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The objective of this study was to evaluate the application of hot water treatment to tomato fruits (Solanum lycopersicum cv. TA234) genetically modified with silencing of the TomloxB gene. Unmodified and genetically modified tomato fruits were immersed in water at 40°C for 10, 20 and 30 seconds. Subsequently, fruits were stored at 25°C for 18 days. Physiology was assessed and electrolyte leakage, lipoxygenase and polygalacturonase activities were monitored. Treatment applied to the genetically modified tomatoes at 40°C for 30 seconds, resulted in slower ripening, decreased metabolic activity and maintained the attributes in optimal conditions for longer time, increased the postharvest life of the genetically modified tomatoes until 18 days. Lipoxygenase and polygalacturonase activities were partially inhibited.

Mango quality is affected by thermal storage conditions. Therefore, it is important to use cooling techniques and their monitoring to maintain desirable properties in the fruit. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of commercial rapid cooling programs on the quality of 'Rosa' mango. Mangoes were distributed on different horizontal positions of six pallets. All pallets were put through two rapid cooling times, three pallets for 120 minutes and three pallets for 240 minutes. Subsequently, the fruits were stored in a cold chamber for 7 and 14 days, followed by an evaluation of shelf life for 3 days at 20°C. Experimental design was in randomized blocks with three replicates, with one pallet per replicate. The weight, pH, and skin color of the fruit were assessed. According to the results, fruits closer to the air inlet in the packages showed the highest cooling rates. After storage and shelf life, quality parameters were not significantly affected by the rapid cooling programs. In conclusion, the 120-minute program can be satisfactorily adopted for the rapid cooling process of the 'Rosa' mango, considering the reduction of energy costs and the reduction of the dwell time of the fruit in the cold chamber. Made available in DSpace on 2022-06-30T14:19:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 EFFECTS-OF-COMMERCIAL-RAPID-COOLING-PROGRAMS-manga-rosa-refrigeracao.pdf: 2309179 bytes, checksum: bd3875750cbb85f2e467f3785e02076f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2022

The objective of this study was to determine the relationship among dry matter content (DMC) and maturity indexes at harvest and quality of Gala apples after storage. Apple fruit of four ?Gala? strains produced on two rootstocks and three growing regions were used for experiments 1 and 2. For all experiments, fruit harvest maturity was assessed one day after harvest and stored fruit was assessed after removal from storage plus seven days at 22 °C. For experiment 1, fruit were harvested weekly along the final stages of growth and maturation on the tree. For experiment 2, fruit were harvested at commercial maturity and stored under a controlled atmosphere at 0.7 oC for 195 days. For experiment 3, fruit from two orchards were harvested at commercial maturity and stored in air at 1oC for 50, 110, or 194 days. DMC did not change during the final stages of fruit growth, however, there were significant changes in fruit firmness, starch index, and soluble solids content (SSC) during the same period. At the commercial harvest, fruit DMC showed high correlation with SSC, titratable acidity (TA) and firmness. DMC assessed at the commercial harvest also showed high correlation after storage with SSC and TA but not with firmness or flesh browning (FB). DMC decreased slightly during storage. The results show that DMC is not a reliable index to determine Gala apple maturity at harvest, or to predict fruit firmness and FB after storage. However, DMC at harvest has potential to predict SSC and TA after storage, two important fruit quality traits. Fruit density at harvest showed utility to predict risk of flesh browning after storage. Made available in DSpace on 2022-08-19T17:19:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Relationship-among-dry-matter-content-and-maturity-indexes-2022.pdf: 1648133 bytes, checksum: dfb69ceee487067db59c60e2e7934b13 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2022

Purpose: Silicon (Si) acts to reduce biotic and abiotic stresses in plants. Herein, we aimed to assess the impact of an amorphous silica-based fertilizer (ASF) applied to soil on the yield, mineral nutrition, chlorophyll fluorescence, and postharvest quality of two cultivars of table grapes grown in a semiarid climate. Methods: The cultivars Arra 15 and BRS Vitoria were submitted to the treatments control, 175 or 350 kg ha-1 ASF. Leaf and fruit samples were collected and analyzed for Si, nutrients, and postharvest quality characteristics. Photosynthetic efficiency was assessed by measuring chlorophyll a fluorescence . Results: Both cultivars showed significant responses to Si with the ASF rates of 175 and 350 kg ha-1. The characteristics improved through ASF application compared to the control were: fruit production (6 - 22 %), bunch weight (11 %), number of berries (20 - 34 %), berry crunchiness (20 %), the content of total soluble solids (13 – 20 %), the titratable acidity (13 %), the accumulation of macro and micronutrients (12 – 45 %) and the photosynthetic efficiency (5 – 33 %). Conclusions: Soil-applied Si increases the yield and quality of grapes by improving the plant response to abiotic stresses, being such effects more significant in the dry season.

This study aimed to verify the impact of commercial fast-cooling programs on physicochemical quality of ‘Rosa’ mangoes. The study was carried out in a mango packing house in the São Francisco Valley region, Petrolina, PE, Brazil, between August and October 2018. The experiment followed a randomized block design, with three replicates and one pallet per replicate. The treatments were organized in a factorial scheme 2 × 2 × 3 (two fast-cooling times [120 and 240 min] × two storage times x three positions in the pallet). Sixty mangoes were proportionally distributed in three layers at different heights on each of the six pallets. Three pallets were subjected to fast cooling for 120 min and the other three for 240 min. All fruits were stored for 7 and 14 days at 6 °C plus three days of shelf-life at 20 °C. Regardless of cooling program and fruit position in the pallet, the seven-eighths cooling time (SECT) was not attained. The titratable acidity of fruits under 240-min fast cooling decreased significantly after 14 days of cold storage. Fruit weight loss, pulp firmness, dry matter, and soluble solids content were not affected by the fast-cooling programs, both after storage and during shelf-life period. Commercial fast-cooling program can be performed for 120 min. RESUMO Este estudo teve como objetivo verificar o impacto de programas comerciais de resfriamento rápido na qualidade físico-química de mangas ‘Rosa’. O estudo foi realizado em um packing house de mangas na região do Vale do São Francisco, Petrolina, PE, Brasil, entre Agosto e Outubro de 2018. O experimento seguiu um delineamento em blocos casualizados com três repetições e um palete por repetição. Os tratamentos foram organizados em esquema fatorial 2 × 2 × 3 (dois tempos de resfriamento rápido [120 e 240 min] × dois tempos de armazenamento x três posições no palete). Sessenta mangas foram distribuídas proporcionalmente em três camadas de diferentes alturas em cada um dos seis paletes. Três paletes foram submetidos ao resfriamento rápido por 120 min e outros três por 240 min. Todas as frutas foram armazenadas por 7 e 14 dias a 6 °C mais três dias de vida de prateleira a 20 °C. Independentemente do programa de resfriamento e da posição da fruta no palete, o tempo de resfriamento de sete oitavos (SECT) não foi alcançado. A acidez titulável do fruto com 240 min de resfriamento rápido diminuiu significativamente após 14 dias de armazenamento refrigerado. A perda de peso das frutas, a firmeza da polpa, a matéria seca e o teor de sólidos solúveis não foram afetados pelos programas de resfriamento rápido, tanto após o armazenamento quanto durante a vida de prateleira. O programa comercial de resfriamento rápido pode ser executado por 120 min.

Green-ripe banana fruit are sensitive to chilling injury (CI) and, thus, prone to postharvest quality losses. Early detection of CI facilitates quality maintenance and extends shelf life. CI affects all metabolic levels, with membranes and, consequently, photosynthesis being primary targets. Optical techniques such as chlorophyll a fluorescence analysis (CFA) and spectroscopy are promising tools to evaluate CI effects in photosynthetically active produce. Results obtained on bananas are, however, largely equivocal. This results from the lack of a rigorous evaluation of chilling impacts on the various aspects of photosynthesis. Continuous and modulated CFA and imaging (CFI), and VIS remission spectroscopy (VRS) were concomitantly applied to noninvasively and comprehensively monitor photosynthetically relevant effects of low temperatures (5 °C, 10 °C, 11.5 °C and 13 °C). Detailed analyses of chilling-related variations in photosynthetic activity and photoprotection, and in contents of relevant pigments in green-ripe bananas, helped to better understand the physiological changes occurring during CI, highlighting that distinct CFA and VRS parameters comprehensively reflect various effects of chilling on fruit photosynthesis. They revealed why not all CFA parameters can be applied meaningfully for early detection of chilling effects. This study provides relevant requisites for improving CI monitoring and prediction.

‘Honeycrisp’ (Malus domestica Borkh), a premium apple cultivar, is prone to preharvest fruit drop (PFD), bitter pit (BP) and decline in quality during long-term storage. To enhance the fruit retention and storage quality in ‘Honeycrisp’, an aqueous composition containing hexanal was applied as a preharvest spray. Hexanal treated trees retained 18% more fruit compared to control trees. Fruit firmness was significantly improved by hexanal while fresh weight, and total soluble solids (TSS) did not vary in response to the treatment at the field. Abscisic acid (ABA) in the fruit abscission zone (FAZ) was substantially reduced by hexanal at commercial maturity. At this stage, a total of 726 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between treated and control FAZ. Functional classification of the DEGs showed that hexanal downregulated ethylene biosynthesis genes (SAM2, ACO3, ACO4,and ACO4-like),while it upregulated the receptor genes (ETR2 and ERS1). Genes related to ABA biosynthesis (FDPS and CLE25) and signaling were also downregulated. Further, hexanal downregulated the expression of genes related to cell wall degrading enzymes, including polygalacturonase, glucanase, and expansin. These findings revealed that hexanal reduced the sensitivity of FAZ cells to ethylene and ABA. Simultaneously, hexanal reduced the cell wall degradation of FAZ cells by regulating genes involved in cell wall modifications. Thus, delayed fruit abscission by hexanal in ‘Honeycrisp’ is most likely achieved by minimizing ABA through an ethylene-dependent mechanism. Further investigation of effects of hexanal on long-term storage quality in ‘Honeycrisp’ revealed that treated apples had higher TSS under both cold and cold followed by room temperature storages. In addition, treated apples had lower incidence, and progression of BP, lower phospholipase D (PLD) enzyme activity and decreased expression of MdPLDα1, MdPLDα4, MdCaM2, MdCaM4 and MdCML18 genes. Therefore, improved postharvest quality, including the lower incidence of BP in hexanal treated ‘Honeycrisp’ apples may be associated with lower membrane damage due to downregulation of PLD. Thus, hexanal application promises to be a great technology to control fruit drop, reduce bitter pit, enhance fruit qualities, and marketability in ‘Honeycrisp’ apples, given that this cultivar is categorized as susceptible to fruit drop and bitter pit. Global Affairs Canada through their Canadian International Food Security Fund (CIFSRF) ; Arrell scholarship by the Arrell Food Institute at the University of Guelph

WOS: 000502048400011, Blackberries (Rubus spp.) have significant nutraceutical properties, providing phenolic compounds for the consumers. These compounds are useful to human health due to their high antioxidant activity. However, most blackberries destined for fresh markets become unmarketable in 2 to 3 days due to decay and leakage, because they have thin and fragile skin. The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of salicylic acid (SA) and calcium chloride (CaCl2) on extending the postharvest quality and bioactive compounds of blackberry during refrigerated storage. Blackberry fruits cv. 'Jumbo' were dipped in 2% CaCl2 or in 2.0 mM salicylic acid (SA) for 10 min. Total soluble solids contents, titratable acidity, pH, ascorbic acid contents, total phenolics contents, and total antioxidant activity were investigated initially on 4th, 7th, or 10th day (d) of storage. Changes in fresh weight, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid and total phenol contents were markedly delayed by both treatments. Berries treated with 2 mM SA or 2% CaCl2 exhibited markedly better visual quality during the storage period. Considering the overall findings, this study revealed that postharvest SA or CaCl2 applications maintained the storage-life and conserved the valuable marketing features of blackberries over 10 d in cold storage, presumably due to their inhibitory effects on fruit senescence.

Seasonal variations and production factors can influence the quality of grapes. Considering the Sub-middle region of the São Francisco Valley, Brazil, differentiated by production in rainy and warmer periods of the year, the climatic conditions in each season affect the duration of the phenological phases and quality of the grapes. The objective of this study was to characterize the changes in the quality components during maturation of BRS Magna grapes on different rootstocks, in rainy seasons under tropical conditions, as a support to define the harvest time. The experiment was conducted in Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil, from Jan to Apr 2017 (cycle 1) and Dec 2017 to Apr 2018 (cycle 2) evaluating rootstocks and age of the fruits. Bunches were picked from the start of maturation to the harvest: 49, 56, 61, 64 and 68 days after fruit set (DAF) for cycle 1, and 35, 41, 48, 55, 61, and 66 DAF for cycle 2. In cycle 1 IAC 572? and ?Paulsen 1103? rootstocks provided higher sugar contents in grapes, which was only repeated in cycle 2 for Paulsen 1103. The accumulation of anthocyanins and yellow flavonoids was favored by ?IAC 313? and IAC 572 rootstocks in cycle 1, and by ?IAC 313? and ?IAC 766? in cycle 2. A higher content of polyphenols was conferred on IAC 572 in cycle 1 and on IAC 766 in cycle 2, which also had a greater antioxidant capacity. Although there were differences between rootstocks, harvesting at approximately 64 DAF maximized grape quality for all treatments. Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-22T12:04:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Maturation-and-quality-2022.pdf: 3311555 bytes, checksum: f55ef5da4be7271538ddc1350c980161 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2022

Orientadores: Sylvio Luís Honório, Antônio Carlos de Oliveira Ferraz Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Agrícola Resumo: Este trabalho teve como objetivos: quantificar a taxa respiratória, a produção de etileno e a atividade enzimática de toletes de palmito Pupunha; determinar a temperatura adequada para a conservação da qualidade e avaliar sistemas de embalagem com atmosfera modificada. O primeiro experimento teve por objetivo quantificar a taxa respiratória e a produção de etileno em toletes de palmito Pupunha armazenados nas temperaturas de 1,5±1oC, 5±1oC, 10±1oC e 25±1oC e 85±5% de umidade relativa. As análises da concentração de oxigênio (O2), dióxido de carbono (CO2) e etileno (C2H4) foram feitas por cromatografia gasosa.Também foi determinada a perda de massa dos toletes armazenados nas quatro temperaturas. A atividade respiratória, a biossíntese de C2H4 e a perda de massa de toletes de palmito Pupunha são influenciadas pelas temperaturas de armazenamento. No segundo experimento foi feita a caracterização físico-química de toletes de palmito Pupunha do verão e do inverno. Os toletes foram armazenados a 10,0±1oC, 5,0±1oC e 1,5±1oC com umidade relativa de 85±5%. O rendimento de toletes por haste cortada foi 30% menor no inverno e seus valores de firmeza foram maiores que os do verão. A perda de massa foi maior nos toletes colhidos no verão. A condição climática não exerceu efeito sobre o pH e acidez dos toletes. No terceiro experimento os toletes foram embalados em PELBD e PVC esticáveis e em filme poliolefínico (CT301) e armazenados a 5oC. Verificou-se que a menor concentração de O2 no interior das embalagens com PVC não reduziu a concentração de C2H4 e também não afetou a atividade da peroxidase nos toletes de palmito Pupunha. A maior concentração de CO2 no interior das embalagens PVC não exerceu efeito inibidor sobre a ação do C2H4 nos toletes. Os toletes de palmito Pupunha embalados em PVC e armazenados a 5,0oC apresentaram-se microbiologicamente seguros para o consumo até o 15o dia pós-colheita, enquanto os acondicionados em PELBD e CT301 até o 6º dia. A baixa concentração de O2 no interior das embalagens de PVC reduziu o crescimento de microrganismos deteriorantes Abstract: This study aimed to quantify the respiratory rate, ethylene production and enzymatic activity of Pupunha hearts of palm and to determine the temperature for preserving the product, and to evaluate modified atmosphere packaging systems for product conservation. The first test aimed to quantify the respiratory rate and ethylene production of Pupunha hearts of palm stored at 25.0oC, 10.0oC, 5.0oC and 1.5oC and 85 ± 5% RH. The analysis of the concentration of oxygen (O2), carbon dioxide (CO2) and ethylene (C2H4) were made by gas chromatography. The weight loss was also determined. The storage temperatures effected the respiratory rate and C2H4 concentration of Pupunha hearts of palm. In the second experiment, Pupunha hearts of palm were harvested during the summer and winter. The hearts of palm were stored at 10.0 ± 1oC, 5.0 ± 1oC and 1.5 ± 1oC at relative humidity of 85 ± 5%. The yield of the stems cut in the winter was 30% lower and the hearts of palms were tougher. Weight loss was higher for hearts of palm harvested in the summer. Tritatable acidity and pH were not affected by the harvesting season. In the third assay, Pupunha hearts of palm were packed with stretchable PVC and LDPE films and with a polyolefinic film (CT301) and stored at 5oC. The low O2 concentration in the PVC packagings did not affect C2H4 concentration and the peroxidase activity. Hearts of palm packed in PVC and stored at 5.0oC were microbiologically safe up to the 15th postharvest day, and those packed in LDPE and CT301 up to the 6th day. The low O2 concentration in the PVC packaging reduced microbial deterioration Doutorado Tecnologia Pós-Colheita Doutor em Engenharia Agrícola

Although precooling by forced air is widely used to remove field heat from fresh table grapes, there is no knowledge about its use and efficiency. Factors influencing the process include temperature and relative air humidity, amount and initial temperature of the fruits, air velocity, and packaging. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cooling effect and efficiency of forced air cooling on table grapes in two types of packages. The experimental method used randomized blocks, in a 2 × 3 factorials, corresponding to two package types (polystyrene and cardboard) and three heights on the pallet - lower, middle, and upper - with four replicates. The temperature gradient in the direction of the airflow was evaluated. There was heterogeneity in cooling, both vertically and horizontally, on the pallets with a central heat zone for both the directions. None of the packages was suitable for fast cooling as both types of packages showed a cooling time of 15.5 h; moreover, relative humidity values were far below the ideal value for table grapes. RESUMO Embora o pré-resfriamento por ar forçado seja amplamente utilizado na remoção do calor de campo de uvas de mesa frescas, muitas vezes não há conhecimento sobre seu funcionamento e eficiência. Fatores como temperatura e umidade relativa do ar, quantidade e temperatura inicial das frutas, velocidade do ar e embalagens, influenciam o processo. Objetivou-se neste estudo avaliar o efeito e eficiência do resfriamento de uvas de mesa sujeitas a resfriamento por ar forçado. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, em um fatorial 2 × 3, correspondente a dois tipos de embalagens e três alturas no pallet: inferior, meio e superior com quatro repetições. Foi avaliado o gradiente de temperatura no sentido do fluxo de ar. Há heterogeneidade de resfriamento tanto no sentido vertical quanto horizontal dos paletes, com uma zona de calor concentrada na região central em ambas as direções. Nenhuma embalagem apresentou design favorável ao resfriamento rápido, já que em ambas o tempo de resfriamento foi de 15,5 horas, além de valores de umidade relativa do ar muito abaixo do ideal para uvas de mesa.

Buscando minimizar os efeitos sazonais nas plantas cultivadas em diferentes épocas, o presente estudo objetivou avaliar as respostas de produtividade e pós-colheita do melão ?pele de sapo? submetido à lâminas de irrigação e doses de bioestimulante em diferentes períodos no Semiárido brasileiro. As parcelas foram as lâminas de irrigação: 60; 80; 100; e 120% da evapotranspiração da cultura (ETc), as subparcelas foram cinco doses do bioestimulante Stimulate®: 0; 0,6; 1,2; 2,4 e 4,8 L ha-1, e as subsubparcelas foram dois períodos de cultivo: quente e frio. Foram avaliadas as variáveis produtividade total e comercial, peso médio do fruto comercial, sólidos solúveis totais (SST), pH, acidez total titulável (ATT) e firmeza de polpa (FP). A dose de 4,8 L ha-1 com a lâmina de 120% da ETc, no período quente, promoveram melhores condições de desenvolvimento e, consequentemente, um maior incremento na produtividade quando comparado com o período frio do semiárido brasileiro. A qualidade dos frutos foi influenciada pelo maior teor de SST no período quente e ATT no período frio, submetida à dose de 4,8 L ha-1 do Stimulate® e às lâminas abaixo de 100% da evapotranspiração da cultura. Made available in DSpace on 2022-09-23T12:05:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 SAZONALIDADE-DA-PRODUTIVIDADE.pdf: 611634 bytes, checksum: 9e0fcf5c4516f1307f93bc5b47b7706c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2021 Edição Especial. Nordeste.

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of post-bloom (PB) or preharvest (PH) treatments of Braeburn apple trees with prohexadione-calcium (ProCa; 300 mg L-1), an inhibitor of gibberellins biosynthesis, or GA4+7 (300 mg L-1) on fruit quality at harvest and after storage (four months at 0±0.5 o C, followed by five days of shelf life). PB treatments started 15 days after full bloom, with one application every week and six applications in total. PH treatments started five weeks before anticipated harvest, with one application every week and four applications in total. Control trees were sprayed with water. GA4+7 PB increased length/diameter ratio, and GA4+7 PH increased titratable acidity (TA) and flesh firmness and slightly reduced red color of the fruit at harvest. ProCa PB and PH reduced ethylene production rate, delayed starch degradation and reduced soluble solids content of the fruit at harvest, and ProCa PH maintained firmness at harvest and after storage and TA of the fruit after storage. ProCa PB or PH delayed the loss of skin green background color at harvest, while at both treatment timings reduced the development of skin red color, but with a much stronger effect when sprayed PH than PB. Index terms: anti-gibberellin, ethylene, Malus domestica Borkh, maturity, skin color. Made available in DSpace on 2021-04-08T12:34:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Fruit-quality-of-Braeburn-2021.pdf: 508786 bytes, checksum: 293d90f77089a24ab5a5a03b9a6c4d56 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2021

Green-ripe banana fruit are sensitive to chilling injury (CI) and, thus, prone to postharvest quality losses. Early detection of CI facilitates quality maintenance and extends shelf life. CI affects all metabolic levels, with membranes and, consequently, photosynthesis being primary targets. Optical techniques such as chlorophyll a fluorescence analysis (CFA) and spectroscopy are promising tools to evaluate CI effects in photosynthetically active produce. Results obtained on bananas are, however, largely equivocal. This results from the lack of a rigorous evaluation of chilling impacts on the various aspects of photosynthesis. Continuous and modulated CFA and imaging (CFI), and VIS remission spectroscopy (VRS) were concomitantly applied to noninvasively and comprehensively monitor photosynthetically relevant effects of low temperatures (5 °C, 10 °C, 11.5 °C and 13 °C). Detailed analyses of chilling-related variations in photosynthetic activity and photoprotection, and in contents of relevant pigments in green-ripe bananas, helped to better understand the physiological changes occurring during CI, highlighting that distinct CFA and VRS parameters comprehensively reflect various effects of chilling on fruit photosynthesis. They revealed why not all CFA parameters can be applied meaningfully for early detection of chilling effects. This study provides relevant requisites for improving CI monitoring and prediction.

The objective of this study was to determine the most efficient sample size required to estimate the mean of postharvest quality traits of ?Palmer? mangoes harvested in two growing seasons. A total of 50 mangoes were harvested at maturity stage 2, in winter (June 2020) and spring (October 2020), and evaluated for weight, length, ventral and transverse diameter, skin and pulp L*, C* and hº, dry matter, firmness, soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (TA) and the SS/TA ratio. According to the results, the coefficient of variation (CV) of fruit quality traits ranged from 2.1% to 18.1%. The highest CV in both harvests was observed for the SS/TA ratio, while the lowest was reported for pulp hº. In order to estimate the mean of physicochemical traits of ?Palmer? mangoes, 12 fruits are needed in the winter and 14 in the spring, considering an estimation error of 10% and a confidence interval of 95%. TA and the SS/TA ratio required the highest sample size, while L* and hº required the lowest sample size. In conclusion, the variability was different among physicochemical traits and seasons, implying that different sample sizes are required to estimate the mean of different quality traits in different growing seasons. Made available in DSpace on 2021-08-19T17:00:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Sample-size-for-postharvest-quality-traits-2021.pdf: 4444809 bytes, checksum: a1be24a98b91fd1fca2f432e3144bf97 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2021

Pomegranate peel has substantial amounts of phenolic compounds, such as hydrolysable tannins (punicalin, punicalagin, ellagic acid, and gallic acid), flavonoids (anthocyanins and catechins), and nutrients, which are responsible for its biological activity. However, during processing, the level of peel compounds can be significantly altered depending on the peel processing technique used, for example, ranging from 38.6 to 50.3 mg/g for punicalagins. This review focuses on the influence of postharvest processing factors on the pharmacological, phytochemical, and nutritional properties of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel. Various peel drying strategies (sun drying, microwave drying, vacuum drying, and oven drying) and different extraction protocols (solvent, super-critical fluid, ultrasound-assisted, microwave-assisted, and pressurized liquid extractions) that are used to recover phytochemical compounds of the pomegranate peel are described. A total phenolic content of 40.8 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g DM was recorded when sun drying was used, but the recovery of the total phenolic content was higher at 264.3 mg TAE/g when pressurised liquid extraction was performed. However, pressurised liquid extraction is costly due to the high initial investment costs and the limited possibility of carrying out selective extractions of organic compounds from complex peel samples. The effects of these methods on the phytochemical profiles of pomegranate peel extracts are also influenced by the cultivar and conditions used, making it difficult to determine best practice. For example, oven drying at 60 °C resulted in higher levels of punicalin of 888.04 mg CE/kg DM compared to those obtained 40 °C of 768.11 mg CE/kg DM for the Wonderful cultivar. Processes that are easy to set up, cost-effective, and do not compromise the quality and safety aspects of the peel are, thus, more desirable. From the literature survey, we identified a lack of studies testing pretreatment protocols that may result in a lower loss of the valuable biological compounds of pomegranate peels to allow for full exploitation of their health-promoting properties in potentially new value-added products.

For fresh-cut salad production, hot-water treatment (HWT) needs optimization in terms of temperature and duration to guarantee a gentle and non-stressing processing to fully retain product quality besides an effective sanitation. One major initial target of heat treatment is photosynthesis, making it a suitable and sensitive marker for HWT effects. Chlorophyll fluorescence imaging (CFI) is a rapid and non-invasive tool to evaluate respective plant responses. Following practical applications in fruit salad production, apples of colored and of green-ripe cultivars (&lsquo, Braeburn&rsquo, &lsquo, Fuji&rsquo, Greenstar&rsquo, Granny Smith&rsquo, ), obtained from a local fruit salad producer, were hot-water treated from 44 to 70 &deg, C for 30 to 300 s. One day after HWT and after 7 days of storage at 4 &deg, C, CFI and remission spectroscopy were applied to evaluating temperature effects on photosynthetic activity, on contents of fruit pigments (chlorophylls, anthocyanins), and on various relevant quality parameters of intact apples. In &lsquo, apples, short-term HWT at 55 &deg, C for 30 to 120 s avoided any heat injuries and quality losses. The samples of the other three cultivars turned out to be less sensitive and may be short-term heat-treated at temperatures of up to 60 &deg, C for the same time. CFI proved to be a rapid, sensitive, and effective tool for process optimization of apples, closely reflecting the cultivar- or batch-specificity of heat effects on produce photosynthesis.

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), is a world’s major non-food agricultural crop widely cultivated for its economic value. Among several color change associated biological processes, plastid pigment metabolism is of trivial importance in postharvest plant organs during curing and storage. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in carotenoid and chlorophyll metabolism, as well as color change in tobacco leaves during curing, need further elaboration. Here, proteomic analysis at different curing stages (0 h, 48 h, 72 h) was performed in tobacco cv. Bi’na1 with an aim to investigate the molecular mechanisms of pigment metabolism in tobacco leaves as revealed by the iTRAQ proteomic approach. Our results displayed significant differences in leaf color parameters and ultrastructural fingerprints that indicate an acceleration of chloroplast disintegration and promotion of pigment degradation in tobacco leaves due to curing. In total, 5931 proteins were identified, of which 923 (450 up-regulated, 452 down-regulated, and 21 common) differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were obtained from tobacco leaves. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of pigment metabolism and color change, 19 DEPs involved in carotenoid metabolism and 12 DEPs related to chlorophyll metabolism were screened. The results exhibited the complex regulation of DEPs in carotenoid metabolism, a negative regulation in chlorophyll biosynthesis, and a positive regulation in chlorophyll breakdown, which delayed the degradation of xanthophylls and accelerated the breakdown of chlorophylls, promoting the formation of yellow color during curing. Particularly, the up-regulation of the chlorophyllase-1-like isoform X2 was the key protein regulatory mechanism responsible for chlorophyll metabolism and color change. The expression pattern of 8 genes was consistent with the iTRAQ data. These results not only provide new insights into pigment metabolism and color change underlying the postharvest physiological regulatory networks in plants, but also a broader perspective, which prompts us to pay attention to further screen key proteins in tobacco leaves during curing.

En la producción frutícola, las pérdidas por descarte, son una problemática que resiente la rentabilidad que normalmente es atribuida exclusivamente a empacadores y exportadores. Sin embargo, esta causa también afecta al eslabón más vulnerable como lo es el caso de los fruticultores familiares. Generar información y metodología que aumente el conocimiento de los porcentajes de pérdidas y sus causas, en cada tramo de la cadena frutícola, permiten plantear las estrategias necesarias para minimizar los daños. Este factor determinante además impacta en la competitividad y sustentabilidad socio-ambiental de los territorios, y en definitiva en la resiliencia de los fruticultores familiares que, en las condiciones actuales de inserción en el sistema, es en quienes repercute en forma directa y donde mayor impacto tienen estas pérdidas de producción. EEA Alto Valle Fil: Aguilar, Neuquen Lautaro. Instituto Nacional Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Angencia de Extensión Rural General Roca; Argentina Fil: Di Masi, Susana Noemi. Instituto Nacional Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Alto Valle; Argentina

La respuesta a los tratamientos de estrés previo al almacenaje a baja temperatura ha mostrado diferencias de efectividad según el cultivar. El objetivo fue evaluar el efecto de la duración de la exposición a altas temperaturas sobre la apariencia interna (Color de pulpa) y en los componentes del sabor (sólidos solubles y % de acidez) de frutos de durazno del cultivar "Rojo 2". EEA San Pedro Fil: Budde, Claudio Olaf. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria San Pedro; Argentina Fil: Gabilondo, Julieta. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria San Pedro; Argentina

The Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann) is a worldwide pest of economi importance because attacks a large number of agricultural crops and for the extent of the damage it causes. Among the alternative control strategies to the use of sprays with synthetic insecticides, a very important role can be played by powders obtained from rocks whose activity arise from the ability to form a film of white powder, which acts as a repellent and irritant to insects. This film can also interfere with plants’ physiology and affect quality of fruit. In this study the efficacy of a commercial kaolin-based formulation to control medfly infestations was compared to synthetic insecticides commonly used against this pest (phosmet, alfa-cypermethrin, deltamethrin). The results showed a significant reduction of medfly attacks in fruits treated with insecticides (1.5% damaged fruit) or with kaolin (0.5% damaged fruits) compared to the untreated sample (10% damaged fruits), while physiological and quality parameters ded not show relevant differences between treatments and control fruit. Overall results highlight how the use of kaolin represents a valid alternative to treatments with synthetic insecticides to control C. Capitata attacks on peaches, while not affecting fruits’ quality., Advances in Horticultural Science, Vol. 34 No. 1S (2020): Special issue on postharvest

The application of paclobutrazol (PBZ) by irrigation system to induce the flowering of mango may be an economically and environmentally more efficient practice. The objective of this work is to determine the most efficient dose of PBZ to be applied by irrigation system to manage the production and quality of fruits of the mango cultivar ?Tommy Atkins? in the middle region of the São Francisco Valley. The experimental design was randomized blocks with five paclobutrazol doses applied by irrigation system (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 g a.i.-1, linear canopy) and an additional treatment (control) with the application of a dose using the conventional form (2.0 g a.i.-1 linear canopy applied manually by haul), and four replications. The variables analyzed were number of panicles, panicle length, number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, production per plant, economic viability, and qualitative characteristics of fruits. The application of paclobutrazol by irrigation system is more efficient than the conventional application, in which the dose 1.4 g a.i.-1 linear canopy provided a greater number of fruits and a greater production per plant. The highest content of total soluble solids in fruits was obtained at the dose 1.3 g a.i.-1 linear canopy, and acidity decreased as the applied dose of PBZ increased. Regarding the economic analysis, the results show that the application of PBZ by irrigation system increases the revenue by R$ 5,328.00 per hectare in comparison with the conventional application. Made available in DSpace on 2020-07-21T11:13:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Efficient-management-of-the-application-of-paclobutrazo-2020.pdf: 445772 bytes, checksum: 8b1c30ca018126ba6d2c70401d89c680 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2020

Se ha demostrado que el O2 súper-atmosférico incide en la frecuencia respiratoria (FR); sin embargo, no existe ningún modelo que describa su efecto en la FR de los arilos de granada. El presente estudio analizó los efectos que cuatro composiciones diferentes de gas (5 kPa O2, 10 kPa CO2 y 85 kPa N2; 10 kPa O2, 5 kPa CO2 y 85 kPa N2; 70 kPa O2, 10 kPa CO2 y 20 kPa N2; y aire) tuvieron en la FR de arilos de granada (cv. Wonderful) almacenados a 5°C. Así, para investigar el efecto de inhibición que el CO2 produce en la tasa de consumo de O2 se utilizaron modelos de cinética enzimática de Michaelis–Menten (MM), mientras que para determinar el límite de fermentación se empleó el cociente respiratorio (CR). Se constató que el aumento de la concentración de O2 de 5 kPa a 70 kPa produjo un incremento de la tasa de consumo de O2, que se elevó de 0.87 a 2.81 mL/kg h. Todos los parámetros del modelado de cinética enzimática describen adecuadamente la influencia de las concentraciones de gas en la FR de arilos de granada, con el coeficiente de correlación (R2adj = 81–91%). Super-atmospheric O2 has been shown to affect respiration rate (RR), but no model describing its effect on RR for pomegranate arils has been reported. This study investigated the effects of four different gas compositions (5 kPa O2, 10 kPa CO2 and 85 kPa N2; 10 kPa O2, 5 kPa CO2 and 85 kPa N2; 70 kPa O2, 10 kPa CO2 and 20 kPa N2; and air) on RR of pomegranate arils (cv. Wonderful) stored at 5°C. Michaelis–Menten enzyme kinetics models were used to investigate the effect of CO2 inhibition on O2 consumption rate. Respiratory quotient was used to determine fermentation threshold. The O2 consumption rate increased from 0.87 to 2.81 mL/kg h, with increase in O2 concentration from 5 kPa to 70 kPa. All enzyme kinetics model parameters adequately described the influence of gas concentration on aril RR with correlation coefficient (R2adj = 81–91%).

WOS: 000492414300004, Certain postharvest disorders such as rachis desiccation, weight loss, accelerated softening and biochemical changes limit the postharvest life of table grapes. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of pre-harvest micronized calcium pulverizations, postharvest UV-C treatment and their combined applications on extending postharvest quality of table grapes cv 'Crimson Seedless'. Pre-harvest micronized calcium pulverization was performed to improve rachis greenness and berry resistance while postharvest UV-C was aimed to induce physiological resistance and delay senescence in grape berries. Ca treatments significantly increased chlorophyll concentrations of rachis while Ca plus UV-C was the best treatment to maintain rachis chlorophyll concentration. UV-C with or without pre-harvest Ca treatment effectively delayed the weight loss during the storage. Ca delayed the increase of SSC during the storage. All the treatments, particularly postharvest UV-C, significantly delayed the berry senescence by delaying the decrease in acidity. UV-C with or without Ca, with the lowest values, significantly retarded the changes in phenols and decreased the berry decay. Ca plus UV-C treatment also effectively maintained the skin rupture force during the storage. Overall, pre-harvest micronized Ca pulverizations plus postharvest UV-C treatment can be recommended to extent the quality of table grapes cv. 'Crimson Seedless' up to 120 days at cold storage.

There is a large potential in Europe for valorization in the vegetable food supply chain. For example, there is occasionally overproduction of tomatoes for fresh consumption, and a fraction of the production is unsuited for fresh consumption sale (unacceptable color, shape, maturity, lesions, etc.). In countries where the facilities and infrastructure for tomato processing is lacking, these tomatoes are normally destroyed, used as landfilling or animal feed, and represent an economic loss for producers and negative environmental impact. Likewise, there is also a potential in the tomato processing industry to valorize side streams and reduce waste. The present paper provides an overview of tomato production in Europe and the strategies employed for processing and valorization of tomato side streams and waste fractions. Special emphasis is put on the four tomato-producing countries Norway, Belgium, Poland, and Turkey. These countries are very different regards for example their climatic preconditions for tomato production and volumes produced, and represent the extremes among European tomato producing countries. Postharvest treatments and applications for optimized harvest time and improved storage for premium raw material quality are discussed, as well as novel, sustainable processing technologies for minimum waste and side stream valorization. Preservation and enrichment of lycopene, the primary health promoting agent and sales argument, is reviewed in detail. The European volume of tomato postharvest wastage is estimated at &gt, 3 million metric tons per year. Together, the optimization of harvesting time and preprocessing storage conditions and sustainable food processing technologies, coupled with stabilization and valorization of processing by-products and side streams, can significantly contribute to the valorization of this underutilized biomass.

A cebola é uma cultura economicamente importante para o Brasil e sua produção vem crescendo em diversas regiões do país. A região do Vale do São Francisco é considerada de grande potencial agrícola, atraindo diversos investimentos em agricultura. A maior conservação pós-colheita é importante para ocasião da comercialização da cebola, que apresenta grandes variações de preços, em curtos períodos de tempo. O produtor em função do conhecimento das perdas de massa poderá alcançar melhores cotações de preços e incrementar seus lucros, em funçãoda volatilidade do mercado ceboleiro. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar características físico-químicas e perdas pós-colheita da cultivar População Botucatu produzida na Estação Experimental Bebedouro, pertencente a EMBRAPA Semiárido, Petrolina (PE). O delineamento estatístico utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado com 6 tratamentos e 6 repetições. Os experimentos foram realizados no Laboratório de Armazenamento de Produtos Agrícolas (LAPA) do Colegiado de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental da UNIVASF em Juazeiro (BA). Os bulbos foram armazenados sob condições ambiente de 27ºC ± 2ºC e umidade relativa de 75% ± 5% durante 75 dias. Onde observou que os bulbos armazenados em temperatura ambiente têm perdas de massa significativas em relação ao tempo de armazenamento principalmente a partir de 45 dias. Made available in DSpace on 2021-09-30T13:00:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Qualidade-pos-colheita-de-bulbos-de-cebola-2021.pdf: 423043 bytes, checksum: 70fc970d1d65a9dfba3ff671e49647fc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2021

&lsquo, Fuji&rsquo, is among the most cultivated apples worldwide but affected by the disorder bitter pit (BP). Calcium deficiency plays an important role on fruit susceptibility to BP. The objectives of this study were to determine nutritional relationships in BP-affected fruit and to verify if Vis-NIR models can predict Ca concentration in &lsquo, apples. Fruit was harvested during 2018 season from two different orchards with historical high BP incidence. Seven hundred and fifty apples were stored at 0 &deg, C for 150 days plus 10 days at 20 &deg, C for BP assessments. After storage, 20 fruit with BP symptoms (BP+) and 20 healthy fruit (BP&minus, ) were assessed individually for mineral concentration. Vis-NIR evaluation involved a spectra range from 285 to 1200 nm to predict Ca concentration from &lsquo, powder enriched Ca solutions. In each orchard, healthy apples had significantly higher Ca concentration than apples with BP. The K/Ca and Mg/Ca ratios were significantly lower in healthy fruit compared with BP&minus, affected fruit. The relationship B/Ca proved to be significant in BP fruit. Although Ca interaction with organic substances and/or cellular structures could influence NIR spectra in fresh fruit, our results showed that Vis-NIR models could not be used to direct prediction of fruit Ca concentration.

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), is a world&rsquo, s major non-food agricultural crop widely cultivated for its economic value. Among several color change associated biological processes, plastid pigment metabolism is of trivial importance in postharvest plant organs during curing and storage. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in carotenoid and chlorophyll metabolism, as well as color change in tobacco leaves during curing, need further elaboration. Here, proteomic analysis at different curing stages (0 h, 48 h, 72 h) was performed in tobacco cv. Bi&rsquo, na1 with an aim to investigate the molecular mechanisms of pigment metabolism in tobacco leaves as revealed by the iTRAQ proteomic approach. Our results displayed significant differences in leaf color parameters and ultrastructural fingerprints that indicate an acceleration of chloroplast disintegration and promotion of pigment degradation in tobacco leaves due to curing. In total, 5931 proteins were identified, of which 923 (450 up-regulated, 452 down-regulated, and 21 common) differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were obtained from tobacco leaves. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of pigment metabolism and color change, 19 DEPs involved in carotenoid metabolism and 12 DEPs related to chlorophyll metabolism were screened. The results exhibited the complex regulation of DEPs in carotenoid metabolism, a negative regulation in chlorophyll biosynthesis, and a positive regulation in chlorophyll breakdown, which delayed the degradation of xanthophylls and accelerated the breakdown of chlorophylls, promoting the formation of yellow color during curing. Particularly, the up-regulation of the chlorophyllase-1-like isoform X2 was the key protein regulatory mechanism responsible for chlorophyll metabolism and color change. The expression pattern of 8 genes was consistent with the iTRAQ data. These results not only provide new insights into pigment metabolism and color change underlying the postharvest physiological regulatory networks in plants, but also a broader perspective, which prompts us to pay attention to further screen key proteins in tobacco leaves during curing.

[EN] Background: Zucchini fruit is susceptible to chilling injury (CI), but the response to low storage temperature is cultivar dependent. Previous reports about the response of zucchini fruit to chilling storage have been focused on the physiology and biochemistry of this process, with little information about the molecular mechanisms underlying it. In this work, we present a comprehensive analysis of transcriptomic changes that take place after cold storage in zucchini fruit of two commercial cultivars with contrasting response to chilling stress. Results: RNA-Seq analysis was conducted in exocarp of fruit at harvest and after 14 days of storage at 4 and 20 degrees C. Differential expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained comparing fruit stored at 4 degrees C with their control at 20 degrees C, and then specific and common up and down-regulated DEGs of each cultivar were identified. Functional analysis of these DEGs identified similarities between the response of zucchini fruit to low temperature and other stresses, with an important number of GO terms related to biotic and abiotic stresses overrepresented in both cultivars. This study also revealed several molecular mechanisms that could be related to chilling tolerance, since they were up-regulated in cv. Natura (CI tolerant) or down-regulated in cv. Sinatra (CI sensitive). These mechanisms were mainly those related to carbohydrate and energy metabolism, transcription, signal transduction, and protein transport and degradation. Among DEGs belonging to these pathways, we selected candidate genes that could regulate or promote chilling tolerance in zucchini fruit including the transcription factors MYB76-like, ZAT10-like, DELLA protein GAIP, and AP2/ERF domain-containing protein. Conclusions: This study provides a broader understanding of the important mechanisms and processes related to coping with low temperature stress in zucchini fruit and allowed the identification of some candidate genes that may be involved in the acquisition of chilling tolerance in this crop. These genes will be the basis of future studies aimed to identify markers involved in cold tolerance and aid in zucchini breeding programs., This research has been funded by the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional FEDER (Project AGL2014-54598-C2).

�� ���������������������������� ���������������������� ������������������ ������ ������������������������ �������������������� ������������������ �������������������� ������ ���������������� ������ ����������, �������������� ������ ���������� �������������������� ���������������������� ���������������� ���������������� ������ ������������������������������ ������ ������������ ������ ���������������� ����������. ���� ���������������������� �������������� ���������� ������ �������������� ������������������ ������ ���������������������� ������ �������������������������������� ������ ������ �������������������� �������������������� ���������� ������������ ������ ���� ������������ ������ ���������������������� �������������������� ������ ������������ �������� ������ ������ ������������������������������ ��������������������������. �������� �������������� ��������������, ������������������������ �� ���������������������������� ������������������ ������ ���������������� (��3), ������ 1-���������������������������������������� (1-MCP) ������ ������ ���������������������������� (DPA) ������ ������ �������������������� ������������������ ������ ������������������������ ��������������������, ������������������������������ ���������������� ������������������������ ������������ ���������������� ���� �������������� ������ ������������������ Granny Smith. ���������������� ���� ���� ��������������������������, ���� �������������� ������ �������������������������������� ���� 1-MCP ������ DPA ������ �������������������� �������������������� ������������������������ �������������������� ���������� ������ ���������������������������� ������������������ ��������, ���� �������������������������� ���� �������� ���������������� ������ �������������������������� ���� ��3, ���������� ������ �������������������� ������ 1-MCP. �� ������������������������ ���������� �������������������� ������ �������������� ���� �������� ������ ���������������� ���������������������� ������������������������ ������ ���� ���������������������� ������������������ ���� ����������������, �������������������� ������ ���������������������������� ���������������������� ������ ������������������������ ���� ������������ �������������������������� ����������. ���������������� ���� ���������������������� ���������������������� ���������������� ������ ������������ ������ ������������ �������������������������� 106 �������������������������� ���������������� ���� ������������ ������������������ �������� ���������������������������� ������ 1-MCP, ������ ��3 ������ ������ �������������������������� ������������ �������� (������������������������ 1-MCP+��3) ����������������������, ���� ������������������ ���� ������ ����������������. ���� �������������������� ������ ������������ ���������������������������� ���� �������������������������� ���������������������� ���������������� ���� ���� �������������������� �������� ���������� ������ ���������������������� ���������������������� ���������������������������� ���������������� ������ ���������������������� �������������� ������ 1-MCP ������ ������ ��3. ����������������������, �������������������������������� ������������������������������ ��������������, �� ���������� �������������� �������� ���������������������� 6.892 ���������������� ���� ���������� �������������������������������� ������������ ������ ��������������������������. ���� �������������� �������������������������� ���� 33 ������������������������ �������������������� �������������� ���� ������ ������������������ �������� �������� (����������������������, ������������������������ ������������ ��.����.). ������������������, ���� �������������������������� ������ ������������������ ���������������������� ������ ������������������ �������������������������� ������ ������������������ ���������������������� ������ ������������������������ �������� �������������� ������ ������������������������ �������������������� ������ ����������., Superficial scald is a major physiological disorder of apple fruit that characterized by skin browning following cold storage and subsequently has a significant effect on the postharvest quality of the fruits. In the present study, the effect of ozone (��3), 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and diphenylamine (DPA) was investigated in order to gain insight into the mechanisms underlying scald resistance in Granny Smith apple variety, using a combination of multi-omic molecular approaches. The multi-omic analysis in apple skin tissue enabled characterization of potential genes, proteins and metabolites that were regulated by DPA, 1-MCP and ��3. Through this approach, we revealed scald-associated transcriptional, proteomic and metabolic pathways modulated by the common or distinct functions of DPA, 1-MCP and ��3. Results allow a greater comprehension of the ethylene -dependent and -independent metabolic events controlling scald resistance. According to the comparative proteomic analysis, 106 protein spots that uniquely identified were differentially expressed between 1-MCP and ��3 compared to the control fruits. Moreover, a transcriptomic profiling using microarrays technique was performed, which revealed 6.892 modified transcripts between treated and untreated (control) apples. Based on the genes annotations, transcripts were classified into 33 functional categories (photosynthesis, nitrogen metabolism, cell wall etc.). The results of the current research contribute to the detailed mapping of the molecular mechanisms that involved in superficial scald.

Kumquats (Fortunella spp.), the smallest of the citrus fruits, are characterized by a fleshy, sweet and edible exocarp, a reduced mesocarp and an acidic endocarp which. Kumquats are an excellent source of nutrients and phytochemicals including flavonoids, vitamins, carotenoids and terpenoids, with a marked antioxidant activity. The rich content of essential oils, besides contributing to the nutraceutical properties of the fruit, confer a distinctive and pleasant flavor. The postharvest life of kumquats is greatly offset by their high perishability under ambient conditions, due to the high transpiration rate which leads to a rapid decline of firmness and increase of weight loss and shriveling. The postharvest life of kumquats is further limited by the high susceptibility to postharvest decay, particularly incited by Penicillium digitatum and P. italicum, the causal agents of green and blue molds, respectively. Cold storage is an effective means to prolong fruit shelf life, especially when combined with postharvest treatments other than synthetic fungicides, which delay pathogens growth without leaving chemical residues on fruit. This aspect is very important for consumers' safety, being kumquat fruits eaten as a whole. Besides fresh consumptions, fruit are largely used to prepare jams, candies, fruit in spirits, syrups and liqueurs as well as decorations.

Cassava roots are very susceptible to physiological deterioration; after a few days of harvesting (two or three) they are not acceptable for consumption. For this reason, diverse methods have been developed for their preservation, for example, coating them with paraffin, which prolongs the product’s shelf life up to 15 days.This conservation method with paraffin has some disadvantages from the environmental point of view because this coating is a hydrocarbon derived from petroleum and it is applied hot to the roots (temperatures above 120 °C). Thereby, it is important to seek alternatives of environmentally friendly preservation.This work evaluated the effectiveness of root coating with natural wax as a possible substitute for paraffin for the conservation of the product under natural environmental conditions.The results showed that natural wax is as effective as paraffin in preserving cassava roots; it delays physiological deterioration, as well as weight and dry matter losses

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES This study aimed use alternative technologies, physical and chemical, to preserve commercial quality, improve storage capacity and extend the shelf life of cashew apples (Anacardium occidentale L.). To determine the temperature to be used in hydrocooling, peduncles were immersed in water containing ice at 1, 3, 5 and 7°C. Cooling rate, color, freshness, visual evaluation, weight loss and thermal properties were determined. After application of hydrocooling the peduncles were stored for 15 days in a vertical display cooler at 5°C. The hydrocooling temperature which best maintained the quality of peduncles without inducing chilling injury was soffening 5 ° C with 29 min cooling time. After determining the hydrocooling temperature, peduncles cashew apple fresh were hydrocooled or cooled in the cooler at 5°C 25 days peduncles cashew apple. Every five days, for physical, physico-chemical and enzymatic samples were withdrawn analysis. Hydrocooling retarded weight loss, ascorbic acid degradation and acidity, and less of PPO and POD enzyme activity when compared to fruit cooled by air. There were no significant differences carotenoid content, apparent phenols, soluble solids and color between the treatments. Thus, hydrocooling performed as an effective cooling technology and maintained the quality of cashew peduncles. To study the edible coating, peduncles underwent four treatments: hydrocooling, hydrocooling with posterior application of calcium chloride (2%), edible coating based on corn starch (4%), and edible coating enriched calcium. After application of treatments peduncles were stored for 25 days. Every with five days, samples were taken for biochemical, physical, physico-chemical and enzymatic analyzes. Calcium application with both edible coating and after hydrocooling provided greater firmness and less activity of pectinametylesterase and polyphenoloxydase of peduncles, maintaining the integrity of the cell wall. Hydrocooling decreased weight loss and degradadation of anthocyanins and carotenoids, which resulted in the maintenance of visual quality, and less degradation of ascorbic acid. The maize starch based coating was not effective in maintaining the quality of peduncles during the storage period. Cashew apples, when hydrocooled retained acce quality for over 20 days; the other treatments shelf life ranged from 15 to 20 days. These results suggest that the use of hydrocooling and utilization of calcium were effective in preserving the quality and shelf life of cashew peduncles. Este estudo teve como objetivo o uso de tecnologias alterativas, físicas e químicas, para preservar a qualidade comercial, melhorar a capacidade de armazenamento, e aumentar a vida útil de pedúnculos de caju (Anacardium occidentale L.). Para determinar a temperatura a ser utilizada no hidroresfriamento, pedúnculos foram imersos em água contendo gelo a 1, 3, 5 e 7°C. Foram determinadas a taxa de resfriamento, cor, frescor, avaliação visual, perda de peso e propriedades térmicas. Após a aplicação do hidroresfriamento os pedúnculos foram armazenados por até 15 dias em expositor vertical a 5oC. A temperatura de hidroresfriamento que melhor manteve a qualidade dos pedúnculos sem induzir danos por frio foi à temperatura de 5°C com tempo de resfriamento de 29 min. Após a determinação da temperatura para hidroresfriamento, pedúnculos de caju frescos foram hidroresfriados e resfriados em expositor vertical a 5°C, com armazenamento refrigerado por 25 dias. A cada cinco dias amostras foram retiradas para análises físicas, físico-químicas e enzimáticas. O hidroresfriamento retardou a perda de peso, firmeza, degradação de acido ascórbico e acidez, e menores atividades das enzimas PPO e POD quando comparado ao uso de expositor vertical. Não foram observadas variações significativas em relação às análises carotenóides, fenóis aparentes, sólidos solúveis e cor entre os tratamentos estudados. Deste modo, o hidroresfriamento se apresentou com tecnologia eficaz de resfriamento e manutenção da qualidade de pedúnculos de caju. Para o estudo de revestimento comestível pedúnculos foram submetidos a quatro tratamentos: hidroresfriamento, hidroresfriamento com posterior aplicação de cloreto de cálcio 2%, revestimento comestível a base de amido de milho 4%, e revestimento comestível enriquecido com cálcio. Após aplicação dos tratamentos os pedúnculos foram armazenados por 25 dias. A cada cinco dias amostras foram retiradas para análises bioquímicas, físicas, físico-químicas e enzimáticas. A aplicação de cálcio tanto no revestimento comestível como após o hidroresfriamento proporcionou uma maior firmeza e menor atividade da pectinametilesterase e polifenoloxidase dos pedúnculos, mantendo a integridade na parede celular. O hidroresfriamento diminuiu as taxas de perda de peso, como de antocianinas e carotenóides, o que resultou na manutenção da qualidade visual, e menor degradação de ácido ascórbico, quando comprados a frutos revestidos. O revestimento a base de amido de milho não foi eficiente na manutenção da qualidade dos pedúnculos durante o período de armazenamento. Pedúnculos de caju, quando hidroresfriados conservaram por mais de 20 dias e para os demais tratamentos a vida útil variou entre 15 e 20 dias. Estes resultados sugerem que o uso do hidroresfriamento e a utilização de cálcio foram eficazes na preservação da qualidade e vida útil de pedúnculos de caju.

Sabe-se que há influência das condições de cultivo na qualidade e conservação pós-colheita dos frutos, sendo escassos na literatura os trabalhos que relacionem o uso de lâmina de irrigação com a qualidade e conservação pós-colheita do melão. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da lâmina de irrigação na conservação pós-colheita de melão Pele de Sapo. Para isto, conduziu-se um experimento em uma área localizada no município de Mossoró (RN), de setembro a dezembro de 2004. O ensaio consistiu do plantio do meloeiro utilizando três lâminas de irrigação L1= 281 mm, L2= 349 e L3= 423 mm, com solo adubado seguindo a exigência da cultura. Os frutos foram colhidos na maturidade fisiológica (60 dias após o transplantio). Em seguida foram transportados para o Laboratório de Pós-colheita da UFERSA, onde se procederam à seleção e lavagem. Uma amostragem dos frutos foi avaliada previamente e os demais foram identificados, embalados e armazenados em câmara refrigerada com temperatura regulada a 10±1ºC e 85±2% UR por 35 dias. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 3x2 constituindo-se respectivamente três lâminas de irrigação (L1, L2 e L3) e dois períodos de armazenamento dos frutos (0 e 35 dias), com seis repetições. Verificou-se interação significativa entre lâminas de irrigação e tempo de conservação para vitamina C. Houve acréscimo do pH e diminuição da vitamina C e firmeza de polpa com o incremento da lâmina de irrigação. A firmeza da polpa, acidez e sólidos solúveis dos frutos diminuíram após o período de armazenamento. The occurrence of effects of cultivation conditions on the postharvest quality and conservation of fruits is already known, but the studies are scarce, in the literature, which relate the use of irrigation with postharvest quality and conservation of melon. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the irrigation effect in the postharvest conservation of Piel de Sapo melon. An experiment was carried out in Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil, from September to December 2004 in which three irrigation levels tested: L1= 281 mm, L2= 349 mm and L3= 423 mm, the soil being fertilized according to the crop needs. The fruits were harvested at physiological maturity (60 days after transplantation). After the harvest, the fruits were transported to the laboratory of the Universidade Federal Rural do Semiárido, where the fruits were washed and selected. A sampe was evaluated previously and the other fruits were identified and placed in cardboard boxes. They were stored in a cooler with temperature at 10+1ºC and 85+2% RH where they remained for 35 days. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 3x2 factorial, representing respectively three irrigation levels (L1, L2 and L3) and two fruits storage periods (0 and 35 days), with five replications. Significant differences were detected between the irrigation levels and storage time to vitamin C. There occurred an increase on the pH value and a decrease on vitamin C content and on fruits pulp firmness with higher irrigation levels. The pulp firmness, acidity and soluble solids of fruits decreased after storage time.

Sabe-se que há influência das condições de cultivo na qualidade e conservação pós-colheita dos frutos, sendo escassos na literatura os trabalhos que relacionem o uso de lâmina de irrigação com a qualidade e conservação pós-colheita do melão. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da lâmina de irrigação na conservação pós-colheita de melão Pele de Sapo. Para isto, conduziu-se um experimento em uma área localizada no município de Mossoró (RN), de setembro a dezembro de 2004. O ensaio consistiu do plantio do meloeiro utilizando três lâminas de irrigação L1= 281 mm, L2= 349 e L3= 423 mm, com solo adubado seguindo a exigência da cultura. Os frutos foram colhidos na maturidade fisiológica (60 dias após o transplantio). Em seguida foram transportados para o Laboratório de Pós-colheita da UFERSA, onde se procederam à seleção e lavagem. Uma amostragem dos frutos foi avaliada previamente e os demais foram identificados, embalados e armazenados em câmara refrigerada com temperatura regulada a 10±1ºC e 85±2% UR por 35 dias. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 3x2 constituindo-se respectivamente três lâminas de irrigação (L1, L2 e L3) e dois períodos de armazenamento dos frutos (0 e 35 dias), com seis repetições. Verificou-se interação significativa entre lâminas de irrigação e tempo de conservação para vitamina C. Houve acréscimo do pH e diminuição da vitamina C e firmeza de polpa com o incremento da lâmina de irrigação. A firmeza da polpa, acidez e sólidos solúveis dos frutos diminuíram após o período de armazenamento.The occurrence of effects of cultivation conditions on the postharvest quality and conservation of fruits is already known, but the studies are scarce, in the literature, which relate the use of irrigation with postharvest quality and conservation of melon. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the irrigation effect in the postharvest conservation of Piel de Sapo melon. An experiment was carried out in Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil, from September to December 2004 in which three irrigation levels tested: L1= 281 mm, L2= 349 mm and L3= 423 mm, the soil being fertilized according to the crop needs. The fruits were harvested at physiological maturity (60 days after transplantation). After the harvest, the fruits were transported to the laboratory of the Universidade Federal Rural do Semiárido, where the fruits were washed and selected. A sampe was evaluated previously and the other fruits were identified and placed in cardboard boxes. They were stored in a cooler with temperature at 10+1ºC and 85+2% RH where they remained for 35 days. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 3x2 factorial, representing respectively three irrigation levels (L1, L2 and L3) and two fruits storage periods (0 and 35 days), with five replications. Significant differences were detected between the irrigation levels and storage time to vitamin C. There occurred an increase on the pH value and a decrease on vitamin C content and on fruits pulp firmness with higher irrigation levels. The pulp firmness, acidity and soluble solids of fruits decreased after storage time.

Fruit consumption is increasing around the world, just as its population. The World Health Organization recommends a minimum consumption of fruit 120 kg/person - year. Fruits such as soursop provide nutrients, phytochemicals and antioxidants which are vital to human health, as well as bioactive substances such as vitamin C, flavonoids, anthocyanins and carotenoids, among others. In this research, soursop (Annona muricata L. cv. Elita) fruits were collected at physiological maturity in two production seasons for their physiological (respiration rate, ethylene production and physiological loss of weight) and physico-chemical characterization (pulp, seeds and skin yield, total soluble solids (TSS), total acidity, pH and firmness). We found that ethylene production peaked at day 6 after-harvest, scoring 133.2 mL kg-1 h-1. This parameter was found to increase during postharvest, with peaks on days 4 and 6, coinciding with the climacteric peaks of biphasic respiration, the largest of which reached a value of 186.9 mg CO2 kg-1 h-1. This is probably the starter for the cascade of events that feature the ripening process, among which changes in TSS, acidity and fruit firmness were outstandingly visible.Resumen. En el mundo, el consumo de frutas es creciente, al igual que la población. La Organización Mundial de la Salud recomienda un consumo mínimo de 120 kg/persona al año. Frutas como la guanábana aportan nutrientes, fitoquímicos y antioxidantes de vital importancia para la salud humana, además de sustancias bioactivas como vitamina C, flavonoides, antocianinas y carotenoides, entre otros. En la presente investigación, frutos de guanábana (Annona muricata L. cv. Elita), fueron recolectados en estado de madurez fisiológica o de cosecha, en dos épocas de producción, para determinar sus características fisiológicas (tasa de respiración, producción de etileno y pérdida fisiológica de peso), y físico-químicas (rendimiento en pulpa, semillas y piel, sólidos solubles totales (SST), acidez total, pH y firmeza). Se pudo constatar que la producción de etileno alcanzó un máximo en el día 6 de la poscosecha, con un valor de 133,2 mL kg-1 h-1. Este parámetro presentó un comportamiento creciente durante la poscosecha, con picos en los días 4 y 6, coincidentes con los picos climatéricos bifásicos de la respiración, el mayor de los cuales alcanzó un valor de 186,9 mg de CO2 kg-1 h-1. Esto, probablemente es el activador de la cascada de eventos propios de la maduración, donde sobresalen los cambios los niveles de sólidos solubles totales, acidez y la firmeza de los frutos.

Se evaluó el efecto de la aplicación de 1-metilciclopropeno (1-MCP), un agente antagonista a la acción del etileno -el 1-metilciclopropeno es utilizado para prolongar la vida útil del fruto de granadilla común-, almacenado a 27 ± 2 °C y 76 ± 2% de HR. Se evaluaron propiedades físicas como pérdidas de peso y cambios de dureza de la corteza; propiedades químicas como pH, acidez titulable y sólidos solubles; y propiedades organolépticas como cambios de color. Se aplicaron tres concentraciones de 1-MCP: 200, 400 y 600 mg%l y tres tiempos de exposición: 15, segundos 30 segundos y 60 segundos. Los resultados sugieren que la aplicación de 600 mg%l de 1-MCP y 60 segundos de exposición conserva la granadilla común durante 15 días a 27 ± 2 °C y 76 ± 2% de HR.To extend the shelf life of the sweet passion fruit is helpful for marketing of the fruit, since it is positioned in the international market as a gourmet fruit. In this work the effect of applying an antagonistic agent to the ethylene action was evaluated, the 1- methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) for the prolongation of shelf life of sweet passion fruit, stored of 27 ± 2 °C and 76 ± 2% RH. Physical properties were evaluated as weight loss, firmness loss and color changes, chemical properties as pH, acidity and soluble solids and sensory analysis. Three concentrations of 1-MCP were applied: 200, 400 and 600 mg%lt and three exposure times: 15, 30 and 60 seconds. The results suggest than application of 600 mg%lt of 1-MCP and 60 seconds exposure it maintains the fruit during 15 days to 27 ± 2°C and 76 ± 2% of HR.

Objetivou-se determinar os efeitos do 1-MCP sobre a conservação pós-colheita de kiwi, cultivar Bruno, armazenado sob atmosfera do ar (AA) e atmosfera controlada (AC). Os frutos foram colhidos em abril de 2003 e 2004. Três dias após a colheita, parte dos frutos foi tratada com 1,0 µL.L-1 de 1-MCP e armazenada sob atmosfera do ar (AA) e AC com baixo etileno. O tratamento com 1-MCP retardou o aumento da taxa de produção de etileno e reduziu a respiração após remoção de câmara fria, resultando assim no retardo da perda de firmeza da polpa e na redução do desenvolvimento de pericarpo translúcido e senescente. O tratamento com 1-MCP não apresentou efeito significativo sobre os teores de sólidos solúveis. Frutos armazenados sob AA apresentaram alto metabolismo, resultando em baixo potencial de armazenamento, mesmo na presença do 1-MCP. Máxima conservação da qualidade pós-colheita de kiwi 'Bruno' foi observada em frutos tratados com 1-MCP e armazenados sob AC com baixo etileno.This research was carried out to study the effects of 1-MCP on postharvest quality preservation of kiwi 'Bruno' storage under controlled atmosphere and air. Fruits were harvested in April of 2003 and 2004. Three days after harvesting, part of the fruits was treated with 1.0 µL.L-1 of 1-MCP, while the other part remained untreated (control), and then both lots were stored under air (AA) and CA with low ethylene. The treatment with 1-MCP delayed the increase in ethylene production rate and reduced respiration of the fruit after removal from cold storage. This was associated with a delay of loss in flesh firmness and a reduction of pericarp translucent and senescent. Treatment with 1-MCP showed no significant effect on SS content. Fruit stored under AA showed high metabolism, resulting in a low storage potential, evenwhentreated with 1-MCP. The greatest benefits on postharvest quality preservation of kiwifruit 'Bruno' was achieved in fruit treated with 1-MCP and stored in CA with low ethylene.

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da aplicação de 1-metilciclopropeno (1-MCP) e de diferentes concentrações de etileno sobre a qualidade de ameixas 'Laetitia' armazenadas em atmosfera controlada (AC). Os tratamentos utilizados foram aplicação de 1-MCP (1,0µL L-1) e etileno (C2H4) nas concentrações de The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of treatment with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and different ethylene concentrations in the storage room on f 'Laetitia' plums quality stored under controlled atmosphere. The treatments evaluated were 1-MCP application (1.0µL L-1) and ethylene (C2H4) in the concentrations

Este trabalho objetivou avaliar os efeitos do estádio de maturação na colheita, da temperatura de armazenamento e do tempo para o resfriamento na preservação da qualidade pós-colheita de frutos de butiá. Os frutos foram colhidos em três estádios de maturação (verde, verde-amarelo e amarelo) e armazenados a 0±2°C e 20±2°C. Frutos armazenados a 0±2°C apresentaram melhor retenção de firmeza, de cor verde da epiderme, de acidez total titulável (ATT) e de sólidos solúveis totais (SST), em relação àqueles armazenados a 20±2°C. Os benefícios da refrigeração na preservação pós-colheita foram maiores para frutos colhidos em estádio verde, apesar da sua qualidade inferior, caracterizada pelos altos valores de ATT e baixos valores de SST em relação aos colhidos nos estádios verde-amarelo e amarelo. Frutos armazenados a 0±2°C não apresentaram sintoma de injúria por frio. Durante todo o período de armazenamento, não foi possível observar a ocorrência de climatério respiratório. Não houve diferença significativa nas taxas respiratórias pós-colheita entre os estádios de maturação dos frutos na colheita. O incremento na temperatura de armazenamento de 0 a 30°C ocasionou um aumento significativo nas taxas respiratórias de 50,26 a 658,35 nmol CO2 kg-1 s-1, segundo um modelo sigmoidal, ou seja, um rápido incremento entre 0 a 10°C, seguido de um aumento gradual, tendendo a um equilíbrio na temperatura de 30°C. Houve efeito positivo da imediata refrigeração dos frutos após a colheita na preservação da firmeza, da cor verde da epiderme e da ATT, mas não dos teores de SST. A alta perecibilidade de butiá requer o imediato resfriamento a 0°C, de frutos colhidos no estádio de maturação verde-amarelo, visando a preservar a sua qualidade pós-colheita.This research was carried out to assess the effects of maturity stage at harvest, storage temperature, and cooling delay on postharvest quality preservation of jelly palm fruits. The fruits were harvested at three maturity stages (green, yellow-green, and yellow) and stored at 0 2°C and 20 2°C. Fruits stored at 0 2°C showed better retention of firmness, green color of the skin, total titratable acidity (TTA), and total soluble solids (TSS) than fruits stored at 20 2°C. Fruits harvested at the green maturity stage showed the best benefit from cold storage for postharvest preservation, despite of its poorest sensorial quality, characterized by the higher values of TTA and lower values of TSS than fruits harvested at yellow-green and yellow maturity stages. Fruits stored at 0 2°C did not show any symptom of chilling injury. Along the entire storage period, the fruits did not exhibit a climacteric respiratory pattern. Fruits harvested at different maturity stages did not show significant difference in terms of respiration rates. Thee increment of storage temperature from 0 to 30°C significantly increased the respiration rates from 50.26 to 658.35nmol CO2 kg-1 s-1. This respiratory increase followed a sigmoid model, with a rapid increase between 0 and 10°C, and a more modest increase towards the temperature of 30°C. There was a positive effect of immediate cooling after harvest on fruit retention of firmness, skin green color, and TTA, but not on TSS. Since jelly palm fruit is highly perishable, it should be harvested at the yellow-green maturity stage and then immediately stored at 0°C to preserve its postharvest quality.

O presente trabalho objetivou caracterizar o crescimento dos frutos de mangueira (Mangifera indica L.), cv. Tommy Atkins, da antese até a colheita comercial, visando à definição do ponto de colheita ideal baseado em determinações físicas e físico-químicas. Os frutos foram colhidos aos 35; 49; 63; 70; 77; 84; 98 e 112 dias após a antese (DAA), sendo feitas as seguintes determinações: diâmetro longitudinal, diâmetro ventral, diâmetro transversal, produto dos diâmetros, massa fresca, massa seca, massa e teor de água, escala de Blush para coloração da casca e sólidos solúveis. O trabalho indicou que as mangas atingiram a maturidade aos 98 DAA e que a massa seca, dentre os estudados, é o melhor indicador do estádio de desenvolvimento dos frutos.The objective of this study was to characterize the mango (Mangifera indica L.) fruit growth, cv. Tommy Atkins, from anthesis to commercial harvest, identifying when the mango reaches the harvest maturity stage based on physical and physicochemical determinations. The fruits were harvested at 35, 49, 63, 70, 77, 84, 98 and 112 days after the anthesis (DAA), and the following determinations were made: longitudinal diameter, ventral diameter, transversal diameter, product of the diameters, fresh mass, dry mass, water content and percentage, Blush scale for skin color and soluble solids. This study indicated that mango cv. Tommy Atkins delayed 98 DAA to reach the maturity and the dry mass, among those studied, is the best growth indicator.

Sweet cherry fruits (Prunus avium cvs. ‘Canada Giant’, ‘Ferrovia’) were harvested at commercial maturity stage and analyzed at harvest and after maintenance at room temperature (storage at ~20°C, shelf life) for 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 days, respectively. Fruit were initially analyzed for respiration rate, qualitative attributes and textural properties: ‘Canada Giant’ fruit were characterized by higher weight losses and stem browning index, being more intense over the late stages of shelf life period; meanwhile ‘Ferrovia’ possessed appreciably better performance even after extended shelf life period. A gradual decrease of respiration rate was monitored in both cultivars, culminated after 8 days at 20°C. The sweet cherry fruit nutraceutical profile was monitored using an array of instrumental techniques (spectrophotometric assays, HPLC, 1H-NMR). Fruit antioxidant capacity was enhanced with the progress of shelf life period, concomitant with the increased levels of total anthocyanin and of phenolic compounds. ‘Ferrovia’ fruit presented higher contents of neochlorogenic acid and p-coumaroylquinic acid throughout the shelf life period. We further developed an 1H-NMR method that allows the study of primary and secondary metabolites in a single running, without previous separation and isolation procedures. Diagnostic peaks were located in the aliphatic region for sugars and organic acids, in the aromatic region for phenolic compounds and at 8.2–8.6 ppm for anthocyanins. This NMR-based methodology provides a unifying tool for quantitative and qualitative characterization of metabolite changes of sweet cherry fruits; it is also expected to be further exploited for monitoring temporal changes in other fleshy fruits.

Sweet cherry fruits (Prunus avium cvs. 'Canada Giant', 'Ferrovia') were harvested at commercial maturity stage and analyzed at harvest and after maintenance at room temperature (storage at ∼20°C, shelf life) for 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 days, respectively. Fruit were initially analyzed for respiration rate, qualitative attributes and textural properties: 'Canada Giant' fruit were characterized by higher weight losses and stem browning index, being more intense over the late stages of shelf life period; meanwhile 'Ferrovia' possessed appreciably better performance even after extended shelf life period. A gradual decrease of respiration rate was monitored in both cultivars, culminated after 8 days at 20°C. The sweet cherry fruit nutraceutical profile was monitored using an array of instrumental techniques (spectrophotometric assays, HPLC, (1)H-NMR). Fruit antioxidant capacity was enhanced with the progress of shelf life period, concomitant with the increased levels of total anthocyanin and of phenolic compounds. 'Ferrovia' fruit presented higher contents of neochlorogenic acid and p-coumaroylquinic acid throughout the shelf life period. We further developed an (1)H-NMR method that allows the study of primary and secondary metabolites in a single running, without previous separation and isolation procedures. Diagnostic peaks were located in the aliphatic region for sugars and organic acids, in the aromatic region for phenolic compounds and at 8.2-8.6 ppm for anthocyanins. This NMR-based methodology provides a unifying tool for quantitative and qualitative characterization of metabolite changes of sweet cherry fruits; it is also expected to be further exploited for monitoring temporal changes in other fleshy fruits.

‘Wujiuxiang’ (Pyrus bretschneideri R. × Pyrus communis L.) pears often suffer from superficial scald after long-term cold storage. In this study, harvested ‘Wujiuxiang’ pear fruits were fumigated with 1-MCP at concentrations of 0.5 μL/L and 1.0 μL/L and subsequently stored at low temperature (0 °C). The superficial scald index; flesh firmness; total soluble solids (TSS) content; respiration and ethylene production rates; relative membrane permeability; concentrations of α-farnesene, conjugated trienols (CTols), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2); and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and lipoxygenase (LOX) of the peel were investigated. The results showed that compared with control, 1-MCP reduced the index of superficial scald; maintained a higher firmness and a lower TSS content; inhibited the accumulation of H2O2, α-farnesene and conjugated trienols and the increase in cell membrane permeability; and maintained a higher activity of APX, SOD and CAT and a lower activity of LOX. These findings indicate that 1-MCP regulates the activities of H2O2-scavenging enzymes to inhibit the accumulation of H2O2 and thereby reduces cell membrane damage and inhibits the accumulation of conjugated trienols. Thus, 1-MCP could decrease the incidence of superficial scald in ‘Wujiuxiang’ pears., Journal of Applied Botany and Food Quality, Vol 88 (2015), 102-108

Met een consortium van bedrijven en kennisinstellingen is onderzoek uitgevoerd naar grenswaarden voor de gasvormige componenten ethyleen en ethanol welke geproduceerd worden voor en tijdens de opslag van hardfruit. De ethyleen productie na de oogst kan mogelijk gebruikt worden als een rijpingsindicator voor partijen of cellen fruit. Deze componenten kunnen zich ook ophopen in de CA (controlled atmosphere) bewaring van appelen en peren en hebben ook tijdens de bewaring ook een duidelijke relatie met de kwaliteit van het product. Tevens is voor ethyleen een prototype ethyleen meter ontwikkeld.

Met een consortium van bedrijven en kennisinstellingen is onderzoek uitgevoerd naar grenswaarden voor de gasvormige componenten ethyleen en ethanol welke geproduceerd worden voor en tijdens de opslag van hardfruit. De ethyleen productie na de oogst kan mogelijk gebruikt worden als een rijpingsindicator voor partijen of cellen fruit. Deze componenten kunnen zich ook ophopen in de CA (controlled atmosphere) bewaring van appelen en peren en hebben ook tijdens de bewaring ook een duidelijke relatie met de kwaliteit van het product. Tevens is voor ethyleen een prototype ethyleen meter ontwikkeld.

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a influência de revestimentos comestíveis sobre a vida-de-prateleira, perda de massa, atividade metabólica e contaminação microbiológicas em pêssegos in natura. Foram utilizados pêssegos brancos cv. Perola de Mairinque (IAC 769-8) revestidos com soluções de 1% de goma gelana (p/v) e 1% goma gelana + 1% sorbitol (p/v), embalados em caixas de papelão e armazenados a 10ºC / 80-85% UR por 16 dias. Frutos sem revestimento serviram de controle. Os revestimentos à base de goma gelana e gelana+sorbitol não alteraram a atividade fisiológica dos pêssegos, medida através da taxa de respiração, teor de sólidos solúveis e acidez titulável ao longo da armazenagem. Não houve diferença entre as taxas de perda de massa, que ficaram em torno de 1,4g/100g.dia. Os revestimentos não alteraram a aceitação dos pêssegos em termos de sabor e em termos de aparência, o controle obteve notas superiores aos revestidos devida a opacidade que o revestimento conferiu aos frutos. Na contagem total de microrganismos aeróbios mesófilos e bolores e leveduras não houve diferença entre os tratamentos ao longo da armazenagem, mas em termos de microrganismos psicrotróficos os frutos revestidos apresentaram uma menor contagem em relação ao controle. Revestimentos à base de goma gelana e gelana+sorbitol não aumentaram a vida-de-prateleira de pêssegos armazenados sob refrigeração devido à composição do revestimento, que não reduziu a perda de massa nem a atividade fisiológica dos frutos.The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of edible coatings on shelf-life, weight loss, metabolic activity and microbial contamination of peaches in natura. White peaches cv. Perola de Mairinque (IAC 769-8) were coated with 1% gelan gum (p/v) and 1% gelan gum + 1% sorbitol (p/v) solutions, packed in paperboard box and stored at 10ºC/80-85% RH during 16 days. No coated fruits served as control. Gelan and gelan+sorbitol coatings had no effect on physiological activity of peaches, measured by respiration rates, total soluble solid content and total titratable acidity during storage. There was no difference among weight loss rates (~1.4 g/100g.day) of all treatments. Edible coatings had no influence on flavor acceptance of the peaches but control fruits had higher scores than coated ones on appearance acceptance evaluation because the opacity caused by the coating. There was no difference among treatments in total count of aerobic mesophiles microorganisms and molds and yeasts during storage but for psychotropic microorganisms, coated fruits presented lower counts than control ones. Gelan and gelan+sorbitol based coatings have not extended shelf-life of cold stored peaches due to coating composition that did not reduced the weight loss and physiological metabolism of the fruits.

Background Postharvest ripening of apple (Malus x domestica) can be slowed down by low temperatures, and a combination of low O2 and high CO2 levels. While this maintains the quality of most fruit, occasionally storage disorders such as flesh browning can occur. This study aimed to explore changes in the apple transcriptome associated with a flesh browning disorder related to controlled atmosphere storage using RNA-sequencing techniques. Samples from a browning-susceptible cultivar (‘Braeburn’) were stored for four months under controlled atmosphere. Based on a visual browning index, the inner and outer cortex of the stored apples was classified as healthy or affected tissue. Results Over 600 million short single-end reads were mapped onto the Malus consensus coding sequence set, and differences in the expression profiles between healthy and affected tissues were assessed to identify candidate genes associated with internal browning in a tissue-specific manner. Genes involved in lipid metabolism, secondary metabolism, and cell wall modifications were highly modified in the affected inner cortex, while energy-related and stress-related genes were mostly altered in the outer cortex. The expression levels of several of them were confirmed using qRT-PCR. Additionally, a set of novel browning-specific differentially expressed genes, including pyruvate dehydrogenase and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase, was validated in apples stored for various periods at different controlled atmosphere conditions, giving rise to potential biomarkers associated with high risk of browning development. Conclusions The gene expression data presented in this study will help elucidate the molecular mechanism of browning development in apples at controlled atmosphere storage. A conceptual model, including energy-related (linked to the tricarboxylic acid cycle and the electron transport chain) and lipid-related genes (related to membrane alterations, and fatty acid oxidation), for browning development in apple is proposed, which may be relevant for future studies towards improving the postharvest life of apple. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12870-014-0328-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The Brazil-nut, also known as Para-nut, is widely used as food and in cosmetic industries. The seeds are rich in lipids and protein, and also present a considerable amount of selenium. Limited research has been conducted on postharvest of the Brazil nut, being an important information to design equipment related to aeration, drying, storage and transportation steps. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the physical properties of the Brazil-nut with and without tegument. The dimensions found for the almonds with tegument were 39.35 mm in the X axis, 24.19 mm in the Y axis, and 17.88 mm in the Z axis. However for the almond without tegument the values were 31.05 mm in X, 14.38 in Y and 15.91 mm in Z axis. The sphericity was 66.40% and 51.59% for the kernels with and without seed tegument respectively. The kernels with and without tegument presented sphericity of 63.00% and 47.72% respectively. The mass of 1000 almonds was 6.13 kg for almond with teguments and 3.18 kg for almonds without teguments. Specific mass of 0.947 g.cm-3 and 1.003 g.cm-3 for the kernels with and without tegument, coupled with a porosity of 46.88% and 37.60% and, resulting on a bulk density of 0.504 g.cm-3 and 0.626 g.cm-3 for almonds with and without teguments respectively. Finally, the angle of repose for the kernels with teguments was 36.37°. A castanha-do-brasil, também conhecida como castanha-do-pará, é muito utilizada na alimentação humana e na indústria cosmética. As sementes são ricas em lipídeos e proteínas, apresentando ainda uma quantidade considerável de Selênio. Poucas pesquisas vêm sendo realizadas na pós-colheita do produto, sendo as propriedades físicas importantes para o desenvolvimento de equipamentos relacionados à aeração, secagem, armazenamento e transporte de produtos. Assim, neste trabalho, teve-se por objetivos: determinar as propriedades físicas da castanha-do-brasil com e sem tegumento. O tamanho para as amêndoas com tegumento, foi de 39,35 mm no eixo X, 24,19 mm no eixo Y e 17,88 mm no eixo Z; já para a amêndoa sem tegumento os valores foram de 31,05 mm em X, 14,38 mm em Y e 15,91 em Z. A esfericidade foi de 66,40% e 51,59%, para as amêndoas com e sem tegumento, respectivamente. 63,00% e 47,72% foram os valores de esfericidade encontrados para as amêndoas com e sem tegumento, respectivamente. A massa de 1.000 amêndoas foi de 6,13 kg para a amêndoa com tegumento e de 3,18 kg para amêndoas sem tegumento. Valores de massa específica de 0,947 g.cm-3 e de 1,003 g.cm-3 para as amêndoas com e sem tegumento, associados a uma porosidade de 46,88% e 37,60%, produziram uma massa específica aparente de 0,504 g.cm-3 e de 0,626 g.cm-3. Finalmente, o ângulo de repouso para as amêndoas com tegumento foi de 36,37°.

a b s t r a c t The physiological and molecular responses of ripe fruit to wounding were evaluated in two peach (Prunus persica) varieties ('Glohaven', GH, melting and 'BigTop', BT, slow melting nectarine) by comparing meso- carp samples from wedges (as in minimal processing) and whole fruit as the control. Slight differences between the two varieties were detected in terms of ethylene production, whereas total phenol and flavonoid concentrations, and PPO and POD enzyme activities showed a general increase in wounded GH but not in BT. This was associated with the better appearance of the BT wedges at the end of the exper- imental period (72 h). Microarray (genome-wide PEACH3.0) analysis revealed that a total number of 2218 genes were differentially expressed (p 1 or