Gold nanoparticle-based method for detection of calcium carbide in artificially ripened mangoes (Magnifera indica)

A new approach was developed for a simple and easy colorimetric detection assay to detect the use of calcium carbide in artificial ripening of fruits. Residues of arsenic on the fruit surface were used as an indicator for this. Use of calcium carbide in artificial ripening has been banned in many countries including India. In the present study, we have used a gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-based colorimetric detection method for determination of artificial ripening of fruits. ICP-MS analysis showed the presence of higher amounts of arsenic on fruits ripened using calcium carbide. Lauryl sulphate (LS)-capped AuNP aggregates in the presence of arsenic, replacing the LS, resulting in a colour change from red to purple. Hence, the developed method can be used for easy and rapid detection of use of calcium carbide in artificial ripening of fruits.     

Combined effects of postharvest heat treatment and chitosan coating on quality of fresh‐cut mangoes (Mangifera indica L.)

The influence of heat treatment combined with coating on sensory quality, physico‐chemicals characteristics (firmness, colour, pH, titratable acidity, total soluble solids and total carotenoids content) and microbiological quality of fresh‐cut mangoes were studied. Whole mangoes (Mangifera indica cv ‘Tommy Atkins’) were subjected to hot water dipping (HWD) at 50 °C for 30 min and cooled for 15 min. Heated and unheated fruits were minimally processed and mango cubes were coated with chitosan solution (0.25% w/v) dissolved in 0.5% (w/v) citric acid, and stored for 9 days at 6 °C under ambient atmosphere. This study showed that both HWD 50 °C for 30 min and chitosan coating, either alone or combined, did not affect the taste and the flavour of mangoes slices. The chitosan coating combined with HWD or not inhibited the microbial growth for 9 days at 6 °C. Indeed chitosan coating was used for his antimicrobial proprieties. HWD 50 °C for 30 min was the beneficial treatment to maintain firmness and colour during 9 days at 6 °C.     

A comparison of corrugated boxes and reusable plastic containers for mango distribution

This paper evaluated various shipping packages (corrugated boxes and reusable plastic crates) on their protective performance based on bruising and heat transfer characteristics for shipping and handling mangoes. The effect of maturity stage on bruise susceptibility of mangoes was also studied. Mangoes were evaluated for bruise damage after subjecting to shipping and vibration tests. The results indicated that proper shipping containers and cushioning methods significantly reduces bruising in mangoes. Design features of shipping containers, such as physical protection and pre‐cooling characteristics, should be considered when shipping mangoes. The methods from this study can be used for selecting proper packaging to reduce damage of mangoes and other sensitive tropical fruits during distribution. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

产自攀枝花市的四种水果果干品质特性分析

本研究分析评价了芒果干、木瓜干、草莓干和桑葚干的主要营养成分,利用质地剖面法(Texture Profile Analysis,TPA)分析果干的内部结构,并结合感官和微生物学评价对果干的品质进行综合分析。结果表明,四种果干均为高糖产品,草莓干的可溶性糖和总糖含量最高,分别为55.66%和97.26%。桑葚干的蛋白质和风味氨基酸的含量均高于其他三种果干,且为典型的高K、低Na(K/Na为4827)食品。而芒果干中粗蛋白含量最低,但其EAA/NEAA高达55.51%,说明芒果干氨基酸组成较为合理。此外,木瓜干硬度、咀嚼性、内聚性均最大,果肉保持完整的能力最强,但适口性最差。最后,四种果干中重金属及致病菌等限量标准均未超标。本研究通过对产自攀枝花的四种果干品质特性进行分析,明确果干的各项指标,从而为果干的市场应用提供理论指导。     

Ventilated tunnel solar dryers for small-scale farmers communities: Theoretical and practical aspects

The design of so-called “ventilated tunnel solar dryers" is presented in this work under theoretical and practical aspects. These dryers consist in a tunnel with a black floor and a plastic top, ventilated with fans supplied by a photovoltaic module. Along this tunnel, the air first passes through a heating part, which is product free and where the air is heated due to greenhouse effect. It then enters the second part of the dryer, the drying part, where the products to dry are spread. A rational and general design procedure based on the solving of energy and mass balance equations is developed and followed. This procedure allows designing the ventilation system and calculating the lengths of the heating and the drying parts of a dryer according to a scope statement and to design conditions insuring an efficient and homogeneous drying. Two dryers were designed, built and operated, in the frame of two development aid programs, in Cambodia and in Uganda. The fieldwork highlighted the importance of practical building and operating aspects, reported in the present paper, and of including people of the local communities in these programs. Results of field drying experiments are shown and demonstrate the validity of the design procedure. In particular, the validity of the energy balance equations at the basis of the procedure is demonstrated.     

不同渗透加工方式对冷贮藏芒果粒的硬度影响

本研究以早熟台农芒果品种果粒加工为研究对象,运用质构仪检测超高压渗透加工对商业酶制剂前处理液浸渍冷储藏芒果粒的硬度,分析果胶甲酯酶、钙含量组成处理液和超高压相结合对芒果粒品质属性硬度的影响,且进行相关性分析;在不同压力渗透加工操作单元过程中探讨经预处理的低温储藏果粒硬度变化。主要研究结果如下:添加果胶酯酶有助于提升果粒的质构,有效降低了机械加工果粒硬度的损失。芒果粒经过果胶甲酯酶PME和0.5%(m/m)CaCl2·2H2O组成预处理液及0.09 MPa,15 min真空协助渗透,结合450MPa,15 min超高压压力渗透,经TPA检测真空协助超高压渗透加工预处理组的果粒硬度比水渗透组的变化显著增加,冷藏果粒硬度从水渗透组的358.5g上升至预处理组的1111.7g,预处理组果粒硬度比水渗透组提高83.7%,且前处理技术果粒硬度比鲜果组提高18%,得到果粒的质构特性最好,有助于产品品质的提升。