars, and thus, the potential of acrylamide formation in potatoes upon frying at 170 °C for 10 min. The sum of glucose and fructose concentrations showed a good correlation (r ²∼0.90) with the potential of acrylamide formation for both cultivars.     

气调贮藏对草莓细胞壁酶活性的影响

以草莓为材料,研究不同气体成分处理及冷藏对果实纤维素酶(CS)、果胶甲酯酶(PE)及多聚半乳糖醛酸酶(PG)活性的影响。结果表明,0%O2+10%CO2处理增强了果实CS、PE和PG活性;11%O2+10%CO2处理亦增强了果实PE和PG活性,其对低温贮藏果实CS活性的影响不显著,但增强了货架果实的CS活性;3%O2+5%CO2处理对低温贮藏果实CS和PG活性的影响不显著,而导致货架期CS和PG活性增强,但显著降低了果实的PE活性。说明0%O2+10%CO2处理加快果实软化与其诱导果实CS、PE和PG活性升高有关,3%O2+5%CO2处理主要是通过抑制PE活性而减缓果实的软化进程。     

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.     

Redistribution of minerals in apple fruit during storage: Effects of late summer pruning,calcium sprays and low temperature breakdown

Transverse distribution patterns of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus in Cox's Orange Pippin apples at harvest and subsequent redistribution patterns during storage in air at 0°C were measured. Distribution and redistribution patterns differed from those in Spartan apples measured in the previous year. Orchard calcium sprays increased the proportion of calcium in the outer parts and slightly increased the proportion of magnesium towards the centre of the fruit. Late summer pruning slightly increased the proportion of magnesium in the core at harvest and increased the rate of redistribution of calcium from the core to the outer fruit parts during storage. Redistribution patterns, especially those of magnesium, were drastically altered when low temperature breakdown developed and minerals moved into the affected zones.     

气调保藏对糖醋咕咾肉保藏期的影响

为了研究如何提高糖醋咕咾肉的贮藏品质和延长其保藏期,实验设计在0⁴℃冷藏,设置4个气调处理组A（50%CO2+50%N2）、B（70%CO2+30%N2）、C（90%CO2+10%N2）和对照组D（21%O2+1%CO2+78%N2）考察其保鲜效果。结果显示:处理组C,其TBARS值、pH、细菌总数均较低,肉色稳定无任何异味。以此得出90%CO2和10%N2对咕咾肉保藏效果最佳,糖醋咕咾肉的保藏期延长至30d。      

Phenolic profiling reveals the metabolite basis of flesh colour and fresh-cut browning in apple fruit

Flesh colour, which is affected by cultivars and browning, can largely impact consumer acceptance in fresh-cut apples. The study profiled phenolic metabolites from apple flesh of twenty-three cultivars by widely targeted metabolomics. Comparison among white- and yellow-fleshed cultivars showed fifteen phenolics, mainly quercetin 3-O-glucoside, hyperoside, hesperetin 5-O-glucoside and cymaroside, in white-fleshed apples were significantly higher than those in yellow-fleshed apples. It may indicate a metabolite basis of yellow and white flesh colour, and better potential nutrition in white-fleshed apples. In addition, ten phenolic metabolites including five cyanidin glycosides showed significant differences between the highest and the lowest browning groups, indicating them may be crucial in browning of fresh-cut apple. This work elucidates the differences of phenolic profiles among apple cultivars with different flesh colour and provides useful data to evaluate the suitability of apple for fresh-cut processing.     

气调保藏对苏姜猪肉货架期的影响

为提高苏姜猪肉的贮藏品质和延长其货架期,在温度为0～4℃冷藏条件下,设4个气调处理组:真空组、CO气调组(39.5%O2+60%CO2+0.5%CO)、高氧气调组(70%O2+30%CO2)和低氧气调组(45%O2+20%CO2+35%N2),探讨不同气体组分对苏姜猪肉的贮藏效果。结果显示:在15d的贮藏期内,CO气调组较真空组可延长7～9d,挥发性盐基氮、TBARS、pH、乳酸菌总数、细菌总数都较低,肉色稳定无任何异味。     

不同包装薄膜对荔枝气调贮藏品质的影响研究

为研究不同包装对荔枝果实气调贮藏品质的影响,在果蔬气调保鲜贮运实验平台上,以\