Sugar Composition of Cucumber Cell Walls During Fruit Development

The sugar composition of pickling cucumber cell walls was analyzed in seven cucumber sizes. Relative to total cell wall sugars, glucose did not change, while the other major neutral sugars, galactose, xylose and mannose, underwent relatively small declines during fruit development. The ratios of galacturonic acid/rhamnose and galacturonic acid/arabinose showed large increases during fruit growth, which indicated that pectin structure may change. Pectin methylation in the mesocarp tissue increased from 35 to 64% as cucumber fruit matured. A positive correlation was observed between the firmness of cucumber mesocarp tissue and the total amount of cell wall sugars in the fresh tissue. Cucumber peel tissue contained 4 to 5-fold higher sugar concentrations than either the mesocarp or endocarp tissues.     

Production and Stability of (E, Z)-2, 6-Nonadienal, the Major Flavor Volatile of Cucumbers

ABSTRACT: Factors affecting the production and stability of (E, Z) -2, 6-nonadienal (NDE) from pickling cucumbers were examined. Production capability was rapidly destroyed in tissues exposed to freezing, fermentation or processing conditions. Lower concentrations were produced by exocarp tissues than mesocarp or endocarp tissues, which probably accounted for an almost linear relationship between fruit size and NDE production. NDE production was reduced by acidification, enhanced by linolenic acid, and unaffected by other unsaturated fatty acids NaCl or CaCl2. E-2-nonenal production was suppressed when NDE production was increased by linolenic acid. NDE was unstable in filtrates of homogenized tissues. Its stability was substantially improved by acidifying to pH 2 and unaffected by CaNa2EDTA. Extraction and concentration by vacuum distillation further enhanced stability. Loss of NDE in distillates averaged 0.3%/d during storage at 5 °C.     

METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF FIRMNESS IN CUCUMBER SLICES1

A punch and die assembly was adapted to the Instron UTM for deter-mination of firmness of mesocarp and endocarp tissues in cucumber slices. A cylindricalpunch 0.315 cm diameter (0.200 to 0.635 cm diameter tested) and a cucumber slice thickness of at least 0.48 cm were found to be suitable for the method developed. Penetration force was about five times greater for mesocarp than endocarp in 4 to 5 cm diameter cucumbers. Mesocarp and endocarp were firmer near the stem end than near the blossom end of cucumbers. Force readings also declined for both tissues with increase in fruit diameter from about 2 to 6 em. Single slices taken from the center of 20 cucumbers and punched once each at specified locations in the mesocarp and endocarp provided sufficient sampling to limit the coefficient of variation to about 5%. The correlation coefficient between sensory analysis for firmness and puncture force readings of fermented cucumber slices was 0.88.     

橄榄果肉营养成分的分析

时橄榄果肉中的主要营养成分进行了分析,结果表明,橄榄果肉中含总糖6.1%,粗纤维4.1%,蛋白质1.7%,灰分1.4%,脂肪1.1%,其中,可溶性糖类主要为蔗糖和果糖,还包括少量的葡萄糖、棉籽糖和麦芽糖.有机酸成分主要为苹果酸,其次为柠檬酸、酒石酸、奎宁酸、草酸.以及少量的富马酸和乙酸.橄榄果肉蛋白质中氨基酸种类齐全,谷氨酸、天冬氨酸、赖氨酸含量相对较高.橄榄果肉中矿物元素丰富,其中钙含量为101.7mg/100g,远高于普通水果.     

江津甜橙3 个变异品种的果实品质及酸组分分析

以江津甜橙的优选品种锦橙及其低酸变异品种长叶橙和高酸大果芽变品种大果锦橙为试材,测定果实膨大至成熟期的多项品质指标及其果汁中柠檬酸、奎宁酸和苹果酸含量的变化趋势。结果表明,在果实发育过程中,各品种果实大小于10月下旬基本定型,可溶性固形物含量逐渐增加、可滴定酸含量逐渐下降。在所测酸组分中,柠檬酸为主要有机酸;在果实发育过程中,柠檬酸含量逐渐降低,苹果酸含量呈相反的变化趋势,奎宁酸含量呈先下降后上升再下降的趋势,最大值出现在11月中旬。在果实成熟阶段,锦橙平均单果质量和柠檬酸含量介于长叶橙和大果锦橙之间,可溶性固形物含量为最高;长叶橙单果质量最小（155.27 g）,可滴定酸含量最低（0.55%）,其中柠檬酸组分含量为6.95 mg/g;大果锦橙则相反,单果质量达311.92 g,可滴定酸含量为1.02%,其中柠檬酸含量为11.72 mg/g。3 个品种总体上呈酸度越高,柠檬酸含量越高,奎宁酸含量越低的趋势。     

Effects of Sodium Chloride Concentration on Firmness Retention of Cucumbers Fermented and Stored with Calcium Chloride

The firmness of cucumbers brined at 0.2% CaCl₂ was retained during fermentation (1 month) and storage (12 months) when 2.6, 4.2 or 5.8% NaCl also was present. Firmness retention was not improved (P≥0.05) during storage by increase in NaCl concentration to 11.9% after fermentation. In the absence of added NaCI, cucumbers were firm after fermentation, but firmness was reduced during storage to 69% of initial for whole cucumbers, 64% for mesocarp tissue, and 32% for endocarp tissue. Addition of uncharacterized softening enzymes. extracted from debris collected at a cucumber grading operation, resulted in softening of cucumbers brined at 1.8% NaCl in the absence of added CaC1₂. Addition of CaCl₂ reduced but did not eliminate softening by ths extract. Results indicated that the firmness of brined cucumbers could be retained at appreciably lower NaCl concentrations than those traditionally used but that the lower limit of NaCl required to prevent softening by possible contaminating enzymes is yet to be established.     

Potential role of native pickling cucumber polygalacturonase in softening of fresh pack pickles

This study examined the potential involvement of polygalacturonase (PG) in commercial pickling cucumbers on gradual softening of refrigerated and pasteurized fresh pack pickle products that adversely affects their market-life. PG activity was detected in all sources of commercial pickling cucumbers and refrigerated pickle spears, and activity was detected in some sources of pasteurized spears. Polygalacturonic acid hydrolysis determined from changes in fluidity, reducing groups and oligogalacturonides indicated involvement of both exo- and endo-PG. Treatment of pasteurized pickle mesocarp tissues with concentrated extracts from pickling cucumbers resulted in rapid softening and alteration of pectic substances. D-values for thermal inactivation of pickling cucumber PG at 75, 80, 85, and 90 °C were 22.0, 19.5, 14.5, and 4.2 min, respectively, indicating that residual activity would be expected in commercially pasteurized pickle products. It is concluded that residual cucumber PG could be responsible for softening of processed pickle products, and it is suspected that variations in textural quality of given products are caused by differences in residual types and levels of native PG. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Since enzyme extracts from commercial pickling cucumbers were demonstrated to be capable of softening pickle tissues and that PG activity was present in some processed fresh pack products, methods that inactivate or eliminate the enzyme(s) should reduce softening of products during storage and marketing.     

DELINEATION OF PUNCTURE FORCES FOR EXOCARP AND MESOCARP TISSUES IN CUCUMBER FRUIT 1

A puncture test was used to differentiate exocarp (skin) and mesocarp tissues of fresh cucumbers for resistance to penetration. Optimum instrumental test conditions were a punch size of 3.15 mm diameter and crosshead speed of 5 cm/min. The force required to penetrate the exocarp of whole fruit was determined and was deemed to represent a composite of the exocarp and the underlying tissue. By placing 7 mm thick, longitudinal slices skin down on a die plate, failure forces representing the mesocarp and exocarp tissues were determined in fruit ranging from 2.5–5.5 cm diameter. Exocarp force measurements were not influenced by slice thicknesses greater than 1 mm. Mesocarp measurements were lower with thicker slices, and required uniformity of thickness to maximize precision. The exocarp was found to represent about 60% of the composite force required to penetrate whole cucumbers, regardless of fruit size. Toughness of both exocarp and mesocarp increased with fruit size. The relative contributions of exocarp to penetration of seven other fruits varied from 58 to 88%.     

Phenolics, betacyanins and antioxidant activity in Opuntia joconostle fruits

Sour prickly pears (xoconostles) are fruits from Opuntia joconostle cactus, which are cultivated in the central Mexico area. Phenolic and pigment content in various parts of O. joconostle fruits were analyzed. The antioxidant activity of a methanolic extraction and different semi-purified fractions were also evaluated by the DPPH⁺ method. Xoconostle fruits were obtained from a commercial orchard in Mexico State. Fruits were analyzed as whole fruit and each fruit part including pericarp, mesocarp and endocarp. Samples were homogenized and kept at 4 °C until sample preparation. Total phenolic content and total flavonoid content varied among the different parts of the fruit. The highest amount of phenolic compounds and total flavonoids content were found in pericarp 2.07 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g fresh weight (FW) and 0.46 mg(+)-catechin equivalents (CE)/g FW respectively. Seven phenolics were identified as protocatechuic, 4-hydroxybenzoic, caffeic, vanillic and syringic acids, rutin, and quercetin. The color of the fruit parts was mainly due to the presence of betacyanins. The betacyanin concentration was higher in the endocarp (23.03 mg betanin equivalents/100 g fresh weight) than in the pericarp and mesocarp. Betacyanins were identified by HPLC-PDA-MS as betanin, isobetanin, betanidin, isobetanidin, and phyllocactin. Methanolic extracts and semi-purified fractions A (phenolics and flavonols) and B (betacyanins) of xoconostle showed high antioxidant activity mainly in the pericarp. These results suggest that xoconostle is a rich source of antioxidant compounds such as phenolic compounds and betacyanins.     

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.     

施用有机酸对烟草生理特性及烟叶化学成分的影响

本试验选用4种有机酸进行烟草灌根,研究了施用有机酸对烟草生理特性和烟叶化学成分的影响。结果表明,用有机酸灌根明显提高了烟叶蔗糖转化酶(INV)活性和谷氨酸合成酶(GOGAT)活性(除柠檬酸处理外),促进了烟叶的碳氮代谢过程。苹果酸处理和乳酸处理还可以显著提高根系活力和根系ATPase活性,促进根系的发育,增加根系干重。4种有机酸处理都可以提高烤后烟叶内有机酸和还原糖的含量,其中苹果酸处理和乳酸处理较有利于烟叶品质的改善。      

高浓度柠檬酸对酿酒酵母生长的抑制效应

在果酒酿造过程中,酿酒酵母会面临果实中有机酸尤其柠檬酸的胁迫。 该研究系统地考察了酿酒酵母（Saccharomyces cere- visiae）EC1118和2323在酵母膏蛋白胨葡萄糖液体培养基中的生长情况,在3种不同柠檬酸浓度和pH值培养条件下,分析两种酿酒酵 母的生长曲线,揭示柠檬酸对酿酒酵母生长抑制的机制。 结果表明,高浓度柠檬酸（0.10～0.40 mol/L）会抑制酿酒酵母生长;pH值≤2.80 时,酿酒酵母的生长均受到抑制。高浓度柠檬酸的抑制效应是氢离子和柠檬酸根的叠加影响,而且柠檬酸根的影响占主导。该研究结 果将为进一步解除有机酸对酿酒酵母抑制效应以及果酒研制提供一定参考。     

Changes in the non-volatile organic acids of tomato fruit during ripening

A study has been made of the individual non-volatile organic acids in ethanolic extracts of tomato fruit during ripening. Whole fruit of three varieties and the outer walls and locular contents of one variety each at five stages of ripeness from mature green to full red were analysed. No trace of many of the K rebs-cycle acids could be detected. Maximum citric acid concentrations were found at either the green-yellow or yellow-orange stage of ripeness according to variety. Malic acid concentrations and the malic/citric acid ratio decreased progressively as the fruit ripened. Glutamic acid increased approximately ten-fold and aspartic acid more than doubled from the mature green to red stage of ripeness, but changes in pyrrolidonecarboxylic acid (PCA) during ripening were not statistically significant. In general, similar trends were observed in whole fruit and in the outer walls and locular contents, but malic, citric, glutamic and aspartic acid concentrations were higher in the locular contents than in the outer walls at all stages of ripeness. Alcohol-insoluble solids (AIS) decreased markedly between the green and green-yellow stages and then more slowly with further ripening.     

Quality evaluation of pickling cucumbers using hyperspectral reflectance and transmittance imaging—Part II. Performance of a prototype

This paper reports on the development and evaluation of methods and algorithms for detecting both external and internal quality of pickling cucumbers using the hyperspectral reflectance and transmittance images acquired by an online prototype described in a previous paper [1]. Experiments were performed in 2 years on ‘Journey’ pickling cucumbers, some of which were subjected to mechanical stress to induce internal defect in seed cavity. Hyperspectral images of the ‘Journey’ pickling cucumbers were collected under reflectance, transmittance, and their combination modes. Partial least squares analysis was performed on spectra extracted from the hyperspectral images to predict firmness, color, and the presence of internal defect. The system performed well on predicting skin color (chroma and hue) with the coefficient of determination (R ²) ranging between 0.75 and 0.77; however, it had poor prediction of fruit firmness. Transmittance data in the spectral region of 675–1,000 nm provided the best detection of internal defect for the test pickling cucumbers, with the detection accuracy up to 99%. Up to the best four wavelength combinations were identified using linear discriminant analysis for internal defect detection. The hyperspectral imaging technique can be used for simultaneous detection of color, size, and internal defect on pickling cucumbers.     

桑葚果实不同发育期品质测定及其相关性分析

本研究对湛江地区7个桑葚品种青果期、转色期、成熟期三个时期桑葚果的单果重、可溶性固形物、可滴定酸含量及糖和有机酸组成和含量进行了测定,并进行了相关性分析。结果表明,在成熟过程中桑葚果实的可溶性固形物和糖含量呈增加的趋势,而酸则呈降低的趋势;在桑葚果实品种中检测出柠檬酸、苹果酸、奎宁酸、琥珀酸、酒石酸、酮戊二酸、抗坏血酸、草酸共8种有机酸,其中柠檬酸的含量最高,其在不同品种不同发育期含量为44.84%~80.86%,其次为奎宁酸和苹果酸;果糖和葡萄糖是桑葚重要的糖组成,其含量在成熟期的台湾长果桑的含量分别达到57.79 mg/g和66.72 mg/g,并且只有在台湾长果桑中检测到蔗糖;通过相关性分析,可滴定酸与可溶性固形物、果糖、葡萄糖、果重呈负相关,且可溶性固形物、果糖含量、葡萄糖含量三者之间呈极正相关。     

Changes in lipid class and fatty acid composition during maturation of mesocarp of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) variety dura

The deposition of oil, major lipid classes, and the constituent fatty acids of the oil palm fruit mesocarp were investigated to gain a better insight into the accumulation of these components. The oils were extracted with chloroform-methanol 1:2 (v/v) and were fractionated by silicic acid column chromatography into classes. Fatty acids were analysed by gas-liquid chromatography. Shortly after anthesis, lipids, mainly phospho- and glyco-lipids, were a small proportion of the mesocarp. With time the lipid content increased, until at maturity it accounted for about 60% of fresh mesocarp weight. Approximately 97% of the lipid at maturity was neutral lipid, essentially triacylglycerol. Maximum oil quantity was obtained at 22 weeks after anthesis. The active lipid accumulation period was from weeks 18 to 22 after pollination. Contrary to previously published data, palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids were characteristically present at all stages of oil accumulation. Linolenic acid was present in the neutral lipids from immature mesocarp of the oil palm fruit, but was probably diluted out in mature palms. Appreciable amounts of linolenic acid were present in the polar lipid fractions.     

Effects of Fruit Size on Fresh Cucumber Composition and the Chemical and Physical Consequences of Fermentation

ABSTRACT: The composition of pickling cucumbers varied with fruit size, which affected buffer capacity, sugar utilization, terminal pH, and texture of the fermented fruit. We found that as cucumber size increased (from less than 27 to 51 mm in dia), malic acid, pH, buffer capacity, and dry matter content decreased, and glucose and fructose contents increased. Fruit firmness and bloater damage were greater in large than in small, fermented, whole cucumbers. Blanching (75 °C, 30 s) had little effect on the fermentation and prevention of bloater formation in finished products, regardless of fruit sizes. It was demonstrated that cucumber juice can serve as a model system for studying the metabolic, but not the physical (texture, bloater damage), consequences of lactic acid bacteria chosen as starter cultures for cucumber fermentation.     

青梅腌制加工副产物梅卤化学组成及利用技术研究进展

本文总结了梅卤的来源、化学成分、生物活性和开发利用进展,对其未来产业化开发模式进行了展望。梅卤是青梅盐渍后产生的汁液,是梅坯生产过程中的副产物,每吨青梅经食盐腌制产生约0.5吨梅卤。梅卤含有大量的水和食盐,还含有从青梅中浸出的有机酸、糖、酚类物质和矿物质等成分,其中主要的有机酸为柠檬酸和苹果酸,主要的酚酸类物质为新绿原酸、绿原酸和隐绿原酸,具有抗氧化和抑菌等生物活性。目前梅卤主要用于腌制类风味食品、调味品和饮料等产品开发,也有探索将其用于功能食品开发。未来可能将逐渐改变青梅腌制方式,将食盐腌制改为蔗糖腌制,并开发青梅汁饮料,不再产生梅卤;传统梅卤在调味品和功能性饮料加工方面具有较好的产业化前景。     

Effect of maturation and cold storage on the organic acid composition of myrtle fruits

BACKGROUND: The effect of maturation and senescence on the chemical composition of two myrtle cultivars was studied in mature, overripe and cold‐stored fruits in order to find the most appropriate harvesting period and best storage technology for industrial purposes. RESULTS: After cold storage at 10 °C for 15 days, berry weight loss ranged from 12.5 to 18.4%, with the highest losses in less mature fruits. Titratable acidity decreased during maturation and cold storage in both cultivars. Reducing and total sugars increased during maturation. Anthocyanin concentration increased during maturation but decreased in overripe berries. The major organic acids in myrtle fruits were quinic, malic and gluconic acids. In fresh and cold‐stored fruits, malic acid rose to 3 g kg^?1 and decreased thereafter. Quinic acid peaked at 90 or 120 days after bloom and decreased thereafter to reach low concentrations in mature fruits. CONCLUSION: Cold storage for 15 days at 10 °C does not affect myrtle fruit quality for liqueur production. Anthocyanin concentration is the best indicator of harvest time for industrial purposes. Gluconic acid concentration is high in mature, overripe and cold‐stored berries. This parameter can be used as a marker of the onset of fruit senescence. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Exploring xoconostle by-products as sources of bioactive compounds

Agroindustrial by-products derived from fruit processing are an important source of bioactive compounds that can be used as functional food ingredients. The genus Opuntia embraces different species of cactus, and many of them produce acidic fruits known as xoconostle, which are considered valuable foods in Latin America. Xoconostle fruit contains an edible thick-acid-freshly mesocarp, and seeds packed in a mucilaginous structure that together with the skin are considered by-products constitutes the endocarp. Given the high potential of its commercial use and consumption in Mexico, as well as the lack of information about its detailed chemical composition and bioactive compounds, the aim of this study was to evaluate the composition in bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties of the skin and mucilaginous part surrounding the seeds of the xoconostle fruit (Opuntia joconostle F.A.C. Weber ex Diguet, cv. Cuaresmeño). These by-products stand out due to their high tocopherol content (mainly in epicarp), linoleic and citric acids (mainly in endocarp), and isorhamnetin O-hexoside di-ramnoside (mainly in epicarp), with high antioxidant properties. In the light of these results, xoconostle fruit cv. Cuaresmeño should be considered of great interest as a source of bioactive compounds for incorporation in other food products, so that all the bioactives present are fully used, instead of being discarded.