PREVENTION OF BROWNING OF POTATO SLICES USING POLYPHENOLOXIDASE INHIBITORS AND ORGANIC ACIDS

Browning of minimally processed potato slices stored at low temperatures without active modification of the atmosphere in the storage container was inhibited by use of combinations of polyphenoloxidase inhibitors with organic acids. Slices of two cultivars‘Atlantic’and‘Russet Burbank’were dipped in solutions of various combinations of 4‐hexyl resorcinol, N‐acetyl‐cysteine and citric acid. Treated potato slices were kept in storage at 5C without browning or decrease in firmness for up to 21 days. The limiting factor in storage became visible microbial decay. Browning of slices from potatoes stored 1 month longer at 10C was also inhibited, but storage was limited to 14 days because of increased susceptibility to decay and decreased firmness with most treatments. However, no differences were found in inhibition of browning or retention of firmness of slices of the two cultivars after treatment with the combination of 0.25 M citric acid, 0.25 M N‐acetylcysteine and 0.01 M 4‐hexylresorcinol.     

Postharvest Physiology and Quality Maintenance of Sliced Pear and Strawberry Fruits

Sliced strawberries (cvs.‘Pajaro’ and 'G-3′) and partially ripe pears (cv.‘Bartlett’) were dipped in various solutions (citric acid, ascorbic acid, and/or calcium chloride) and stored in air or in controlled atmospheres (CA) for 7 days at 2.5°C followed by one day at 20°C. Fruit slices respired at a higher rate than whole fruits at both temperatures. CA storage suppressed respiration and ethylene production rates of sliced fruits. Firmness of strawberry and pear slices was maintained by storage in air + 12% CO₂ and in a 0.5% O₂ atmosphere, respectively, or by dipping in 1% calcium chloride. These treatments also resulted in lighter colored pear slices than the air control treatment.     

Quality Changes in Fresh-cut Pear Slices as Affected by Cultivar, Ripeness Stage, Fruit Size, and Storage Regime

Fresh-cut fruit slices prepared from partially ripened Bartlett pears had longer shelf life than those from Bosc, Anjou, and Red Anjou pears. Pear fruit ripeness, based on flesh firmness of 44 to 58 N, is optimal for fresh-cut pear slice processing. Pear slices derived from smaller size fruit (122 to 135 g) have greater cut surface discoloration and deteriorate more rapidly than slices derived from larger fruit (152 g). Recently harvested Bartlett pear fruit and whole pears held at –1 °C in a controlled atmosphere of 2%O₂+ 98%N₂ had a longer post-cutting shelf life than those held in air at –1 °C for the same duration. Cut surface browning, flesh softening, and surface dehydration of the slice cut surface were all contributors to loss of product quality.     

QUALITY OF 'BOSC' PEARS AS INFLUENCED BY ELEVATED CARBON DIOXIDE STORAGE

‘Bosc’pears (Pyrus communis L.) were placed in a purge-type controlled–atmosphere (CA) storage immediately after harvest (>24 h) and held for 180 days at 1C. Oxygen in all atmospheres was 1.5% and CO₂ was 1%, 3% or 5%. Pears were evaluated immediately after removal from CA storage and after ripening for an additional 7 days at 21 C. Pears stored in 3% CO₂ were firmer, had a superior finish, with significantly reduced decay and internal breakdown than pears stored in 1% CO₂. In 3% CO₂, pears retained the ability to ripen after long-term storage. A 10 day delay in atmosphere establishment had little or no influence on the long-term keeping quality or ripening ability of ‘Bosc’pears. Firmness, soluble solids content and starch either alone or together were good indices of maturity for ‘Bosc’ pears.     

Effects of various coatings and antioxidants on peel browning of ‘Bartlett’ pears

Peel browning of ‘Bartlett’ pears (Pyrus communis L) caused by various mechanical injuries during postharvest handling results in a reduction in visual quality. Various commercial and experimental coatings and antioxidants with potential to reduce peel browning of pears have been evaluated. Treatment with 0.2% diphenylamine (DPA) or 0.3% ethoxyquin (Eth) reduced peel browning on ‘Bartlett’ pears induced by vibration, rolling or scuffing. However, this effect only lasted for about 5 days when treated pears were stored at 0 °C. For the consideration of practical use, pears would have to be treated and packed shortly before transport to achieve a reduction in peel browning. DPA and Eth did not reduce peel browning on pears induced by handling at 20 °C after treatment. It is suggested that tight‐fill packaging and use of DPA or Eth would best reduce peel browning. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

PREDICTION OF APPLE FIRMNESS FROM MASS LOSS AND SHRINKAGE

Prediction of firmness from mass loss and shrinkage was investigated in apples (Malus x domestica Borkh.) under regular atmosphere (RA) storage conditions. Apples (‘Delicious’ and ‘Fuji’) were repeatedly weighed to determine mass loss. Shrinkage was measured with a strain gauge sensor. ‘Delicious’ apples lost firmness (73 to 58 N) while ‘Fuji’ apples maintained firmness at 69 N over 57 days in storage. Apples lost mass at a constant rate with ‘Delicious’ losing mass slower (0.6 % per month) than ‘Fuji’ (1.1% per month). ‘Delicious’ apple shrank less (0.28 mm) than the ‘Fuji’ (0.70 mm) over 57 days. The relationship between firmness and mass loss, or shrinkage was dependent on apple cultivar. Firmness was significantly and linearly related to mass loss and to shrinkage in ‘Delicious’ apples. It is possible to predict firmness of ‘Delicious’ apples under RA storage conditions by tracking mass loss or shrinkage.     

Antibrowning and Antimicrobial Properties of Sodium Acid Sulfate in Apple Slices

ABSTRACT: There are few available compounds that can both control browning and enhance microbial safety of fresh‐cut fruits. In the present study, the antibrowning ability of sodium acid sulfate (SAS) on “Granny Smith” apple slices was first investigated in terms of optimum concentration and treatment time. In a separate experiment, the apple slices were treated with water or 3% of SAS, calcium ascorbate, citric acid, or acidified calcium sulfate for 5 min. Total plate count, color, firmness, and tissue damage were assessed during a 21‐d storage at 4 °C. Results showed that the efficacy of SAS in inhibiting browning of apple slices increased with increasing concentration. A minimum 3% of SAS was needed to achieve 14 d of shelf life. Firmness was not significantly affected by SAS at 3% or lower concentrations. Antibrowning potential of SAS was similar for all treatment times ranging from 2 to 10 min. However, SAS caused some skin discoloration of apple slices. When cut surface of apple slices were stained with a fluorescein diacetate solution, tissue damage could be observed under a microscope even though visual damage was not evident. Among the antibrowning agents tested, SAS was the most effective in inhibiting browning and microbial growth for the first 14 d. Total plate count of samples treated with 3% SAS was significantly lower than those treated with calcium ascorbate, a commonly used antibrowning agent. Our results suggested that it is possible to use SAS to control browning while inhibiting the growth of microorganisms on the apple slices if the skin damage can be minimized. Practical Application: Fresh‐cut apples have emerged as one of the popular products in restaurants, schools, and food service establishments as more consumers demand fresh, convenient, and nutritious foods. Processing of fresh‐cut apples induces mechanical damage to the fruit and exposes apple tissue to air, resulting in the development of undesirable tissue browning. The fresh‐cut industry currently uses antibrowning agents to prevent discoloration. However, the antibrowning solutions can become contaminated with human pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes, and washing of apple slices with the contaminated solutions can result in the transfer of pathogens to the product. It would be ideal if an antibrowning compound prevented the proliferation of human pathogens in solutions and minimized the growth of pathogens during storage. The study was conducted to investigate antibrowning and antimicrobial properties of sodium acid sulfate (SAS) in comparison with other common antibrowning agents on Granny Smith apples. Results showed that among the antimicrobial agents we tested, SAS was the most effective in inhibiting browning and microbial growth for 14 d at 4 °C. However, SAS caused some skin discoloration of apple slices. Overall, SAS can potentially be used to inhibit tissue browning while reducing the microbial growth on apple slices. The information is useful for the fresh‐cut produce industry to enhance microbial safety of fresh‐cut apples while minimizing browning, thus increasing the consumption of the health benefiting fresh fruit.     

Suitability for minimal processing of non‐melting clingstone peaches

Clingstone non‐melting peach cultivars (Prunus persica L. Batsch) are used primarily for canning, but their processing as fresh‐cut products is also of interest. Four clingstone peach cultivars (‘Andross’, ‘Babygold 8′, ‘Calante’ and ‘Romea’) were evaluated for their suitability for minimal processing (washing, peeling and slicing) followed by storage for 9 days at 4 °C in a modified atmosphere using microperforated films. Romea cultivar, which has low polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzymatic activity, proved to be the most suitable cultivar for minimal processing, given its lower degree of browning as well as the results from a sensory evaluation. Maturity indicators varied slightly during storage at a different degree depending on cultivars. We have found that PPO activity and browning potential are adequate indicators for surface browning in fresh‐cut non‐melting peaches.     

ETHYLENE CAPSULE PROMOTES EARLY RIPENING OF 'd'ANJOU' PEARS PACKED IN MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE BAGS

‘d'Anjou’ pears (Pyrus communis, L.) harvested commercially with flesh firmness of 64.5 N were incapable of ripening normally at 20C within 60 days of air storage at ‐1C (denoted as “under‐chilled” fruits). When under‐chilled ‘d'Anjou’ fruits (8 fruits, total fruit weight of 1.8 kg) were packed in a 3.8‐liter perforated bag inserted with an ethylene capsule, fruit would ripen normally at 20C. The ethylene concentration in the packed bag maintained no less than 100 ppm after 4 days at 20C, and declined to about 25 ppm on day 7. Regardless of the storage length, ripened fruit induced by the ethylene capsule developed high buttery and juicy texture. If ‘d’ Anjou’ fruit had been stored at ‐1C for less than 30 days, ripened fruit lacked high flavor quality. Flavor quality of ripened fruit improved rapidly when the fruit had been stored for longer than 30 days.     

How to prevent ripening blockage in 1-MCP-treated 'Conference' pears

BACKGROUND: Some European pear varieties treated with 1‐methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP) often remain ‘evergreen’, meaning that their ripening process is blocked and does not resume after removal from cold storage. In this work this was confirmed also to be the case in ‘Conference’ pears. To reverse the blockage of ripening 1‐MCP treatments combined with external exogenous ethylene were tested. RESULTS: 1‐MCP treatment of ‘Conference’ pears is very effective in delaying ripening and, more specifically, softening. The same 1‐MCP concentration in different experimental years caused a different response. The higher dose of 1‐MCP (600 nL L^?1) always resulted in irreversible blockage of ripening, whereas the behaviour of fruit receiving a lower dose (300 nL L^?1) depended on the year, and this did not depend on maturity at harvest or on storage conditions. Simultaneous exposure to 1‐MCP and exogenous ethylene significantly affected fruit ripening, allowing significant softening to occur but at a lower rate compared with control fruit. CONCLUSION: The application of exogenous ethylene and 1‐MCP simultaneously after harvest permitted restoration of the ripening process after storage in ‘Conference’ pears, extending the possibility of marketing and consumption. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

鲜切梨褐变抑制的研究

研究了不同褐变抑制剂对鲜切梨褐变度、PPO活性、感官品质的影响.实验结果表明,单一使用1.0%柠檬酸、0.01%水杨酸、0.3% L-半胱氨酸处理均能较好的抑制鲜切梨褐变.但是采用0.3%L一半胱氨酸+0.01%水杨酸+1.2%柠檬酸,浸泡9min的复合处理效果最佳,可使鲜切梨的褐变度在12d内保持较优水平.     

SHORT‐TERM CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE STORAGE FOR STORAGE‐LIFE EXTENSION OF WHITE‐FLESHED PEACHES AND NECTARINES1

Abstract Response of white‐fleshed peaches (‘Sugar Lady’, ‘Snow Giant’, ‘White Lady’and ‘Snow King’) and nectarines (‘Arctic Queen’and ‘Arctic Rose’) to controlled‐atmosphere (CA) storage is cultivar dependent. Samples of fruit of these six cultivars were collected just prior to commercial harvest and held in either regular‐atmosphere (RA) storage at 1C or controlled‐atmosphere (CA) storage at 2% O₂ and 6, 12 or 18% CO₂, all at 1C. Four of the six cultivars (‘Snow Giant’, ‘White Lady’, ‘Snow King’and ‘Arctic Queen’) displayed excessive internal browning and poor flesh color after only 30 days of storage and should not be considered for long storage (+30 days). While ‘Sugar Lady’and ‘Arctic Rose’performed better and are possible candidates for CA storage, they should not be stored more than 45 days after harvest. The value of CA storage to extend the marketing of white‐fleshed peaches and nectarines is questionable at best. If CA storage is to be used for storage‐life extension of white‐fleshed peaches and nectarines, O₂ level should be maintained at 2% or less and CO₂ level maintained at 12% or higher.     

Influence of Maturity at Processing on Quality Attributes of Fresh-cut Conference Pears

ABSTRACT: Influence of ripeness state of Conference pears on the respiration and quality changes of the minimally processed fruit was studied. The fruits processed at partially ripe maturity were the most suitable to obtain fresh-cut products. Slightly under-ripe pears exhibited less browning and firmness degradation. Treatments consisting of dips in 10 g/L ascorbic acid and 5 g/L calcium chloride and packaging in 15 cm^-2× m^-2× 24 day^-1× bar^-1 preserved the initial appearance of pear cubes for at least 14 d. Because of a significant inhibition of ethylene production, 0 kPa O₂ initial atmosphere was effective in preventing quality changes. Presence of ethanol, as a result of fermentative anaerobic processes, increased with ripeness, especially beyond the 1st 21 d of storage at 4 °C. On the contrary, acetaldehyde was less affected than ethanol by processing and storage conditions.     

QUALITY OF 'ANJOU' PEARS FROM VARIABLE OXYGEN AND HIGH CARBON DIOXIDE CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE STORAGE

Loss of ‘Anjou’ pear quality after 90 days of storage (60 days at 1.5% O₂ and <1.0% CO₂ then 30 days at 4% O₂) wasapparent in this study. Distinct color changes from green to yellow in the peel and a more yellow flesh, coupled with a loss of firmness, for ‘Anjou’ pears even afteronly a short period (30 days) in elevated O₂ was evident. Use of elevated CO₂ (3%), in CA storage, resulted in a greener peel and firmer pears with less change in flesh color, and superior stem condition after 150, or 210, days of storage compared with pears from 1.5% O₂ and <1% CO₂. After controlled atmosphere and an addition 30 days of storage in regular atmosphere, quality differences in ‘Anjou’ pears from the different atmospheres (1.5% O₂ and 1.0% CO₂; variable O₂;1.5% O₂ and 3.0% CO₂) was even more manifest. Pears in elevated O₂, displayed reduced firmness, finish and stem condition and enhanced shrivel. Pears in 3.0% CO₂, compared favorably in all quality considerations with pears from a normal (1.5% O₂ and <1.0% CO₂) atmosphere. No pithy brown core was evident in ‘Anjou’ pears regardless of storage atmosphere.     

Effect of 1-Methylcyclopropene on Superficial Scald Associated with Ethylene Production, α-Farnesene Catabolism,and Antioxidant System of Over-Mature ‘d’Anjou’ Pears After Long-Term Storage

To optimize storage quality of ‘d’Anjou’ pears (Pyrus communis L.) produced in the US Pacific Northwest regions, the recommended harvest maturity as indicated by flesh pressure is 67 to 58 N. Over-mature pears are more susceptible to superficial scald and inferior eating quality after storage. However, a significant portion of pears is harvested at an over-mature stage due to rapid on-tree maturation during years with labor shortages. 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) extends storage quality of pears but interferes their ultimate ripening capacity. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effect of 1-MCP on over-mature ‘d’Anjou’ pears. Fruit from two orchards at fruit firmness (FF) 55.6 and 56.0 N were treated with 0.15 μL L^?1 1-MCP, held at ??1.1 °C for up to 7 months. 1-MCP treatment significantly inhibited ethylene synthesis and respiration rate, reduced superficial scald, and maintained high storage quality of over-mature pears from two orchards during 7 months of storage. After 7 months of storage at ??1.1 °C, some of the pears from Orchard 1 recovered ripening capacity after 5 days at 20 °C. The development of superficial scald in over-mature ‘Anjou’ pears was associated with the accumulation of α-farnesene and conjugated trienols (CTols). 1-MCP significantly inhibited the development of scald, perhaps by alleviating membrane lipid peroxidation and enhancing total antioxidant capacity, antioxidant metabolites (i.e., total polyphenols (TP) and total flavonoids (TF)), and related enzyme activities (i.e., superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT)) in pear skin. Overall, this study provides the preliminary basis for commercial application of 1-MCP in over-mature pears and demonstrates its potential to maintain fruit quality and reduce the incidence of superficial scald.     

Effects of a chitosan‐based coating with ascorbic acid on post‐harvest quality and core browning of ‘Yali’ pears (Pyrus bertschneideri Rehd.)

BACKGROUND: Chitosan (CTS), as an ideal coating material, has been used for post‐harvest treatment of fruits and vegetables. The effects of coating with 1.5% CTS, alone or combined with 10 mmol L^?1 ascorbic acid (AsA), on post‐harvest quality and core browning (CB) incidence in ‘Yali’ pears during storage at room temperature (25 ± 1 °C) were investigated in this study. RESULTS: It was found that both CTS coating and CTS + AsA coating delayed the increase of weight loss, retained greater firmness, total soluble solids and titratable acidity content than controls; coatings decreased respiration rate and membrane permeability, and also effectively inhibited CB after 60 days of storage. Compared with CTS coating alone, CTS + AsA coating increased these beneficial effects and also helped to retain a much higher AsA content and the activities of antioxidative enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase). CONCLUSION: The CTS coating has the potential to maintain post‐harvest quality and control CB which is the main problem in ‘Yali’ pears during storage. The CTS + AsA coating has more effective application in this study, which could not only be due to reducing the respiration rate and inhibiting the senescence process, but also to increasing the antioxidant capability of the fruit. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

不同降温方式下晚采鸭梨PAL基因相对表达与果心褐变的关系

为了研究缓慢降温与急速降温处理下苯丙氨酸解氨酶（phenylalanine ammonian-lyase,PAL）基因相对表 达与晚采鸭梨果心褐变的关系,以晚采鸭梨为试材,测定了贮藏期间晚采鸭梨的褐变指数、质量损失率、硬度、 呼吸强度、乙烯释放量、PAL活力等生理指标以及PAL基因相对表达量的变化。结果表明：缓慢降温处理的鸭梨果 心褐变指数明显高于急速降温果实,且褐变情况更加严重;缓慢降温果实的PAL活力和PAL基因相对表达量在贮藏 60 d以后高于急速降温果实;PAL基因相对表达量与PAL活力及果心褐变指数显著相关,说明PAL基因的相对表达越 强,PAL活力越高,果心褐变越严重。结论：缓慢降温处理加速了鸭梨果心的褐变,急速降温能抑制PAL基因的相 对表达,降低PAL活力,保持晚采鸭梨果实的较高品质。     

过氧化氢处理对采后‘黄冠’梨果皮褐变及果实品质的影响

‘黄冠’梨低温贮藏过程中果皮褐变严重,为解决果皮褐变问题,开发控制果皮褐变的新技术,本研究分别采用3、20 mmol/L的过氧化氢(H2O2)水溶液浸泡处理‘黄冠’梨,探讨H2O2预处理对梨果皮细胞抗氧化防护体系、低温贮藏期间果皮褐变、果实品质的影响。结果表明,与对照组(未经H2O2处理)相比,20 mmol/L的H2O2显著降低了‘黄冠’梨果皮褐变率及褐变指数,抑制了多酚氧化酶(polyphenol oxidase,PPO)的活性和果皮酚类物质尤其是单体绿原酸、儿茶素和熊果苷的消耗,不同程度地提高了过氧化物酶、超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶活力以及果皮自由基清除能力,降低了丙二醛积累,有效地增强了果皮抗氧化防护能力,并且能够使果实在低温贮藏后的货架期间保持较高的硬度、可滴定酸含量、糖酸比及总可溶性固形物含量,食用感官综合品质在低温贮藏和货架期间均优于对照组。研究表明,采后‘黄冠’梨经H2O2预处理,可以诱导性地增强果皮抗氧化酶活性,抑制PPO酶活性和酚类物质消耗而减少低温贮藏过程中果皮褐变的发生。     

Effect of different levels of CO2 on the antioxidant content and the polyphenol oxidase activity of ‘Rocha’ pears during cold storage

Pears (Pyrus communis L. cv. ‘Rocha’) were exposed to air or controlled atmosphere (CA) containing various concentrations of CO₂: 0, 0.5 and 5 kPa, all with 2 kPa O₂. After 4 months of storage at 2 °C, the fruits were transferred to air at room temperature, and assessed in terms of soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH, incidence of brown heart and flesh browning, phenolic content, vitamin C content and polyphenol oxidase activity. By 4 months of storage, soluble solids and pH increased, and acidity decreased relative to harvest, but no differences were detected between pears stored under air or any of the CA tested. Higher contents of hydroxycinnamic derivatives and flavan‐3‐ols in the peel than in the flesh were recorded. However, the content of arbutin was higher in the flesh than in the peel, whereas flavonols were only detected in the peel. In general, hydroxycinnamic derivatives and flavonols were stable throughout storage, but flavan‐3‐ols decreased in concentration under air or CA. Arbutin was the only phenolic compound that increased in concentration as time elapsed. No clear relation was found between the storage conditions tested and the phenolic concentration in pears. Regarding ascorbic acid (AA) and dehydroascorbic acid (DHA), their concentrations were higher in the peel than in the flesh. Furthermore, AA and DHA were strongly affected by storage: the former decreased, whereas the latter increased in content. A decrease in PPO activity was apparent after harvest and during storage, particularly under higher levels of CO₂. The combination 2 kPa O₂ + 5 kPa CO₂ increased the incidence of internal disorders (viz. brown heart and flesh browning) after storage. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry