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A rising resort to herbal therapies in Crohn's disease (CD) alternative treatments has been recently observed due to their remarkable natural efficiency. In this context, the weed plant Ambrosia maritima L., traditionally known as Hachich el Aouinet in Algeria and as Damsissa in Egypt and Sudan, is widely used in North African folk medicine to treat infections, inflammatory diseases, gastrointestinal and urinary tract disturbances, rheumatic pain, respiratory problems, diabetes, hypertension and cancer.To assess an Ambrosia maritima L. phenolic extract for its phenolic profile composition, its potential antioxidant activity in vitro, and its cytoprotective effect on cultured primary human endothelial cells (ECs) stressed with HPhenolic compound extraction was performed with a low-temperature method. Extract chemical profile was attained by HPLC-DAD/ESI-MS. The extract in vitro antioxidant activity was assessed using several methods including cupric ion reducing power, DPPH radical scavenging assay, O-Phenanthroline free radical reducing activity, ABTS cation radical decolourisation assay, Galvinoxyl free radicals scavenging assay. Intracellular reactive oxygen species levels were evaluated in human endothelial cells by HThe phenolic compounds extraction showed a yield of 17.66% with three di-caffeoylquinic acid isomers detected for the first time in Ambrosia maritima L. Using different analytical methods, a significant in vitro antioxidant activity was reported for the Ambrosia maritima L. extract, with an ICOur data indicated Ambrosia maritima L. as a source of bioactive phenolics potentially employable as a natural alternative for CD treatment.

In order to shed light on contamination risks along the ready-to-eat chain of fresh commodities by emerging foodborne pathogens, we investigated the biofilm development in vitro of two Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains on fresh-cut lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. Iceberg). The experiment was performed employing a floating bioreactor system where modified atmosphere package conditions were mimicked, and fresh-cut lettuce disks of 2 cm2 were put into contact with a 106 CFU/mL of a phenotypic mucoid P. aeruginosa phenotype (muc+) or a non-mucoid one (muc-). Following a simulated 2-day refrigerated-shelf quantitative Real-Time PCR, designed on a target gene region of the 16S rRNA gene, defined the different muc phenotypes behavior on biofilm in lettuce phyllo-plane. Between the two strains, a development difference of nearly 1.0 log CFU/cm2 occurred, with the muc+ phenotype being the most settled and adherent. This result clearly showed a distinct contamination risk according to P. aeruginosa phenotype and the need to develop real-time, specific, fast, and easy to use detection protocols along with specific sanitation systems for modified atmosphere package ready-to-eat commodities.

This work provides companies in the fresh-cut produce sector with an Ascorbate Bluetooth© Analyzer (ABA), a screen-printed sensor-based device for ascorbic acid (AA) detection, for quality control all along the supply chain. The amperometric detection of AA on fresh and fresh-cut parsley, under correct and incorrect storage temperature, allowed us to investigate the kinetics of AA decay in response to oxidative stress. The role of ascorbate oxidase (AOx) and ascorbate peroxidase (APx) was studied. ABA was used in situ by unskilled personnel. Treatments influenced AA decay kinetics, which were linear in fresh parsley, and non-linear in fresh-cut. Two hours at 28 °C immediately after chopping, the resilience of the fresh-cut parsley was reduced, even though the cold chain was restored. Two hours at −2 °C caused a rapid loss of AA until its complete decay after 72 h. Significant differences between treatments were observed in both the expression and activity of AOx and APx. ABA registered sudden changes of parsley AA following unpredicted variations of temperature during processing or transport. It was useful to remedy the effects of unexpected flaws in the cold chain, which can be proposed for quality preservation of different fresh-cut produce.

The effect of oxalic acid (OA) treatment on visual properties and bioactive compounds of two green and one purple cultivars of fresh asparagus was investigated during twelve storage days at 5 °C. Cold storage and OA treatment positively affected the overall appearance of the investigated cultivars. Cut-end dehydration increased, all along the storage period, in all cultivars but, the negative effect of the storage, clear on control samples, was mitigated by OA. The most represented compounds in Grande and Vegalim cultivars were: quercetin rutinoside, feruloyl quinic acid and cumaroyl quinic acid. Cyanidin glucosyl rutinoside, cyaniding rutinoside and peonidin rutinoside were identified in Purple Passion cultivar. The bioactive compounds seemed to be affected by storage but not by OA treatment. The sensor-biosensor system indicated that the antioxidant activity is negatively affected by storage but not by OA. The decrease of antioxidant activity coincided with the reduction of ascorbic acid levels in all the cultivars.

Background: Given the increasing request for natural pharmacological molecules, this study assessed the antimicrobial capacity of Pistacia lentiscus L. essential oil (PLL-EO) obtained from the leaves of wild plants growing in North Sardinia (Italy), toward a wide range of periodontal bacteria and Candida including laboratory and clinical isolates sp., together with its anti-inflammatory activity and safety; Methods: PLL-EO was screened by gas chromatography / mass spectrometry. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined. The anti-inflammatory activity was measured by cyclooxygenase (COX 1/2) and lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibition while the antioxidant capacity was determined electro-chemically and by the MTT assay. The WST-1 assay was used to ascertain cytotoxicity toward four line of oral cells; Results: According to the concentrations of terpens, PLL-EO is a pharmacologically active phytocomplex. MICs against periodontal bacteria ranged between 3.13 and 12.5 µg/ml, while against Candida sp. were between 6.25 and 12.5 µg/ml. Oxidation by COX 1/2 and LOX was inhibited by 80% and 20% µg/mL of the oil respectively. Antioxidant activity seemed negligible, and no cytotoxicity arose; Conclusions: PLL-EO exhibits a broad-spectrum activity against periodontal bacteria and Candida, with an interesting dual inhibitory capacity toward COX2 and LOX inflammatory enzymes and without side effects against oral cells.

Globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus Fiori) is an economically important crop in the Mediterranean basin and particularly in Italy, which is a leading producer. In this research, we studied the effect of extended photoperiod (15 and 17 h) on polyphenolic, flavonoids, lignin concentrations, and antioxidant activity in edible and inedible organs of artichoke. The influence of day length on morphological traits and biomass accumulation was also assessed. The total phenolic content of whole plants grown under natural day length conditions exceeds that of photoperiod extended for 15 and 17 h by 31% and 32.4%, respectively. The decrease of total phenols was high in inner bracts at photoperiods of 15 and 17 h, whereas the differences among treatments in receptacle were negligible. Antioxidant activity and total flavonoids followed the same trend observed for total phenols. The amount of lignin was dependent on the tissue. In the control, the content of lignin ranged from 0.4 to 2.8 g/100 g of dry weight in receptacle and leaves of rosette, whereas in the 15-h treatment, it ranged from 0.3 to 5.1 g/100 g DW in floral steam and leaves of peduncle, respectively. Fifteen-hour day length significantly reduced the lignin content in receptacle and floral stem. Head morphology was little influenced by photoperiod, whereas significant differences were obtained in floral stem diameter, showing larger values in natural conditions compared to photoperiodic treatments. C and N were also affected by photoperiod.

Globe artichoke is an important crop native to the Mediterranean Basin. Spinoso Sardo (Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus Fiori) is a widespread Sardinian cultivar that strongly contributes to the agricultural economy of Italy. In this research, Spinoso Sardo was cultivated under natural (control) or extended (15 and 17 h) photoperiods. The effect of day length on few morphological traits, harvest time, elemental composition was evaluated. Head morphology was little influenced by photoperiod, whereas significant differences were observed in peduncle diameter, showing larger values in natural conditions compared to the other day lengths. The harvest time, expressed as days after emergence, display difference among treatments with highest value for natural condition (193 days) and the lowest value for the 17-h day length. The difference in elementary compositions based on C, N and C/N was evaluated in capitula, stem and leaves (leaves of rosette and peduncle). C content did not show any differences among treatments and among organs, while N and C/N were significantly affected by the day lengths. The maximum N % was found in leaves under 15 h photoperiod (3.6%), while the lowest score was detected in floral stem under control conditions (1.5%). The highest C/N was found in capitula under control conditions (72.5), while the lowest value was found in leaves under 15-h photoperiod (10.8). Total protein content based on the N% is significantly affected by the plant organ (P

Globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. var. scolymus Fiori) is a rich source of phenolic compounds with health promoting properties. In plants, the concentration of polyphenolic compounds depends on environmental factors like temperature, photoperiod or availability of nutrients. In this work we studied, on artichoke heads, the effect three photoperiodic conditions (length of the light periods: natural day length (control); 15 and 17 h) on the concentration of total phenol, flavonoids, lignin and on the antioxidant activity. On artichoke heads, the rise of the day length caused a significant decrease of total phenols concentration. On control plants, the total phenolic content exceeded by about 25 and 37% that of photoperiod extended to 17 and 15 h, respectively. On the contrary, the concentration of flavonoids, that ranged from 16.45 (control) to 13.39 (Ph15) mg CE g-1 d.w., was not influenced by the photoperiodic conditions. The heads of Spinoso sardo artichoke exhibited high radical scavenging activity. The DPPH test showed no differences between plants exposed to Ph15 and Ph17. The concentration of lignin in head tissues ranged from 0.43 (Ph15) to 0.63 (Ph17) g 100 g-1 d.w. The exposition of Ph17 caused a significant increase of lignin concentration as compared to control. This study suggests the modulation of the photoperiodic conditions as a tool to produce artichoke heads suitable for minimal food processing.

The physiological and chemical traits of three red (MS151, Copacabana and Excellent) and three green (Ortis 398, Summerbell and Babybell) baby leaf lettuce cultivars were evaluated during postharvest cold storage. In addition, their potential use as a source of antioxidants, after the expiration date, was also investigated. Red cultivars showed the best performance in terms of nutritional and physiological parameters. In particular, the antioxidant activity was 11-fold higher in red than in green baby leaf lettuces. Moreover, Ortis 398, MS151 and Copacabana, showing the lowest values for respiration rate, ammonium accumulation and electrolyte leakage, were selected as suitable for ready-to-eat processing and preservation. Finally, the cultivars Ortis 398, MS151 and Excellent were found to be of interest for the extraction of antioxidants due to their high phenol content. Practical Applications The selection of the most appropriate cultivars for ready-to-eat (RTE) salads is of primary importance in order to have good quality, to reduce storage losses and to have, after the expiration date, a produce still exploitable for the extraction of phytochemicals. Ortis 398, MS151 and Copacabana were selected, among the studied new baby leaves cultivars, for their particular aptitude for RTE processing. In addition, because RTE lettuce remains often unsold due to the loss of its fresh appearance, our results suggest the possibility to re-utilize the waste (after the expiration date) as a source of antioxidants. This could represent a practical application opportunity for the food industry. With this aim, the cultivars Ortis 398, MS151 and Excellent were selected for their high content in total polyphenols even after the expiration date.

The efficacy of potassium sorbate (K-sorb) as an antifungal, alone or combined with thiabendazole (TBZ), and hot water at 53 °C, was studied against blue mold on apples. Results demonstrated the fungistatic effect of K-sorb: 2000 mg L −1 significantly reduced Penicillium expansum growth, and a 24 h delay in fungi development was observed in the amended liquid culture. K-sorb at 1% significantly diminished decay incidence, especially when applied at 53 °C. The performance of TBZ was not improved by the co-application of K-sorb. Treatments efficacy was related to K-sorb distribution on fruit surface. ESEM and X-ray qualitative spectra analyses revealed an irregular distribution of K-sorb over the fruit surface and areas with salt accumulation. K-sorb residues remained quite unchanged until 3 d of storage then they declined progressively. Their degradation was influenced by water temperature: it was faster on fruit treated at 53 °C. An inverse relation between P. expansum growth and K-sorb concentration was observed. After 72 h of incubation, P. expansum depleted 99% of K-sorb from liquid culture media. The low efficacy of K-sorb treatments against blue mold decay on apple fruit may be ascribed to the low persistence of K-sorb residues, to the irregular spatial distribution of the salt on the fruit surface, and the ability of P. expansum to degrade the salt.

Four fullerenes- or nanotubes-modified graphite sensor–biosensor systems (SBs), coupled with a dual-channel telemetric device, based on an ascorbate oxidase (AOx) biosensor, were developed for on line simultaneous amperometric detection of ascorbic acid (AA) and antioxidant capacity in blueberry, kiwi and orange juice. Fullerene C60 (FC60), fullerene C70 (FC70), single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCN) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCN) increased the sensitivity of graphite toward AA and phenols 1.2, 1.5, 5.1 and 5.1 times respectively. Fullerenes combined with AOx improved the selectivity toward AA more than nanotubes, being able to hold a higher number of AOx molecules on the biosensor surface. The SBs work at an applied potential of +500 mV, in a concentration range between the LOD and 20 μM, with a response time of two minutes. The LOD is 0.10, 0.13, 0.20 and 0.22 μM for SBs modified with FC60, FC70, SWCN and MWCN respectively. Biosensors register lower AA currents than the sensors due to the enzyme capability to oxidize AA before it reaches the transductor surface. Phenols currents registered by sensors and biosensors did not differ. Based on the difference between sensor and biosensor recorded currents a AA selectivity index was developed as an indicator of specificity toward AA and of the capacity to distinguish between AA and phenols contribution to the antioxidant capacity. This value is almost zero for fullerene-modified SBs, 0.13 and 0.22 for SWCN- and MWCN-modified SBs respectively. The results of juices analysis performed with SBs were in accordance with reference methods.

Asparagus is a herbaceous perennial plant, marketed worldwide as fresh or fresh cut, very appreciate by consumers for its structural and sensory characteristic and for its nutritional properties. [1] The asparagus was a climacteric species, fresh spears deteriorate rapidly after harvest, and the high respiration rate is the main limiting factor. The refrigeration, is able to retard visual and nutritional quality loss by slowing many of the deteriorative processes.[2] In this study the effect of oxalic acid (OA) treatment on visual and nutraceutical properties of two green and one purple cultivars of fresh asparagus, during 12 storage days at 5 °C, was investigated. The aim of this work was to study the effects of postharvest treatments with OA, on the shoots of asparagus, during cold storage. Variation of the outward appearance, sensory characteristics, respiration rate and, particularly, the changes of antioxidant properties and phenol composition during cold storage, were investigated by electrochemical and mass-spectrometry analysis approach

The antioxidant activity of lemon and pomegranate juice, infusion of Java green tea, rosemary oil and pure chemicals was studied by the DPPH method. The chemical composition of the samples was determined by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS). The kinetics of the reaction is different among extracts. The reaction of DPPH with lemon juice is complete in 3 min; 87 and 98 min are necessary for green tea infusion and pomegranate juice, respectively; 283 min are needed for rosemary essential oil. In samples with an intermediate and slow kinetic behavior, the antioxidant activity measured after 2 h of reaction is significantly higher than that measured after 30 min. These differences are 18% for Java green tea infusion, 21% for rosemary essential oil, 23% for pomegranate juice. The results demonstrate that the percentage of remaining DPPH decreases with increasing initial DPPH concentrations (between 25 and 200 μM), while keeping constant antioxidant/DPPH ratio. Moreover the time necessary to reach the steady state is dependent, while keeping the same antioxidant/DPPH ratio, on the initial DPPH concentration, showing that longer time intervals are required when using lower DPPH concentrations (25 μM). These results confirm the necessity of standardizing the method to be able to compare results from different laboratories.

A new carbon ascorbate oxidase-based sensor-biosensor system (SB) was coupled to a dual-channel telemetric device for online simultaneous electrochemical detection of ascorbic acid (AA) and antioxidant capacity in Hamlin, Sanguinello, and Moro orange varieties. The electrocatalytic performances of the SB were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and amperometric techniques. The phenol composition of orange juice of each variety, and the cyclic voltammetries of the most represented phenols, were provided. The in vitro calibrations were performed in PBS (pH 5.6), applying a constant potential of +500 mV. A standard mixture of phenols, based on orange juice composition, was used as reference material for studying SB behavior. SB works at an applied potential of +500 mV, in a concentration range comprised between the LOD 0.26 ?M and 20 ?M. In this concentration range, limiting the data acquisition time to 2 min, the problems of electrode passivation due to phenols polymerization were overcome. AA calibration showed that the biosensor registered statistically lower currents than the sensor since the enzyme oxidized AA before it reached the electrode surface. Standard mixture calibration showed that currents registered by sensor and biosensor did not statistically differ. The difference between sensor and biosensor AA registered currents was used to calculate an AA selectivity index and, consequently, to determine the AA content and the antioxidant capacity in the juices. The novelty of the SB is its ability to distinguish between AA and phenols contribution to antioxidant capacity. The obtained results were in accordance with reference methods. © 2014 American Chemical Society.

Postharvest treatments of potassium sorbate only controlled recently established infections of Penicillium digitatum on Femminello siracusano lemons but did not confer any persistent protection. The loss of efficacy of potassium sorbate to control green mould decay was related to its irregular deposition on the fruit surface, as revealed by environmental scanning electron microscopy of oranges, and to the brief persistence of potassium sorbate residues. When treatment was done at 53°C, the co-application of potassium sorbate with thiabendazole reduced thiabendazole residues in Moro and Sanguinello oranges, compared to thiabendazole treatment alone. However, treatment efficacy against two isolates of P. digitatum (thiabendazole-sensitive and thiabendazole-resistant) notably improved, indicating that potassium sorbate and hot water potentiated thiabendazole activity. Potassium sorbate residues remarkably decreased during fruit storage and were not affected by the co-application of thiabendazole.

he Fenton reaction is used to produce hydroxyl radicals for the evaluation of the antioxidant activity of plant extracts. In this paper the parameters affecting the production of hydroxyl radicals and their spin trapping with DMPO were studied. The use of quinolinic acid (Quin) as an Fe(II) ligand was proposed for antioxidant activity determination of Green tea, orange juice and asparagus extracts. Quin, buffers and pH affect the DMPO-OH signal intensity of the EPR spectra. Quin/Fe(II) and low pH enhance the (OH)-O-center dot generation. Phosphate and Tris-HCl buffers decrease the signal intensity measured in Fe(II)-sulfate and Fe(II)Quin systems. The extracts were analyzed with Fenton systems containing Fe(II)-sulfate and Fe(II)-Quin with and without buffer. The highest activity was shown with Fe(II)-Quin without buffer, this system being less influenced by pH and chelating agents present in the extracts. This paper will help researchers to better design spin trapping experiments for food matrices. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The present paper deals with a novel telemetric device combined with a carbon amperometric sensor system to determine postharvest changes of ascorbic acid (AA) in fresh-cut fruits, without displacing products out of the storage rooms. The investigation was performed on kiwi, pineapple and melon, subjected to minimal processing, packaging, cold storage, and simulated shelf life. Results demonstrated that AA content of fresh-cut fruits of all species declines differently during storage. Cold storage notably reduced the degradation rate of AA in comparison with samples stored at 20°C. The cold-chain interruption resulted in a sharp AA content reduction when the optimal storage condition was not rapidly replaced. Unpredicted results showed a high activity of oxidative enzymes, which prevented AA detection in melon samples. Our sensor system allowed us to demonstrate that both ascorbate peroxidase and ascorbate oxidase affected the oxidative stability and the nutritional quality of fresh cut melon fruits.

The potential of 'Primosole' ('Miho' ×'Carvalhais') mandarins as minimally processed products prepared either by mechanical peeling and slicing or by manual peeling and separation of fruit segments was studied. Slices or segments were placed in rigid polypropylen trays, sealed with a polyolefinic film and stored for 3, 7 or 9 d at 5°C. Several physical-chemical parameters (texture, flavonoids, antioxidant activity, pH, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, ascorbic acid, total phenols, sugar content) as well taste characteristics and in-package atmosphere composition were monitored over the storage period. 'Primosole' mandarins showed an interesting potential as minimally processed fruit regardless preparation method. However, some juice components, such as ascorbic acid, sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose), as well as antioxidant activity decreased at a higher rate in mechanically peeled fruit. In contrast, total polyphenols and narirutin increased more in mechanically peeled fruit. The taste analysis revealed a better maintenance of the sensory quality in fruit manually peeled than in those mechanically processed, with the former having at least three more days (9 d) of shelf-life than the latter (7 d).

'Bellezza' is a hybrid of 'Okitsu' satsuma x 'Carvalhais' mandarin released in 1996 by the University of Catania (Italy). Fruit are large with a mass normally higher than 150 g, are oblate in shape, seedless in absence of cross-pollination and ripen in December. The overall aspects of 'Bellezza' mandarins are very attractive with deep orange peel colour and aromatic juicy flesh. Objective of this trial was: a) to compare the physico-chemical and nutritional characteristics of 'Bellezza' mandarins with the fruit of the parents; and b) to study their storability under retailing conditions for two weeks. Juice pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, ascorbic acid, total phenols, sucrose glucose, fructose, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity were periodically monitored. The results indicate that 'Bellezza' mandarins ripen later than the parents and hold well on tree until the end of December. Titratable acidity was slightly higher than in parents as were sugars and ascorbic acid content. 'Bellezza' mandarins also had higher contents of total phenols, and narirutin and dydimin flavonids. In addition the fruit maintained well both visual and qualitative attributes over simulated retail. The positive characteristics of 'Bellezza' fruit (pleasant taste, attractiveness, high content of nutritional compounds) superior to the parents, make this new hybrid worth of introduction in commercial orchards.

The postinfection activity of azoxystrobin (AZX), fludioxonil (FLU), and pyrimethanil (PYR), applied alone or in combination with imazalil (IMZ), in controlling postharvest green mold in 'Salustiana' oranges inoculated with Penicillium digitatum was studied. Fruits were immersed for 30 or 60 s in (i) water or water mixtures at 20 degrees C containing AZX, FLU, or PYR at 600 mg/L; and (ii) IMZ at 600 mg/L, alone or in combination with AZX, FLU, or PYR at 600 mg/L. Similar treatments were performed at 50 degrees C using the active ingredients at half rates with respect to the treatments at 20 degrees C. Fungicide residues in fruits were analyzed following treatments and after 14 days of simulated shelf life at 17 degrees C. AZX or FLU mixtures at 20 degrees C for 30-60 s similarly but moderately reduced green mold decay with respect to control fruit; differences due to dip time were not significant. Superior control of decay was achieved by PYR and, especially, IMZ, applied alone or in combination with AZX, FLU, or PYR. The activity of PYR at 20 degrees C was significantly dependent on treatment time, whereas that of IMZ and combined treatments at 20 degrees C was not. The effectiveness of FLU or PYR mixtures at 50 degrees C in controlling decay was similar and superior to that of AZX. The action of single- or double-fungicide application was not dependent on dip time in most samples. IMZ or combined mixtures at 50 degrees C were consistently more effective with respect to single-fungicide treatments with AZX, FLU, or PYR. The application of heated fungicide mixtures resulted in significantly higher residue accumulation in most fruit samples compared to treatments performed at 20 degrees C. The degradation rate of fungicides was generally low and dependent on treatment conditions such as time, temperature, and the presence or not of other fungicides.

A series of novel compounds deriving from the conjugation of ferrocene with curcumin-related bioactive molecules as dehydrozingerone, zingerone and their biphenyl dimers was prepared by Claisen–Schmidt condensation of the suitable aromatic aldehydes and acetylferrocene in different conditions according to the starting material. The obtained compounds were fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry and reversible electrochemical behavior was recorded for monomer derivatives. The cell viability of PC12 cells after exposure to the organometallic compounds was also evaluated and a reduced toxicity with respect to the ferrocene was detected. In comparison with biphenyl 4, a compound that manifested antiproliferative and apoptotic activities and was quite toxic on PC12 cells, the exposure to the ferrocenyl analogue 14 resulted in roughly fourfold increase in the cell viability. Ferrocenyl chalcones 14 and 16–18 significantly increased the oxidative stress generated by hydrogen peroxide, a molecule generally accumulated in cancer cells and, recently, studied as prodrug.

A population of approximately 700 cactus pear seedlings of different ages obtained from ripe seeds of open pollinated 'Gialla' (selection GSH), was studied in Sardinia, Italy. A dataset of morphological characters of seedlings and mother plant according to the Cactus Pear Descriptor List was completed. Most seedlings showed high vigor as compared to mother plants. Both populations showed elliptic cladodes. Thirteen individuals bearing fruits with less than 200 seeds/fruit were found among seedlings. Large differences between populations were found in regard to ripening season. Selection allowed identification of seedlings with interesting horticultural traits; early ripening, large fruits, and high percentage of aborted seeds. The selected seedlings will be further evaluated as basic genetic material to develop new varieties specific for the Mediterranean area.

The objective of this paper is to present the results of a long-term research project carried out in north-east Sardinia, which aims to evaluate the effects of three different kinds of forest management (traditional trunk coppicing, branch pruning, and no sylvicultural practice) on the post-fire recovery of a cork oak (Quercus suber L.) stand. The most and the least effective forestry operations appeared to be traditional trunk coppicing and the branch pruning, respectively. Where traditional trunk coppicing is considered strictly necessary, the opportunity of thinning some of the new suckers should be carefully considered, as modern harvesting techniques should be combined with appropriate strategies to protect the soil from erosion.

Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) is an aromatic plant spontaneously growing and increasingly cultivated in Mediterranean area. Recently, interest on myrtle plant is growing due to the pharmacological and antioxidant properties since myrtle leaves are important sources of phenolic and antioxidant compounds with health-promoting effects. Plant genotype is the primary factor affecting antioxidant activity and phenol content. For this reason, a core collection of local selected myrtle accessions from Sicily was evaluated with the aim to identify genotypes with high antioxidant value. Thirty-six myrtle individuals belonging to seven populations were studied for leaf total phenols, tannins and antioxidant activity. Results of quantitative determination of total phenols, tannins and antioxidant activity measured with two protocols (DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity) revealed a high variability of myrtle genotypes for these parameters. Leaves of the accession MTR11 belonging to Scopello population had the highest total phenol content as catechin equivalents (5495 mg CE 100 g-1 dw) and the highest antioxidant activity (DPPH: 53.7 mmols Trolox 100 g-1 dw; ABTS: 61.6 mmols Trolox 100 g-1 dw). On the contrary, the lowest phenols content (1540.7 mg CE 100 g-1 dw) and the lowest antioxidant activity (DPPH: 13.9 mmols Trolox 100 g-1 dw; ABTS: 16.7 mmols Trolox 100 g-1 dw) were determined in the genotype MTR7 belonging to Zingaro population. The concentration of tannins in the leaves of myrtle analyzed ranged from 78.3 mg CE 100 g-1 dw to 356.9 mg CE 100 g-1 dw, in MRT7 of Zingaro and in 2MRT6 of Misilmeri populations respectively.

Ascorbic acid (AA), one of the principal micronutrients in horticultural crops, plays a key role in the human metabolism, and its determination in food products has a great significance. Citrus fruits are rich in AA, but its content is highly susceptible to change during postharvest processing and storage. We present a new ultralow-cost system, constituted of an amperometric microsensor composed of three rod carbon electrodes connected to a telemetric device, for online detection of AA in orange juice, as an alternative to conventional analytical methods. The in vitro calibration, ranged from 0 to 5 mM, and AA juice content was calculated by adding low volumes of sample into an acetate buffer solution at a constant potential of +120 mV vs carbon pseudoreference. This new approach, which is simple, expandable, and inexpensive, seems appropriate for large scale commercial use.

Microorganisms are natural contaminants of fresh produce and minimally processed products, and contamination arises from a number of sources, including the environment, postharvest handling and processing. Fresh-cut products are particularly susceptible to microbial contaminations because of the changes occurring in the tissues during processing. In package gas composition of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) in combination with low storage temperatures besides reducing physiological activity of packaged produce, can also delay pathogen growth. Present study investigated on the effect of MAPs, achieved with different plastic films, on microbial growth of minimally processed cactus pear (Opuntio ficus-indica) fruit. Five different plastic materials were used for packaging the manually peeled fruit. That is: a) polypropylene film (Termoplast MY 40 micron thickness, O2 transmission rate 300 cc/m2/24h); b) polyethylene film (Bolphane BHE, 11 micron thickness, O2 transmission rate 19000 cc/m2/24h); c) polypropylene laser-perforated films (Mach Packaging) with 8, 16 or 32 100-micron holes. Total aerobic psychrophilic, mesophilic microorganisms, Enterobacteriaceae, yeast, mould populations and in-package CO2, O2 and C2H4 were determined at each storage time. Different final gas compositions, ranging from 7.8 KPa to 17.1 KPa O2, and 12.7 KPa to 2.6 KPa CO2, were achieved with MY and micro perforated films, respectively. Differences were detected in the mesophilic, Enterobacteriaceae and yeast loads, while no difference was detected in psychrophilic microorganisms. At the end of storage, microbial load in fruits sealed with MY film was significantly lower than in those sealed with BHE and micro perforated films. Furthermore, fruits packed with micro-perforated films showed the highest microbial load. This occurrence may in part be related to in-package gas composition and in part to a continuous contamination of microorganisms through micro-holes.