Radiation Disinfestation of California Stone Fruits Infested by Medfly—Effectiveness and Fruit Quality

The effectiveness of radiation disinfestation of California peaches, nectarines and plums infested by Mediterranean fruit flies (Ceratitis capitata) and the effects of gamma-radiation up to 1 kGy (100 krad) on the sensory qualities of these fruits were studied. Medfly eggs in infested peaches and nectarines treated at 0.4–0.5 kGy (40–50 krad) in a Cobalt-60 irradiator did not hatch. Results in irradiated plums were inconclusive. Results of triangle tests with a taste panel of 15–20 show no differences in sensory qualities between plum and nectarine samples irradiated at 0.3 kGy and their controls. Some differences were detected between irradiated samples and controls: color and flavor of peaches at 0.3 kGy; color of plums and peaches 0.5 kGy; aroma of peaches and texture of plums at 0.5 kGy. At 1 kGy, differences were found in the texture of plums, nectarines, and peaches, and color and flavor of nectarines. Better control of harvesting, shipping and handling would help retain the qualities of these irradiated fruits.     

Effects of processing on anthocyanins,carotenoids and vitamin C in summer fruits and vegetables

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of processing, i.e. heating (98 °C, 10 min), freezing (−20 °C) and freeze-drying on anthocyanins, carotenoids, and vitamin C in summer fruits and vegetables, i.e. cherries, nectarines, apricots, peaches, plums, carrots and red bell peppers. The commodities were collected from growers located in the Otago region (namely Cromwell, Roxburgh, Mosgiel and Clinton), New Zealand. The results revealed that each commodity contained different contents of phytochemicals. The content and the process stability of phytochemicals in each commodity were influenced by the geographical location of the growers. In general, a high content of phytochemicals was found in summer fruits and vegetables grown in Otago compared to those grown in the Northern Hemisphere, e.g. anthocyanins in cherries, nectarines, peaches and plums; total carotenoids in red bell peppers and nectarines and vitamin C in cherries, peaches, red bell peppers and carrots. Heating and freezing enhanced the release of membrane bound anthocyanins, resulting in higher content after processing compared to fresh commodities. In the commodities studied, with the exception of red bell peppers, the stability of ascorbic acid was increased if ascorbic acid oxidase was inactivated for example by heating.     

Lead and cadmium content of some canned fruit and vegetables

The levels of lead and cadmium have been determined in samples of canned tomatoes, blackcurrants, grapefruit, pineapples, apricots, oranges, peaches, rhubarb, apples, prunes, damsons, plums, spinach and baked beans. The lead content of the 76 samples was in the range 0.10 to 3.90 parts/million, the mean being 0.56 parts/million; the range and mean of the cadmium content were 0.01 to 0.18 and 0.02 parts/million, respectively.     

Sugars and organic acids in Japanese plums (Prunus salicinaLindell) as influenced by maturation, harvest date, storage temperature and period

The effects of fruit maturation, harvest date, storage temperature, storage period and shelf life, on the concentrations of individual sugars and organic acids in Japanese plums were investigated. During fruit maturation in 'Amber Jewel' plums, sucrose concentration increased significantly from 101 days after full bloom (DAFB) to 1 week after commercial maturity (136 DAFB) with a non-significant change in the concentration of total organic acids and malic acid, the major organic acid. The changes in concentrations of sugars and organic acids during cold storage of 'Amber Jewel' plums harvested on 129 and 136 DAFB appeared to be independent of harvest date. Storage of 'Amber Jewel' plums at 5 °C accelerated the loss of sucrose and increased the concentrations of fructose and glucose from the 4^th week of storage compared with those stored at 0 °C. 'Blackamber' plums did not undergo any significant increase in the total and individual sugars during 5 weeks storage and subsequent shelf-life of 8 days at 20 °C. Malic acid concentrations declined during storage from 3 weeks onwards with a further substantial loss during ripening at 20 °C. Maturation, harvest date, storage temperature, storage period and shelf-life affect the concentrations of sugars and organic acids in Japanese plums.     

Incidence of toxigenic fungi and ochratoxin A in dried fruits sold in Brazil

A total of 117 dried fruit samples (black sultanas, white sultanas, dates, dried plums, dried figs and apricots) from different origins were analysed both for toxigenic fungi and for the presence of ochratoxin A. Amongst the fungi found, Aspergillus niger was predominant, with 406 isolates, of which 15% were ochratoxin A producers. They were followed by A. ochraceus, with 15 isolates and 87% ochratoxigenics, and A. carbonarius, with only five isolates of which 60% were ochratoxin A producers. The average infection rates for A. niger in black sultanas, plums, figs, dates and white sultanas were 22.0, 8.0, 4.0, 1.5 and 0.5%, respectively. The apricot samples were not contaminated by any fungi or ochratoxin A. Black sultana and dried figs contained the highest contamination with ochratoxin A, with 33 and 26.3% of the samples containing more than 5 µg kg^-1 respectively, while all the white sultanas, dates and plums had no sample that exceeded this limit.     

CONSUMER PERCEPTIONS OF QUALITY: APRICOTS, CANTALOUPES, PEACHES, PEARS, STRAWBERRIES, AND TOMATOES

Consumers are increasing their produce consumption; however, complaints of inconsistent produce quality and improper consumer handling practices could reduce consumer satisfaction with and demand for specific produce items. Seventy to eighty percent of consumers buy cantaloupes, peaches, pears, strawberries and tomatoes at the supermarket; only about half buy apricots at the supermarket. Apricots are not purchased at any location by almost 30% of consumers. Satisfaction with quality is highest for cantaloupes, lowest for tomatoes and apricots. Consumer complaints center around flavor and textural changes which develop in ripening. Both consumer handling practices and fresh product quality contribute to dissatisfaction.     

Air flow precooling of individual grapes

The forced air precooling of the individual layers of 5 kg grapes (sultana variety) was investigated in flowing air at 4 °C and at flow velocities from 1 to 2 m/s The cooling variables such as lag factor, cooling coefficient, half cooling time and seven-eighths cooling time were determined for the individual grapes in the individual layers of 5 kg, by means of the exponential decline in the dimensionless temperature at the center of the products. The results of the present study showed that the cooling variables were found to depend on the flow velocity of air, and increasing the flow velocity of air from 1 to 2 m/s decreased the half cooling time by 21.8% and seven-eighths cooling time by 23.6%.     

Desulfiting Dried Apricots by Hydrogen Peroxide

ABSTRACT: Removal of sulfites from excessively sulfited dried apricots using hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) was studied. Dried apricots were dipped into 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% H₂O₂ solutions at 20 °C and 40 °C for various times. At 60 °C, apricots were also treated with 1% H₂O₂ solution. Removal of sulfites by H₂O₂ followed a 1st-order kinetic model. At 20 °C to 60 °C and 1% H₂O₂ concentration, the E_a value was 22.46 kJ mol⁻¹. H₂O₂ treatment caused lighter, more yellow, and less red dried apricots. Critical factors for H₂O₂ application are choosing the appropriate H₂O₂ concentration, temperature, and exposure time and without bleaching the natural color of dried apricots.     

In vitro binding of bile acids by bananas,peaches, pineapple,grapes, pears,apricots and nectarines

The in vitro binding of bile acids by bananas (Musa × paradisiaca), peaches (Prunus persica), pineapple (Ananus comosus), grapes (Vitis spp.), pears (Pyrus communis), apricots (Prunus armeniaca) and nectarines (Prunus persica, nectarina) was determined using a mixture of bile acids secreted in human bile at a duodenal physiological pH of 6.3. Six treatments and two blank incubations were conducted, testing various fresh fruits on an equal dry matter basis. Considering cholestyramine (bile acid binding, cholesterol lowering drug) as 100% bound, the relative in vitro bile acid binding percentages on dry matter (DM), total dietary fibre and total polysaccharides basis were 2–9%, 15–101% and 10–101%, respectively. Bile acid binding, on a DM basis, for bananas was significantly (P ? 0.05) higher and that for nectarines significantly lower than those for peaches, pineapple, grapes, pears and apricots. The bile acid bindings for peaches and pineapple were similar and significantly higher than those for grapes, pears and apricots. Binding values for grapes and pears were significantly higher than apricots. These results point to the relative health promoting potential of bananas > peaches = pineapple > grapes = pears > apricots > nectarines, as indicated by their bile acid binding on a DM basis. The variability in bile acid binding between the fruits tested maybe related to their phytonutrients, antioxidants, polyphenols, flavonoids (anthocyanins, flavonols, and proanthocyanidins), structure, hydrophobicity of undigested fractions, anionic or cationic nature of the metabolites produced during digestion or their interaction with active binding sites. Animal studies are planned to validate in vitro bile acid binding of fruits, observed herein, to their healthful potential, atherosclerosis amelioration and cancer prevention.     

Emerging risk of infestation and contamination of dried fruits by mites in the Czech Republic

The introduction of live insects into human food is rare in developed countries. However, we report, for the first time, an emerging risk that exists from dried fruit in Central Europe. Recently, massive and frequent infestation of dried fruit imported from the Mediterranean region by the mite, Carpoglpyhus lactis L. (Acarina: Carpoglyphidae), has been found. In 180 samples taken from supermarkets, 13% were contaminated; the contamination levels ranged from 0 to 660 mites per g of dried fruit. The contamination was found in dried apricots, figs, plums and raisins. To estimate the risks and food preferences of C. lactis, its growth rate was examined under laboratory conditions. Starting with a hypothetical population of 10 mites per g of dried fruit, the risk level of 1000 mites per g of dried fruit is reached at 42 days for dried figs, 49 days for dried pineapple and 63 days for dried apricots, dates and plums at 25°C and 85% relative humidity. We found that mites are able to enter every dried fruit packing material tested, including polypropylene and aluminum foils. This indicates that mites can move from package to package in supermarkets. Mites are known as allergen producers and vectors of mycotoxin-producing fungi. These findings indicate that an increased risk of C. lactis contamination exists in dried fruit.     

Analysis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfual in coffee, dried fruits and urine

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural has become a substance of interest since recent results showed a possible carcinogenic potential in consequence of a metabolic activation by sulfotransferases. 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural is formed either by acid catalysed degradation of reducing sugars or via the Maillard reaction. This work provides an overview of foods potentially containing high amounts of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural. It comprises dried fruits with a high sugar content that were exposed to heat for a long time. The concentration ranges from very low in, e. g. figs (1 mg/kg) to plums that contained up to 2,200 mg/kg. Several types of roasted coffee were analysed that contained from 300 to 2,900 mg/kg of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural. In a small human study with seven healthy volunteers the urine excretion of unmetabolised 5-hydroxymethylfurfural was investigated. After uptake of 20 g of plum jam containing 24 mg of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, 163 microg (mean) were excreted within 6 h, an equivalent of 0.75% of the ingested 5-hydroxymethylfurfural.     

Emerging risk of infestation and contamination of dried fruits by mites in the Czech Republic

The introduction of live insects into human food is rare in developed countries. However, we report, for the first time, an emerging risk that exists from dried fruit in Central Europe. Recently, massive and frequent infestation of dried fruit imported from the Mediterranean region by the mite, Carpoglpyhus lactis L. (Acarina: Carpoglyphidae), has been found. In 180 samples taken from supermarkets, 13% were contaminated; the contamination levels ranged from 0 to 660 mites per g of dried fruit. The contamination was found in dried apricots, figs, plums and raisins. To estimate the risks and food preferences of C. lactis, its growth rate was examined under laboratory conditions. Starting with a hypothetical population of 10 mites per g of dried fruit, the risk level of 1000 mites per g of dried fruit is reached at 42 days for dried figs, 49 days for dried pineapple and 63 days for dried apricots, dates and plums at 25 °C and 85% relative humidity. We found that mites are able to enter every dried fruit packing material tested, including polypropylene and aluminum foils. This indicates that mites can move from package to package in supermarkets. Mites are known as allergen producers and vectors of mycotoxin-producing fungi. These findings indicate that an increased risk of C. lactis contamination exists in dried fruit.     

Influence of delayed cooling on storability and postharvest quality of European plums

BACKGROUND: Delayed cooling has been tested to delay the development of internal breakdown (IB) in other stone fruits, but the influence of delayed cooling on IB has not been studied to date in European plums. A controlled delayed treatment of 48 h at 20 °C was applied in order to study the storability and postharvest quality of European plum (Prunus domestica L.) cv. ‘Green Gage’. RESULTS: Market life of ‘Green Gage’ plums after shelf life was 10 days shorter in delayed fruits than in control fruits at earlier harvest dates. Sensory attributes affected by delayed cooling treatment at harvest were astringency and aroma. Prompt cooling was essential to lower the rate of physiological deterioration of plums, helping to maintain fruit quality and prolong market life. CONCLUSION: Delayed cooling increased IB symptoms in ‘Green Gage’ plums, so, when storability is needed, rapid cooling of fruits is necessary in order to extend their market life. Delayed cooling modified the total soluble solids/titratable acidity (TSS/TA) ratio and the sensory properties aroma and astringency at harvest, so it is desirable to deliver fruits directly to market in order to improve TSS/TA, the instrumental property best correlated with sensory characteristics. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Influence of Gluconic Acid on Enzyme Inactivation and Color Retention in Canned Apricots and Peaches

Apricots, clingstone and freestone peaches packed in tin-free steel cans with up to 1.1% gluconic acid in the syrup retained better color than fruits packed without the acidulant. Up to 0.44% by weight gluconic acid did not affect heat resistance of peroxidase/polyphenol-oxidase enzyme systems in apricots. Requirements for heat inactivation of enzymes increased with fruit maturity, from F_100°c= 1.3 min with z = 16°C in canning ripe, to F_100°C= 7 min with z = 61.5°C in soft ripe apricots. Enzyme regeneration occurred within 48 hr. Methods tested for measuring enzyme activity arc discussed.     

凉果中优势腐败霉菌的分离鉴定

凉果加工与贮藏中霉菌污染直接影响凉果的品质。为明确凉果贮藏中优势腐败霉菌的种类,该研究对在常温贮存4个月后霉变的葡萄干、话梅、杏脯中腐败霉菌进行了分离纯化,得到7种典型腐败霉菌。将分离出的腐败霉菌回接至无菌的葡萄干、话梅、杏脯表面,进行回接侵染实验,通过凉果霉变时间确定出4株菌株为优势腐败霉菌。通过菌落形态特征、菌丝和分生孢子显微结构观察,结合核糖体内转录间隔区（rDNA-ITS）序列分析,构建系统发育,鉴定优势霉菌种属。结果表明：葡萄干的优势霉菌为芽枝状枝孢霉（Cladosporium velox）和暗黄青霉（Penicillium citreonigrum）,话梅的优势腐败菌为细极链格孢（Alternaria tenuissima）,杏脯的优势腐败霉菌为菌核青霉（Penicillium sclerotiorum）。该研究结果可为凉果腐败霉菌的分离鉴定提供可靠的方法,也可为后续凉果杀菌方法的选择,贮藏条件的优化提供依据。     

Air Drying Characteristics of Apricots

The optimization of the drying of apricots was studied using four treatments: (1) blanching and drying; (2) sulfiting-blanching and drying; (3) blanching-sulfiting and drying; and (4) sulfiting-drying to 50% moisture-blanching and finish drying. Levels of sulfiting were from 0–2000 ppm SO₂ and drying was done at 50° to 80°C. The quality of dried apricots was judged by extent of browning development and hardness determination. A surface response statistical design was applied to evaluate the optimum drying conditions. Sulfiting-drying, using 80–1000 ppm SO₂ at any temperature in the range 50–80°C, was found to be the best treatment. Thus, sulfite was the major factor in controlling dry apricot quality and would be hard to reduce. Drying time was reduced by 50% when apricots were dried at 80°C compared to 50°C, and blanching reduced the time by 10 to 20%. Loss of SO₂ was greater than 50% for all treatments.     

An h.p.l.c. method for the quantitative determination of asulam, acetylasulam and sulphanilamide in peaches

An analytical method has been developed for the determination of the herbicide, asulam [methyl(4-aminobenzenesulphonyl)carbamate] and two metabolites, sulphanilamide and acetylasulam individually, in peaches. Asulam and acetylasulam were partitioned from an aqueous phase with ethyl ether, leaving behind more polar components which interfered with the analysis of these compounds. The sulphanilamide was next partitioned from the aqueous phase into ethyl acetate. Each fraction was then chromatographed on its own neutral alumina column, activity grade 1, and analysed by high performance liquid chromatography (h.p.l.c.) using a C-18 reverse phase column. From peach samples fortified at the 0.10 p.p.m. level, recoveries averaged 72% (asulam), 100% (acetylasulam) and 90% (sulphanilamide). No residues of these compounds were found in two studies of peaches harvested 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 days following asulam treatment at 0-7.50 kg/ha.     

Vacuum Infusion of Citrus Pectinmethylesterase and Calcium Effects on Firmness of Peaches

Vacuum infiltration of Majestic peaches (Prunus persica) for 1 hr with a solution of Marsh grapefruit pectinmethylesterase (PME) containing 100 mg/L CaCl₂ significantly increased firmness of canned peaches. Mean firmness of peaches infused 2 hr and thermally processed was 13.9 J/Kg as compared to 3.2 J/kg for noninfused, processed controls. The calcium content increased from 278 to 432 mg/kg during 2 hr infusion of blanched peaches. Specific activity of PME in peach halves increased more than 20 fold after infusion.     

Hygienic significance of patulin in food. 2. Occurrence of patulin in fruit and vegetables]

The analyses of more than 200 samples of various foods of plant origin showed that patulin was contained in 36% of the fresh and canned fruits infested with mould, and in 7% of the vegetables. Besides apples, pears, plums, peaches and tomatoes contained also patulin. In organoleptically impeccable fruit juices, the contamination rates were 40% (for apple juice) and 16% (for the other juices, such as sour cherry, currant, sea buckthorn juices). The patulin content varied from 20 to 200 microgram/l, the mean value being 80 microgram/l. It ranged from 0.1 to 5 microgram/g in apples and sterile apple preserves. The authors discuss the hygienic-toxicologic significance of these findings, and suggest to include patulin in the examination of foods for mycotoxins, stipulating a permissible value.