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This study investigated the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, as well as the volatile compounds, of Lactobacillus bulgaricus (L. bulgaricus) postbiotics (at concentration of 150 and 300 mg/L) and their combination with chitosan coatings (0.5% and 1%) on sausage quality (with 100 ppm nitrite) during 40 days of cold storage. The results were compared to a control group, as well as to sausages containing commercial formulation (120 ppm) and reduced (100 ppm) levels of nitrite. To further assess the antimicrobial effects, it also inoculated E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus into the sausages in order to examine how the postbiotics and chitosan coatings impacted the growth of these foodborne pathogens during the 40-day cold storage period. The reults indicated that those containing 300 mg/L postbiotic and 1% chitosan generally met the desired condition for pH, moisture, fat, and total volatile base-nitrogen. These samples also showed the strongest inhibition of mesophilic and psychrophilic bacteria, mold and yeast. Notably, no E. coli or S. aureus were detected in any of the samples, indicating that the postbiotic and chitosan combination effectively inhibited the growth of these pathogens in sausages. The findings suggest that using chitosan coatings and L. bulgaricus postbiotic can enhance the quality of sausages, ultimately lowering the risk of contamination by harmful bacteria and improving overall food safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current work focuses on simulating the freezing through a complex porous geometry using an adaptive grid approach. This simulation incorporates the impacts of radiation and the application of hybrid nano-powders to derive the final model. The governing equations are solved using the Galerkin method, with two unsteady terms in the energy equation discretized through an implicit technique. The validation of the simulation code shows excellent agreement with the previous studies, confirming the accuracy of the model. Notably, the outcomes reveal a substantial reduction in freezing time when using hybrid nanomaterials compared to pure water, with the latter taking approximately 106 times longer to freeze. Additionally, the presence of radiation accelerates the freezing process, reducing the time required by a factor of 1.25 compared to the absence of radiation. The combination of porous foam further enhances the system's performance, reducing freezing time by approximately 79.92%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this investigation, Galerkin technique was utilized as a reliable method for simulating transient phenomena, to model the unsteady discharging process. The use of an adaptive grid further bolsters the reliability of the numerical simulation, a feature substantiated in the subsequent sections. The study centers on two pivotal factors: the powder diameter (dp) and their concentration (ϕ). With rise in ϕ, there is a significant 41.2% enrichment in the discharging rate. Significantly, the incorporation of nanotechnology has proven to be a game changer, resulting in a notable 41.2% improvement in the discharging rate. The effect of dp is interesting, demonstrating a dual impact on freezing time—initially decreasing by 19.95% and later increasing by 49.18%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a cold storage container was simulated with the aim of improving the freezing process through innovative techniques. To accelerate the freezing rate, porous foam was introduced within the storage unit, while water was enhanced by the dispersion of hybrid nanopowders. Additionally, radiative cooling was incorporated as a method to further expedite solidification. The numerical model, validated through the Galerkin method, demonstrated high accuracy and reliability. Results showed a noteworthy decrement in freezing time by about 65.78% when using porous foam, highlighting its role in enhancing thermal conductivity within the system. The incorporation of radiative cooling increased the freezing rate by around 57%, providing further evidence of its effectiveness in speeding up solidification. Moreover, the addition of nanopowders to the H2O mixture resulted in a 4.24% decrease in period time. The prominence of this work lies in its ability to significantly enhance cold energy storage systems by combining multiple advanced techniques. This innovative approach not only improves efficiency but also offers potential applications in fields such as cryogenics and thermal management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current articles, a numerical approach is developed to analyze the unsteady freezing process within a wavy container embedded with porous foam. The incorporation of porous foam, along with the addition of nanoparticles and radiative cooling, significantly accelerates the solidification process. These methods enhance thermal conduction within the system, which in turn improves the efficiency of cold energy storage, making them highly beneficial for applications requiring rapid cooling. The governing equations are derived by incorporating source terms related to the freezing, and the Galerkin technique is employed to solve these equations. The use of an adaptive grid technique ensures accurate representation of the moving solid–liquid interface, or ice front, during the simulation. Validation results demonstrate excellent agreement with experimental data, underscoring the importance of using adaptive meshing in capturing the transient dynamics of the freezing process. The findings reveal that the insertion of porous foam declines the needed time about 81.14%, significantly boosting the overall efficiency of the system. Furthermore, the utilizing nano-powders decline freezing time about 6.87%. Additionally, incorporating radiative cooling into the system further speeds up the freezing process by around 10.86%. These improvements highlight the combined benefits of using porous materials, nanotechnology, and radiative cooling for optimizing cold energy storage systems. The reduction in freezing time demonstrated in this study, particularly the 81.14% improvement with porous foam insertion, represents a noteworthy step forward in cold energy storage technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current article presents a comprehensive mathematical modeling approach to assess the productivity of a cold storage unit enhanced with advanced thermal management techniques. The storage unit, designed as a porous container, is filled with a hybrid nanomaterial that significantly improves the system's efficiency. The model also incorporates the impact of radiation cooling to provide a more accurate assessment of the freezing. Given the negligible effect of velocity terms on the overall process, the mathematical model was simplified, focusing primarily on the energy equation. The Galerkin technique was engaged to solve the model, coupled with an implicit technique to account for unsteady terms. To further enhance accuracy, an adaptive grid was implemented, allowing for finer resolution near critical areas such as the advancing ice front. The results of the study reveal several key findings. The dispersion of hybrid nano-powders within the porous container accelerates the freezing process by approximately 7.11%, demonstrating the significant role these materials play in enhancing thermal conductivity. Additionally, the inclusion of radiation cooling further improves the efficiency, reducing the freezing time by 3.47%. Most notably, the incorporation of porous foam within the system leads to a remarkable 82.5% reduction in freezing time, highlighting its critical importance in optimizing cold storage systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2,4-Decadienal (2,4-Dec) is one of the main oxidation products produced during the lipid oxidation process of grouper. Therefore, this study employed 2,4-Dec as a lipid oxidation product to explore its impact on protein conformation and the overall aroma development. The evaluation of fluorescence quenching behavior, Schiff base content, secondary, and microstructure of myofibrillar proteins (MP) revealed that 2,4-Dec played a promotive role in altering the conformation of MP and inducing oxidative degradation. Eight key volatile compounds (VOCs) associated with the overall flavor of MP were identified. Additionally, an analysis of six key differential metabolites and five metabolic pathways in the MP-aldehyde solution shed light on the crucial role of 2,4-Dec in influencing the conformation of MP. It was further explained that the production of these key VOCs might arise from the metabolism of arginine, proline, alanine, aspartate, glutamate, and beta-alanine, and potentially being products of arginine biosynthesis. Complementary molecular docking confirmed that hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding were the primary driving forces behind the binding of 2,4-Dec with MP. This study unveils the molecular-level interaction between MP and aldehydes, providing valuable insights for regulating the flavor of grouper during storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein degradation is a common occurrence in tilapia during the refrigeration process, leading to the generation of unpleasant odor and impacting overall flavor and quality. This study characterized the protein degradation of tilapia during cold storage and utilized amino acids metabolomics analysis to identify metabolic pathways and differential metabolites associated with odor formation and changes. The protein degradation of tilapia during cold storage was characterized through analysis of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) soluble peptides, protein concentration, electrophoresis patterns, protein secondary and tertiary structures, as well as microscopic structures. The characterization of these indicators revealed an obvious protein degradation and structural disruption of tilapia during cold storage. Changes in the types and contents of free amino acids (FAAs) were discussed. Protein degradation produced a large number of FAAs, with Lys contributing the most to flavor changes. By employing amino acids metabolomics analysis, primary and secondary differential metabolites were selected, along with differential metabolic pathways based on amino acids metabolism. And the related amino acid metabolic network was constructed. This study contributes to revealing the impact of amino acids metabolism on odor formation and changes, providing further insights for the research and regulation of odor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) is a second-generation smart delivery system with a solid matrix at room temperature. This carrier system consists of biocompatible surfactants and lipid materials and is accepted by regulatory authorities for use in various delivery systems. This study is a comparative study between the function of thymol-loaded NLC and thymol-nanoemulsion (NE) in Na-alginate coating to extend the shelf life of fresh chicken meat. Results indicated that the droplet size of the NE and NLC was 105.7 and 164.2 nm with encapsulation efficiency of 99% and 96%, respectively. The agar diffusion method results exhibited higher inhibition zones for free thymol and NE than those for NLC against S. aureus and E. coli. Meanwhile, a faster release profile for thymol was observed in NE than in NLC. The lowest peroxide values, TVBN amounts, microbial quality (against total viable counts, Enterobacteriaceae, lactic acid bacteria, and total mold and yeast), and the highest sensory attributes and color parameters were achieved in nanocomposite alginate coatings. Overall, Al-NE, Al-NLC, and Al-NE-NLC can be potent alternatives for improving the shelf life and stability of fresh chicken fillets during cold storage. In this regard, Al-NLC may be a better choice due to its higher sensory scores over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of intensive systems in aquaculture causes an increase in environmental stress agents, reducing water quality and facilitating the appearance of pathologies in individuals. In this context, the selection of ingredients is a key strategy in managing the quality of aquafeed and the cultivation of aquaculture species. Considering this, wine by-products can be a potential functional ingredient due to several particular characteristics, such as their low cost, large volumes produced, and for being a natural source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity. The present study developed different experiments focused on evaluating the benefits of feeding juvenile European sea bass during 5 weeks with feeds incorporating 0.4% red wine grape pomace (GP). At the end of the feeding period, potential modifications in metabolism, immunological and oxidative status, and functionality of intestinal microbiota were assessed as well as the potential protective effect against oxidation in fish fillets during 6 days of cold storage (4 °C). In addition, the preservative effect of GP on the feed when stored for a period of 12 weeks at two different temperatures (4 °C and 25 °C) was evaluated. The results demonstrated that the inclusion of GP in feeds for European sea bass prevents oxidation when stored at room temperature. In addition, a general improvement in the physiological and immunological status, as well as fillet quality, was evidenced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces an innovative design for cold storage containers featuring wavy outer walls and integrated fins to intensify the diffusion of cold energy throughout the system. The inclusion of fins significantly improves the productivity of the freezing by allowing cold energy to distribute more evenly and rapidly within the storage medium. A secondary method employed to accelerate freezing involves the use of copper oxide nanoparticles, which are dispersed in water. To ensure the validity of the single-phase approximation, the concentration of nanoparticles (ϕ) is kept below 0.045. The study also explores the impact of nanoparticle shape on the material properties, with a focus on two different shapes—blade and cylindrical—and varying the shape factor (m) to assess their influence on freezing efficiency. An implicit modeling technique is employed, utilizing the adaptive mesh. This approach enhances the accuracy of the simulation, with validation results demonstrating strong agreement with expected outcomes. The findings reveal that the introduction of CuO nano-powders can significantly decline the completion time. Specifically, the fastest freezing time achieved was 163.79 s, representing a 27.29% improvement compared to the baseline scenario without additives, where freezing was completed in approximately 225.27 s. Moreover, altering the shape of the nanoparticles further enhances the freezing rate, with blade-shaped particles reducing the freezing time by an additional 6.97% compared to cylindrical particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, regulations focus on the energy use of cold chain units and not on their food preservation performance. Our hypothesis is that this reflects a lack of practical/science-based assessment protocols which is addressed in this work. About 3 million time–temperature values for fish fillets stored in the bottom drawer independently set at 0.0 °C and a peer-reviewed predictive model were used to assess the microbial preservation performance of a residential refrigerator operating at 5.0 °C. The temperature effect on the exponential growth rate of Pseudomonas spp. on fish fillets was used to generate a refrigerator preservation indicator (RPI) with values < 1, ~ 1, and > 1 describing excellent, acceptable, or poor microbial preservation performance, respectively. Experimental effects evaluated were refrigerator technology (single/variable speed compressor, SS/VS), ambient temperature (21.1/32.2 °C, LT/HT), refrigerator load (22.5/39 kg, RL/HL), and emulation of door openings during meal preparation. Deterministic RPI estimations for the VS compressor ranged from 1.28 to 1.71, while those for SS ranged from 1.13 to 1.24. Probabilistic estimations yielded confidence intervals also exceeding the desirable 1.0 value. Mean comparisons through Tukey's HSD identified p-values < 0.05 for all main effects; nonetheless, compressor technology was the most influential factor since the compressor × ambient temperature interaction was significant for both compressors and the compressor × food load interaction was significant for VS compressors. It is concluded that users of cold chain units would benefit from regulations covering energy use and preservation performance with the latter assessed by RPI determinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing post-harvest losses of strawberries, which quickly spoil after harvest and have a limited storage life, is crucial in minimizing product wastage. The research aimed to investigate the impact of spermidine application at varying concentrations (0, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mM) on post-harvest fruit quality characteristics and biochemical composition. Spermidine application protected the fruits by preventing changes in weight loss, decay rate, soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), pH ratios and respiration rate. Malic acid was dominant in strawberry fruits, and that the application of 2 mM spermidine (559.80 mg/100 g) compared to the control group (483.55 mg/100 g) largely preserved malic acid content. Chlorogenic acid was phenolics compound that had the highest content, and spermdine doses significantly preserved chlorogenic acid during storage. The study revealed that 2 mM spermidine application was the most effective dose and that it could be used at this concentration to preserve post-harvest fruit quality and reduce biochemical changes in strawberries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated the effects of combined treatment with hyperbranched poly-L-lysine (HBPL) and chitosan (CS) on the storage quality of shiitake mushrooms (Lentinus edodes) at 4℃ for 15 days. The results demonstrated that HBPL-CS treatment effectively preserved the sensory quality of shiitake mushrooms, which remained satisfactory even after 15d of storage. After 15 days of storage, the rot degree, browning degree, and mass loss of shiitake mushrooms in HBPL-CS treatment group were 0.57, 3.85, and 9.31%, respectively, which were significantly lower than other treatment groups (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the contents of reducing sugar, vitamin C, soluble protein, and total phenolic in HBPL-CS treatment group were 2.76 mg/g, 3.71 mg/100 g, 3.89 mg/g, and 0.42 mg/g, significantly higher than other treatment groups (p < 0.05). Furthermore, HBPL-CS treatment effectively suppressed malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation and decreased relative electrolyte leakage in shiitake mushrooms (p < 0.05). Additionally, HBPL-CS treatment enhanced catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and phenylalanine ammonialyase (PAL) activities while inhibiting peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities in shiitake mushrooms. In conclusion, HBPL-CS treatment exhibited remarkable potential for preserving membrane integrity, delaying browning occurrence, and extending the shelf life of shiitake mushrooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Fuji' and 'Hanfu' apples, genetically related major cultivars grown in China, lacked a systematic comparison regarding their storage potential despite their importance. This study aimed to address this gap by analyzing the physicochemical, textural, and aroma properties of 'Fuji' and 'Hanfu' apples under different storage conditions, including fresh, cold storage (0.5 ± 0.3 °C, 85 ± 5% RH for 10 months), and 1-MCP (1.0 µL L− 1) treatment combined with cold storage. Then, principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were applied to distinguish the two cultivars. The results showed that 'Hanfu' apples exhibited significantly higher vitamin C (VC) content compared to 'Fuji' apples, with fresh 'Hanfu' (Fresh-HF) containing 13.69 mg 100 g− 1, stored 'Hanfu' (Stored-HF) 28.07 mg 100 g− 1and 1-MCP treated (1-MCP-HF) 'Hanfu' 16.96 mg 100 g− 1, versus 10.78 mg 100 g− 1, 11.71 mg 100 g− 1 and 12.46 mg 100 g− 1 for 'Fuji', respectively, which could be used to distinguish the two cultivars. In general, the textural properties of fresh 'Fuji' apples (Fresh-FJ) were better than those of Fresh-HF, and there was no significant difference (P ≥ 0.05) in aroma properties. Moreover, stored 'Fuji' apples (Stored-FJ) had better textural properties while Stored-HF had better aroma properties. The opposite result was observed in the 1-MCP treated apples, indicating that 1-MCP could maintain the quality of 'Hanfu' apples, but the effect on 'Fuji' apples was not significant. 'Fuji' and 'Hanfu' apples could be distinguished obviously using PCA and OPLS-DA. The application of 1-MCP was considered to have potential prospects in postharvest preservation of 'Hanfu' apples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apples are preserved in cold storage within standard size crates to avoid injury during handling and are stacked in a specific manner to promote adequate air circulation. This research builds an air flow and heat transfer model of a cold room (5.75 m × 3.83 m × 3.75 m) with apple filled crates (0.55 m × 0.37 m × 0.3 m) modeled as a porous media and uses CFD simulation to study how alternate stacking impacts airflow distribution and product temperature. The conventional arrangement of crates, termed CS1, was simulated, and the resulting temperature distribution data were used to validate the model with published experimental data, a root mean square error of 1.13 °C indicates good match. The model is extended to examine temperature distribution for two additional arrangements of crates (CS2 and CS3) with changed orientations and spacing, in accordance with a specific strategy. CS3, featuring larger spacing along the z-direction, showed higher average air velocity compared to CS2 and CS1 by 7.4% and 3.7% respectively. CS3 also improved cooling rate by 25.2% and increased the number of chilled crates by 20% within 40 h, along with a reduced temperature heterogeneity (3.59 °C). The model could predict hot spots in various stacking configurations, aiding in optimal arrangement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal was to investigate biochars' potential as carrier for commercial Trichoderma-based biopesticides, facilitating their application in soil or growing media. Thirty-five biochars produced from various feedstocks and pyrolysis temperatures were chemically characterized. Incubation and cold storage tests using a commercial Trichoderma-based biopesticide were done. Properties leading to good Trichoderma carrier capacity (TCC) are wood-based feedstocks and low pyrolysis temperatures (p < 0.001). Multivariate linear regression showed that TCC = exp (23.0 (± 2.21)–1.03 (± 0.25) *pH-H2O–0.94 (± 0.32) *inorganic carbon–0.10 (± 0.02) *total phosphorus + 0.0005 (± 0.0002) *water-soluble carbon). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The augmentative release of the parasitoid species Anastatus japonicus Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae) is essential for managing the recent invasion of litchi stink bugs (Tessaratoma papillosa (Drury)) (Hemiptera: Tessaratomidae) in Taiwan. The mass release program in the spring targets this univoltine pest's reproduction cycle. Low-temperature storage for the host eggs and parasitoids is required to maximize the production for the annual release program. This study aimed to enhance the shelf life of Samia cynthia (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) eggs using the combination of refrigeration and individual quick freezing (IQF) as a storage treatment. Storage of A. japonicus in the IQF-treated S. cynthia eggs was evaluated to determine the optimal production process during the short preparation window before the release. Results: The influences of cold storage and IQF treatment on the host eggs were evaluated for different storage durations. The host quality was determined according to the emergence rate and female ratio of A. japonicus. The study's results demonstrated that the host quality of S. cynthia eggs did not change significantly compared to the control group after 28 d of refrigeration at 7 °C. IQF treatment extended S. cyathia's shelf life to 5 months without significantly affecting the host quality. Applying IQF at different developmental stages of the host eggs affected the parasitism rates of A. japonicus. Significantly higher emergence rates of A. japonicus were recorded in the eggs treated during the initial development (D0 to D2). However, storing parasitoids in the IQF-treated eggs under the current storage condition for one month at 12 °C significantly impacted the parasitoid's emergence rate. Conclusions: The results of this study highlight the potential benefits of the individual quick freezing technique. This technique didn't alter the egg quality of S. cynthia, a crucial factor for the mass production of A. japonicus. The IQF treatment extends the shelf life of the host eggs to 5 months when stored at − 20 °C, a significant improvement compared to the 4-week shelf life without IQF treatment. This technology offers a promising and efficient approach for the mass production of A. japonicus and supports field releases. The treatment allowed for the stockpiling of host eggs during the off-season, which can help expedite the mass production of A. japonicus to fit an eight-week production window. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sardines and anchovies are the most important small pelagic species throughout the Mediterranean, caught mainly by purse-seiners. Their rapid bacterial degradation after capture and storage limits their commercial use and shelf life. Gills are the most vulnerable tissue in fish, harboring bacterial communities which have not been previously investigated in these species. This study examined cultivable bacteria from gills of harvested sardines and anchovies, tanks in which they are stored aboard, and fishing nets on four occasions (twice for both warm and cold seasons). A total of 471 bacteria were isolated, belonging to 74 genera and 163 species by MALDI-TOF MS identification. A number of genera and species identified from fish and surfaces occurred only in the warm or cold season, but a fraction occurred in both seasons. Sardine gills harbored most of the isolated bacteria (254), belonging to 53 genera and 111 species, as opposed to anchovy with 120 strains, belonging to 30 genera and 64 species. A diverse cultivable bacterial community consisting of 17 species was isolated exclusively from the polyethylene surfaces of nets and tanks. This finding is significant regarding their potential migrations between planktonic and sessile lifestyles. Possible contamination and cross-contamination are likely to increase with the rise in ambient and seawater temperature during the hauling and sorting of fish in the tanks. The food safety risks stem from pathogens and fish spoilage bacteria on both the fish and the surfaces of fishing nets and storage tanks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The food industry is still dependent on plastics for packaging materials, primarily due to their effectiveness in safeguarding products from external factors, such as moisture, light, and gas. However, traditional plastic packaging lacks the ability to actively preserve the quality and extend the shelf life of food. To address this challenge, various methods are currently being developed through surface modifications and the incorporation of active compounds. In most cases, studies on the modification of active film using low-pressure plasma (LPP) use different parameters, including time, pressure, and power, without a systematic optimization process. Therefore, this study aims to determine the optimum parameters for the combination of LPP treatment and Pickering emulsion (PE) of nutmeg essential oil (NEO) using Taguchi's orthogonal assay design (OAD) to produce LDPE-active film. The results showed that the optimum conditions were 15 W LPP power, 30 s LPP duration time, and 1.5% PE-NEO concentration. These results showed a 50% improvement in power and time efficiency. LDPE film–loaded PE-NEO was then applied to tilapia fillets in cold storage. The results showed that the TBARS and TBVN values of the samples after the treatment were lower than those of the control by 12.11% and 16.74%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We previously reported that normothermic ex vivo kidney perfusion (NEVKP) is superior in terms of organ protection compared to static cold storage (SCS), which is still the standard method of organ preservation, but the mechanisms are incompletely understood. We used a large animal kidney autotransplant model to evaluate mitochondrial function during organ preservation and after kidney transplantation, utilizing live cells extracted from fresh kidney tissue. Male porcine kidneys stored under normothermic perfusion showed preserved mitochondrial function and higher ATP levels compared to kidneys stored at 4 °C (SCS). Mitochondrial respiration and ATP levels were further enhanced when AP39, a mitochondria-targeted hydrogen sulfide donor, was administered during warm perfusion. Correspondingly, the combination of NEVKP and AP39 was associated with decreased oxidative stress and inflammation, and with improved graft function after transplantation. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the organ-protective effects of normothermic perfusion are mediated by maintenance of mitochondrial function and enhanced by AP39 administration. Activation of mitochondrial function through the combination of AP39 and normothermic perfusion could represent a new therapeutic strategy for long-term renal preservation. The authors previously reported that normothermic ex vivo kidney perfusion is superior to static cold storage in terms of organ protection, but the detailed mechanism was unclear. Here the authors show that the organ-protective effects of normothermic perfusion are mediated by maintenance of mitochondrial function and enhanced by administration of AP39, a mitochondria-targeted hydrogen sulfide donor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the focus on the insufficient origin-based cold storage in China, this study investigates the location and routing problem (LRP) of origin-based cold storage for fresh agricultural products. This study considers the loss of fresh agricultural products in different environments during transportation and presents a cold storage LRP model. To address this issue, a hybrid whale algorithm with heuristic rules is designed, and the effectiveness of the algorithm is verified by standard instances. Finally, taking Chenggu County as a practical case, the influence of cold storage capacity and farmers' demand for refrigeration are analysed. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm has a good effect in solving medium-scale LRP. As the storage capacity increases, the total cost of the system can be increased by 0.086%. As farmers' demand for refrigeration increases, the total cost of the system can be increased by 34.034%. Farmers' demand has a greater impact on the system's total costs than the cold storage capacity. When optimizing the cold storage layout, changes in fresh agricultural product output in the next few years can be roughly predicted, and the most economical optimization scheme can be obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of premade beef patty (BBP) with red onion skin powder (OSP) at 0, 1, 2, and 3% levels on color, lipid, and protein oxidative stability, and infection degree of microorganisms during cold storage was investigated. The objective was to determine the effect of color by L*, a*, b*, and the content of MetMb. The inhibitory effect of OSP on the oxidation of lipid and protein was studied based on TBARS and the carbonyl content of protein in samples at different storage times. TVB-N content was used to characterize the degree of infection of microorganisms and their effect on meat quality. The results showed that the addition of OSP reduced the pH, L *, a*, and b * values of BBP, and improved the hardness, springiness, gumminess, and cohesiveness of BBP, but had no significant effect on the chewiness of BBP (p > 0.05). After 12 days of storage, the carbonyl group and TBARS content in the BBP supplemented with 3%OSP was significantly lower than that in the control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the addition of OSP significantly inhibited the TVB-N increase during beef patty storage. These results indicated that OSP has a good research prospect as a natural antioxidant or preservative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccines are one of the most effective methods used to prevent many lethal and infectious diseases from past to present. Generally, storage temperatures of vaccines are between 2 and 8 °C. Keeping the vaccines in this temperature range and ensuring reach the end user without deterioration is very important in order to prevent the vaccines from losing their effectiveness. In this regard, various cooling systems are used. One of the devices used to ensure the cold storage of vaccines is a thermoelectric device. Thermoelectric devices attract attention as an energy-efficient technology, as well as their compact structure, silent and vibration-free operation, and suitability for automation. In this study, the design and manufacturing of a photovoltaic solar energy-driven, nanofluid-integrated thermoelectric vaccine cabinet was carried out and its performance data were experimentally examined. The capacity of the vaccine cabinet is 200 vaccine vials and 200 ready-to-use syringes, as well as the battery and inverter parts. In experiments carried out at two different outdoor temperatures, heat removal from the hot surface of the thermoelectric cooler with different refrigerants were examined. In addition, the effects of using fans were also investigated while the heat swept from the surface was transferred to the environment with the help of a water-to-air heat exchanger. In the experiments carried out for a total of 8 different cases, the highest average coefficient of performance value obtained during the experiments was 1.19. Experimental results show that vaccine storage temperatures can be reached under the prepared operating conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avocado fruit is a rich source of phytonutrients such as vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, carbohydrates, polyphenols and unsaturated fatty acids. However, due to its climacteric nature, fruits are highly susceptible to storage temperature, resulting in poor shelf life and reduced quality. In the present study avocado fruits (Accession CHES-HA-I/I) were stored at different low temperatures (5, 9 and 12 °C with 90—95% relative humidity, RH) to identify optimum low temperature for cold storage. In a further experiment, avocado fruits were treated with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP, 500 ppb) and chitosan (0.5%) to extend the shelf life with better fruit quality. The results showed that storage temperatures had significant effect on physiological, biochemical and antioxidant activities of fruits. Lower physiological loss in weight (PLW), reduced respiration and ethylene production, and higher carbohydrates, protein and fat content were recorded in fruits stored at 9 °C as compared to 12 °C. Similarly, maximum antioxidant properties in terms of free radical scavenging activity (FRSA) and ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) was found in avocado fruits stored at 9 °C. It was also noticed that chilling injury was developed in fruits stored under 5 °C. In addition, exogenous application of 1-MCP significantly reduced respiration and ethylene production rate at 9 °C and extended the shelf life up to 42 days with better fruit quality and more antioxidant activities. However, chitosan treated and control fruits had shelf life up to 28 and 21 days respectively, with minimum nutritional content. From this study it is concluded that a storage temperature of 9 °C and 1-MCP treatment significantly enhanced the shelf life of avocado fruits with better fruit quality as compared to other storage temperatures (5 and 12 °C) and postharvest treatment (chitosan). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the discrepancy between patients awaiting a heart transplant and the availability of donor hearts, strategies to expand the donor pool and improve the transplant's success are crucial. This review aims to summarize current knowledge on the ex vivo heart preservation (EVHP) experience as an alternative to standard cold static storage (CSS). EVHP techniques can improve the preservation of the donor's heart before transplantation and allow for pre-transplant organ evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pelargoniums cultivated for ornamental purposes rely on efficient vegetative propagation. This study researched applicability of chlorophyll fluorescence for validating the physiological conditions of pelargonium cuttings. Results indicated a correlation between the chlorophyll fluorescence and rooting potential. The ET0/RC values were negatively correlated with the rooting efficiency between the varieties and the duration of cold storage. A negative correlation was observed between OJIP parameters, representing energy flow in thylakoids, and chlorophyll content in cuttings with lower nutritional status. The phenomenological energy fluxes for leaf cross-sections and the number of active PSII reaction centers in the not-excited state (RC/CS0) increase with raised chlorophyll concentration. This imply the influence of rooting ability on the demand for photoassimilates in pelargonium cuttings, which can be detected early on through chlorophyll fluorescence analysis but not chlorophyll content measurements. Chlorophyll fluorescence evaluation, along with specific OJIP test parameters such as the performance indices PIABS and PItotal, prove useful for predicting rooting efficiency in relation to the nutritional status of cuttings, suggesting the effects of cuttings cold storage and discerning varietal differences in rooting. This study establishes the pragmatic application of chlorophyll fluorescence assessment for elucidating the physiological intricacies of pelargonium cuttings and factors influencing rooting efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the strong dependence of the food industry on the cold chain, utilizing an optimal refrigeration facility plays a crucial role. This study focuses on the pattern of energy consumption, energy performance and exergy efficiency, and environmental effects (3E) of compression refrigeration systems used in multi-purpose cold storage. Depending on the climate and storage conditions, cooling load distribution between above and below zero evaporators significantly affects energy consumption and exergy efficiency. The limitations of each system in different cooling load demands using eco-friendly refrigerants determine that R717/R290, R290, and R134a are the optimal refrigerants for cascade, two-stage, and one-stage systems, respectively. The results show that cascade system is the least constrained operationally and technically. Its exergy efficiency is up to 4% higher than two-stage system, depending on how the refrigeration load is distributed. Two-stage system has the highest seasonal energy performance ratio (SEPR) (13% more than cascade in hot and humid climate). Its energy consumption is 18–25% less than cascade system depending on climate. Furthermore, it was found that the one-stage system is only suitable for hot and humid climates while two other systems operate well in all climates throughout the year. The amount of SEPR under cold climates for cascade system is 14% more than hot and humid climates and 3% more than moderate climates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of machine perfusion in solid organ transplantation has developed tremendously worldwide in recent years. Although the number of randomized controlled trials in the field of organ preservation is still limited, machine perfusion has been shown to be superior to static cold storage of donor organs. Various devices for clinical use with hypothermia or normothermia are already available for most organs. Whether and which perfusion strategy is superior to the others is the subject of current clinical research. This also applies to the further evaluation of possible synergistic effects in the sequential use of the various protocols. The common goal of all dynamic perfusion technologies is to optimize organ preservation between removal and transplantation. By testing the quality of marginal donor organs prior to transplantation, it should also be possible to use these organs without exposing the patient to increased risk. This can lead to a significant expansion of the donor pool. This is particularly important in Germany, where there is an ongoing shortage of organs and restrictive legislation regarding the expansion of the donor pool. Furthermore, the perfusion technology offers the possibility to serve as a platform for other ex situ and in situ therapies on isolated organs. In addition to the conditioning of pre-damaged organs for transplantation, this could lead to further applications in the context of targeted organ therapies and also to improved transplant logistics in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apple fruit can be stored for long periods of time, especially with the use of controlled atmosphere storage, but like many fruits and vegetables are susceptible to water loss. Water loss can result in compromised appearance such as skin shriveling, as well as loss of firmness, and reduced saleable weight, which in turn affect the income of growers and other industry stakeholders. Preharvest factors that can influence water loss in apples during the postharvest period include climate, cultivar, fruit size, tree age, orchard practices, and harvest maturity. Postharvest factors such as the storage temperature, relative humidity, storage type, and duration can also affect water loss in apple fruit during storage. The mechanisms of cuticle biosynthesis in water permeance, the role of stomata and lenticels, microcracking, crosstalk with mechanical injuries, storage disorders, and decay incidence during the storage of apples are reviewed. Additionally, the review summarizes: preharvest and postharvest factors influencing water loss; recent management strategies including pre-cooling, cold storage, controlled atmospheres, packaging, and anti-senescence chemicals; the use of edible coatings, as well as other non-chemical approaches for modulating water loss and maintaining storage quality. The review also provides direction for the industry to manage this destructive problem in the postharvest supply chain of apple fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to validate qPCR assays for specific microbiota, for use on dental plaque samples stored on Whatman FTA cards to compare relative oral health risk in Rett syndrome. Methods: Supragingival dental plaque samples were collected, using a sterile swab, (COPAN FLOQswab™) swabbed onto Whatman FTA™ cards. DNA extraction was performed using a modified Powersoil™ protocol. Where published assays were unsuitable, species-specific qPCR assays for caries-associated, gingivitis-associated and oral-health-associated bacteria were designed using multiple sequence alignment, Primer3Plus and PrimerQuest. Assays were run using absolute quantification. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were calculated, and PCR products verified by Sanger sequencing. Results: Most assays allowed detection using real-time qPCR with high specificity on samples collected on FTA cards. Several assays showed low or even single gene copy numbers on the test samples. Conclusion: Assays were optimised for detection and evaluation of oral health risk in dental plaque samples stored on FTA cards when cold storage is not feasible, except for F. nucleatum. Several assays showed gene copy numbers less than the LOQ or outside the range of the standard curve, so there is merit in optimising these assays using digital droplet PCR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plum pox virus (PPV), the causative agent of Sharka disease, causes serious economic losses to the stone fruit industry. As PPV is not transmitted by seed, fruit from countries with Sharka present are considered low-risk for spreading the disease. However, there have been cases raising concerns about the safety of exporting fruit from countries with Sharka disease. Due to this, the generation of new scientific evidence becomes important to address these concerns. This study aimed to compare the relative accumulation of PPV viral titer between freshly harvested infected fruit with fruit subjected to cold storage, simulating transit conditions to export markets. During two consecutive seasons, the fruit was collected from a PPV-infected ’Red Lyon’ plum orchard, and divided into three treatments (T): freshly harvested fruit (T1); fruit exposed to cold (0 °C) for seven days (T2), and fruit exposed to cold (0 °C) for 15 days (T3). Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used to estimate the viral titer; band density values obtained for products of amplification of a PPV genome fragment were normalized with the density values obtained from the constitutive gene nad5 and plotted relative to treatment T1, which served as a control for this purpose. The results showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) between T1 and other treatments. For the first season, the viral RNA reduction was of 50% in T2 and 61% in T3, compared to T1. For the second season, the corresponding RNA viral reductions were 45% in T2 and 56% in T3, compared to T1.Article Highlights: Transporting fruit under cold conditions could reduce the risk of dissemination of Plum pox virus. Two consecutive years show a significant reduction in the relative expression of PPV viral RNA on plums. The result obtained can be a potential tool for conducting a risk analysis into the PPV in the fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fruits are highly perishable due to high respiration rate after harvest. This always leads to losses after harvest resulting in farmers not getting good value for their products. The high cost of the conventional refrigerator and the adverse effect on the stored fruits have made evaporative cooling technology for fruit preservation very attractive. The challenge is making it more affordable and effective to farmers using locally sourced materials to store different kinds of fruits. Therefore, the objective of this research is to evaluate the influence of locally source agro-biomass wetting material on the dynamics of the respiratory heat load of orange stored in a direct evaporative cooler. For this reason, a custom stand-alone direct evaporative cooler designed for the storage of fruits and vegetables was used to store oranges with Jute fibre, palm fruit mesocarp fibre and wood charcoal as agro-biomass humidifiers at 3 to 4.5 m/s air velocity. The evolution of the respiratory heat and heat transfer rate varied with surrounding temperature and air velocity, and the three biomass-wetting materials showed a good response in lowering the ambient air temperature. Orange fruit stored in the DEC showed a very low respiratory heat load of 0.011 to 0.017 W/kg (11 to 17 mW/kg) and a heat transfer load of 0.614 to 0.963 W for the three biomass wetting materials investigated. Comparatively palm fruit mesocarp produced the lowest evaporative cooler temperature, respiratory heat generation and heat transfer rate. The respiratory heat generated by the orange stored in DEC with palm fruit mesocarp fibres was found to be 1.4% and 0.7% lower than jute fibre and wood charcoal respectively at an air speed of 4.5 m/s, whereas it was 11.63% and 17.05% lower at 4 m/s for the two materials. Similarly, at 3 m/s the values were lower by 9.7% and 14.93% for jute fibre and wood charcoal, respectively. Correspondingly, the heat transfer rate for palm fruit mesocarp was lower by 5.4% and 8.32% at 4.5 m/s, 10.24 and 14.17% at 4 m/s and 12.54 and 21.99% at 3 m/s for jute fibre and wood charcoal, respectively. A multi-regression fitting of respiratory heat generation with the cooler temperature surface temperature and air velocity showed a linear relationship with R2 values of 0.774 to 0.999 for the three biomass wetting materials explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: Hydrogen sulfide improved cold resistance of tomato fruits by regulating energy metabolism and delaying cell wall degradation, thereby alleviating the damage of cold storage on fruits. Postharvest cold storage in tomato fruits extended shelf life but caused the appearance of chilling injury (CI), appeared by softness and spots on the surface of the fruits. These changes were linked closely with energy and cell wall metabolisms. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), as the gaseous fresh-keeping regulator, was used in the present study to investigate the effects of H2S on energy and cell wall metabolisms in tomato fruits during cold storage. Fruits after harvest were fumigated with different concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 mM) of sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) solution as H2S honor for 24 h and stored at 4 °C for 25 days. The results showed that 1 and 1.5 mM NaHS solution fumigation promoted the accumulation of endogenous H2S, followed by the increase in L-cysteine desulfurase (LCD) and D-cysteine desulfurase (DCD) activities in fruits during cold storage. It was also found that 1 and 1.5 mM NaHS treatments improved H+-ATPase, Ca2+-ATPase, cytochrome C oxidase (CCO), and succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) activities. Moreover, the contents of cellulose and hemicellulose were increased by 1 and 1.5 mM NaHS, following down-regulated activities of cellulase (CL), pectin lyase (PL), α-mannosidase (α-man) and β-Galactosidase (β-Gal) and down-regulated expression of PL1, PL8, MAN4 and MAN7 genes. Thus, H2S alleviates CI led by cold storage in tomato fruits via regulating energy and cell wall metabolisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of applying guar gum-kefiran coating in combination with Murraya koenigii berry extract (MKBE) was examined in this study. Edible coatings containing the abovementioned microbial polymer and ethanolic plant extract were used to preserve fresh white button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus), which were then placed in a tray and stored at low temperature (4 ± 1 ℃, 85–90% relative humidity) for 8 days. After 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 days of storage, the weight loss, shrinkage ratio, percent open caps, soluble solids concentration, and optical properties that reflect mushroom quality were evaluated. According to the findings, after 8 days of storage, the guar gum-kefiran (GKM 0) and guar gum-kefiran-MKBE 20% (GKM 20) treatments significantly (p < 0.05) reduced button mushroom weight loss, cap structure, and delayed cap opening while lowering weight loss by 55.4% and 60.81%, respectively, compared to control mushrooms. Additionally, the GKM 0 coated mushroom's browning index was 23.5% lower than the control mushrooms. Overall, it was discovered that compared to the control, both coatings contributed to a higher retention of mushroom quality. Therefore, according to these findings, button mushrooms can be preserved in cold storage by using such edible coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal applications of Plumbagozeylanica and its metabolites on various diseases and low viability and inconsistent germination of its seeds are the reasons behind the loss of its genetic diversity. Hence, an efficient protocol for the short-term storage of P.zeylanica synthetic seeds, which is an overexploited medicinally valuable plant, was developed. Initially, in vitro culture was performed from nodal explants to develop synthetic seeds from its proliferated shoots. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium augmented with 0.5 mg L−1 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) resulted in the best morphogenetic response. Thereafter, the developed synseeds were stored for 2 wk at a temperature of 10 or 25°C in different conditions and further evaluated for regeneration. Higher re-growth rate (80%) and the identical morphogenetic response were recorded for the P.zeylanica synthetic seeds, which were stored at a temperature of 10°C in dark condition after its storage period. As per the available literature, this is the first report pertaining to in vitro low-temperature storage of synthetic seeds of P.zeylanica and can further be utilized for the conservation of elite clones for the study of medicinally potent species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In pursuit of advancing the efficiency of cold energy storage, a uniquely designed curved container has been employed, filled with a water-nanoparticle mixtureQ. The container is equipped with fins, strategically leveraging the enhanced conduction facilitated by the presence of nanoparticles. The simulation of the intricate unsteady phenomena in this study has been conducted using the finite element technique, providing a robust analytical framework. The incorporation of an adaptive grid ensures a refined resolution, particularly in the vicinity of the ice front region. The nanoparticle fraction (ϕ) emerges as a pivotal factor directly influencing the rate of solidifying. The dispersion of nano-powders leads to a noteworthy reduction in completion time, demonstrating a substantial 33.21% improvement. The diameter of the nano-powders (dp) introduces diverse effects on the solidification process, primarily due to its significant influence on the conductivity of the nanomaterial. An in-depth exploration of the impact of dp reveals compelling insights. As the dp increases from its smallest size to 40 nm, there is a commendable 15.12% reduction in the required freezing time. However, a subsequent increment in dp beyond this threshold results in a notable 36.56% increase in the freezing time. The findings presented here not only contribute to the fundamental understanding of freezing processes but also hold practical implications for the design and optimization of cold storage systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study models the discharge in a rectangular tank which is full of water as PCM. To accelerate the discharge, nanoparticles have been introduced into the water PCM. The overall efficiency of the unit is significantly prejudiced by the fraction and diameter of nanopowders. To ensure accurate modeling, the extended code of FEM was validated. In this exploration, we delve into the impact of ϕ (concentration of additives) and dp (diameter), providing insights into the completion time for each scenario. However, an increase in particle size from 40 to 50 nm leads to an approximately 41.57% rise in discharging time. When considering dp = 50 nm, the influence of ϕ is marginal, leading to an enrichment in the freezing rate of around 10% with an increase in ϕ. Introducing nanopowders with dp of 40 nm causes decline in freezing time by 16.75%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The possible effects of hot water treatments (HWT) on the main quality parameters and bioactive compounds of two sweet cherry cultivars were examined over two years. Cherries were dipped in hot water (48 °C, 2 min), stored 3 weeks at 1 °C (CS) and for 2 additional days at 20 °C for simulated shelf-life (SL). Except for a slight decrease in firmness generally observed in treated samples (5–6%), no difference was observed between HWT and control fruits, neither for the main quality parameters nor the bioactive compounds during CS and/or SL. On average, the percentage of rotten fruit was more than 50% lower in HWT samples compared to the controls. These results show that the HWT conditions examined in this study effectively reduce the incidence of sweet cherry decay without impairing, after CS and/or SL, most of the main quality parameters or the content of the main bioactive nutrients. Because HWT are residue-free, easy to apply and effective in reducing post-harvest losses while preserving the organoleptic and nutritional quality of cherries, HWT are a good strategy for both cherry professionals and consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Omega-rich oils have been tested to substitute beef solid fats for extending shelf life and nutritional considerations. This method of substitution could alter the sensory quality of final product. Therefore, using omega-rich oils to make coating films may be a new trend to increase the shelf life of meat product without altering meat sensory qualities. Purslane seed oil (PSO) as omega-rich oil was mixed with soy protein isolate (SPI) at different concentrations of 0, 1, 2, and 3% to fabricate SPI edible-based film (PSO1, PSO2, and PSO3, respectively). Inclusion of PSO into SPI based film resulted in improvements in functional, mechanical, thermostability, antioxidant, and color qualities. Moreover, PSO enhanced the stability of lipid against oxidation and inhibited the growth of S. aurues and B. cereus during cold storage of beef burger patties. Conclusively, SPI based film with PSO 3% demonstrated promising functional, mechanical, and antibacterial qualities, suggesting biocomposite food packaging possibilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold storage is a widely employed technique for prolonging the post-harvest shelf life of 'Nanguo' pear. Nonetheless, this method has been observed to diminish the fruit's aromatic properties. Given the significance of aroma in determining the volatile quality, this research endeavors to examine the impact of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) in preserving aroma content, while also delving into the underlying molecular mechanisms that contribute to its efficacy. Upon observing the metabolic changes, it was found that the pear, sprayed MeJA, could keep higher the content of aroma, ascorbic acid, polyphenol, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid than the control, but stearic acid and H2O2 were decreased. The enzyme activities of lipoxygenase (LOX), alcohol acyl transferase (AAT), and catalase (CAT) were enhanced by MeJA treatment, but the polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was inhibited. Moreover, the gene expression levels of LOX, AAT, CAT, stearoyl-ACP desaturase (SAD), and fatty acid desaturase 2 (FAD2) were promoted by MeJA. It is reasonable that sprayed MeJA was a reliable method for inhibiting aroma loss and triggered unsaturated fatty acid and reactive oxygen metabolisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing trend towards enhancing the post-harvest shelf life and maintaining the nutritional quality of horticultural products using eco-friendly methods. Raspberries are valued for their diverse array of phenolic compounds, which are key contributors to their health-promoting properties. However, raspberries are prone to a relatively short post-harvest lifespan. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of exogenous melatonin (MEL; 0, 0.001, 0.01, and 0.1 mM) on decay control and shelf-life extension. The results demonstrated that MEL treatment significantly reduced the fruit decay rate (P ≤ 0.01). Based on the findings, MEL treatment significantly increased titratable acidity (TA), total phenolics content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total anthocyanin content (TAC). Furthermore, the MEL-treated samples showed increased levels of rutin and quercetin content, as well as antioxidant activity as measured by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reduction activity potential (FRAP). Additionally, the samples exhibited higher levels of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and catalase (CAT) enzymes compared to the control samples. Moreover, the levels of pH, total soluble solids (TSS), and IC50 were decreased in the MEL-treated samples (P ≤ 0.01). The highest amount of TA (0.619 g/100 ml juice), rutin (16.722 µg/ml juice) and quercetin (1.467 µg/ml juice), and PAL activity (225.696 nm/g FW/min) was observed at 0.001 mM treatment, while, the highest amount of TAC (227.235 mg Cy-g/100 ml juice) at a concentration of 0.01 mM and CAT (0.696 u/g FW) and TAL activities (9.553 nm/100 g FW) at a concentration of 0.1 mM were obtained. Considering the lack of significant differences in the effects of melatonin concentrations and the low dose of 0.001 mM, this concentration is recommended for further research. The hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) divided the treatments into three groups based on their characteristics. Based on the Pearson correlation between TPC, TFC, TAC, and TAA, a positive correlation was observed with antioxidant (DPPH and FRAP) and enzyme (PAL and CAT) activities. The results of this study have identified melatonin as an eco-friendly compound that enhances the shelf life of raspberry fruits by improving phenolic compounds, as well as antioxidant and enzyme activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study focuses on enhancing cold storage efficiency by introducing alumina nano-powders into water within a uniquely designed container. The governing model prioritizes the conduction mode as the primary driving force for the freezing process. To simulate this complex phenomenon, we employ a combination of the adaptive mesh and Galerkin method, utilizing a homogeneous mixture to mimic nanomaterial behavior. The diverse shapes of the dispersed powders are shown to influence system behavior, as detailed in the presented outputs. The investigation specifically considers two crucial variables: concentration (ϕ) and shape factor (m). Additionally, the adaptive grid adjusts according to the ice front's position. The results demonstrate a significant reduction in freezing time by approximately 45.94% with an increase in ϕ. Furthermore, selecting particles with a higher "m" value leads to a 9.68% decrease in the required time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study adopts an innovative approach to boost the efficiency of cold storage. It involves the introduction of CuO nano-powders into water within a uniquely designed rectangular container that features an H-shaped fin. In simulating the freezing process, we utilized the Galerkin technique. The model, intricately designed with conduction as its central driving force, incorporates a homogeneous mixture to mimic the behavior of nanomaterial. A noteworthy aspect of the study involved an in-depth exploration of the impact of powder shapes, providing comprehensive outputs to clarify this influence. The study meticulously considered two crucial variables, namely concentration (ϕ) and shape factor (m). Adding an extra layer of sophistication to the methodology, the shape of the grid was dynamically adjusted in response to the ice front's position. The accuracy of our approach was confirmed through validation against established benchmarks. The findings indicate that the lengthiest freezing process, spanning 6.4 s, was observed when using only water. Interestingly, with an augment in concentration (ϕ), the completion time exhibited a decrease of approximately 27.69%. Additionally, opting for particles with higher "m" values led to a noteworthy 10% decline in the required time, particularly when ϕ = 0.04. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Red blush is one of the key quality markers of blood orange fruit (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck). Therefore, the influence of pre- (1, 2, and 3 mM) and postharvest (0.5, 1, and 1.5 mM) methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and salicylic acid (SA) (1, 2, and 3 mM) treatments on redness, colouring pigments, and health-promoting compounds in cold stored 'Tarocco Ippolito' blood oranges was investigated. Preharvest application of 3 mM MeJA significantly increased rind citrus colour index (CCI) by 43.3% and colorimetric coordinate a* (redness) by 3.1% and decreased h° (hue angle, 0 = red), L* (lightness), and b* (yellowness) by 13.7%, 12.6%, and 23.4%, respectively. This treatment also enhanced CCI (57.4%), reduced h° (16.5%) and L* (36.4%), and increased total anthocyanins (88%), monomeric anthocyanins (117%), and flavonoids (77%) in the juice. Postharvest dip of 1.5 mM MeJA (5 min) improved CCI of juice (53.6%) and a* (5.5%), reduced h° (15.9%), L* (19.8%), and b* (19.4%), and increased total anthocyanins (66.7%), monomeric anthocyanins (74%), and flavonoids (23.4%) in the juice. Preharvest application of 1 mM SA increased rind CCI (50.8%) and reduced L* (13.6%), b* (16.4%), and h° (29.5%). All preharvest SA treatments significantly increased total phenolics in the juice. Lycopene was increased (61.7%) by 5 min postharvest dip of 3 mM SA. In conclusion, 3 mM preharvest spray application of MeJA four weeks before harvest and postharvest dip of 1.5 mM MeJA (5 min) are effective in improving red colour of rind and juice and health-promoting compounds in blood orange juice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phase change materials enhance the thermal comfort of buildings by utilizing stored thermal energy. In large air-conditioning systems, ice storage plays a crucial role in managing peak power loads. This experimental study explores the freezing characteristics of deionized water containing suspended iron oxide nanoparticles in spherical containers for cold storage. The synthesized nanofluid phase change material (NFPCM) was investigated for its freezing behavior under surrounding fluid temperatures of − 2 °C and − 6 °C. The uniformity in charging of NFPCM is the unique feature prevalent in the first quarter of the charging, with 50% mass frozen observed. An increased surface heat flux of 200% was achieved using NFPCM at Tsurr = -6 °C. The chiller operational time is optimally reduced by 75% by considering twice the container design's phase change materials. Adding iron oxide nanoparticles and partial charging is suitable for uniform heat transfer for the shorter freezing duration in cooling applications. The novelty of the present study is that the proposed NFPCM nearly nullifies the subcooling effects of deionized water without using nucleating agents. This NFPCM appreciably enhances power competence, yielding large-scale air-conditioning systems' desired economic impact and sustainability. The reported results align with Sustainable Development Goals (7—Affordable and Clean Energy and 13—Climate Action). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the effect of antibiotic gentamicin at concentrations of 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, and 1 mg/ml on the maintenance of sperm motility of the common toad Bufo bufo during cold storage of spermic urine samples at 4°C. Parameters of sperm motility during storage of samples with gentamicin at concentrations of 0.05-0.4 mg/ml did not differ significantly, but were higher (p<0.0001) than in the control (storage without antibiotic). Gentamicin at a concentration of 1 mg/ml had a negative effect on sperm motility. After 2 weeks of storage of toad spermic urine samples with gentamicin, the largest number of sperm was preserved when using antibiotic at a concentration of 0.4 mg/ml. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preservation of fruit quality and the extension of shelf life are commonly achieved through the utilization of cold storage. However, the challenge arises from the susceptibility of lemon fruit to chilling due to its tropical and subtropical origin. In this study, a predictive model was developed using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to explore the impact of melatonin at various concentrations (50, 100, 500 µM) and dipping times (5, 10, 15 min) as independent variables, along with storage days (25, 50, 75 days), on postharvest attributes of Lisbon lemon during cold storage (maintained at 3 ± 0.5 °C with an additional 5 days at 20 °C). The RSM model demonstrates high accuracy, as indicated by satisfactory R2 and R A d j. 2 values, signifying significant fitness (p > 0.05). Nevertheless, it is crucial to note the study's limitations, such as the lack of thorough consideration of variations in environmental conditions. The robust predictive capabilities of the RSM model parameters validate its efficacy. The results emphasize the substantial impact of melatonin on lemon fruit quality parameters, enhancing overall visual quality, phenol content, and antioxidant capacity, while concurrently mitigating water loss, electrolyte leakage, and malondialdehyde production. Using the utility function method, the optimal preservation condition for lemon fruit is determined to be a 436 μM melatonin treatment combined with a 15-min dipping time. These findings underscore the potential of melatonin in preserving the postharvest quality of lemon fruit, providing a promising approach for extending shelf life and enhancing the nutritional value of this essential citrus crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, it was aimed to determine the effects of preharvest oxalic acid (OA) treatments on the biochemical content and quality of minimally processed leeks during storage. For this purpose, leeks were treated with solutions containing 0 (control), 1, 2 and 3 mM OA and 0.1% Tween-20 with a pump 6, 4 and 2 weeks before harvest. The packaged leeks were stored at 0 °C and 90 ± 5% relative humidity (RH) for 50 days. After the cold storage, the leeks were kept at 20 °C and 60 ± 5% RH for 3 days to determine the shelf-life. The effects of OA treatments on the weight loss, external appearance and bioactive compounds were remarkable. At the end of storage, the losses of ascorbic acid (AsA) content were determined as 55.53% in the control group and 22.89% in the 3 mM OA treatment. Similarly, the decrease in total phenolic (TP) content and antioxidant activity (AOA) in the control group was 37.34% and 45.70%, respectively, while these values were determined as 26.94% and 32.65% in the 3 mM OA treatment, respectively. With 3 mM OA treatment, the high dose in this study, the AsA, TP, and AOA contents of leeks were better preserved. The change in the external appearance scores at the end of cold storage was determined as 46.33% in the control group whereas it was determined between 31.44% (2 mM OA) and 42.55% (1 mM OA) in OA treatments. As a result, OA-treated and minimally processed leeks were successfully stored for 50 days at 0 °C and 90 ± 5% RH. Moreover, the efficacy of OA increased in a dose-dependent manner in the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organ transplantation is a life-saving procedure affecting over 100,000 people on the transplant waitlist. Ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) is a major challenge in the field as it can cause post-transplantation complications and limit the use of organs from extended criteria donors. Machine perfusion technology has the potential to mitigate IRI; however, it currently fails to achieve its full potential due to a lack of highly sensitive and specific assays to assess organ quality during perfusion. We developed a real-time and non-invasive method of assessing organs during perfusion based on mitochondrial function and injury using resonance Raman spectroscopy. It uses a 441 nm laser and a high-resolution spectrometer to quantify the oxidation state of mitochondrial cytochromes during perfusion. This index of mitochondrial oxidation, or 3RMR, was used to understand differences in mitochondrial recovery of cold ischemic rodent livers during machine perfusion at normothermic temperatures with an acellular versus cellular perfusate. Measurement of the mitochondrial oxidation revealed that there was no difference in 3RMR of fresh livers as a function of normothermic perfusion when comparing acellular versus cellular-based perfusates. However, following 24 h of static cold storage, 3RMR returned to baseline faster with a cellular-based perfusate, yet 3RMR progressively increased during perfusion, indicating injury may develop over time. Thus, this study emphasizes the need for further refinement of a reoxygenation strategy during normothermic machine perfusion that considers cold ischemia durations, gradual recovery/rewarming, and risk of hemolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]