Multivariate analysis of fresh-cut carambola slices stored under different temperatures

Quality of fresh-cut carambola (Averrhoa carambola L.) is related to many chemical and biochemical variables especially those involved with softening and browning, both influenced by storage temperature. To study these effects, a multivariate analysis was used to evaluate slices packaged in vacuum-sealed polyolefin bags, and stored at 2.5 °C, 5 °C and 10 °C, for up to 16 d. The quality of slices at each temperature was correlated with the duration of storage, O₂ and CO₂ concentration in the package, physical chemical constituents, and activity of enzymes involved in softening (PG) and browning (PPO) metabolism. Three quality groups were identified by hierarchical cluster analysis, and the classification of the components within each of these groups was obtained from a principal component analysis (PCA). The characterization of samples by PCA clearly distinguished acceptable and non-acceptable slices. According to PCA, acceptable slices presented higher ascorbic acid content, greater hue angles (°h) and final lightness (L-5) in the first principal component (PC1). On the other hand, non-acceptable slices presented higher total pectin content, PPO activity in the PC1. Non-acceptable slices also presented higher soluble pectin content, increased pectin solubilisation and higher CO₂ concentration in the second principal component (PC2) whereas acceptable slices showed lower total sugar content. The hierarchical cluster and PCA analyses were useful for discriminating the quality of slices stored at different temperatures.     

Polyphenoloxidase activity and browning in fresh-cut ‘Rocha’ pear as affected by pH,phenolic substrates,and antibrowning additives

The effect of pH, phenolic substrates, and food additives on polyphenoloxidase (PPO) activity and on tissue browning was studied in fresh-cut ‘Rocha’ pear. Substrates 4-methylcatechol, caffeic acid, (+)-catechin hydrate, catechol, chlorogenic acid, dopamine hydrochloride, and pyrogallol, were prepared in citric acid-phosphate buffer at pHs ranging from 3.0 to 8.0. pH optima for PPO activity depended on the phenolic substrate. Activity was optimal at pH 5.0 for catechol and 4-methylcatechol; pH 6.0 for chlorogenic acid; pH 7.0 for dopamine, caffeic acid, and catechin; and pH 8.0 for pyrogallol. Discrepancies were observed between the pH dependency of PPO activity and browning, as assessed by objective color measurement. Significant correlations were obtained between enzyme activity and metric-hue difference (ΔH*) over the pH range 3.0–8.0 for four of the eight phenolics. Chlorogenic acid, the main PPO substrate in ‘Rocha’ pear, induced high tissue browning but very low PPO activity at pH 3.0–4.0. Chemical inhibition of PPO was tested using catechol as substrate, and buffer solutions containing 250 mM Ca²⁺ in four salts (ascorbate, chloride, lactate and propionate), 57 mM ascorbic acid, 61 mM N-acetyl-l-cysteine and 3 mM 4-hexylresorcinol. PPO inhibition by additives was affected by the pH of the buffer, and was more effective with ascorbic acid, N-acetyl-l-cysteine and calcium ascorbate. It was concluded that inferences on tissue browning based on PPO activity can be misleading. Measurement of tissue color is proposed as a reliable means to assess the antibrowning effectiveness of additives and the pH of additives for cut pear should be corrected to reduce the browning potential.     

超高压处理对鲜切山药片质量的影响

为研究适宜的鲜切山药片的保藏方法,采用超高压处理对鲜切山药片进行保鲜。将鲜切山药片分别采用0MPa、200MPa、400MPa和600MPa加压处理10min后,在4℃条件下贮藏9d,分析超高压处理对贮藏期间鲜切山药片中细菌总数、多酚氧化酶活性、褐变指数、可溶性固形物、总酸和维生素C含量的影响。结果表明：600MPa压力处理10min后,可抑制于褐变相关的多酚氧化酶,抑制微生物生长,产品在4℃条件下贮藏9d后,仍然可具有较好的理化指标,表明该法是一种较好的鲜切山药片的保藏方法。     

Effects of a composite chitosan–gelatin edible coating on postharvest quality and storability of red bell peppers

For the first time, a composite chitosan–gelatin (CH–GL) coating was applied to peppers and its effects on fruit quality and storability were examined. Pure chitosan (CH) and gelatin (GL) coatings were studied for comparison. The CH coating inhibited microbial spoilage and prolonged the possible storage period. The GL coating contributed to fruit firmness, but did not allow for prolonged storage. The composite CH–GL coating was associated with a two-fold decrease in microbial decay, significantly (p ≤ 0.05) enhanced fruit texture and prolonged the possible period of cold storage up to 21 days and fruit shelf-life up to 14 days, without affecting the respiration or nutritional content of the fruit.     

天然涂膜保鲜剂对南果梨冷藏期间防褐保鲜效果的影响

以南果梨为试材,研究了多糖涂膜处理对不同预熟成熟度的果实在冷藏条件下贮藏效果及其生理变化的影响.结果表明,在冷藏条件下,与对照相比多糖涂膜处理可以显著地抑制贮藏期间果实中脂氧合酶活性、丙二醛含量的上升,延缓了可溶性固形物含量、叶绿素含量的变化进程,一定程度上降低了膜相对透性,提高了硬果率;贮藏180天后,在货架期间多糖涂膜处理可以明显地控制果实转色指数、果柄保鲜指数的变化,显著地抑制果皮、果心的褐变率.无论是冷藏还是在货架期间,多糖涂膜处理对预熟5天果实的作用效果并不明显.     

超高压鲜榨梨汁褐变因素与控制研究

分析超高压鲜榨梨汁褐变的影响因素,探索褐变控制技术,以翠冠梨汁为对象,研究了成熟度、澄清、去心、柠檬酸、抗坏血酸处理对梨汁褐变的影响,测定了色泽、总酚、多酚氧化酶、糖度、酸度、pH值等指标。结果表明,八九成熟的翠冠梨榨汁不易褐变;300~600 MPa超高压处理会加速梨汁货架期褐变;PPO活性和总酚含量是影响鲜榨梨汁褐变的主要因素,而pH值是影响PPO活性的一个重要因素;澄清处理、去心处理可以降低PPO活性和总酚含量,一定程度上抑制梨汁褐变;柠檬酸会降低pH值,更接近PPO最适反应pH值,提高PPO活性,加速梨汁褐变;抗坏血酸可有效抑制PPO活性,防止梨汁褐变。因此,抗坏血酸是一种有效控制超高压梨汁褐变的方法。     

丰水梨果实采后生理生化变化的研究

研究了20℃、相对湿度80％～85％条件下丰水梨果实采后软化与褐变的生理生化变化规律。结果表明,丰水梨具有呼吸和乙烯跃变期,跃变期过后果肉硬度下降幅度较小．但果实风味急剧下降。跃变前期果肉快速软化是由乙烯和淀粉酶共同参与,之后果肉软化是由PG和纤维素酶共同作用的结果。果实不同部位褐变度、酚类物质、类黄酮及丙二醛含量均为果皮〉果心〉果肉．PPO活性依次为果心〉果皮〉果肉,果皮相对电导率低于果肉和果心。影响丰水梨贮藏品质的关键因素是果肉软化和风味劣变．而不是褐变。     

Maturity and cooling rate affects browning,polyphenol oxidase activity and gene expression of ‘Yali’ pears during storage

Browning is the main physiological disorder of ‘Yali’ pear (Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd) during storage. In this study, the relationships between browning development in fruit from different harvest dates, and cooled either rapidly or slowly, with polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity and isozymes, and PPO gene expression has been investigated. Development of browning was highest in late-harvest fruit in both core and flesh tissues and was higher in rapidly cooled than slowly cooled fruit. Mid-harvest fruit had the lowest browning incidence and PPO activity of core tissue was higher than in flesh and seeds, while the peak of PPO activity in mid-harvest fruit was the lowest. Six PPO isoenzymes were detected in fruit, three bands A, B and E in flesh and core tissues, three bands C, D and F in the seeds. The intensity of PPO isoenzyme staining of bands A and B in pulp and core was similar to that of PPO activity and browning incidence. PPO gene expression increased and then decreased in core tissues. Trends of expression were similar to those of PPO activity. Rapid cooling promoted the expression PPO. The results suggest PPO plays an important role in ‘Yali’ pear browning during storage.     

几种可食性膜对鲜切马铃薯褐变抑制的比较

选用卡拉胶、壳聚糖、海藻酸钠为涂膜主原料,对鲜切马铃薯进行涂膜处理,低温条件下冷藏,分别对其褐变度、多酚氧化酶活性及感官色泽进行测定.并以马铃薯护色剂处理作对照,比较各种涂膜对其褐变抑制的效果.结果表明,海藻酸钠涂膜能有效地抑制马铃薯褐变,其作用优于其它涂膜原料,与护色剂抑制作用相当.     

Postharvest quality of peeled prickly pear fruit treated with acetic acid and chitosan

White (Opuntia albicarpa) and red (Opuntia ficus-indica) prickly pears were peeled and submerged in chitosan solutions containing different concentrations of acetic acid (1.0 or 2.5%) to obtain ready-to-eat prickly pear products. Some physicochemical (pH, total soluble solids, color, weight loss, and firmness), antioxidant (phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity), microbiological (aerobic mesophile bacteria and yeasts plus molds), and sensory (color, firmness, aroma, flavor, and overall acceptance) characteristics were assessed during 16 d of storage at 4 ± 1 °C and 85 ± 5% of relative humidity. Chitosan coating containing 1.0% of acetic acid delayed weight loss, maintained firmness and color of white prickly pear during the storage time. Most of the sensory values for white prickly pear coated with chitosan containing 1.0 and 2.5% of acetic acid were higher than those obtained for uncoated fruit. Red prickly pear coated with chitosan with 2.5% acetic acid did not maintain its sensory quality throughout 16 d of storage. Chitosan coating with 1 and 2.5% acetic acid did not affect phenolics content and antioxidant activity in white prickly pears; however, an increase of these compounds was observed in red prickly pears. Microbe populations were unchanged in white prickly pears (<10 CFU g⁻¹) and slightly increased in red prickly pears (10–500 CFU g⁻¹) coated with chitosan during the entire storage time.     

超声波辅助异抗坏血酸处理对贮藏期鲜切苹果的护色作用

以超声波(40 kHz、300 W)辅助异抗坏血酸(0.5 g/L)处理鲜切苹果,通过测定褐变指数(BI)、多酚氧化酶(PPO)活性、过氧化物酶(POD)活性、苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)活性、多酚及丙二醛(MDA)含量,以鲜切无任何处理样品为对照组,探讨超声波辅助异抗坏血酸处理(试验组)对鲜切苹果的护色效果.结果表明,在贮藏期内,试验组鲜切苹果的BI值、PPO活性及POD活性均低于对照组,而多酚含量高于对照组.在贮藏初期和后期,试验组PAL活性显著低于对照组,而MDA含量在贮藏初期显著低于对照组.通过超声波辅助异抗坏血酸处理,可以有效抑制褐变关键酶活性,继而延缓贮藏期鲜切苹果的褐变.     

Effect of calcium dips and chitosan coatings on postharvest life of strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa)

Strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) were treated either with 1% calcium gluconate dips, 1.5% chitosan coatings or with a coating formulation containing 1.5% chitosan + 1% calcium gluconate and stored at 20 °C for up to 4 days. The effectiveness of the treatments was assessed by evaluating their impact on the following parameters: fungal decay incidence, loss of weight, firmness, external color, pH, titratable acidity and soluble solids content. Calcium dips were effective in decreasing surface damage and delaying both fungal decay and loss of firmness compared to untreated fruit. No sign of fungal decay was observed in fruit coated with 1.5% chitosan which also reduced fruit weight loss. Chitosan coatings markedly slowed the ripening of strawberries as shown by their retention of firmness and delayed changes in their external color. To a lesser extent titratable acidity and pH were also affected by coatings. Whilst addition of calcium gluconate to the chitosan coating formulation did not further extend the shelf-life of the fruit, the amount of calcium retained by strawberries was greater than that obtained with calcium dips alone, thus resulting in increased nutritional value of the strawberries.     

曲酸真空浸渍处理对鲜切马铃薯冷藏期褐变及相关生理代谢的影响

为研究曲酸对鲜切马铃薯的抗褐变机制,以鲜切马铃薯为试材,采用0.3 g/L曲酸溶液进行真空浸渍(VI)处理,用聚乙烯保鲜膜包装后于(4±1)℃下冷藏12 d,分析鲜切马铃薯冷藏期间的褐变指数(BI)、多酚氧化酶(PPO)活性、过氧化物酶(POD)活性、苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)活性、总酚含量以及抗氧化能力的变化。结果表明,曲酸VI处理组和对照组鲜切马铃薯PPO活性均呈上升趋势,但曲酸VI处理组的上升幅度显著低于同期对照组(P<0.05),冷藏第12天时,曲酸VI处理组的PPO活性较同期对照组下降了27.6%,这与BI值变化趋势基本一致。曲酸VI处理组的PAL活性也显著低于同期对照组(P<0.05)。然而,冷藏期间曲酸VI处理组的POD活性显著高于同期对照组(P<0.05)。在冷藏0~8 d,曲酸VI处理组总酚含量显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。两组的抗氧化能力在冷藏初期(0~2 d)差异不大,但贮藏4~12 d,曲酸VI处理组显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。因此,曲酸VI处理可以抑制PPO活性,延缓鲜切马铃薯冷藏期间的褐变。     

Effect of nitric oxide (NO) and associated control treatments on the metabolism of fresh-cut apple slices in relation to development of surface browning

Surface browning is an important cause of deterioration of fresh-cut apples during postharvest handling. ‘Granny Smith’ apple slices treated with NO gas (10 μL/L) and the NO donor compound 2,2′-(hydroxynitrosohydrazino)-bisethanamine (diethylenetriamine nitric oxide (DETANO) (10 mg/L) dissolved in phosphate buffer (pH 6.5) showed delayed development of surface browning during storage at 5 °C and also resulted in a lower level of total phenols, inhibition of PPO activity, reduced ion leakage and reduced rate of respiration but had no significant effect on ethylene production or lipid peroxide level as measured by malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide levels. The two control treatments of phosphate buffer (pH 6.5) and water dips also had significant effects compared to untreated slices. The relative effectiveness of treatments in extending postharvest life and reducing total phenols, PPO activity, ion leakage and respiration was DETANO > NO gas > phosphate buffer > water > untreated. Apple slices dipped in chlorogenic acid dissolved in water showed surface browning soon after application but dipping in DETANO solution negated the effect of chlorogenic acid whether applied before or after dipping in chlorogenic acid solution while the buffer and NO gas were also effective. It is suggested that an increase in phenols occurs on the apple surface soon after cutting, possibly as a defensive mechanism of the apple to limit damage to surface cells. The effectiveness of the applied treatments to inhibit development of surface browning may relate to their ability to minimize the level of phenols active on the cut surface possibly in conjunction with a reduced PPO activity.     

不同采后处理对‘阿巴特’西洋梨果实冷藏后货架期品质的影响

为探讨西洋梨低温贮藏出库后常温货架期期间的品质变化问题,将采后不同处理的‘阿巴特’西洋梨果实在低温(0±0.5)℃冷藏120 天后再进行常温(25℃)货架5 天的品质研究。对‘阿巴特’西洋梨进行普通包果纸包果处理、壳聚糖涂被纸包果处理、壳聚糖涂被处理、1 μL/L 1-MCP处理、热水处理、热水+果蜡处理、果蔬洗涤剂处理、果蔬洗涤剂+果蜡处理、二苯胺处理(0.20%)、乙氧基喹处理（浓度分别为0.10%、0.20%和0.30%）,研究其在冷藏后货架期间果实虎皮病和好果、硬度、可溶性固形物含量、pH等品质变化。不同处理的‘阿巴特’果实在货架期间的外观、果肉硬度、可溶性固形物含量和pH均为极显著变化。1-MCP处理和热水处理的‘阿巴特’在降低虎皮病发生和保持好果率方面的效果优于其他处理;1-MCP处理、果蔬洗涤剂+果蜡处理的‘阿巴特’在货架期间均提高了果实的果肉硬度,热水+果蜡处理、普通包果纸包果处理、0.20%二苯胺处理的‘阿巴特’均在货架后期保持了果实的果肉硬度;壳聚糖涂被处理的‘阿巴特’在货架初期提高了果实的可溶性固形物含量。1-MCP处理在预防货架期虎皮病发生、提高好果率、保持果实硬度、可溶性固形物含量和pH等方面的综合效果高于其他处理。     

Aloe vera based edible coatings improve the quality of minimally processed ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit

This article studies the efficacy of an edible coating based on Aloe vera gel at four different concentrations (0, 1, 5, 15% (v/v)) in maintaining the quality of fresh-cut kiwifruit. The kiwifruit slices were packaged under passive atmosphere and stored at 4 ± 1 °C. Quality attributes such as colour and texture (firmness and texture profile analysis), titratable acidity, total soluble solids, pectin content, microbial load and sensory parameters were evaluated during storage. In general, Aloe vera coating reduced respiration rates and microbial spoilage in sliced kiwifruit. After seven days of storage, the mesophilic load dropped by approximately one logarithmic unit for slices coated with 15% and 5% Aloe vera. Total pectin depolymerization was also lower in the treated samples and the texture of the uncoated samples deteriorated more rapidly than the treated slices during storage. Furthermore, due to the atmospheric composition and the microbial load, the quality of the control samples declined after six days of storage. Our results show that an Aloe vera coating improved the quality of stored kiwifruit slices. The best results obtained in the instrumental texture profile and in the preference panel test were with the 5% coating, indicating that this may be a healthy alternative coating for fresh-cut kiwifruit.     

高能电子束辐照对鲜切牛蒡贮藏品质和褐变的影响

分别采用0.5、1.0 kGy剂量的电子束处理牛蒡鲜切片,测定分析其在(3±1)℃温度下贮藏8 d期间生理和品质的变化,研究不同剂量高能电子束辐照对鲜切牛蒡贮藏品质和褐变的影响。结果表明:高能电子束辐照处理能明显延缓鲜切牛蒡贮藏过程中的褐变;抑制多酚氧化酶(PPO)、苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)、4-香豆酸辅酶A连接酶(4CL)的活性;降低总酚物质和丙二醛(MDA)含量,有助于维持鲜切牛蒡的贮藏品质。其中以1.0 kGy剂量辐照处理的鲜切牛蒡防褐变保鲜效果为好。     

Effect of solution pH of cysteine-based pre-treatments to prevent browning of fresh-cut artichokes

Fresh-cut artichokes were treated with cysteine in the form of aqueous solutions of l-cysteine hydrochloride monohydrate at 0.5% (w/v) normal pH 2.2 adjusted to different pH values with NaOH (from 2 to 7). General appearance and colour measurements during storage at 5 °C showed different degrees of suppression of darkening on cut surfaces. Cysteine pre-treatments caused an increase in the yellow index (b* value) of fresh-cut artichokes compared to untreated samples, which was more pronounced at lower pH (47.9 versus the initial value of 28.3 after 1 day). Artichokes treated at lower pH values also had a lower appearance score and higher PPO activity than artichokes treated at higher values, closer to neutrality. Starting from 3 days of storage a negative correlation between solution pH and PPO activity was also observed, that for artichokes treated with cysteine at pH 7 was lower than for control samples. l-cysteine pre-treatments did not affect total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of fresh-cut artichokes, which showed an increasing pattern after 8 days. These data may represent an important step in prevention of browning in fresh-cut artichokes.     

Involvement of ethylene in browning development of controlled atmosphere-stored ‘Empire’ apple fruit

‘Empire’ apples [Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill var. domestica (Borkh.) Mansf.] are susceptible to development of chilling injury, expressed as firm flesh browning, during controlled atmosphere (CA) storage. Because of this susceptibility, fruit are typically stored at 2–4 °C, but the incidence of flesh browning can be increased by 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment at these temperatures. In this study, flesh browning development has been investigated in relationship to ethylene production, internal ethylene concentration (IEC), flesh firmness, total phenolic concentrations, and the activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POX) in the flesh tissues. Fruit were harvested from two orchards, either untreated or 1-MCP treated, and then stored under CA conditions at either 0.5 or 4 °C. Fruit were removed from storage at 1.5-month intervals for 10.5 months. 1-MCP treated apples were firmer than those of untreated apples, and had lower IECs, at all removals. Flesh browning incidence and severity developed earlier in 1-MCP-treated apples than untreated apples stored at either temperature. Total phenolic concentrations differed by orchard, but no major differences in concentrations were detected between untreated and 1-MCP treated apples. However, PPO activities were higher in the flesh of 1-MCP treated apples than untreated apples from both orchards and at both storage temperatures. POX activity was not consistently affected by 1-MCP treatment or storage temperature. Overall, our results suggest that inhibited ethylene production, either as a result of storage at 0.5 °C, or by treatment with 1-MCP at either temperature, may cause stress and damage to cells and result in higher PPO activity that leads to progressive flesh browning development during CA storage.     

壳聚糖涂膜对常温贮藏兔眼蓝莓果实品质的影响

以“圆蓝”兔眼蓝莓为试材,研究了0．5％壳聚糖（0．4％高分子壳聚糖＋0．1％低分子壳聚糖）涂膜对常温贮藏蓝莓果实品质的影响。结果表明,在20℃常温条件下贮藏20d的过程中,壳聚糖涂膜可以有效减缓蓝莓果实感官品质及果实硬度的下降速度,降低腐烂率和失重率,保持较稳定的TSS和有机酸含量;抑制PPO活性的快速升高和MDA的大量积累：有效延长常温条件下的贮藏期,有利于保持采后蓝莓的品质。但对采后蓝莓果实中的花色苷含量无明显影响．对类黄酮的增加有一定的抑0作用。