Total folate content and retention in rosehips (Rosa ssp.) after drying

Folate concentrations in rosehips and commercial rosehip products and factors affecting folate retention during drying were investigated. On the basis of the raw material studied during 3 years, rosehips were shown to be a rich folate source, 400-600 microg/100 g based on dry matter and 160-185 microg/100 g based on the fresh weight (edible part). Rosehips are not often consumed fresh; therefore, drying to produce stable semimanufactures is a crucial step. The degradation of folate was shown to be dependent on the drying time until the water activity was below 0.75. The required drying time was reduced by cutting the rosehips in slices and to some extent also by increasing the temperature. Retention of folate and ascorbic acid was affected by the same factors, and high content of ascorbic acid could provide a possible protection for folate degradation.     

Antioxidant activity in fruits and leaves of blackberry, raspberry, and strawberry varies with cultivar and developmental stage

Fruits and leaves from different cultivars of thornless blackberry (Rubus sp.), red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.), black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis L.), and strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa D.) plants were analyzed for total antioxidant capacity (oxygen radical absorbance capacity, ORAC) and total phenolic content. In addition, fruits were analyzed for total anthocyanin content. Blackberries and strawberries had the highest ORAC values during the green stages, whereas red raspberries had the highest ORAC activity at the ripe stage. Total anthocyanin content increased with maturity for all three species of fruits. Compared with fruits, leaves were found to have higher ORAC values. In fruits, ORAC values ranged from 7.8 to 33.7 micromol of Trolox equivalents (TE)/g of fresh berries (35. 0-162.1 micromol of TE/g of dry matter), whereas in leaves, ORAC values ranged from 69.7 to 182.2 micromol of TE/g of fresh leaves (205.0-728.8 micromol of TE/g of dry matter). As the leaves become older, the ORAC values and total phenolic contents decreased. The results showed a linear correlation between total phenolic content and ORAC activity for fruits and leaves. For ripe berries, a linear relationship existed between ORAC values and anthocyanin content. Of the ripe fruits tested, on the basis of wet weight of fruit, cv. Jewel black raspberry and blackberries may be the richest source for antioxidants. On the basis of the dry weight of fruit, strawberries had the highest ORAC activity followed by black raspberries (cv. Jewel), blackberries, and red raspberries.     

Quality and enhancement of bioactive phenolics in cv. Napoleon table grapes exposed to different postharvest gaseous treatments

Ten different gaseous treatments were evaluated for their efficacy in the keeping quality of cv. Napoleon table grapes during 38 days of storage at 0 degrees C followed by 6 days of shelf life at 15 degrees C in air. These storage methods included modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) with and without SO(2) or natural fungicides (hexanal and hexenal), two controlled atmospheres (CA), and intermittent and continuous applications of O(3). As a control, air atmosphere during cold storage was used. Most of the treatments applied kept the postharvest quality of the grapes, although the best results were obtained by the use of a MAP with 5 kPa of O(2) plus 15 kPa of CO(2) plus 80 kPa of N(2). The total anthocyanin content at harvest was 170 +/- 19 microg/g of fresh weight (fw) of grapes, which declined in most of the treatments applied and was reflected in the loss of red color. Peonidin 3-glucoside was detected at all sampling times as the major anthocyanin (always >50% from the total content). Treatments applied kept or decreased the total flavonol content from that measured at harvest (17 +/- 1.4 microg/g of fw of berries). However, an increase of up to 2-fold in total stilbenoid content after shelf life for CA and O(3) treatments was observed. At all sampling times for almost every treatment piceid concentration remained unaltered or slightly changed, whereas large increases were observed after shelf life for resveratrol (1.2 +/- 0.6 microg/g of fw of grapes sampled at harvest), even up to 3- and 4-fold for O(3)-treated grapes and 2-fold for CA-treated ones. Therefore, improved techniques for the keeping quality of cv. Napoleon table grapes during long-term storage seem to maintain or enhance their antioxidant compound content.     

Effect of plant growth temperature on antioxidant capacity in strawberry

The influence of four day/night growing temperature combinations (18/12, 25/12, 25/22, and 30/22 degrees C) on phenolic acid, flavonol, and anthocyanin content and their antioxidant activities against peroxyl radicals (ROO(*)), superoxide radicals (O(2)(*)(-)), hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), hydroxyl radicals (OH(*)), and singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)) in fruit juice of Earliglow and Kent strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) cultivars was studied. Pelargonidin-based anthocyanins such as pelargonidin 3-glucoside (291.3-945.1 microg/g fresh wt.), pelargonidin 3-rutinoside (24.7-50.9 microg/g fresh wt.), and pelargonidin 3-glucoside-succinate (62.2-244.0 microg/g fresh wt.) were the predominant anthocyanins in strawberry fruit juice. The content of cyanidin-based anthocyanins, cyanidin 3-glucoside and cyanidin 3-glucoside-succinate, was much lower than that of pelargonidin-based anthocyanins. Strawberry growth in high temperature conditions significantly enhanced the content of p-coumaroylglucose, dihydroflavonol, quercetin 3-glucoside, quercetin 3-glucuronide, kaempferol 3-glucoside, kaempferol 3-glucuronide, cyanidin 3-glucoside, pelargonidin 3-glucoside, pelargonidin 3-rutinoside, cyanidin 3-glucoside-succinate, and pelargonidin 3-glucoside-succinate in strawberry juice. Plants grown in the cool day and cool night temperature (18/12 degrees C) generally had the lowest phenolic acid, flavonols, and anthocyanins. An increase in night temperature from 12 to 22 degrees C, with the day temperature kept constant at 25 degrees C, resulted in a significant increase in phenolic acid, flavonols, and anthocyanins. These conditions also resulted in a significant increase in antioxidant capacity. The highest day/night temperature (30/22 degrees C) yielded fruit with the most phenolic content as well as ROO(*), O(2)(*)(-), H(2)O(2), OH(*), and (1)O(2) radical absorbance capacity. Fruit of Kent cv. strawberry had higher values of phenolic acid, flavonols, anthocyanins, and antioxidant capacities than fruit of Earliglow cv. strawberry under all temperature regimes.     

Effects of ozone treatment on postharvest strawberry quality

The effect of ozone treatment on the postharvest quality of strawberry was evaluated. Strawberry fruits (Fragaria x ananassa Duch. cv. Camarosa) were stored at 2 degrees C in an atmosphere containing ozone (0.35 ppm). After 3 days at 2 degrees C, fruits were moved to 20 degrees C to mimic retail conditions (shelf life). The changes in several quality parameters such as fungal decay, color, sugar and acids distribution, and aroma were evaluated during the strawberries' shelf life. Ozone treatment was ineffective in preventing fungal decay in strawberries after 4 days at 20 degrees C. Significant differences in sugars and ascorbic acid content were found in ozone-treated strawberries. At the end of cold storage, the vitamin C content of ozonated strawberries was 3 times that of control fruits. A detrimental effect of ozone treatment on strawberry aroma was observed, with a 40% reduced emission of volatile esters in ozonated fruits.     

石榴皮提取液对草莓的保鲜效果

为了发展草莓贮藏保鲜的新技术和有效利用石榴皮资源,以新鲜草莓为材料,在贮藏前分别经过1.25%壳聚糖溶液（T1）、1%石榴皮提取液（T2）、1.25%壳聚糖石榴皮提取物复合溶液（T3）浸泡处理,以蒸馏水浸泡作为对照（CK）,通过对其在贮藏期相关品质指标（质量损失率、软化腐烂率、可溶性固形物质量分数、可滴定酸质量分数、Vc质量分数、丙二醛（MDA）含量）的测定,比较了3种处理溶液的保鲜效果。结果显示,T1、T2、T3处理均降低了草莓果实质量损失率、软化腐烂率和MDA含量,延缓了果实可滴定酸、可溶性固形物和Vc质量分数的下降,其中T3处理效果明显好于T1和T2处理,T3处理可使在室温下放置的草莓保鲜期延长1～2 d。结果表明石榴皮提取液用于草莓保鲜可行,与一定浓度的壳聚糖配制的复合保鲜液保鲜效果更理想。     

电子舌检测不同冷藏时间草莓鲜榨汁的品质变化

为了探讨不同冷藏时间草莓鲜榨汁的品质变化规律,利用电子舌对4℃冷藏草莓鲜榨汁进行逐天的品质检测并进行定性和定量分析。结果显示:通过主成分分析和线性判别分析,电子舌能够很好的反映出不同冷藏时间草莓的鲜榨汁品质的变化趋势,在冷藏最初期草莓鲜榨汁品质下降迅速,其后鲜榨汁品质下降缓慢。采用BP神经网络对草莓鲜榨汁冷藏时间进行预测,训练集的整体识别率达到94.90%,预测集的整体识别率为85.71%。采用偏最小二乘法与多元线性回归对草莓鲜榨汁的主要成分预测可知,偏最小二乘法回归模型的预测效果更好,模型的预测值和实际值的相关系数大于0.9,能够为草莓鲜榨汁品质的预测提供参考。     

Phenolic composition and antioxidant activities in flesh and achenes of strawberries (Fragaria ananassa)

High performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array and coulometric array detectors were used to characterize and quantify phenolic compounds in achenes and flesh of ripe strawberries (cv Totem and Puget Reliance). Total phenolics and total monomeric anthocyanins were measured and antioxidant activities were evaluated by the FRAP and the ORAC assays. Strawberries contained 1% achenes on a fresh weight basis; however, they contributed to about 11% of total phenolics and 14% of antioxidant activities in strawberries. Ellagic acid, ellagic acid glycosides, and ellagitannins were the main contributors to the antioxidant activities of achenes. The major anthocyanin in flesh was pelargonidin-3-glucoside, whereas achenes consisted of nearly equal amounts of cyanidin-3-glucoside and pelargonidin-3-glucoside. Phenolic content and antioxidant activity of strawberry achenes were reduced by industrial processing. However, the levels were still high and strawberry waste byproduct could thus be a possible source of nutraceuticals or natural antioxidants.     

Changes of folate and other potential health-promoting phytochemicals in legume seeds as affected by germination

Folate deficiency associated with low dietary intake is a well-documented public health problem, resulting in serious health and socioeconomic burdens. Therefore, optimization of the germination process of different cultivars of legume seeds in relation to the content and composition of folate, vitamin C, and total phenolics and total antioxidant capacity was carried out to maximize the health-promoting properties. The content and composition of folate, vitamin C, and total phenolic and total antioxidant capacities varied between species, among cultivars, and with germination time. During germination, total folate content was maximum at 815.2 μg/100 g fresh weight in soybean sprout and at 675.4 μg/100 g fresh weight in mungbean sprout on the fourth day, which were equivalent to, respectively, 3.5- and 3.9-fold increases in the seed's content, and total folate content strongly decreased thereafter. 5-CH(3)-H(4)folate was the most abundant folate species in legume sprouts and reached a maximum on the fourth day. Vitamin C was not detected in raw seeds, and its content increased sharply in soybean and mungbean sprouts and reached a maximum at the fourth day of germination (29 and 27.7 mg/100 g fresh weight, respectively). Germination of soybean and mungbean for 4 days provided the largest amount of total folate as well as the more stable species 5-CH(3)-H(4)folate and also brought about large amounts of vitamin C and total phenolics and substantial antioxidant capacities.     

YIELD AND GROWTH RESPONSE OF STRAWBERRY TO PLANT GROWTH-PROMOTING RHIZOBACTERIA INOCULATION

This study was conducted to examine the effect of inoculation of plant growth-promotion Rhizobacteria (PGPR) on phenological data, total yield and fruit quality characteristics of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch) cv. ‘Fern’ during 2006 and 2007. All bacterial root inoculations significantly increased yield per plant (1.98–20.85%), average fruit weight (3.05–19.26%) and first quality fruit ratio (10.30–32.05%) compared to control, whereas the bacterial inoculations did not affect leaf area, first flowering and harvest dates in strawberry cv. ‘Fern’. The bacteria also increased soluble solid content (SSC) and vitamin C in strawberry cv. ‘Fern’. The vitamin C contents of fruits ranged from 47.41 mg 100 g^?1 (control) to 53.88 mg 100 g^?1 (RC05), while SSC values varied between 10.16% (control) and 12.83% (RC01). Results of this study show that RC19 (Bacillus simplex), RC05 (Paenibacillus polymyxa), and RC23 (Bacillus spp.) have the potential to increase the yield and growth of strawberries.     

Influence of domestic processing and storage on flavonol contents in berries

Effects of domestic processing and storage on the flavonols quercetin, myricetin, and kaempferol in five berries were studied using an optimized RP-HPLC method with UV and diode array detection after an acid hydrolysis of the corresponding glycosides. In fresh berries, the total content of flavonols was highest in lingonberry (169 mg/kg) and black currant (157 mg/kg), intermediate in bilberry (41 mg/kg) and strawberry (17 mg/kg), and lowest in red raspberry (9.5 mg/kg). Cooking strawberries with sugar to make jam resulted in minor losses (quercetin 15%, kaempferol 18%). During cooking of bilberries with water and sugar to make soup, 40% of quercetin was lost. Traditional preservation of crushed lingonberries in their own juice caused a considerable (40%) loss of quercetin. Only 15% of quercetin and 30% of myricetin present in unprocessed berries were retained in juices made by common domestic methods (steam-extracted black currant juice, unpasteurized lingonberry juice). Cold-pressing was superior to steam-extraction in extracting flavonols from black currants. During 9 months of storage at 20 C, quercetin content decreased markedly (40%) in bilberries and lingonberries, but not in black currants or red raspberries. Myricetin and kaempferol were more susceptible than quercetin to losses during storage.     

Effects of yam starch films on storability and quality of fresh strawberries (Fragaria ananassa)

Yam starch films, formulated with yam starch (4.00 g/100 g of solution) and glycerol (1.30 and 2.00 g/100 g of solution) in filmogenic solution, were employed as packaging to extend storage life of strawberries stored at 4 degrees C and 85% RH. The effects of yam starch films on fruits were compared to the effect of PVC (poly(vinyl chloride)) packaging. Starch and PVC films significantly reduced decay of the fruits compared to control. Compared to starch films, PVC presented the better behavior on weight and firmness retention of fruits, especially in the last 7 days of storage. Considering microbiological counts, the shelf life of control fruits was 14 days, and of all packaged samples, stored at same conditions, was 21 days. Two different formulations of yam starch film were tested and had different mechanical properties as a function of glycerol content (1.30 and 2.00 g/100 g of solution) but showed no difference when employed as strawberries packaging.     

Identification of new strawberry sulfur volatiles and changes during maturation

Two Florida strawberry cultivars, 'Strawberry Festival' and 'Florida Radiance', were harvested at five fruit developmental stages (white, half red, three-quarter red, full ripe, and overripe) at four harvest dates. A static headspace solid-phase microextraction (SPME) sampling technique coupled with gas chromatography (GC) using pulsed flame photometric detection (PFPD) was employed to measure 16 sulfur volatiles in these strawberries. A total of 7 sulfur volatiles have been previously reported, and 9 are reported for the first time in strawberries. Newly identified sulfur volatiles include methyl thiopropionate, ethyl thiobutanoate, methyl thiohexanoate, methyl (methylthio)acetate, ethyl (methylthio)acetate, methyl 2-(methylthio)butyrate, methyl 3-(methylthio)propionate, ethyl 3-(methylthio)propionate, and methyl thiooctanoate. Identifications were based on matching sulfur peak linear retention indexes (LRIs) of unknowns with authentic standards and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) data. Concentrations were determined using both internal and external standards. Most sulfur volatiles increased with increasing maturity, with only concentrations of hydrogen sulfide and methanethiol remaining relatively consistent at all five stages. At the white and half red stages, most sulfur volatiles consisted of various alkyl sulfides. At three-quarter red (commercial ripe), full ripe, and overripe stages, the majority of sulfur volatiles consisted of sulfur esters. Most sulfur volatiles increased dramatically between the commercial ripe, full ripe, and overripe stages, increasing as much as 100% between full ripe and overripe. Principal component analysis indicated that sulfur volatiles could be used to distinguish overripe from full ripe and commercial ripe berries.     

Difference in folate content of green and red sweet peppers (Capsicum annuum) determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Folic acid (pteroylmonoglutamic acid) is used in enriched foods; however, very little folic acid occurs naturally in fruits and vegetables. For the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program, a number of fruits and vegetables have been assayed for endogenous folates, by a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method, to evaluate the accuracy of existing data for total folate determined by standard microbiological analysis. Folate in red and green sweet peppers (Capsicum annuum) differed notably (70.2 and 20.7 microg/100 g, respectively) and exceeded existing values determined by microbiological assay (18 and 11 microg/100 g, respectively). 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate was the predominant vitamer, but a significant amount of 5-formyltetrahydrolfolate and some 10-formylfolate were present. These findings may assist in making dietary recommendations or developing research diets related to folate. The data from this study have been used to update the folate values in release 19 of the USDA Nutrient Database for Standard Reference.     

大蒜精油-羧甲基纤维素钠复合涂膜提高草莓贮藏效果

为了减少草莓在贮藏过程中的腐败变质延长草莓保质期,在质量分数为1.0%的羧甲基纤维素钠溶液中添加大蒜精油(体积分数:0、2、4、6μL/100 m L)制成复合溶液作为涂膜材料,涂膜液浸泡30 s于新鲜草莓表面,分析草莓在(20±2)℃贮藏过程中的品质变化。结果表明,与对照组未涂膜相比,大蒜精油-羧甲基纤维素钠复合涂膜材料能显著(P0.05)降低草莓在贮藏过程中的的呼吸作用强度和腐烂变质(P0.05),减少果实失重率;延缓草莓果实花色苷的分解,有良好的护色作用;另外,大蒜精油-羧甲基纤维素钠复合涂膜材料减少了草莓中可滴定酸度、维生素C、可溶性固形物的分解及丙二醛的累积。综合不同处理组草莓在贮藏过程中的品质变化,确定当大蒜精油添加量为4μL/100 m L时,草莓有较佳的保鲜效果,可为草莓果实的贮藏保鲜方法提供参考。     

Influence of cultivar on quality parameters and chemical composition of strawberry fruits grown in Brazil

Six strawberry cultivars grown on the same commercial plantation in Brazil were evaluated for their chemical composition and quality attributes at the ripe stage. The profiles of the main soluble sugars, ascorbic acid, and anthocyanins were also obtained during the developmental stages. Results showed significant differences among cultivars in all of the investigated parameters. Cv. Campineiro showed an average value for texture of 0.63 N, half the value found for cv. Oso Grande. Anthocyanin content ranged from 13 (cv. Campineiro) to 55 (cv. Mazi) mg/100 g. Total ascorbic acid found for cv. Campineiro (85 mg/100 g) was twice the amount found in cv. Dover (40 mg/100 g). Fructose was the predominant soluble sugar in almost all cultivars. The proportion among the main soluble sugars (fructose, sucrose, and glucose) was similar for Oso Grande and Toyonoka cultivars. The flavonol content (quercetin plus kaempferol derivatives) ranged from 2.7 to 7.1 mg/100 g, with a mean value of 6.1 mg/100 g, whereas free ellagic acid ranged from 0.9 to 1.9 and total phenolics varied from 159 to 289 (mean 221) mg/100 g.     

超声波结合弱酸性电位水处理改善商熟期草莓采后品质

为了进一步发展草莓贮运保鲜技术,以商熟期的草莓为原料,研究了超声波、弱酸性电位水（slightly acidic electrolyzed water,SAEW）处理对其表面微生物数目和相关品质参数的影响。结果发现：超声波、SAEW及二者结合处理10 min分别使草莓表面初始菌落总数降低了0.52、1.07、1.29 lgCFU/g,霉菌和酵母总数降低了0.30、0.93、1.18 lgCFU/g,且处理后的样品表面微生物始终维持在相对较低的水平。另外,3种处理均改变了草莓贮藏中的呼吸特性,使其出现了呼吸高峰;第14天,超声结合SAEW处理使草莓的可溶性固形物、VC及花青素的含量提高了7.72%、10.53%、19.28%,促使样品表现出一个后熟的过程。同时,试验还发现,超声波处理能抑制草莓硬度的下降,SAEW则对样品硬度无影响。研究结果表明：超声波和SAEW处理不仅能抑制草莓表面微生物的生长,还能调节其贮藏期生理代谢,改善贮藏期间的品质。     

Functionality of bioactive compounds in Brazilian strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) cultivars: evaluation of hyperglycemia and hypertension potential using in vitro models

Fruits of seven fully ripened strawberry cultivars grown in Brazil (Dover, Camp Dover, Camarosa, Sweet Charlie, Toyonoka, Oso Grande, and Piedade) were evaluated for total phenolics, antioxidant activity based on DPPH radical scavenging assay, and functionality such as inhibition of alpha-amylase, alpha-glucosidase, and angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) relevant for potentially managing hyperglycemia and hypertension. The total phenolics content ranged from 966 to 1571 microg of gallic acid/g of fruit fresh weight for Toyonoka and Dover, respectively. No correlation was found between total phenolics and antioxidant activity. The major phenolic compounds in aqueous extracts of strawberries were ellagic acid, quercetin, and chlorogenic acid. Strawberries had high alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity. However, alpha-amylase inhibitory activity was very low in all cultivars. This suggested that strawberries could be considered as a potential dietary source with anti-hyperglycemic potential. The evaluated cultivars had no significant ACE inhibitory activity, reflecting low anti-hypertensive potential.     

Residues and persistence of neem formulations on strawberry after field treatment

Azadirachtoids were determined by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) in five methanolic seed extracts of the neem tree and in a commercial formulation. On average, seed extracts contain azadirachtin A (10.9%), azadirachtin B (3.5%), nimbin (10.4%), and large quantities of salannin (19.0%). The composition of the commercial formulations may present different azadirachtoids contents depending on the natural extracts used in the preparation. Because these compounds may also show insecticide activity, the efficacy on field of these formulations may be very different. Photodegradation of pure azadirachtoids was also studied. Azadirachtins and related compounds are very sensitive to sunlight, degrading rapidly, with half-lives of the order of 11.3 h for azadirachtin A and 5.5 h for azadirachtin B and few minutes for the other limonoids compounds studied. The residues of azadirachtins and the main constituents, e.g., salannin, nimbin, deacetylnimbin, and deacetylsalannin, of the neem seed extract were determined on strawberries after field treatment using two different formulations. This residue study on strawberry was carried out to assess not only the azadirachtin content but also the main azadirachtoids contents. Three days after field application at five times the dose recommended by the manufacturer, residues of azadirachtin A and B were 0.03 and 0.01 mg/kg, respectively, while residues of salannin (LOQ 0.01 mg/kg) and nimbin (LOQ 0.5 mg/kg) were not detectable.     

Compost as a soil supplement increases the level of antioxidant compounds and oxygen radical absorbance capacity in strawberries

Compost as a soil supplement significantly enhanced levels of ascorbic acid (AsA) and glutathione (GSH) and ratios of AsA/dehydroascorbic acid (DHAsA) and GSH/oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in fruit of two strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) cultivars, Allstar and Honeoye. The peroxyl radical (ROO(*)) as well as the superoxide radical (O(2)(*)(-)), hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), hydroxyl radical (OH(*)), and singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)) absorbance capacity in strawberries increased significantly with increasing fertilizer strength and compost use. The planting medium (compost) x fertilizer interaction for phenolics and flavonoids was significant. Fruit from plants grown in full-strength fertilizer with 50% soil plus 50% compost and 100% compost yielded fruit with the highest levels of phenolics, flavonol, and anthocyanin content. A positive relationship between antioxidant activities and contents of AsA and GSH and ratios of AsA/DHAsA and GSH/GSSG existed in fruit of both strawberry cultivars. Correlation coefficients for the content of antioxidant components versus antioxidant activity [against ROO(*), O(2)(*)(-), H(2)O(2), OH(*), or (1)O(2)] ranged from r( )()= 0.7706 for H(2)O(2) versus GSH/GSSH in cv. Allstar to r = 0.9832 for O(2)(*)(-) versus total flavonoids in cv. Allstar.