Effect of organic treatments with calcium carbonate and bio-activator on quality of ‘Reinette’ apple cultivars

‘Reinette du Canada’ (RC) and ‘Reinette Grise du Canada’ (RG) apple (Malus × domestica Borkh) cultivars declared throughout the Community as Protected Designation of Origin ‘Manzana Reineta del Bierzo’ are severely affected by bitter-pit during storage. Pre-harvest treatments with calcium carbonate, authorized in organic production, and bio-activator Harpin protein were used to assess the effect on quality at harvest and during cold storage in both apple cultivars during 2007 and 2008. Bitter-pit at the end of storage was higher in ‘RC’ than in ‘RG’, due to the fact that K/Ca ratio in fruit was higher in ‘RC’. Harpin protein did not improve the quality of ‘Reinette’ apple cultivars. Calcium carbonate pre-harvest treatments were useful to decrease external and internal bitter-pit incidence of ‘Reinette’ apple cultivars after 90 days of storage, but differences at the end of storage were not significant. Therefore, calcium carbonate would be a useful product in organic production in order to decrease bitter-pit incidence in ‘Reinette’ apple cultivars during medium term storage.     

Impact of storage conditions on the apple allergen Mal?d?1

Consumption of fresh apple fruits can induce allergic reactions in humans. The apple allergen Mal?d?1 is responsible for these allergic reactions in humans in Central Europe and North America. Biosynthesis of Mal?d?1 depends on apple cultivar, and its concentration increases with time during fruit storage. However, data on the impact of different fruit storage conditions during long-term storage are scarce. Hence, the Mal?d?1 contents of eight apple cultivars were analyzed for this study during long-term storage in a cold chamber as well as under controlled atmosphere conditions (CA). After harvest, apple fruits were stored for 12, 20, 28 or 36 weeks in a cold-chamber at +?2?°C or as under controlled atmosphere conditions of 1.5?% CO₂, 1.5?% O₂ at +?2?°C. Mal?d?1 content in apple fruit of all eight cultivars examined increased during fruit storage. In most cases, differences between Mal?d?1 of apple fruits stored in the cold chamber and under CA conditions were significant, but inconsistent. In apple cv. ??Elise??, fruits stored in the cold chamber contained more Mal?d?1 compared with those stored in CA, whereas the situation reversed in other varieties like cv. ??Boskoop??. The greatest Mal?d?1 content was measured in fruits of cvs. ??Golden Delicious?? and ??Gala??, whereas the smallest Mal?d?1 level was in cvs. ??Elise?? and ??Pinova?? over the whole storage time. Overall, this experiment showed the complexity of the relationship between the Mal?d?1 content, allergenicity of apple fruits, different cultivars, storage conditions and storage time. Persons allergic to apple fruits should consume the fruits as fresh as possible or only after a limited storage time. Furthermore, they should prefer apple varieties with a low content of allergenic proteins, such as cv. ??Elise?? or cv. ??Boskoop?? as a cultivar known for its large polyphenol content.     

“寒富”苹果贮藏期果实解剖结构及品质变化研究

对"寒富"、"东光"和"富士"苹果贮藏期间果实解剖结构及相关生理指标进行研究。结果表明:"寒富"苹果果实硬度变化幅度较小,稳定在14kg/cm2左右;角质层较厚;果皮果肉细胞较小,排列比较紧密,细胞层数较多;随着贮藏时间的延长,果肉细胞的变化相对较小,说明"寒富"苹果较耐贮藏。随着贮藏时间的延长,"寒富"、"东光"和"富士"苹果果实的硬度、可溶性糖含量和淀粉含量均下降;"寒富"和"富士"果实有机酸含量没有明显变化,"东光"果实有机酸含量下降明显。"寒富"和"富士"果实糖酸比值呈下降趋势,"东光"则呈上升趋势。综合性状评价表明,"寒富"苹果是耐贮藏的苹果品种,且贮藏过程对品质影响不大。     

Ascorbate levels and the activity of key enzymes in ascorbate biosynthesis and recycling in the leaves of 22 Chinese persimmon cultivars

The objective of this study was to determine diversities of ascorbic acid (AsA) and activities of enzymes involved in AsA metabolism, and to determine their relationships to AsA content in the leaves of Chinese persimmon (Diospyros kaki) cultivars. Results showed that there were huge differences not only in the contents of AsA and glutathione (GSH) but also in the enzyme activities of l-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase (GLDH, EC 1.3.2.3), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR, EC 1.8.5.1), monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR, EC 1.6.5.4), ascorbate peroxidase (APX, EC 1.11.1.11) and glutathione reductase (GR, EC 1.6.4.2) in the leaves of 22 Chinese persimmon cultivars. Control of AsA levels mainly depended on the capacity for biosynthesis and GLDH activity played a main role in determining AsA levels in the leaves of persimmon. Both MDHAR and DHAR, MDHAR in particular, also played an important role in maintaining AsA redox state by reducing oxidized AsA back to AsA. But contents of GSH and hydrogen peroide (H₂O₂) and activity of APX were not significantly correlated with AsA content in the leaves of persimmon.     

Total Phenolics Content,Antioxidant Capacity,Physicochemical Attributes,and Browning Susceptibility of Different Apple Cultivars for Minimal Processing

The total phenolics content, browning susceptibility, antioxidant capacity, and other physicochemical attributes of five cultivars of apple with different chilling hours requirements were studied to be minimally processed. Granny Smith (GS) and Red Delicious (RD) cultivars (high chill requirement), and Caricia (C), Eva (E), and Princesa (P) cultivars (low chill requirement) were studied. The flesh color, firmness, juiciness, pH, acidity, soluble solids, and flesh browning development, and total phenolics content and antioxidant capacity in flesh and peel were determined. All attributes were significantly different (p ≤ 0.001) among cultivars. RD showed the highest values of soluble solids and pH, and GS, the lowest. GS and P had the highest values of firmness and juiciness. GS, P, and E showed the lowest browning development. RD had the highest phenol content in flesh, followed by E and C. Phenolic content in peel was 2–5 times higher than in flesh for all varieties. The antioxidant capacity of RD flesh was higher than the other four apple cultivars. The antioxidant capacity of the apple peel was 2–4 times higher than the flesh, being RD the highest, followed by C, GS, and P with 50% less. Considering the lower browning development, and higher values of firmness and juiciness, GS and P would be the most suitable cultivars for minimal processing. If fresh-cut apples are not peeled, GS and P would increase their phenolic content in 28–56% and their antioxidant capacity in 65–78%.     

Yield and fruit quality of ‘Gala’ and ‘Fuji’ apple trees protected by white anti-hail net

Covering apple orchards with nets protects them from hailstorms but this changes the amount and quality of the light supplied to the trees. This study was carried out to assess the effects of shade provided by white protection net on yield and fruit quality of apple orchards in Southern Brazil, along three growing seasons (2002/2003, 2003/2004, and 2004/2005). ‘Gala’ and ‘Fuji’ apple trees (on MM111 rootstock, raised as slender spindles, with a spacing of 5.5 m × 3 m) were left uncovered (control trees) or covered with white net. The white net reduced the photosynthetically active radiation (λ = 400–700 nm) accumulated over the trees’ canopy along a day by 18.4%, leading to a higher leaf chlorophyll content in both cultivars, and a higher specific leaf area in ‘Gala’. The shade provided by the net did not affect yield and increased fruit average weight in both cultivars. At harvest, the number of seeds per fruit and severity of russet were not affected by netting in both cultivars, as well as the incidence of watercore in ‘Fuji’. The main beneficial effects of the white net were the reduced incidence of sunburn on ‘Gala’, reduced incidence of bitter pit during cold storage in both cultivars, and reduced incidence of apple scab at harvest and of decay after cold storage in ‘Fuji’. Fruit fly damage in ‘Gala’ (assessed in one season) was reduced by netting. However, netting affected negatively some fruit quality attributes. ‘Gala’ and ‘Fuji’ apples from trees protected by the net had a poor skin color (pale blush and a more intense green background color) at harvest. The net reduced flesh firmness and SSC, and increased the starch index of ‘Gala’ apples at harvest, and reduced flesh firmness and SSC, assessed after cold storage and shelf life, in fruits of both cultivars.     

苹果加工品种多酚提取物的抗氧化效果分析

研究加工苹果品种的多酚组成及其抗氧化功能,有助于加工原料的选择和功能性食品的开发。测定了4个酿酒品种和4个制汁品种果实的多酚组成,果实多酚提取物清除超氧阴离子自由基、羟基自由基能力和抗脂质过氧化能力。结果表明,供试加工品种总酚含量为644.9￣3511.8mg/kg,原花青素、绿原酸、表儿茶素、儿茶素是果实中的主要多酚物质。各品种多酚提取物都有一定的抗氧化能力,以稀释10倍的浓度清除3种自由基的能力较强。原花青素、儿茶素与加工苹果果实抗氧化能力有较密切的关系。     

变动气调贮藏保持大久保桃品质的研究

研究了大久保桃在变动气调(Dynamic controlled atmosphere,DCA)、常规气调5%O2+10%CO2(Controlled atmosphere,CA)和普通冷藏(对照)条件下0～1℃贮藏70d及20℃货架3d后果实的生理变化、冷害症状和感官品质。结果表明,与对照相比,DCA和CA贮藏均能有效地减少果实的腐烂和褐变,保持果实硬度,减轻果肉组织伤害,降低果实冷敏感性,提高贮后品质;与CA贮藏相比,DCA处理效果更好。     

Genetic assessment of apple germplasm in Bosnia and Herzegovina using microsatellite and morphologic markers

Traditional apple cultivars from Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), potentially diverse due to specific geographic location and history of the country, represent a possible source of valuable traits for future breeding efforts and sustainable fruit growing. A total of 39 accessions, 24 traditional B&H cultivars and 15 modern international cultivars, maintained at the ex situ apple collection “Srebrenik” in Northeast Bosnia were, investigated using 10 SSR (simple sequence repeats) markers and 23 morphologic characteristics. All the used primer pairs manage to amplify clearly distinguishable and highly polymorphic SSR alleles, in average 10.4 alleles per locus. More than two different alleles per locus were detected for seven accessions (five traditional B&H cultivars and two international cultivars). Forty one unique alleles were exclusively present within the B&H cultivars, while seven unique alleles were only detected within international cultivars. The differentiation between traditional B&H and international cultivars (Fst = 0.060; P < 0.0001) was significant, also confirmed by analyses of molecular variance (AMOVA) (f_CT = 0.092; P < 0.001). Cluster analyses of 39 apple accessions, based on 10 SSR loci, revealed that only two traditional B&H cultivars grouped tightly with international cultivars (Ljepocvjetka and Bobovec Jon), while the rest formed separate clusters. Multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVA), nonparametric multivariate analyses of variance (NPMANOVA) and analyses of similarity (ANOSIM) showed statistically significant difference in morphologic characteristics between traditional B&H cultivars and the international cultivars. Cluster analyses of 39 apple accessions, based on the morphologic data, displayed less differentiation between traditional and international accessions, in comparison to the cluster analyses based on molecular data. No correlation between the molecular and morphologic data set was detected using the Mantel test. Many of the morphologic characteristics which have been analyzed in this study have significant commercial importance, we can assume that unlike the microsatellites these traits have been under agronomic selection pressure.     

Parameters of inner quality of the apple scab resistant and susceptible apple cultivars (Malus domestica Borkh.)

Individual organic acids and sugars were analysed in the fruits of scab resistant and susceptible apple cultivars. The total sugars ranged between 128.2 and 191.6 g/kg, and the total organic acid between 5.1 and 13.4 g/kg. In the flesh and peels of different apple varieties single phenolics (gallic, protocatehuic, chlorogenic, caffeic, ferulic and p-coumaric acid, phloridzin, epicatechin, catechin, quercitrin and rutin) were analysed together with their total phenolic content (TPC). ‘Golden Delicious’ was the cultivar with the lowest TPC whereas ‘Rubinola’, ‘Jonagold’ and ‘Goldrush’ had the highest level of TPC in the pulp. Peels showed a 2–9 times higher phenolic content than the pulp. ‘Goldrush’ had the highest content of TPC in its peel. The total antioxidant capacity of peels was about 2–5 times higher than respective pulps. Scab resistant apple cultivars had significantly higher content of some single and total phenolic contents in comparison with the scab susceptible, especially the pulp.     

Changes of physicochemical quality,phenolics and vitamin C content in hardy kiwifruit (Actinidia arguta and its hybrid) during storage

The effect of storage and the stage of maturity of hardy kiwifruits on the physicochemical quality, phenolics (TPC) and ascorbic acid content (AAC), as well as antioxidant activity (AA) were studied in this work. The phenolic compounds in hardy kiwifruits were separated and characterized by HPLC. The investigation was carried out on the two cultivars of Actinidia arguta – ‘Weiki’, ‘74-49’ and the hybrid of A. arguta and Actinidia purpurea (‘D14’). Fruit firmness rapidly decreased and the soluble solid content (SSC) increased for all cultivars during the first 14 days of storage at 1 °C. The AAC and TPC in vine ripe fruits were similar to the ones of the fruits of storage harvest maturity (8–10% SSC). AA content depended on the clone and either decreased during storage or remained almost unchanged. There was an increase in TPC after 7 days of keeping the fruits in a cold store chamber at the temperature 1 °C, but a longer period of storage caused a decrease in these compounds. AA (at harvest for storage purposes) was higher than that of vine ripe fruits and the ability to absorb free radicals slightly decreased during storage. There was a strong correlation between AAC, TPC and AA. That means that phenolics and vitamin C affect the antioxidant activity of hardy kiwifruits.     

1-甲基环丙烯处理对苹果贮藏中可溶性蛋白的影响

采用SDS-PAGE技术,以5个苹果品种为试材,探究1-甲基环丙烯(1-MCP)处理对采后果实中可溶性蛋白的影响。结果表明,对照果实在后熟衰老阶段出现了7个特异蛋白条带,分子量分别为97.2、38.3、37.0、28.7、27.2、19.6和18.6 kD。特异蛋白的变化存在品种间差异,37.0 kD蛋白仅在‘嘎拉’和‘秦冠’苹果中表达;28.7 kD蛋白含量在‘嘎拉’和‘秦冠’苹果中减少,但在其他品种中保持稳定;27.2 kD蛋白在‘嘎拉’苹果中没有表达;18.6 kD蛋白仅在‘新红星’、‘秦冠’和‘富士’苹果中表达。经500 nL·L^-11-MCP处理的果实中97.2、38.3、37.0、27.2、19.6、18.6 kD蛋白的积累被推迟或减少,而‘嘎拉’和‘秦冠’苹果中28.7 kD蛋白的降解被延缓。     

Seasonal and cultivar differences in salt-induced changes in antioxidant system in tomato

Salt stress has been applied to improve the quality of tomato, but detailed information about the changes in antioxidant systems in salt-stressed fruit is not available. In this study, we examined the effect of salt stress on oxidative parameters, antioxidant content and antioxidant enzymes in two tomato cultivars during two cropping seasons. Salt stress was applied by adding 100 mM NaCl to the nutrient solution. We show that tomato fruits have antioxidant systems to protect themselves from salt-induced oxidative stress. This finding is supported by the lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide levels, which remained unchanged under salt stress conditions. However, these antioxidant systems depend on cultivars and cropping seasons. In the summer crop, the antioxidant systems in salt-stressed ‘House Momotaro’ can be attributed to the enzymatic reactions of ascorbate peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.11) and glutathione reductase (EC 1.6.4.2), while those in salt-stressed ‘Mini Carol’ can be attributed to their non-enzymatic reactions of ascorbate and glutathione. In the winter crop, the antioxidant systems were not influenced by salt stress in either cultivar. However, the proline content increased in both cropping seasons and cultivars. The seasonal and cultivar differences of salt-induced changes in the antioxidant systems may result from cultivar differences in antioxidant capacities and the interaction between salt stress and growth conditions such as temperature and solar radiation.     

苹果汁色泽相关性状的遗传

对3个苹果杂交组合后代及其亲本品种的原汁和浓缩汁的透光度(T625)和吸光度(A420)及贮藏6个月后的变化值(△T625和△A420)进行了评价。结果表明,3个组合杂交后代苹果原汁和浓缩汁(10%稀释液)的平均透光度非常近于或略低于亲本的亲中值,组合传递力很高(大于或近于100%),平均吸光度均大于亲中值,组合遗传力很高(大于100%)。杂交后代的透光度和吸光度均表现出连续性的分离,表现为数量性状的特点。3个组合后代中原汁透光度(T625)大于98%所占的比率在60.87%～69.23%,浓缩汁(10%稀释液)透光度大于98%的在6.67%～19.70%;原汁吸光度(A420)小于0.2的为28.57%～46.15%,而多数浓缩汁吸光度均小于0.3。通过杂交选育果汁色泽浅的新品种是可行的。     

Physico-chemical and antioxidant properties of six apple cultivars (Malus domestica Borkh) grown in southern Brazil

The objective of this study was to compare the physico-chemical properties and antioxidant activity of six apple cultivars grown in southern Brazil. Apple peel color, dry matter, total soluble solids, pH, total sugars, titratable acidity, total phenolics, total monomeric anthocyanin and total antioxidant activity were measured in the apple cultivars Imperatriz, Daiane, Fred Hough, Fuji Suprema, Galaxy and Baronesa. The results showed great quantitative differences in the composition of the apple cultivars. Of all the cultivars, the peel of Galaxy was slightly more red-colored and that of Fred Hough was the least red-colored. The dry matter varied from 15.24% (Galaxy) to 19.55% (Fuji Suprema), the soluble solids content was between 11.8 (Fred Hough) and 14.0 (Daiane) °Brix, pH values varied from 3.90 (Imperatriz) to 4.27 (Fred Hough), the total sugar content (g 100 g⁻¹) ranged from 11.54 (Imperatriz) to 14.78 (Fuji Suprema) and the titratable acidity content (g 100 g⁻¹) varied from 0.20 (Baronesa) to 0.36 (Imperatriz). The total phenolic content (GAE 100 g⁻¹ fresh matter) observed in the apple cultivars was between 105.4 (Baronesa) and 269.7 mg (Imperatriz). The values of the total anthocyanin content (mg 100 g⁻¹ FM) ranged from 4.79 (Fred Hough) to 41.96 (Galaxy). The highest total antioxidant activity was observed in Imperatriz (739 μmol TEAC 100 g⁻¹ FM), while the lowest value was found in Fuji Suprema (335 μmol TEAC 100 g⁻¹ FM). There was a strong correlation between total monomeric anthocyanin content and all peel color measurements and between antioxidant activity and total phenolic content. The results suggested that genotype is the main factor that determines the composition of bioactive compounds in apples and this provides important information on how to make the best use of the apple cultivars investigated.     

Effects of position on canopy and harvest time on fruit physico-chemical and antioxidant properties in different apple cultivars

Fruit from Granny Smith, Fyriki, Fuji Kiku 8, and Imperial Double Red Delicious apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) trees planted in single or double rows, were harvested from different positions in the canopy, during the last month before commercial harvest. Fruit physico-chemical and antioxidant capacity, using the radical DPPH, were measured, in skin and flesh tissue. Greater total phenol content and total antioxidant capacity per fresh weight and serving portion of skin and flesh tissue, were found in Imperial Double Red Delicious and Fyriki apples, compared to Granny Smith and Fuji Kiku 8. The variation among cultivars in antioxidant contents was greater in peeled, compared with unpeeled fruit, highlighting the importance of eating unpeeled fruit. During the last two weeks before commercial harvest the total phenol content and total antioxidant capacity per fresh weight increased in skin of Granny Smith (by 24% and 42%, respectively) and Fuji Kiku 8 (by 19% and 27%, respectively). Fruit from the more sun—exposed parts of canopy had usually better red coloration and the effect was more pronounced in Fuji Kiku 8 and Fyriki, followed by Imperial Double Red Delicious and a lower effect was found in Granny Smith. Greater total soluble solid content, but not flesh firmness, were also found in fruit from the more sun—exposed parts of canopy, in all cultivars. The skin of fruit from the upper positions in the canopy had greater total phenol content and total antioxidant capacity, in all cultivars, apart from Fyriki. Antioxidant contents in flesh tissue were also greater in the upper positions of canopy in Fuji Kiku 8 and Imperial Double Red Delicious, and to our knowledge this is the first report on plant canopy effects on apple flesh antioxidant compounds.     

Genetic assessment of local apple cultivars from La Palma,Spain, using simple sequence repeats (SSRs)

Apple cultivars from Canary Islands can possibly be valuable genetic resources for subtropical areas. We localised 31 accessions considered by growers to be local, and confirmed by historical references that apple crop was introduced in XV century. These accessions were compared with 77 Spanish and 26 commercial cultivars in order to detect synonyms. A set of 10 SSRs were studied, and 2 of them presented 2 loci. Cultivars from La Palma (Canary Islands) presented five specific alleles not found in other Spanish regions. Those polymorphisms allowed detecting one introgressant in La Palma from non-native cultivars, and the other 30 accessions were classified into 14 genotypes. Some accessions derived from non-native cultivars such as Golden Delicious. A main cultivar could be detected, Del País, with 14 accessions. Secondary ones were Camuesa and Pero. Genetic differentiation was small between regions (Fst = 0.057) but significant, confirmed by analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA). Major genetic differentiation was found between non-native cultivars and cultivars from Asturias and Basque Country. Bayesian method and admixture analysis reconstructed three ancestral groups (RPP), Asturian and Basque cultivars grouped in RPPI (mainly those used for cider production), a mixture of cultivars from Galicia and La Palma in RPPII and non-native cultivars were in RPPIII. This genetic differentiation was also confirmed by factorial correspondence analyses (FCA). AMOVA over RPPs increased the genetic differentiation. Allelic variation found in this study showed that Spanish local cultivars represent a differentiated genetic pool that will provide original genotypes to diversify the reduced number of cultivars used in commercial production. In addition, differentiated genotypes localised in La Palma will be preserved in the local Germplasm Bank.     

Quality of raisins under different packaging and storage conditions

We determined the effect of different storage systems and packaging on the quality of ‘Sultana Seedless’ raisins. The fruit were packed in plastic boxes and kept under controlled atmosphere (1% O₂ and 3% CO₂) at 0°C and 75–85% RH for 12 months (CA), packed in vacuum bags and kept under normal atmosphere (21% O₂–0.03% CO₂) (NA) and packed in thin plastic bags + carton boxes and kept under ambient condition (semi-refrigeration), at 0°C and 90% ± 5 RH for 12 months (AC). Fruit kept under CA or NA had acceptable fruit quality in terms of general appearance and taste for 10 months, whereas fruit quality was unacceptable at that time under AC. Fruit under NA had less weight loss than fruit under the other conditions. Differences in skin colour were relatively small, apart from the h° values. Concentrations of ochratoxin A were generally higher with AC. External appearance and taste were better with CA and NA. As a result, raisins can be stored for 10 months with good quality in vacuum package in NA (0°C and 90% ± 5 RH) and CA (1% O₂–3% CO₂) at 0°C and 75–85% RH.     

苹果制汁新品种鲁加4号浓缩汁贮藏过程中稳定性的影响因素

以苹果制汁新品种鲁加4号[特拉蒙(Telamon)×新红星(Starkrimson)]的浓缩果汁为试材,研究温度、pH值、糖度和果实成熟度对苹果浓缩汁贮藏过程中稳定性的影响。结果表明,温度对苹果浓缩汁贮藏过程中稳定性影响较大,贮藏温度越高,浓缩汁的稳定性越差;糖度对其影响显著,糖度越高,浓缩汁稳定性越差;pH值和果实成熟度对苹果浓缩汁稳定性也有显著性影响,浓缩汁贮藏1～2周期间,pH值与A420值呈正相关,贮藏3～4周期间,pH值与A420值呈负相关。不同采收期苹果果实出汁率、可溶性固形物含量、多酚含量、浓缩汁酸含量变化不同。果实成熟时采收制得的浓缩汁稳定性比较好。     

陕西省苹果贮藏保鲜业存在的问题与发展对策

对陕西省主要产区的苹果贮藏保鲜情况进行了全面调查,分析总结了陕西省苹果采后处理与贮藏保鲜的现状及存在的贮藏规模小、管理不规范、采后商品化处理环节薄弱、缺乏预冷措施,质量控制不严格、市场竞争力差,销售价格低等问题,并提出了相应的发展对策与建议。