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The general aim of the project SUS&LOW is to increase the sustainability of fresh produce by testing and implementing lowinput agricultural practices (LIP) with positive impact on product quality with the support of nondestructive (ND) tools for realtime quality assessment and for product discrimination. Additionally, new marketing strategies are generated to better support the added value of the products and to satisfy the final consumers' preferences. The SUS&LOW project consists of three work packages (WP) and the adopted methodology used two model crops: rocket salad and tomato. The WP1, focused on the reduction of agricultural inputs, showed that sensorbased fertigation management might improve sustainability of soilless cultivation. Results coming from WP2, aimed to the evaluation of ND techniques, outlined the high potentiality of hyperspectral imaging (HSI) and Fourier transformednear infrared (FTNIR) techniques for the authentication of sustainable growing methods. Moreover, project activities' proved computer vision system (CVS) as an effective tool for evaluating the product quality also through the bag. The WP3, dealing with marketing strategies, indicated a positive approach of consumers compared to LIP products certified through a visual storytelling platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was aimed to investigate the quality at harvest and during storage of organically and conventionally grown 'Italia' grapes, collected from 2 different locations in Southern Italy. Four vineyards were chosen in order to have an organic and a conventional farm in each location. Before harvest, six plants per vineyard were randomly selected and considered as treatment replicate. Three bunches were harvested and labelled from each plant. In laboratory each bunch was weighed and thirty berries per bunch were detached and used for initial determination which included morphological (berry weight and dimension, peel thickness) and physical (berry color and firmness) attributes, maturity indices (respiration rate, soluble solids content and titratable acidity), and nutritional composition (phenol content, antioxidant activity, sugar and organic acid composition, ascorbic acid content). Then, the bunches from each replicate were kept in individual 15L jars at 0°C and connected to a humidified air flow throughout the whole experiment. After 7 and 14 days of storage, respiration rate, weight loss, physical and nutritional attributes were also monitored on 20 berries per bunch. Location and agricultural practices affected to a different extent several grapes quality attributes, both at harvest and during storage. Maturity stage, sugar content and berry color were significantly affected by the location, while antioxidantrelated compounds were significantly higher in organic grapes. Plant production and bunch weight were significantly higher for conventionally grown grapes, which also received the highest evaluation of external appearance, in terms of stalk dehydration and berry general aspect. Differences among conventional and organic grapes were maintained, for each location, during storage at 0°C. Conventional grapes maintained a higher visual quality during storage, resulting after 14 days below the limit of marketability (score 3) but above the edibility limit (score 2); whereas in one location organic grapes were judged not edible. Results showed a higher nutritional value in grapes obtained with the organic farming system although in terms of visual quality, storability and yield, conventional fruit had a better performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Catanese' artichoke quarters were packaged in active modified atmosphere (5% O2+10% CO2) in four different materials or in air in macro-perforated bags used as control (CTRL), and stored at 4°C. Materials used for modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) were: polylactic acid (PLA), polylactid acid with one line of micro-perforation (PLA MF1), polypropilene with two lines of micro-perforations (PP MF2), and polypropylene + polyamide with two lines of micro-perforations (PP+PA MF2). Initially and after 2, 4, and 9 days, overall artichoke appearance, color and weight loss were monitored. O2 and CO2 concentrations within the packages were detected initially and after 1, 2, 17, 24.5, 41.5, 49.5, 120 and 216 h (end of the experiment). Also, at the last sampling date ethanol and acetaldehyde accumulations in artichoke tissue were measured. All the micro-perforated films maintained gas levels within the range of O2>3% and CO2<15%, defined as "safe", with a positive effect on quality: all samples remained above the limit of marketability until the end of the experiment, without significant differences among them, but showed a slight better overall appearance and, accordingly, a better retention of color parameters when compared with CTRL samples. Complete anaerobic condition (16% CO2 and 0% O2) developed in PLA bags where blackening of cut bracts and receptacle was observed, while black spots appeared on outer bracts, causing drastic quality reduction; samples fell below the limit of marketability after just 2 days. Also a significant accumulation of ethanol and acetaldehyde was found in these samples. Optimizing MAP made it possible to maintain the desired gas condition, with positive effects on quality of the produce in absence of any stabilizing treatment, for 9 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high time-resolved monitoring campaign of bulk deposition of PAHs and metals was conducted near the industrial area and at an urban background site in province of Taranto (Italy) in order to evaluate the impact of the biggest European steel plant. The deposition fluxes of the sum of detected PAHs at the industrial area ranged from 92 to 2432 ng m-2 d-1. In particular the deposition fluxesofBaP, BaA, and BkFwere, on average, 10, 14, and 8 times higher than those detected at the urban back ground site, respectively. The same finding was for metals. The deposition fluxes of Ni (19.8 µgm-2 d-1) andAs (2.2 µgm-2 d-1) at the industrial site were about 5 times higher than those at the urban background site, while the deposition fluxes of Fe (57 mg m-2 d-1) and Mn (1.02 mg m-2 d-1) about 31 times higher. Precipitation and wind speed played an important role in PAH deposition fluxes. Fe and Mn fluxes at the industrial site resulted high when wind direction favored the transport of air masses from the steel plant to the receptor site. The impact of the industrial area was also confirmed by IP/(IP + BgP), IP/BgP, and BaP/BgP diagnostic ratios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The atmosphere is a carrier on which some natural and anthropogenic organic and inorganic chemicals are transported, and the wet and dry deposition events are the most important processes that remove those chemicals, depositing it on soil and water. A wide variety of different collectors were tested to evaluate site-specificity, seasonality and daily variability of settleable particle concentrations. Deposition fluxes of POPs showed spatial and seasonal variations, diagnostic ratios of PAHs on deposited particles, allowed the discrimination between pyrolytic or petrogenic sources. Congener pattern analysis and bulk deposition fluxes in rural sites confirmed long-range atmospheric transport of PCDDs/Fs. More and more sophisticated and newly designed deposition samplers have being used for characterization of deposited mercury, demonstrating the importance of rain scavenging and the relatively higher magnitude of Hg deposition from Chinese anthropogenic sources. Recently biological monitors demonstrated that PAH concentrations in lichens were comparable with concentrations measured in a conventional active sampler in an outdoor environment. In this review the authors explore the methodological approaches used for the assessment of atmospheric deposition, from the analysis of the sampling methods, the analytical procedures for chemical characterization of pollutants and the main results from the scientific literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An assessment of the fugitive emission impact on ambient air PM, PAHs and metal concentrations was performed in a residential area near the biggest European steel plant. A careful experimental design was developed to characterize fugitive emissions produced by the integrated steel plant. A PM10 and PM2.5 monitoring campaign was conducted at three sampling sites around the steel plant, in order to perform a triangulation in the area surrounding the investigated site and evaluate its impact based on wind direction. Data analysis showed that the transport of air mass, from the steelworks to one of the receptor sites, resulted in ambient air concentrations of Fe, Mn, Zn and PAHs higher than those observed in the other two sites. Principal component analysis allowed the identification of four emission sources: coke ovens stack, mineral park, a crustal source and vanadium source. The first two sources were characterized by high concentrations of PAHs and metals and related to the steelworks, while the vanadium source was probably associated with maritime traffic in the port area. This preliminary monitoring approach proved effective in identifying the fugitive emission contribution of the steel plant to the surrounding air quality. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Table grapes are characterized by high susceptibility to mold development during postharvest, mostly due to Botrytis cinerea. Microwave application on readytoeat product can represent an alternative to antifungal treatment. With the aim of identifying the maximum energy that can be applied on grape without detrimental effects a Central Composite Design was developed testing the application of 10 combinations of treatment time (seconds) and microwave power (Watt). As a result, energies above 8000 kJ negatively affected the sensorial quality of fresh product, both in the presence and absence of B. cinerea inoculum (106 log CFU g1). The physicochemical parameters did not show significant differences, but two time/power combinations improved sensory quality of table grape, being selected for the subsequent packaging trial: 14 s/100 W and 80 s/100 W. Treatments were applied before or after packaging in polypropylene bags. At the end of storage period, 100 W applied for 80 seconds before packaging led to a better external appearance of the product than the other treatments, maintaining an intermediate level of mesophilic bacterial load and no significant differences in terms of nutritional quality. 80 seconds at 100 Watt combined with packaging can represent a valuable starting point for further experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wounding makes fresh-cut product more perishable than whole fruit. The effect of wounding intensity on respiration rate and nutritional quality of fresh-cut 'Candonga' strawberries was investigated. Fruit were submitted to six levels of cutting intensity - whole fruit (WHO), 4, 16, 64, and 128 pieces and chopped (CHO) samples. Respiration rate, and the main nutritional parameters were evaluated at the processing day and after 2 days of storage at 5°C. Results showed that wounding intensity significantly influenced respiration rate, ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acids, total phenolic content, and antioxidant capacity. Respiration rate increased with wounding intensity up to the level of 64 pieces (10.01 μg kg-1 s-1) compared to WHO (5.5 μg kg-1 s-1) and then decreased in the CHO samples (2.81 μg kg-1 s-1). At Day 2, the stress caused by the high intensity of cutting (64 pieces and CHO) induced a higher degradation of ascorbic acid, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant capacity. Stress-related changes decrease when the wounding damage was so high that it completely compromises the functionality of the cells (from 64 pieces up). These results should be considered for processing and packaging optimization of minimally processed strawberries-based products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of fresh-cut fruit and vegetable products includes a combination of attributes, such as appearance, texture, and flavor, as well as nutritional and safety aspects that determine their value to the consumer. Nutritionally, fruit and vegetables represent a good source of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, and fresh-cut produce satisfies consumer demand for freshly prepared, convenient, healthy food. However, fresh-cut produce deteriorates faster than corresponding intact produce, as a result of damage caused by minimal processing, which accelerates many physiological changes that lead to a reduction in produce quality and shelf-life. The symptoms of produce deterioration include discoloration, increased oxidative browning at cut surfaces, flaccidity as a result of loss of water, and decreased nutritional value. Damaged plant tissues also represent a better substrate for growth of microorganisms, including spoilage microorganisms and foodborne pathogens. The risk of pathogen contamination and growth is one of the main safety concerns associated with fresh-cut produce, as highlighted by the increasing number of produce-linked foodborne outbreaks in recent years. The pathogens of major concern in fresh-cut produce are Listeria monocytogenes, pathogenic Escherichia coli mainly O157:H7, and Salmonella spp. This article describes the quality of fresh-cut produce, factors affecting quality, and various techniques for evaluating quality. In addition, the microbiological safety of fresh-cut produce and factors affecting pathogen survival and growth on fresh-cut produce are discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Although there is little information from primary or secondary prevention trials on cholesterol-lowering medication in diabetic patients, the reduction of elevated cholesterol is widely recommended for this group. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends drug therapy in diabetic patients if low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol remains at > 130 mg/dl, or > 100 mg/dl in patients with macroangiopathy, after dietary intervention. When cholesterol-lowering medication is indicated, the choice of the drug must take into account the other lipid abnormalities that are often present and the need to maintain optimal glycaemic control. In the present study we compared the efficacy and safety of the novel HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor atorvastatin at the dose of 10 mg/day with simvastatin , lovastatin and pravastatin at doses of 10, 20 and 20 mg/day, respectively, and placebo, in type 2 diabetic patients with moderate elevation of LDL-cholesterol with or without elevation of triglycerides. All the quoted agents are enzyme inhibitors effective in lowering LDL-cholesterol in humans. The efficacy endpoints were the mean per cent changes in plasma LDL-cholesterol (primary), total cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol concentrations from baseline to the end of treatment (24 weeks). Atorvastatin at a dose of 10 mg/day produced: (1) a significant reduction in LDL-cholesterol (- 37%) in comparison with equivalent doses of simvastatin (- 26%), pravastatin (- 23%), lovastatin (- 21%), and placebo (- 1%); (2) HDL-cholesterol increases (7.4%) comparable to or greater than those obtained with simvastatin (7.1%), pravastatin (3.2%), lovastatin (7.21%), and placebo (- 0.5%); (3) a significantly greater reduction in total cholesterol (- 29%) than that obtained with simvastatin (- 21%), pravastain (- 16%), lovastatin (- 18%), and placebo (1%); and (4) a significantly greater reduction in triglycerides than that obtained with... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]