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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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do período de exposição ao vapor de álcool etílico na remoção da adstringência de frutos de caquizeiro (Diospyros kaki L.) cultivar Giombo. Os frutos foram expostos ao vapor de álcool durante 24, 36 e 48 horas, sob temperatura de 20°C e 95% de umidade relativa. As características químicas e físicas dos frutos foram avaliadas durante dez dias, em intervalos de dois dias. As variáveis analisadas foram: teor de taninos solúveis, firmeza da polpa, perda de matéria fresca, pH, sólidos solúveis totais, acidez total titulável e teor de ácido ascórbico. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, os períodos de 24 e 36 horas demonstraram ser igualmente eficientes no processo de remoção da adstringência dos frutos; no entanto, a avaliação das demais características indicou melhor qualidade dos frutos expostos durante o período de 24 horas. Constatou-se uma diminuição linear na firmeza da polpa em função do tempo. O melhor período para consumo dos frutos situou-se entre o 4°e o 8° dia após o tratamento, considerando-se que a partir do 4° dia a concentração de taninos solúveis ficou abaixo de 0,1%, imperceptível ao paladar, e a firmeza da polpa dos frutos se manteve aceitável durante o período de oito dias posteriores ao tratamento. The purpose of this research was to study the effect of exposure period to ethyl alcohol vapor on astringency removal of persimmon fruits (Diospyros kaki L.) cv. Giombo. Fruits were exposed to alcohol vapor for 24, 36 and 48 hours at 20°C and 95% RH. Chemical and physical characteristics of fruits were measured for ten days, at two day intervals. Soluble tannin content, flesh firmness, water loss, pH, soluble solids, titratable acidity and ascorbic acid content were measured. This research showed that 24 and 36 hours were equally efficient in the astringency removal of fruits, although the analysis of other quality indices showed that fruits exposed for 24 hours exhibited better quality. The flesh firmness underwent a linear decrease in terms of time. The best period for consumption of the fruits was placed between the 4th and 8th day after the treatment. Fruits became edible at the 4th day after the treatment, when the content of soluble tannins was under 0.1%, imperceptible to taste, and the flesh firmness was kept for 8 days after the treatment.

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is an important commercial crop. High quality tomatoes for the local and export markets are grown hydroponically. In this study, the effect of electrically activated sodium bicarbonate and non-ionized sodium bicarbonate solutions on productivity and postharvest quality of hydroponically grown tomatoes was tested. Sodium bicarbonate is a ready source of bicarbonate. By using a novel technique obtained from Radical Waters (Pty) Ltd., ionized bicarbonate (anolyte) can be produced from sodium bicarbonate and applied to plants to stimulate photosynthesis, and improve yield and postharvest quality. The effect of ionized and non-ionized bicarbonate solutions on productivity and postharvest quality was studied by measuring the following: (1) Preharvest growth rate (leaf length, stem height and diameter); total yield; starch concentration in leaves; fruit count; leaf chlorophyll content; CO2-uptake; soluble solids and concentration of K+, Na+ and NO3¯ in leaves. (2) Postharvest rate of respiration and transpiration; ethylene production; total soluble solids content; ascorbic acid content; pH; fruit firmness; fruit mass; fruit diameter; longevity; concentration of K+, Na+ and NO3¯ at one-third towards maturity, two-thirds towards maturity, at maturity and during ripening, and rate of ripening at 12 and 23°C. During the preharvest period, plants treated with anolyte showed increased growth rate, starch concentration, chlorophyll content, soluble solids content and improved yield. During the growth period, the concentration of K+ and NO3¯ was higher in plants treated with anolyte than in plants treated with non-ionized sodium bicarbonate. The concentration of Na+ during the preharvest period was higher in plants treated with non-ionized sodium bicarbonate than in plants treated with anolyte. After harvest, fruits from plants treated with anolyte had a reduced rate of ethylene production, rate of respiration and transpiration, total increased soluble solids and ascorbic acid content than fruits from plants treated with non-ionized sodium bicarbonate. Fruits from plants treated with anolyte had reduced rate of ripening and were larger and heavier than fruits from plants treated with non-ionized sodium bicarbonate. Anatomical and ultrastructural studies revealed that treatment with anolyte stimulated cell growth and photosynthesis. These results were confirmed by comparing the CO2-uptake of treated and untreated plants. Application of anolyte stimulated photosynthesis, thus improving yield and fruit quality. Treatment with non-ionized sodium bicarbonate resulted in salt- stress and calcium deficiency. Some of the fruits on plants treated with non-ionized sodium bicarbonate suffered from blossom-end rot due to salt-stress. Prof. C.S. Whitehead

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.

Submitted by Guilherme Lemeszenski (guilherme@nead.unesp.br) on 2013-08-22T18:52:59Z No. of bitstreams: 0 Made available in DSpace on 2013-08-22T18:52:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2000-04-01 Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-30T19:44:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2000-04-01 Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-20T15:11:40Z No. of bitstreams: 0 Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T15:11:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2000-04-01 Foi feito um estudo sobre o comportamento de uvas finas de mesa (Vitis vinifera L.) var. Itália frente à armazenagem refrigerada e à utilização de embalagem, para aumentar a vida-de-prateleira. Cachos da uva no estádio verde maduro foram embalados individualmente em três diferentes filmes plásticos (Cryovac® PD-900; Cryovac® PD-955 e Cryovac® PD-961EZ ) de alta permeabilidade ao oxigênio e ao gás carbônico e armazenados a 1ºC (85-95% UR) por 63 dias e a 25ºC (80-90% UR) por 21 dias; frutas sem embalagem serviram de controle. Ao longo da armazenagem foram realizadas análises sensoriais de aceitação quanto ao sabor e aparência, utilizando escala hedônica não estruturada de 9cm e 30 provadores por sessão. Foram realizadas também análises do teor de sólidos solúveis, acidez titulável e vitamina C ao longo da armazenagem. As frutas embaladas apresentaram taxas de perda de massa 28 vezes menores que as controle, mas não foi observada diferença significativa (p>0,05) entre as diferentes embalagens. A combinação de armazenagem a 1°C com o filme PD-955 prolongou a vida de prateleira das uvas por 63 dias contra 11 a 21 dias do controle. Nas uvas embaladas, o fim da vida-de-prateleira foi determinado por deterioração microbiológica e no controle pela perda de massa, que causou o enrugamento, perda de turgidez das bagas e ressecamento dos engaços e pedicelos. Effects of refrigerated storage and packaging on postharvest behaviour of grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) var. Italia were investigated with the objective of increasing shelf life. Bunches of grapes at mature green color stage were individually sealed in three different films (Cryovac® PD-900; Cryovac® PD-955 e Cryovac® PD-961EZ) with high permeability to oxygen and carbon dioxide. They were stored for 63 days at 1ºC (85-95% RH) and for 21 days at 25ºC (80-90% RH); non-sealed fruits served as control. During the storage period, sensory evaluation was carried out using a 9-cm unstructured hedonic scale for overall acceptance of appearance and flavor with 30 panelists per session. They were analyzed for total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity and vitamin C. The packed fruits presented weight loss rates 28 times smaller than the control ones, but no significant difference was observed (p>0.05) among the different packaging. The combination 1°C / PD-955 film prolonged the shelf life of the grapes for more than 63 days against 11 to 21 days of the control ones. For the packed grapes the end of the shelf life was determined by decay and for the control ones by the weight loss, that caused shriveling, loss of turgidity of the berries and drying of the clusters and pedicels. UEL Depto TAM UNESP DETA UNESP DETA

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging experiments have been performed on cherimoya fruit to provide an image contrast dependent on changes in water status. Since those changes are concomitant to ripening we have assayed their relationship to physical destructive measurements conventionally used as ripening parameters. Relaxation times (T1 and T2) were found to increase sharply at the beginning of the monitoring period, and more slowly afterwards. Firmness evolution was found to be similar. Regression analysis proved a good correlation between both measurements. Results support the suitability of MRI as an accurate monitoring tool, both for basic research and for practical applications.