Sweet cherries from farm to table: A review

In order to enable long-distance transportation and ensure that the fruit presents the requisite quality on arrival at markets, the cherry industry for direct consumption needs to prolong post-harvest shelf life. Sweet cherries are highly perishable, non-climacteric fruits with shelf life of 7–14 days in cold storage. Their shelf life is shortened by loss of firmness, color and flavor, stem discoloration, desiccation and mould growth. Various factors such as harvest time, proper handling and cooling practices and above all packaging, greatly influence the shelf life of cherries. One of the areas of research that has shown promise, and had success, is modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). It is one of the fastest growing packaging technologies and has many advantages for different food products. Properly designed modified atmosphere packs can be exploited to lower respiration rates and thus ripening of fruits which results in least changes in physiochemical parameters of sweet cherries during postharvest storage. This paper intended to review a broad spectrum of studies dealt with the use of MAP for preservation of sweet cherries cultivars with an interest for future research work.     

Methods for quality evaluation of sweet cherry

Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) is a highly valued fruit, whose quality can be evaluated using several objective methodologies, such as calibre, colour, texture, soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), as well as maturity indexes. Functional and nutritional compounds are also frequently determined, in response to consumer demand. The aim of the present review is to clarify and establish quality evaluation parameters and methodologies for the whole cherry supply chain, in order to promote easy and faithful communication among all stakeholders. The use of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) as a non-destructive and expeditious method for assessing some quality parameters is discussed. In this review, the results of a wide survey to assess the most common methodologies for cherry quality evaluation, carried out among cherry researchers and producers within the framework of the COST Action FA1104 ‘Sustainable production of high-quality cherries for the European market’, are also reported. The standardisation of quality evaluation parameters is expected to contribute to the preservation and shelf-life extension of sweet cherries, and the valorisation of the whole supply chain. For future studies on sweet cherry, we put forward a proposal regarding both sample size and the tests chosen to evaluate each parameter. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.     

Variety–compound–quality relationship of 12 sweet cherry varieties by HPLC-chemometric analysis

In this study, 12 sweet cherry varieties grown in Shandong (China) were compared based on their quality indices and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprints, along with chemometric discrimination by similarity analysis, hierarchical clustering analysis and principal component analysis. The established sample preparation and analysis methods represented a non-targeted and practical approach with reasonably high sensitivity, precision, stability and reproducibility, providing comprehensive evaluation of the quality of sweet cherries while allowing the tentative classification of cherry varieties. The results revealed the variety-dependent nature of the HPLC fingerprints of sweet cherries, and the fruit groupings according to their chemical composition (three groups based on phenolics, or four groups if organic acids were of main interest). All cherries were rich in organic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, hydroxybenzoic acids, anthocyanins, flavan-3-ols, flavonols and other flavonoids, with malic acid, cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside, p-coumaroylquinic acid, neochlorogenic acid and rutin as the characteristic compounds (in the range of 0.57–1.80, 0.002–1.390, 0.370–3.083, 0.38–1.87 and 0.020–0.167 mg g⁻¹ fruit fresh weight, respectively). While anthocyanin and flavonol patterns were useful for a varietal assignment of cherries, cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside could represent a preliminary index for grouping similar cultivars and colours.     

Use of an edible coating containing galbanum gum and cumin essential oil for quality preservation in sweet cherries

Nowadays, the use of natural compounds is considered as an effective strategy for maintaining the quality and heath promoting capacity of fresh products. Changes in quality parameters, main phenolics and antioxidants of sweet cherries in response to coating with a novel bioactive edible coating were studied. Fruit were treated with different concentrations of galbanum gum (GG), cumin essential oil (CEO) and CaCl₂ (CA) and stored at 2 ± 1°C with 90–95% RH for 30 days plus 1 day at ambient condition, and were subjected to quality analysis. All phenolic constituents and antioxidants of fruit juice were substantially decreased during storage in control fruit and a bioactive coating containing 1 or 2% GG + 100 or 200 µL L⁻¹ CEO + 1% CA maintained main fruit phytochemicals including phenolics, phenolic acids, flavonols, anti-stress and antioxidant enzymes activities. The coating significantly (P ≤ 0.01) enhanced fruit total antioxidant activity, flavonoids and ferulic acid contents. The results showed that it is possible to enhance the sweet cherry fruit health-promoting phytochemicals and shelf life by the use of a natural edible coating containing GG and CEO.     

Cherries and health: a review

Cherries, and in particular sweet cherries, are a nutritionally dense food rich in anthocyanins, quercetin, hydroxycinnamates, potassium, fiber, vitamin C, carotenoids, and melatonin. UV concentration, degree of ripeness, postharvest storage conditions, and processing, each can significantly alter the amounts of nutrients and bioactive components. These constituent nutrients and bioactive food components support the potential preventive health benefits of cherry intake in relation to cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, inflammatory diseases, and Alzheimer's disease. Mechanistically, cherries exhibit relatively high antioxidant activity, low glycemic response, COX 1 and 2 enzyme inhibition, and other anti-carcinogenic effects in vitro and in animal experiments. Well-designed cherry feeding studies are needed to further substantiate any health benefits in humans.     

Factors affecting the quality of a novel fresh-cut sweet cherry product

The primary objective of this work was to evaluate whether sweet cherries could make an acceptable fresh-cut fruit product. The concept was to develop a cherry product cut such that the pit and associated tissue from stem bowl to the nose of the fruit were removed in a single cutting operation, leaving a cherry with a ‘hole’ which could be filled with various foodstuffs (much like a pitted olive). Secondary objectives were to determine if the design of the cutting tube, storage at low temperature before cutting or preharvest treatment with gibberellic acid (GA: used to improve firmness in commercial production) could influence the quality of packaged fresh-cut sweet cherries. Most cultivars of sweet cherries tested appeared to be suitable for cutting, and quality was not impacted significantly if GA was used on the fruit prior to harvest. Low temperature of the fruit at the time of cutting appeared to lead to greater deterioration than warm temperatures and so perhaps a warm-up time is required if the fruit are held in cold storage before cutting. Finally, the design of the cutting tube was of great importance with a scalloped-edge resulting in a lower cutting force, and hence less injury and better quality, than a straight-edge design.     

Processed Tart Cherry Products—Comparative Phytochemical Content,in vitro Antioxidant Capacity and in vitro Anti‐inflammatory Activity

Abstract: Processing of fruits and vegetables affects their phytochemical and nutrient content. Tart cherries are commercially promoted to possess antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activity. However, processing affects their phytochemical content and may affect their related health benefits. The current study compares the in vitro antioxidant capacity and anti‐inflammatory cyclooxygenase activity of processed tart cherry (Prunus cerasus) products—cherry juice concentrate, individually quick‐frozen cherries, canned cherries, and dried cherries. Cherry products were analyzed for total anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin content and profile. On a per serving basis, total anthocyanins were highest in frozen cherries and total proanthocyanidins were highest in juice concentrate. Total phenolics were highest in juice concentrate. Juice concentrate had the highest oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and peroxynitrite radical averting capacity (NORAC). Dried cherries had the highest hydroxyl radical averting capacity (HORAC) and superoxide radical averting capacity (SORAC). Processed tart cherry products compared very favorably to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture‐reported ORAC of other fresh and processed fruits. Inhibition of in vitro inflammatory COX‐1 activity was greatest in juice concentrate. In summary, all processed tart cherry products possessed antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activity, but processing differentially affected phytochemical content and in vitro bioactivity. On a per serving basis, juice concentrate was superior to other tart cherry products. Practical Application: Processing of fruits and vegetables affects their chemical and nutrient content and perhaps their related health benefits. Comparative studies are valuable to ascertain the effects of processing on fruit and vegetable chemical content and bioactivity. Here we present tart cherries as a model for this type of detailed comparison.     

Role of biological control agents and physical treatments in maintaining the quality of fresh and minimally-processed fruit and vegetables

Abstract

Fruit and vegetables are an important part of human diets and provide multiple health benefits. However, due to the short shelf-life of fresh and minimally-processed fruit and vegetables, significant losses occur throughout the food distribution chain. Shelf-life extension requires preserving both the quality and safety of food products. The quality of fruit and vegetables, either fresh or fresh-cut, depends on many factors and can be determined by analytical or sensory evaluation methods. Among the various technologies used to maintain the quality and increase shelf-life of fresh and minimally-processed fruit and vegetables, biological control is a promising approach. Biological control refers to postharvest control of pathogens using microbial cultures. With respect to application of biological control for increasing the shelf-life of food, the term biopreservation is favored, although the approach is identical. The methods for screening and development of biocontrol agents differ greatly according to their intended application, but the efficacy of all current approaches following scale-up to commercial conditions is recognized as insufficient. The combination of biological and physical methods to maintain quality has the potential to overcome the limitations of current approaches. This review compares biocontrol and biopreservation approaches, alone and in combination with physical methods. The recent increase in the use of meta-omics approaches and other innovative technologies, has led to the emergence of new strategies to increase the shelf-life of fruit and vegetables, which are also discussed herein.     

外源褪黑素对甜樱桃果实褐变和品质的影响

为探讨外源褪黑素处理对采后甜樱桃褐变和品质的影响,本研究以‘萨米脱’甜樱桃为材料,分别以蒸馏水、100 μmol·L?1外源褪黑素浸泡处理甜樱桃果实5 min,于0±1 ℃下贮藏,定期取样进行褐变和品质相关生理指标的测定。结果表明:外源褪黑素处理能够显著（P<0.05）抑制褐变指数上升,降低了33.3%腐烂率,并显著（P<0.05）延缓了硬度、可滴定酸、可溶性固形物和抗坏血酸含量的下降。褪黑素处理还显著（P<0.05）提高了超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化氢酶活性,显著（P<0.05）抑制了脂氧合酶活性、O₂?·产生速率、H₂O₂水平、丙二醛含量和相对膜透性的上升。同时,褪黑素处理显著（P<0.05）延缓了过氧化物酶、多酚氧化酶、苯丙氨酸解氨酶活性的上升,并显著（P<0.05）提高了多酚含量。这些结果表明,外源褪黑素处理抑制甜樱桃果实褐变可能与提高抗氧化酶活性,降低膜脂过氧化程度,保持细胞膜结构完整性和抑制褐变相关酶活性密切相关。     

甜樱桃采后病害、贮藏期间品质变化及其防腐保鲜技术

本文详述了甜樱桃在采后发生侵染性病害和生理性病害的原因、发病症状以及对果实产生危害的结果。并介绍了甜樱桃在不同温度贮藏期间感官品质及营养物质变化,针对樱桃自身特性和采后病害分析结果,对现有的适用于樱桃的保鲜技术进行分类总结。最后,总结了目前制约樱桃产业发展的主要问题,并对此提出对策。     

Chitosan Acetate as an Active Coating Material and Its Effects on the Storing of Prunus avium L.

ABSTRACT: In this article, chitosan acetate (CA) was prepared by the method of solid–liquid reaction. CA was a stable faint yellow powder with water solubility. CA kept the same backbone in the chemical structure as the raw material of chitosan, and it also had the similar antibacterial properties with chitosan. CA could form a coating film on the outside surface of the sweet cherries, could effectively retard the loss of the water, titratable acidity, and ascorbic acid of sweet cherries, and could induce a significant increase in the peroxidase and catalase activities in the fruit. The CA coating could also increase the ratio of the total soluble solids and titratable acidity in the fruit. The application of CA effectively maintained quality attributes and extended postharvest life of the sweet cherries. The results revealed that the CA salts had potential application in active edible coating materials in the storage of fresh fruit.     

甜樱桃采后商品化处理技术研究进展

近年来,我国甜樱桃栽培面积迅速扩展,总产量也逐年递增,樱桃的贮藏、保鲜等商品化处理技术也日益提升。本文从甜樱桃的采摘、预冷、分级、贮藏保鲜、包装五个环节综述了近年来国内外甜樱桃商品化处理技术的应用现状及研究进展,重点介绍了甜樱桃的贮藏保鲜技术,提出了未来甜樱桃采后商品化处理的主要研究方向。     

苯乳酸-海藻酸钠涂膜保鲜剂的制备及其在甜樱桃保鲜中的应用

利用苯乳酸的抑菌能力和海藻酸钠的成膜性制备苯乳酸-海藻酸钠涂膜保鲜剂,并应用该保鲜剂对甜樱桃 进行涂膜保鲜。通过测试保鲜剂成膜的性能,确定保鲜剂中海藻酸钠的适宜添加量;通过测定甜樱桃生理指标和品 质指标的变化,研究保鲜剂对甜樱桃的冷藏保鲜效果。结果表明：在6 g/L苯乳酸、5 g/L甘油、5 g/L黄原胶存在的 情况下,海藻酸钠添加量为12 g/L时制备的保鲜剂有较好的成膜性能。应用该保鲜剂保鲜甜樱桃,能较好地抑制甜 樱桃的腐烂,减少水分散失,降低呼吸强度,保持贮藏甜樱桃的色泽和硬度,延缓可溶性固形物和可滴定酸质量分 数的下降,从而有利于降低甜樱桃代谢强度,保持果实品质,延长甜樱桃的保鲜期。     

Anthocyanin and Polyphenolic Composition of Fresh and Processed Cherries

ABSTRACT: The distribution of anthocyanin pigments and polyphenolics in 1 sour cherry ( Prunus cerasus ) and 3 sweet cherry ( Prunus avium ) cultivars was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection. Changes during frozen storage, canning, and brining were also monitored. Sweet cherry cultivars differed qualitatively with respect to the minor anthocyanins. Hydroxycinnamates are the major class of polyphenolics in sweet cherries, whereas flavanols are in the majority in Montmorency cherries. Hydroxycinnamates were greatly affected by processing and storage, whereas flavonol glycosides were quite stable. Half of the anthocyanins and polyphenolics were transferred to the syrup with canning, and nearly all were transferred to brine during brining.     

烟台地区引起甜樱桃采后腐烂霉菌的分离鉴定

为明确引起烟台地区甜樱桃采后腐烂的主要霉菌,对烟台采后腐烂甜樱桃中的霉菌进行分离,应用内部转录间隔区序列分析方法和形态学观察将分离的霉菌进行鉴定。选出代表性霉菌菌株回接樱桃,进行致腐性检测。结果表明:从烟台不同区县收集的腐烂樱桃中分离出的60株霉菌分属于6个种:燕麦赤霉菌(Gibberella avenacea)、总状毛霉菌(Mucor racemosus)、三线镰刀菌(Fusarium tricinctum)、互生链格孢菌(Alternaria alternate)、奥桑青霉菌(Penicillium polonicum)和烟曲霉菌(Aspergillus fumigatus),其中互生链格孢菌和总状毛霉数量较多,分别为14株和15株。将这些霉菌中的代表菌株重新接回到甜樱桃,均能引起甜樱桃的腐烂。     

天然醛类化合物在农产品采后真菌病害防治中的应用进展

农产品种类众多、营养价值丰富,在人类日常饮食中不可或缺。然而,水果、蔬菜、食用菌和甘薯等农产品在采后易受病原真菌感染而发生腐烂变质,导致品质下降,贮藏期缩短。目前,主要通过化学杀菌剂来控制农产品采后腐烂,但化学杀菌剂的长期重复使用会导致病原菌抗药性增加、农药残留及环境污染等问题。天然醛类化合物具有广谱杀菌作用,尤其是针对农产品采后真菌病害的防治,具有绿色安全、快速有效等优点,在农产品保鲜中具有巨大的应用潜力。本文综述了天然醛类化合物的化学组成,对农产品采后病原真菌的抑制活性与抑菌机制,以及在农产品采后真菌病害防治中应用的研究进展,并对其在农产品采后保鲜中应用的未来趋势进行展望,以期为天然醛类化合物在农产品保鲜中更深层次的应用提供理论依据和新思路。     

基于高压静电场处理的樱桃番茄果实贮藏期生理品质及其代谢

樱桃番茄色泽艳丽,味道酸甜适口,受到消费者欢迎。但樱桃番茄采后容易腐烂变质,且鲜食时其表面致病菌不利于消费者健康。本实验以‘黄妃’樱桃番茄为材料,通过大肠杆菌菌落总数、腐烂率、生理指标测定以及代谢组学分析,研究高压静电场（high voltage electrostatic field,HVEF）处理对樱桃番茄果实贮藏期生理品质及代谢的影响。结果表明,HVEF处理能显著降低果实表面的大肠杆菌菌落总数（P＜0.05）,并能延缓贮藏期间果实腐烂,且对呼吸速率和质量损失率没有明显影响,果实乙烯释放量在贮藏早期受到抑制。代谢组学分析结果表明,HVEF处理能引起部分代谢物质的含量差异,且存在多种上调和下调模式,其中部分类黄酮和生物碱类物质含量上升。综上,HVEF处理能够降低果实采后腐烂率和表面致病菌数量,并对改善樱桃番茄果实采后品质有一定的作用。     

Quality of fresh‐cut products as affected by harvest and postharvest operations

There is a rising demand for fresh‐cut convenience products with high quality and nutritional standards that needs to be met by the fresh‐cut industry. It is well known that harvest and postharvest handling of fresh produce has a paramount impact on its quality and storage, although most of the existing literature has focused on these impacts related only to fresh produce that is destined for the final consumers. Indeed, current harvest methods and postharvest technologies have improved fruit and vegetable handling and distribution processes by slowing down physiological processes and senescence. Nonetheless, these technologies and methods may influence the quality of fresh produce as raw material for fresh‐cut processing as a result of the dynamic responses of fresh produce to handling procedures and treatments. Here, we review the existing literature on the challenges facing the fresh‐cut industry, focusing on the impact of harvest, maturity, and handling of fruit and vegetables on the quality of raw materials, as well as the implications for fresh‐cut products. The review also highlights areas for further research with the aim of enhancing the sensorial, nutritional and biochemical quality of such products. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry     

Bioactive components in forced sweet cherry fruit (Prunus avium L.), antioxidative capacity and allergenic potential as dependent on cultivation under cover

Five early maturing varieties of Prunus avium L. on dwarfing rootstock were forced at Bonn, Germany in spring under transparent plastic cover without additional heating to ripen at a time before field-grown German fruit become available, with better fruit quality than imported sweet cherries; trees grown outside without cover served as control. The cover reduced the incident radiation by up to 54% PAR, UV by up to 22% UV-A and UV-B up to 2% and increased day temperature indoors. Fruit were as firm in the early varieties grown under cover as those in the field and slightly softer than in the late harvesting cultivars. Sugar content was slightly less in four of the five varieties; no differences in acidity and sugar/acid ratio as a taste indicator were found. Fruits were up to 3 mm larger when grown under cover in cvs. ‘Burlat’ and ‘Souvenir’, but no differences were observed in cvs. ‘Earlise’ and ‘Prime Giant’. Fruit of three cultivars, ‘Burlat’, ‘Samba’ and ‘Prime Giant’ can be classified as premium quality with 28 mm–30 mm diameter, when grown under cover. Overall, all cherry fruit were of the market, i.e. consumer- preferred, dark red colouration in line with enhanced anthocyanin contents. In two cultivars, the cover induced healthier fruit. Antioxidative capacity was larger in cv. ‘Samba’, while ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) was increased in cv. ‘Souvenir’; phenols were enhanced in all cultivars and attributed to heat stress. Allergenic protein (Pru av 1) in cherry fruits of both cultivation types were below the detection level at harvest time, indicating that cultivation under cover had no adverse effects on this particular health component.Overall, forcing successfully resulted in 2 weeks earlier ripening, thereby providing the first fresh and healthy (low allergen, high phenolic compounds and high anthocyanin) German cherries of high fruit quality on the market in spring.     

Identification of bioactive response in traditional cherries from Portugal

In recent years many studies on cherries have revealed that they are rich sources of bioactive compounds with potential human health benefits. In this work, we evaluated the antioxidant activity and antiproliferative effect in human cancer cells of nine sweet cherries, including two traditional cultivars from Portugal (Saco and Morangão). Results obtained in biological assays, together with the phenolic composition of cherries, were submitted to principal component analysis (PCA) which allowed samples to be grouped in terms of their bioactivity. Saco cherry and two exotic cultivars (Ulster and Lapin) proved to have higher contents of phenolic compounds, highest antioxidant activity and were the most effective in inhibiting human cancer cells derived from colon (HT29) and stomach (MKN45). Correlation of the data obtained showed that anthocyanins were the major contributors to the antioxidant capacity and antiproliferative effect of cherries. Additionally, hydroxycinnamic acids (neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid and p-coumaroylquinic acid), flavan-3-ols (catechin and epicatechin) and flavonols (rutin and quercetin-3-glucoside) also play important roles in protection against oxidative stress.