Use of Mild Heat Pre-treatment for Quality Retention of Fresh-cut Cantaloupe Melon

ABSTRACT: The effect on sensory attributes and shelf life of fresh-cut cantaloupe melon subjected to pre-cut heat treatment at 50 °C for 60 min, followed by storage at 4 °C prior to cutting, and then storage at 10 °C for 8 d was determined. Heat treatment reduced the rate of respiration and moisture loss during storage of the cut fruit. The treatment also reduced total microbial count during the 1st storage d and prevented growth of lactic acid bacteria that occurred in untreated fruit after 8 d in storage. Sensory evaluations indicate that heat treatment increased intensities of desirable attributes such as fruity melon and sweet aromatic flavors, and reduced undesirable flavors such as musty, sour, bitter, chemical and fermented. The study suggests that heat treatment would be useful in improving shelf life of fresh-cut fruit.     

Maintaining mango (Mangifera indica L.) fruit quality during the export chain

Mangoes are tropical/sub tropical fruit with a highly significant economic importance. Preferable quality attributes include freedom from external damages such as bruises, latex or sap injury and decay, uniform weight, colour, aroma, firmness (with little give away, not soft), shape and size. The fruit is rich in antioxidants and recommended to be included in the daily diet due to its health benefits such as reduced risk of cardiac disease, anti cancer, and anti viral activities. Maintenance of mango fruit quality during the supply chain depends on many aspects including adequate orchard management practices, harvesting practices, packing operation, postharvest treatments, temperature management, transportation and storage conditions, and ripening at destination. Postharvest losses are high during the supply chain due to harvesting fruit at improper maturity, mechanical damage during the whole chain, sap burn, spongy tissue, lenticels discolouration, fruit softening, decay, chilling injury, and disease and pest damage. The aim of postharvest treatments and management practices in the supply chain is to create suitable conditions or environments to extend the storage life and retain the quality attributes, nutritional and functional compositions. This review summarises the available research findings to retain the overall mango fruit quality and to reduce postharvest losses during supply chain by adopting suitable postharvest novel technologies.     

Efficacy of preharvest and postharvest Candida sake biocontrol treatments to prevent blue mould on apples during cold storage

This study compared the biocontrol efficiency of preharvest and postharvest applied yeast cells of Candida sake to apples (cv. Golden Delicious) wounded before and after harvest and inoculated with Penicillium expansum prior to cold storage conditions in two seasons, 1994/95 and 1995/96. The establishment of populations of C. sake during this period also was determined. In both years, postharvest treatment with the antagonist resulted in significant (P<0.05) and effective control of Penicillium rot whether pre- or postharvest wounds were made. Maximum disease control achieved, in terms of incidence and severity, was greater than 80% reduction in lesion diameter and 50% reduction in the incidence of lesions. However, preharvest application of the antagonistic yeast at a concentration of 3·10⁶ CFU/ml was less effective against Penicillium rot than postharvest treatment. No advantages in biocontrol were observed when apples were treated with the yeast antagonist both pre- and postharvest. Candida sake population levels during cold storage of apples receiving only preharvest application of the antagonist decreased prior and more rapidly than levels in apples receiving a postharvest application. High populations of C. sake were present in postharvest-treated apples, even after 90 days in cold storage.     

Frequency and time pattern differences in acoustic signals produced by Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) and Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in stored maize

Frequency spectra and timing patterns of brief, 1–10 ms broadband sound impulses produced by movement and feeding activities of Prostephanus truncatus and Sitophilus zeamais last instars and adults in maize were investigated to find spectral and temporal pattern information useful for distinguishing among these species and stages. The impulse spectra were categorized into five different types of frequency patterns (profiles), designated Broadband, HighF, MidF1, MidF2 and LowF to indicate differences in their peak energies and broadness of frequency range. Groups (trains) of three or more closely spaced impulses, termed bursts, were observed to occur frequently in all recordings, as has been reported for sounds produced by other insects. Mean rates of bursts, mean counts of impulses per burst, and mean rates of impulses in bursts were calculated and compared among the two species and stages. The counts of broadband and MidF2 impulses per burst and the rates of broadband and MidF2 impulses in bursts were significantly different for adult than for 4th instar S. zeamais and either stage of P. truncatus. These findings can be useful in developing an acoustic sensor system for automated detection of hidden insects including P. truncatus and S. zeamais in bulk storage warehouses. The findings are discussed in relation to different movement and feeding behavior patterns that have been identified in these important pests.     

Sweet cherry: Composition,postharvest preservation,processing and trends for its future use

BackgroundSweet cherries (Prunus avium L.) are a nutritious fruit which are rich in polyphenols and have high antioxidant potential. Most sweet cherries are consumed fresh and a small proportion of the total sweet cherries production is value added to make processed food products. Sweet cherries are highly perishable fruit with a short harvest season, therefore extensive preservation and processing methods have been developed for the extension of their shelf-life and distribution of their products.Scope and approachIn this review, the main physicochemical properties of sweet cherries, as well as bioactive components and their determination methods are described. The study emphasises the recent progress of postharvest technology, such as controlled/modified atmosphere storage, edible coatings, irradiation, and biological control agents, to maintain sweet cherries for the fresh market. Valorisations of second-grade sweet cherries, as well as trends for the diversification of cherry products for future studies are also discussed.Key findings and conclusionsSweet cherry fruit have a short harvest period and marketing window. The major loss in quality after harvest include moisture loss, softening, decay and stem browning. Without compromising their eating quality, the extension in fruit quality and shelf-life for sweet cherries is feasible by means of combination of good handling practice and applications of appropriate postharvest technology. With the drive of health-food sector, the potential of using second class cherries including cherry stems as a source of bioactive compound extraction is high, as cherry fruit is well-known for being rich in health-promoting components.     

Modeling Respiration Rate of Strawberry (cv. San Andreas) for Modified Atmosphere Packaging Design

A model for strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa cv. San Andreas) respiration rate was determined as a function of O₂ and CO₂ concentrations and temperature. Strawberries were enclosed in containers under different gaseous compositions (0–24% O₂ and 0–15% CO₂) and temperatures (10, 19, 23°C). Respiration rate was determined as O₂ consumption and CO₂ production. Respiration rate data was fitted to Michaelis-Menten models, with temperature dependence according to Arrhenius type equation. Non–linear regression was applied to calculate model parameters. No CO₂ inhibition was verified, so a simple Michaelis–Menten model was selected (R² = 0.91).     

Sensitivity of different life stages of Indian meal moth Plodia interpunctella to gaseous chlorine dioxide

Gaseous chlorine dioxide (ClO₂), a possible alternative to the fumigant methyl bromide, is a strong disinfecting agent that has strong oxidizing properties and penetration ability. The Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella, is one of the most important insect pests of stored food, but its sensitivity to gaseous ClO₂ at different life stages has not yet been studied. We exposed all the life stages of P. interpunctella (i.e., eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults) to ClO₂ at different concentrations for different time periods. The results showed that 100 ppm and 200 ppm ClO₂ for 48 h and 24 h, respectively, resulted in 100% mortality of all P. interpunctella life stages. The order of sensitivity of P. interpunctella to gaseous ClO₂ was: egg > larva > pupa at 50 ppm and 100 ppm, and egg > pupa > larva at 200 ppm. The gas treatment affects the subsequent life stage of P. interpunctella: the gas-treated larvae fail to pupate or emerge as adults. These results suggest that gaseous ClO₂ is a possible alternative to methyl bromide, and it can effectively control all stages of P. interpunctella.     

Combination of optical and non-destructive mechanical techniques for the measurement of maturity in peach

Increasing consumer dissatisfaction related with lack of ripeness in peach has been repeatedly reported since 1990 to the present day. There is thus, a great interest in improving the assessment of peach maturity, currently based on Magness Taylor firmness (destructive, highly variable, and time consuming) and colour (not reliable for highly coloured varieties). The present research studies as an alternative several non-destructive (ND) measurements, based on multispectral imaging, visible spectra, and low mass impact response. Their relationship with maturity, as well as the potential of their combination was studied. As a result, two rather independent (R² = 0.3) groups of non-destructive measurements, chlorophyll related optical indexes and low mass impact (LMI) measurements, were identified. Optical measurements showed the best behaviour for assessing maturity at harvest, while LMI measurements reflected handling incidences, showing a promising potential to be used to control transport and postharvest handling.     

Changes of flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity in blueberries after illumination with UV-C

The levels of flavonoids in blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) were found to increase after illumination with UV-C. Phytochemicals affected included resveratrol, myricetin-3-arabinoside, quercetin-3-galactoside, quercetin-3-glucoside, kaempferol-3-glucuronide, delphinidin-3-galactoside, cyanidin-3-galactoside, delphinidin-3-arabinoside, petunidin-3-galactoside, petunidin-3-glucoside, petunidin-3-arabinoside, malvidin-3-galactoside, malvidin-3-arabinoside, and chlorogenic acid as analyzed by HPLC. Significantly higher antioxidant capacity was detected in fruit treated with 2.15, 4.30, or 6.45 kJ m⁻² compared to the control fruit. UV-C dosage of 0.43 kJ m⁻² also increased phenolics and anthocyanins, but to a lesser extent. The optimum doses of UV-C for enhancing phytochemical content in blueberries were 2.15 and 4.30 kJ m⁻². These data suggest that proper use of UV-C illumination is capable of modifying the phytochemical content of blueberries. Time course measurements of the effects of UV-C revealed that the strongest responses of fruit to UV-C treatment occurred instantly after the illumination and the effects diminished with time. Therefore, even though residual effects were evident following UV-C exposure, the best results were obtained immediately after the treatment.     

Effects of variety, ripening condition and ripening stage on the quality of sulphite-free dried mango slices

The influence of cultivar and fruit ripeness on sensory properties and all-trans-β-carotene contents of dried mango slices was evaluated. Different ripeness stages, quantitatively defined by a ripening index (RPI), were generated from a single lot per cultivar by subjecting mature-green mangoes of the cultivars ‘Nam Dokmai’, ‘Kaew’, and ‘Chok Anan’ to different postharvest ripening regimes. Fruits were ripened for 2 and 3 days at 24±2 °C/45–60% relative humidity (RH) and 33±2 °C/50–70% RH, with application of calcium carbide (CaC₂) or 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (CEPA, Ride^®) beside the control, terminating postharvest ripening when fruit firmness allowed proper peeling and slicing. After ripening, fruits were washed, peeled, sliced and subsequently dried in a conventional tray dryer at 70 °C for 8–10 h, until the water activity of the dried fruits was below 0.65. Mangoes cv. ‘Kaew’, followed by ‘Chok Anan’, were more suitable for drying than cv. ‘Nam Dokmai’ because of superior all-trans-β-carotene contents of the products. Maximum β-carotene contents of dried mango slices from cvs. ‘Chok Anan’ and ‘Kaew’ corresponded to retinol equivalents of 333–383 and 483–905 per 100 g of edible portion (dry weight), meeting daily mean requirements of vitamin A for adults according to FAO/WHO. Similar to the fresh fruit, exponential rise of all-trans-β-carotene contents with increasing fruit ripeness was also observed for the dried products of cvs. ‘Nam Dokmai’ and ‘Chok Anan’. Consistently, accelerated ripening at 33 °C, instead of 24 °C, resulted in higher all-trans-β-carotene contents of dried fruits. Both good sensory acceptance and cultivar-specific maximum all-trans-β-carotene contents of 13–16 and 20–23 mg kg^?1 usually characterised the products of ‘Nam Dokmai’ and ‘Chok Anan’ fruits with RPI levels between 3 and 4. Conversely, fruits cv. ‘Kaew’ of RPI levels above 6 generally yielded products inferior in sensory acceptance and β-carotene contents, while superior product quality was found at higher RPI levels than for the other two cultivars.