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Highlights: [•] Packaged baby spinach subjected to different temperature abuse scenarios was evaluated for product quality. [•] Late shelf life temperature abuse had more detrimental effect on product quality than that occurring early in shelf life. [•] Products maintained at 1–4°C retained quality for at least 18 days. [•] Baby spinach subjected to temperatures of 8°C or above had significantly reduced shelf-life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The effect of preharvest calcium application on postharvest quality and shelf-life of broccoli microgreens was studied. [•] Preharvest spray with calcium chloride increased the microgreen biomass and the calcium content. [•] Calcium-treated microgreens exhibited higher superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities. [•] Calcium treatment improved overall visual quality, and reduced microbial growth during storage. [•] Calcium treatment significantly affected expression of the senescence-associated genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Buckwheat microgreens have short shelf life which limits their commercial use. The effects of storage temperature, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), and wash conditions on quality and shelf life of buckwheat microgreens were assessed. Temperature significantly (P < 0.0001) affected package atmospheres and product quality. At the end of storage, microgreens stored at 1, 5 and 10 °C had smaller microbial populations and less tissue electrolyte leakage than those stored at 15, and 20 °C. Package film oxygen transmission rate (OTR) significantly (P < 0.05) affected package atmospheres. However, differences in quality and shelf life of microgreens packaged in different OTR films were slight and not evident until day 21 of storage. On day 21, buckwheat microgreens packaged in 16.6 pmol/(m2 s Pa) oxygen transmission rate package films were observed to have the freshest appearance with lowest tissue electrolyte leakage. Chlorine (100 mg/L) wash significantly (P < 0.05) reduced microbial populations, initially; however, after 7 days of storage, all washed microgreens experienced accelerated microbial populations. Our findings suggest that buckwheat microgreens should be stored at 5 °C with moderately high O2 (14.0–16.5 kPa) and moderately low CO2 (1.0–1.5 kPa) content to maintain optimal quality and maximal shelf life. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Edible flowers have great sensory appeal, but their extremely short shelf life limits their commercial usage. Postharvest 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment is used to counter ethylene activity and delay senescence in fresh produce; however, its potential application in edible flowers has not been tested. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of 1-MCP treatment with modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on the shelf life of edible flowers. Freshly harvested carnations and snapdragons were packaged in trays with or without 0.5 μL/L of 1-MCP, sealed with a gas permeable film, and stored at 5 °C. Package atmospheres, tissue electrolyte leakage, and flower quality were evaluated on days 0, 7, and 14. Treatment with 1-MCP resulted in significantly slower changes in package headspace O2, CO2, and C2H4 partial pressures, maintained higher overall quality of both flower species and reduced electrolyte leakage and abscission in snapdragon. All samples prepared with MAP had significantly reduced dehydration and higher overall quality compared to flowers packaged commercially in plastic clamshell containers. Treatments with controlled release of 1-MCP and MAP significantly extended storage life of edible carnation and snapdragon flowers. Practical Application: Edible flowers are currently shipped via air cargo due to their extremely short shelf life. The technology developed in our research significantly extended the storage life of edible flowers, making it possible to ship the edible flowers via ground transportation with significant cost savings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The feasibility of UV-C treatment was studied for extending the shelf-life of oyster mushrooms. Oyster mushrooms were treated with 4.0 kJ/m 2 ultraviolet-C (UV-C) radiation before packaging with LDPE pouches, stored at 4 °C for 15 days. During storage, color, tissue electrolyte leakage, soluble solid content, soluble protein, methane dicarboxylic aldehyde (MDA), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), catalase (CAT), total viable counts, lactobacillus, yeast & mold counts and overall quality of oyster mushrooms were measured. Oyster mushrooms treated with UV-C resulted in slower changes in color, soluble solid content, soluble protein, exhibited higher CAT,PAL activities and overall quality, lower tissue electrolyte leakage and MDA content compared to untreated oyster mushrooms. Besides, oyster mushrooms treated with UV-C also show a high potential ability for surface decontamination of oyster mushrooms. Results show that UV-C treatment could be useful to extend the shelf life of oyster mushrooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of open-refrigerated display cases is ubiquitous in retail supermarkets, even in the face of the non-uniform temperature conditions present in these cases. In this paper, the temperature variations (Δ T ) of packaged ready-to-eat baby spinach were evaluated for an open display case and a display case with glass doors, in order to assess the advantages of this physical barrier in minimizing Δ T and decay rate, and improving the visual quality of the samples after four days of storage. The two 3.66 m display cases were installed in the same room and conditions were constant at 21 °C and 60–70% of relative humidity, with a thermostat setting for both cases set at 0.6 °C. Results showed that the display case with doors significantly improved temperature uniformity and compliance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Code recommendation of 5 °C or less to prevent microbial pathogen growth in packaged leafy greens. Only 1% of the temperature readings over four days in the case with doors were non-compliant with the FDA Food Code, while 24% of the readings in the open case were non-compliant; mostly recorded by the front positions of the case. The lower temperatures and Δ T of the case with doors were consistent with the higher visual quality scores ( P < 0.001) for the baby spinach samples recorded by trained panelists, based on a 9-point hedonic scale, at 7.2 and 6.6 for the case with doors and the open case, respectively. Differences in decay rate were significant ( P < 0.001) by the front of the case, with mean values of 8.8% for the open case and 5.5% for the case with doors. Furthermore, operational energy costs were 69% less than the open display case and the cost of door retrofits can be recouped in less than two years by energy savings alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X-ray irradiation is an effective technique for agricultural products preservation. In this study, figs were irradiated with X-ray doses of 1.0, 3.0, and 5.0 kGy and stored at 4 °C for 20 d to evaluate effects of X-ray on fig preservation. Non-irradiated figs were recorded as control group. Results indicated that 3.0 kGy X-ray delayed fig decay by inhibiting microorganism growth. The weight loss was alleviated, and sensory characteristics, color and firmness was maintained (2.27 N on day 16) in 3.0 kGy X-ray treated figs. 3.0 kGy X-ray also retained higher contents of total phenolics and flavonoids, and higher ABTS with DPPH radical scavenging activities. Microstructure analysis showed the integrity of 3.0 kGy X-ray treated tissue. Furthermore, energy status revealed 3.0 kGy X-ray resulted in 7.30% higher energy charge than control. The study proves that X-ray irradiation can be used as figs preservation means, which can reduce fig waste and increase fig industry productive value. • 3.0 kGy X-ray reduced fig decay and inhibited microorganism growth. • 3.0 kGy X-ray retained higher total phenol content and antioxidant capacity. • Microstructure integrity was observed in 3.0 kGy X-ray treated figs. • 3.0 kGy X-ray delayed the reduction of energy charge in figs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • 3.0 kGy X-rays delayed color deterioration and maintained redox homeostasis. • 3.0 kGy X-rays activated energy metabolism-related enzymes in figs. • 3.0 kGy X-rays maintained the mitochondria membrane integrity of fig tissue. • 3.0 kGy X-rays promoted NADK activity and reduced NADH accumulation. In this study, figs were irradiated with X-rays doses of 1.0, 3.0, and 5.0 kGy and stored at 4 °C for 20 d to evaluate effects of X-ray on redox homeostasis and energy metabolism in figs. Non-irradiated figs were recorded as control group. Results indicated that 3.0 kGy X-rays delayed fig color discoloration by inhibiting the ΔE* values. The electrolyte leakage, MDA and O 2 –· levels of figs were significantly alleviated. Energy metabolism assay revealed that 3.0 kGy X-rays could significantly maintain higher activities of H+-ATPase, Ca2+-ATPase, SDH, CCO, G6PDH and 6PGDH of figs. 3.0 kGy X-rays also retained mitochondria membrane integrity of figs. Furthermore, 3.0 kGy X-rays resulted in 26.09 % higher NADK activity and 16.30 % lower NADH content than the control. The study proves that X-ray irradiation can be used as figs preservation means to maintain redox homeostasis and regulate energy metabolism, thus lengthening the shelf life of figs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Winter jujube (Zizyphus jujuba Mill. cv. Dalidongzao) is susceptible to machinery damage due to its high moisture content. The present study investigates the impact of varying levels of vibration acceleration on the softening and quality deterioration of winter jujubes through utilization of a simulated transport platform. The results demonstrated that, in comparison to the control group, winter jujubes treated with vibration exhibited a higher susceptibility to decay and weight loss. Additionally, they displayed an elevated respiration intensity and experienced a significant depletion of nutrients. The vibration promoted an increase in enzyme activity of polygalacturonase (PG), pectin methylesterase (PME) and cellulase (Cx), upregulated gene expression, and induced a reduction in pectin, cellulose and hemicellulose content, ultimately resulting in the softening of winter jujube. The hardness of winter jujube decreased by 34.87%, 37.80% and 44.92% in the shelf life under vibration accelerations of 0.25 g, 0.5 g and 0.75 g, respectively, whereas it only decreased by 28.60% in the control group. In addition, the damage caused by vibration was also observed in the microstructure of peel and pulp. The findings demonstrate that the vibrational impact significantly influenced the quality of winter jujube, resulting in a reduced shelf life and diminished commodity value. • The degradation of winter jujube quality is expedited by vibration acceleration. • The vibration acceleration hastened the nutrient degradation of winter jujube. • Vibration treatment enhanced cell wall metabolic enzyme activity of winter jujube. • Vibration treatment upregulated the gene expression of ZjPG , ZjPME and ZjCx. • Higher vibration acceleration destroyed the cell structure of winter jujube. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective was to reveal the effects of ozone treatment on quality maintenance and resistance to Botrytis cinerea and Penicillium expansum in kiwifruit during postharvest storage. Kiwifruits were treated with 79.44 ppm gaseous ozone for 1 hr once a day for 7 day at 0°C to determine the effects of ozone treatment on the quality and disease incidence caused by B. cinerea and P. expansum in vivo and the growth of B. cinerea and P. expansum in vitro. Ozone treatment significantly reduced the disease incidence of kiwifruit and inhibited the mycelial development and spore germination of B. cinerea and P. expansum. High levels of fruit firmness and titratable acidity were maintained in the ozone‐treated kiwifruit, and the activities of the defence‐related enzymes were remarkably enhanced. Therefore, ozone treatment may be an effective method to maintain the quality of kiwifruit and control its decay during postharvest storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Hongyang kiwifruit is more resistant to blue mold than Qihong kiwifruit. • Hongyang kiwifruit showed a higher biochemical resistance than Qihong kiwifruit. • The outer epidermal structure of Hongyang kiwifruit has disease resistance characteristics. Abstract This study aimed to reveal the physiological mechanism of resistance to postharvest blue mold of kiwifruit. Hongyang and Qihong kiwifruits were inoculated with Penicillium expansum (P. expansum) and stored at low temperature (0 ± 1 °C). The disease incidence and lesion diameter, activities of defense-related enzymes, and contents of defense-related substance of Hongyang and Qihong kiwifruits were also compared, combined with the observation of fruit pericarp structure by scanning electron microscopy. Results showed that the disease resistance of Hongyang was stronger than that of Qihong with late onset, low incidence, and small lesion diameter. And Hongyang kiwifruit showed a high biochemical resistance after inoculation with P. expansum. The epidermis structure of Hongyang kiwifruit had typical disease resistance characteristics with a dense epidermis structure, orderly cell arrangement, and less obvious microcracks. The strong biochemical resistance, dense, and complete epidermis structure of Hongyang fundamentally guarantee its strong resistance to diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Hypomyelinating disorders are a group of clinically and genetically heterogeneous diseases characterized by neurological deterioration with hypomyelination visible on brain MRI scans. This study was aimed to clarify the clinical and genetic features of HMDs in Chinese population. Methods: 119 patients with hypomyelinating disorders in Chinese population were enrolled and evaluated based on their history, clinical manifestation, laboratory examinations, series of brain MRI with follow-up, genetic etiological tests including chromosomal analysis, multiplex ligation probe amplification, Sanger sequencing, targeted enrichment-based next-generation sequencing and whole exome sequencing. Results: Clinical and genetic features of hypomyelinating disorders were revealed. Nine different hypomyelinating disorders were identified in 119 patients: Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (94, 79%), Pelizaeus-Merzbacher-like disease (10, 8%), hypomyelination with atrophy of the basal ganglia and cerebellum (3, 3%), GM1 gangliosidosis (5, 4%), GM2 gangliosidosis (3, 3%), trichothiodystrophy (1, 1%), Pol III-related leukodystrophy (1, 1%), hypomyelinating leukodystrophy type 9 (1, 1%), and chromosome 18q deletion syndrome (1, 1%). Of the sample, 94% (112/119) of the patients were genetically diagnosed, including 111 with mutations distributing across 9 genes including PLP1, GJC2, TUBB4A, GLB1, HEXA, HEXB, ERCC2, POLR3A, and RARS and 1 with mosaic chromosomal change of 46, XX,del(18)(q21.3)/46,XX,r(18)(p11.32q21.3)/45,XX,-18. Eighteen novel mutations were discovered. Mutations in POLR3A and RARS were first identified in Chinese patients with Pol III-related leukodystrophy and hypomyelinating leukodystrophy, respectively. Significance: This is the first report on clinical and genetic features of hypomyelinating disorders with a large sample of patients in Chinese population, identifying 18 novel mutations especially mutations in POLR3A and RARS in Chinese patients, expanding clinical and genetic spectrums of hypomyelinating disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the color and pigment content changes, the activities of flavonoid biosynthesis related enzymes and relative expression of genes of irradiated winter jujubes during cold storage at 0 ± 1 ℃ for 70 d. The results showed that 0.3 kGy X-rays could maintain the lightness and superior appearance of winter jujube while suppressing the decay. In addition, the activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and dihydroflavonol reductase (DFR) were restricted in 0.3 kGy X-rays treated jujubes, and the relative expression of MYB transcription factors (LOC107415776 and LOC107404478) and bHLH transcription factors (LOC107407443, LOC107423582 and LOC107423649) were down-regulated, causing the reduced anthocyanin and quercetin content. Together with the alleviated chlorophyll degradation levels delayed the reddening of irradiated jujube. This research demonstrates the potential of 0.3 kGy X-rays in delaying winter jujube reddening, which can provide a solid theoretical reference for the mechanism study. [Display omitted] • X-ray is a promising non-thermal preservation technology. • 0.3 kGy X-rays delay the reddening of winter jujube. • 0.3 kGy X-rays inhibit anthocyanins and quercetin synthesis. • 0.3 kGy X-rays reduce PAL and DFR activities. • 0.3 kGy X-rays restrict relative expression of MYB and bHLH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, winter jujubes were treated with X-ray doses of 0, 0.3, 0.5 kGy and stored at 0 °C. Then jujubes from early (day 0) and late (day 60) storage were transferred to 20 ± 1 °C and qualities were evaluated every 3 days to explore the preservation effect of X-ray. Results indicated that 0.3 kGy X-ray inhibited the jujube decay by preventing 8.20% of fungal and 29.12% of aerobic bacterial growth. The pectin decomposition was prevented (0.21% on day 60), softening was alleviated, and reddening was delayed for 5 days correspondingly. Microscopic observation validated the integrity of the treated jujube tissue. Furthermore, the highest inhibition rates of 0.3 kGy X-ray on the activities of polygalacturonase (PG), cellulase and β-glucosidase (β-Glu) were 47.32%, 74.71% and 68.00%, respectively. Research demonstrated X-ray's potential in winter jujube preservation, which can provide a solid theoretical reference for the development and industrial application. • 0.3 kGy X-ray extends the shelf-life of winter jujube stored at room temperature to 12 days. • 0.3 kGy X-ray inhibits 8.20% of fungal and 29.12% of aerobic bacterial growth. • 0.3 kGy X-ray decreases the activities of polygalacturonase (PG), cellulase and β-glucosidase (β-Glu) by 47.32%, 74.71% and 68.00%, respectively. • Winter jujube discoloration is positively correlated with softening decreases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Pelizaeus–Merzbacher disease (PMD) is a rare X-linked recessive hypomyelination disorder characterized by nystagmus, ataxia, impaired motor development, and progressive spasticity. Identification of proteolipid protein 1 ( PLP1 ) mutations in Chinese patients with Pelizaeus–Merzbacher disease (PMD) and confirmation of the biological impacts of the identified mutations are the aims of this study. Methods An analysis of clinical materials and a follow-up study were conducted for the patients with PMD. Sequencing and immunofluorescence were applied for molecular analysis of the causative gene PLP1 . Results We identified PLP1 mutations in seven male patients with PMD. Three novel missense mutations (c.353C>G, p.T118R; c.623G>T, p.G208V; c.709T>G, p.F237V) and three reported missense mutations (c.467C>T, p.T156I; c.517C>T, p.P173S; c.646C>T, p.P216S) of PLP1 were identified from seven Chinese PMD patients. The three mutations (F237V in patient 2, P216S in patient 5 and T156I in patient 6) were de novo . Mutant proteins were trapped in the lumen of endoplasmic reticulum. Conclusion We have identified six pathogenic mutations, enriching the specific spectrum of missense mutations in the patients with PMD. The six PLP1 mutations are probably pathogenic. By reviewing the known PLP1 mutations, we have preliminarily revealed the position of missense mutation may be associated with the severity of PMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Long term effect of thymol chitosan nanoparticles (TMO-CSNPs) were evaluated in the preservation of chestnut quality. • TMO-CSNPs reduce the loss of soluble sugar and starch by limiting the chestnut's metabolism. • TMO-CSNPs can significantly inhibit the growth of molds and yeasts during the storage. • TMO-CSNPs prolong the storage time of the chestnuts by inhibiting spoilage. Thymol (TMO) was loaded into chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) to inhibit chestnuts decay during storage. Three chestnut treatments were evaluated, including the CK (uncoated control), CSNPs (coated with chitosan nanoparticles), and TMO-CSNPs (coated with thymol-loaded chitosan nanoparticles). Quality assessments of chestnuts were conducted periodically for up to 180 days, which included starch content, amylase activity, water content, respiration rate, weight loss rate, microbiological indicators, decay rate, and quality evaluation. Results indicated that TMO-CSNPs had significantly less nutrient loss in soluble sugar (10.61%) and starch content (27.72%) compared with CK, which was attributed to low metabolic activities as evident in low amylase activity and respiration rate. Moreover, TMO-CSNPs significantly inhibited the growth of mold and yeast (4.17 log CFU g−1 on day 180) and kept the lowest decay rate (5.33%). This study demonstrates the potential of food nanomaterial as an alternative strategy to promote food security and supply chain resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Microgreens are new and emerging products, which are young seedlings of vegetables and herbs. A recent study showed that microgreens contain higher nutrients compared to their mature counterparts. However, they typically have a short shelf life (1–2 days) at ambient temperature. The objective of this study was to optimize postharvest handling conditions to reduce the quality loss and extend the shelf life of daikon radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. longipinnatus) microgreens. Storage temperature, packaging film, and wash treatment were investigated. Changes in headspace composition, quality index, chlorophyll concentration, tissue electrolyte leakage, and aerobic mesophilic bacteria (AMB) and yeast & mold (Y&M) counts were monitored periodically during storage. Results indicated that (1) storage temperature significantly (P < 0.05) affected package atmosphere, product quality and shelf life. One degree Celsius was the optimal temperature for storage of radish microgreens with no chilling injury observed; (2) film oxygen transmission rate (OTR) significantly (P < 0.05) affected O2 and CO2 composition, but OTR did not significantly affect quality attributes during 28 days of storage at 1 °C; (3) Chlorine wash treatment (100 mg/L) significantly reduced initial microbial populations by 0.5 log cfu g−1, including AMB and Y& M. However, microbial populations rebounded after day 7. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]