Impact of edible coatings and mild heat shocks on quality of minimally processed broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.) during refrigerated storage

The effects of edible coatings and mild heat shocks on quality aspects of refrigerated broccoli were studied. Minimally processed broccoli was coated with either chitosan or carboxymethyl-cellulose with or without a previous application of a mild heat shock of 1.5 min at 50 °C. Product was packaged in multilayered polyolefin bags and stored at 5 °C for 18 d. Quality parameters such as weight loss, texture, colour, ascorbic acid content, total chlorophyll content, oxygen concentration inside the bags, browning potential, mesophilic aerobic counts, and sensory quality, were evaluated during storage. Edible coatings exhibited a beneficial impact on broccoli quality. The weight loss in uncoated broccoli was found to be between 2 and 5 times higher compared to coated samples. During storage, coated florets from both thermally and non-thermally treated samples, presented higher retention of the (?a*/b*) ratio indicating better green colour retention and a reduced rate of floret yellowing. Chitosan coating always presented the lower ascorbic acid degradation rates (twofold lower compared with control samples). Broccoli texture for uncoated samples increased significantly during storage. However, for carboxymethyl-cellulose coated broccoli a slight increase in texture was observed while for chitosan coated broccoli no significant changes in texture were observed throughout the storage period. After the edible coating application the microbial broccoli load dropped by around 1.5 and 0.9 logarithmic units in chitosan and carboxymethyl-cellulose films, respectively. During storage, the application of chitosan coating significantly reduced total microbial counts in the thermally and non-thermally treated uncoated samples. Among the assayed edible coatings, chitosan effectively maintained quality attributes and extended shelf life of minimally processed broccoli. The single application of a mild heat shock had a measurable influence in reducing weight loss, enzymatic browning in broccoli stems, and in delaying yellowing of broccoli florets. Moreover, chitosan coating combined with a mild heat shock showed the best performance for long-term refrigerated storage of minimally processed broccoli.     

Aloe vera gel coating maintains quality and safety of ready-to-eat pomegranate arils

Several postharvest treatments were performed on pomegranate arils prior to storage in rigid polypropylene boxes for 12 days at 3 °C: water (control), ascorbic + citric acids (at 0.5 or 1%), Aloe vera gel (at 50 or 100%), 50% A. vera gel + 0.5% ascorbic and 0.5% citric acid, and 100% A. vera gel + 1% ascorbic and 1% citric acid. A. vera (alone or in combination with acids) led to lower CO₂ and higher O₂ concentrations inside the packages compared with arils treated with water (control). With respect to quality attributes, A. vera coatings led to firmness retention and increased levels of total anthocyanins and total phenolics. In addition, A. vera treatments led to significantly lower counts for both mesophilic aerobics and yeast and moulds. Sensory analysis scores for flavour, texture, aroma, colour and purchase decision were higher in arils treated with A. vera, especially in those arils treated with 100% A. vera + 1% ascorbic and citric acids. Finally, no off-flavours in pomegranate arils were perceived by judges as a consequence of A. vera gel treatment.     

Effect of antioxidants in controlling enzymatic browning of minimally processed persimmon ‘Rojo Brillante’

‘Rojo Brillante’ is an important variety of persimmon that after removal of the astringency with high levels of CO₂, maintains firmness and sweetness, making possible its commercialization as a fresh-cut commodity. However, the commercial success of the product is limited mainly by enzymatic browning. This work presents the effect of a wide range of antioxidants on enzymatic browning of ‘Rojo Brillante’ persimmon combining in vitro (extracts and precipitates) and in vivo (cut tissue) studies. Preliminary screening of the antioxidants, determined by absorbance and color measurements of persimmon extracts and pellets, showed that 4-hexylresorcinol (Hexyl), citric acid (CA) and calcium chloride (CaCl₂) were effective at controlling browning at 10 mM; whereas, ascorbic acid (AA) required a higher concentration (25 mM). Peracetic acid, cyclodextrin, cysteine, and hexametaphosphate were not effective at controlling browning, even at a concentration of 50 mM. In in vivo studies, AA (1.12%) and CA (0.21%) were the most effective treatments to control enzymatic browning of fresh-cut material, reaching the limit of marketability in 5–7 days, whereas, Hexyl and CaCl₂ did not reach 1 day of storage. The results showed that optimum concentrations in cut tissue did not always correlate with the in vitro studies, indicating that antioxidants have an effect not only in browning reactions, but also in metabolic activity and cell wall changes during wound-induced reactions. The results provide relevant information for further development of minimally processed ‘Rojo Brillante’ persimmon during storage at 5 °C.     

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.     

Combination of electrolysed water,UV-C and superatmospheric O2 packaging for improving fresh-cut broccoli quality

The effects of neutral electrolysed water (NEW), ultraviolet light C (UV-C) and superatmospheric O₂ packaging (HO), single or combined, on the quality of fresh-cut kailan-hybrid broccoli for 19 days at 5 °C were studied. As controls, washing with water and sanitation with NaClO were both used. Electrolyte leakage, sensory, microbial and nutritional quality changes throughout shelf-life were studied. At day 15, the combined treatments achieved lower mesophilic and psychrophilic growth compared to the single ones. Single treatments produced higher ascorbate peroxidase (APX) reductions just after its application, while superoxide dismutase (SOD) showed the opposite behaviour. After 5 days at 5 °C, a great increase of APX and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) activity was observed, NEW + UV-C + HO and HO-including treatments achieving the highest and the lowest APX increases, respectively. UV-C-including treatments produced the highest α-linolenic acid (ALA) decreases ranging 35–38% over control contents on the processing day. NEW-including treatments greatly reduced, throughout shelf-life, ALA and stearic acid (SA) content by 27–44% and 31–61%, respectively. Total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity (1415 mg ChAE kg⁻¹ fw and 287 mg AAE kg⁻¹ fw, respectively) remained quite constant during shelf-life. In general, the treatments and their possible combinations seem to be promising techniques to preserve, or even enhance, the quality of fresh-cut kailan-hybrid broccoli and, probably, other vegetables.     

Low oxygen levels and light exposure affect quality of fresh-cut Romaine lettuce

Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) has the potential to extend the shelf-life of fresh-cut lettuce mainly by limiting the oxidation processes. However, exposure to light conditions has been described as causing browning and quality loss. The influence of O₂ partial pressures (pO₂) and light exposure during storage on the shelf-life of fresh-cut Romaine lettuce was studied. Fresh-cut lettuce was exposed daily during storage to different light conditions: light (24 h), darkness (24 h) and photoperiod (12 h light + 12 h darkness). Changes in respiration rate, headspace gas composition, sensory quality, colour, electrolyte leakage, stomatal opening, water loss, texture and compositional constituents related to browning such as vitamin C and individual and total phenolic compounds were evaluated. Different weight samples (75–275 g), packaged with an initial pO₂ of 0.5–2.0 kPa balanced with N₂, reached pO₂ from 0.1 to 1.5 at the steady-state. Atmospheres with low pO₂ (0.2–0.5) at the steady-state preserved lettuce quality by the control of browning and the prevention of off-odours and off-flavours. Light exposure during storage positively influenced the number of open stomata (74% in light vs 24% in darkness) which contributed slightly to weight loss. Consumption of O₂ in samples exposed to light differed significantly from those stored in photoperiod or darkness (10.6 ± 7.0, 18.3 ± 3.5 and 25.8 ± 8.6 nmol O₂ kg^?1 s^?1, respectively). Packages exposed to light showed higher pO₂ compared with packages stored in darkness while those exposed to photoperiod had intermediate values. Moreover, location of the packages in the shelves affected package headspace gas composition and thus, packages near the front of the shelves showed higher pO₂ than those at the back. The different light conditions did not influence the content of vitamin C or the individual and total phenolic compounds. This study shows that under light conditions respiration activity was compensated by photosynthesis resulting in a higher pO₂. Thus, browning of fresh-cut Romaine lettuce can be promoted by light exposure during storage as it increases headspace pO₂.     

Effect of alginate coating on physicochemical and sensory qualities of button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) under a high oxygen modified atmosphere

Button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) were dipped for 2 min in different concentrations (1%, 2% and 3%) of alginate, then placed in jars and ventilated continuously with 100% O₂ for up to 16 d at 4 °C. Mushroom respiration rate, weight loss, texture, color, percent open caps, chemical properties and activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and peroxidase (POD) were measured. The results indicate that treatment with alginate coating (2%) + 100% O₂ maintained a high level of firmness, and delayed browning and cap opening. In addition, alginate coating (2%) + 100% O₂ also delayed changes in the soluble solids concentration, total sugars and ascorbic acid, and inhibited the activity of PPO and POD throughout storage. Our study suggests that the use of alginate coating under a high oxygen modified atmosphere has the potential to maintain button mushroom quality and extend its postharvest life to 16 d.     

Effect of atmospheric modification, 1-MCP and chemicals on quality of fresh-cut banana

Fresh-cut banana slices have a short shelf-life due to fast browning and softening after processing. The effects of atmospheric modification, exposure to 1-MCP, and chemical dips on the quality of fresh-cut bananas were determined. Low levels of O₂ (2 and 4 kPa) and high levels of CO₂ (5 and 10 kPa), alone or in combination, did not prevent browning and softening of fresh-cut banana slices. Softening and respiration rates were decreased in response to 1-MCP treatment (1 μL L⁻¹ for 6 h at 14 °C) of fresh-cut banana slices (after processing), but their ethylene production and browning rates were not influenced. A 2-min dip in a mixture of 1% (w/v) CaCl₂ + 1% (w/v) ascorbic acid + 0.5% (w/v) cysteine effectively prevented browning and softening of the slices for 6 days at 5 °C. Dips in less than 0.5% cysteine promoted pinking of fresh-cut banana slices, while concentrations between 0.5 and 1.0% cysteine delayed browning and softening and extended the post-cutting life to 7 days at 5 °C.     

Minimally processed potatoes: Part 2. Effects of high oxygen partial pressures in combination with ascorbic and citric acid on loss of some quality traits

Sliced potatoes were stored in flexible packaging under different oxygen partial pressures (10, 55 and 100 kPa) after dipping treatments with ascorbic and citric acid at different concentrations. The levels of oxygen, ascorbic and citric acid were modulated according to a Central Composite Design. The response surface methodology allowed an assessment of the effects of these variables and their interactions on the respiration rate in a closed system, on the carbon dioxide accumulation rate and the volatile metabolites production inside flexible pouches. The results showed that the respiration rate did not increase in direct linear proportion to the oxygen partial pressure and there was no significant difference in respiration between 55 and 100 kPa, even though the respiration rate was higher at these super-atmospheric oxygen levels than at 10 kPa. Citric acid did not affect the respiration significantly, while the respiration rate increased with the increase in ascorbic acid concentration. However, at the highest level of ascorbic acid tested (5%), the respiration rate decreased. During storage in a high barrier plastic pouch, a higher CO₂ accumulation rate was generally observed under 55 kPa than under 10 and 100 kPa. High oxygen partial pressures (55 and 100 kPa) did not stop the production of hexanal but they had an inhibitory effect on the anaerobic volatiles production.     

Ripening behavior and quality of modified atmosphere packed ‘Doyenne du Comice’ pears during cold storage and simulated transit

The effect of MAP on extending storage life and maintaining fruit quality was studied in ‘Doyenne du Comice’ (Pyrus communis L.) pears at Hood River and Medford, Oregon. Control fruit packed in standard perforated polyethylene liners started to show senescent core breakdown and lost the capacity to ripen at 20 °C after 4–5 months of cold storage in Hood River and after 5.25–6 months in Medford. LifeSpan^® L257 MAP achieved steady-state atmospheres of 15.8% O₂ + 3.7% CO₂ in Hood River and 15.7–17.5% O₂ + 3.8–5.7% CO₂ in Medford. MAP inhibited ethylene production, ascorbic acid degradation and malondialdehyde accumulation, and extended storage life for up to 6 months with maintenance of fruit flesh firmness (FF) and skin color without commercially unacceptable level of physiological disorders. After 4, 5 and 6 months at −1 °C, MAP fruit exhibited climacteric-like patterns of ethylene production and softened to proper texture with desirable eating quality on day 5 during ripening at 20 °C. After 6 months at −1 °C plus 2 weeks of simulated transit conditions, MAP fruit maintained FF and skin color and had good eating quality at transit temperatures of 2 and 4.5 °C (10.1–11.5% O₂ + 4.8–5.2% CO₂), but reduced FF substantially and developed internal browning disorder at 7.5 and 20 °C (3.2–7.2% O₂ + 7.9–9.5% CO₂). The storage life of ‘Doyenne du Comice’ pears with high eating quality could be increased by up to 2 months when packed in MAP as compared with fruit packed in standard perforated polyethylene liners.     

Preharvest application of abscisic acid promotes anthocyanins accumulation in pericarp of litchi fruit without adversely affecting postharvest quality

Pericarp colour of litchi fruit is an important quality attribute that determines its market value and consumer acceptance. Plant growth regulators (PGR) such as abscisic acid (ABA) and ethephon are known to play important roles in peel colour development during maturation and ripening of non-climacteric fruits (e.g. grape and litchi). Our aim was to investigate the effects of preharvest application of ABA, ethephon and their combination on pericarp colour and fruit quality of litchi (cv. Calcuttia) and also to assess the potential effects on postharvest performance of fruit. Exogenous application of ABA (150 or 300 mg L⁻¹) at the colour-break stage significantly increased the concentration of total anthocyanins and cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside, the major anthocyanin contributing ∼71–96% of the total anthocyanins, in litchi pericarp compared to ethephon (500 μL L⁻¹). Among different anthocyanins quantified, the relative contribution of cyanidin-3,5-diglucoside to the total anthocyanins was significantly higher in all PGR-treated fruit compared to the control, but the concentration of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside was specifically enhanced by ABA. No significant effect on the concentrations of epicatechin, and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside was observed in response to PGR treatments. Ethephon (500 μL L⁻¹) treatment did not significantly increase the anthocyanin levels in pericarp, but it caused more degradation of chlorophyll pigments than control. Aril quality with regard to firmness, soluble solids and acidity was not significantly affected by PGR treatments, except that ethephon-treated fruit showed significant softening and lower acidity. Postharvest changes in fruit quality attributes including pericarp browning during cold storage at 5 °C for 14 d were mainly related to the storage duration effect, rather than PGR treatment. In conclusion, ABA treatment (150 or 300 mg L⁻¹) at the colour-break stage enhanced anthocyanins accumulation in litchi pericarp without adversely affecting postharvest quality and storage stability for 14 d.     

Effect of minimal processing on bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of fresh-cut ‘Kent’ mango (Mangifera indica L.)

The influence of dipping in ascorbic acid, citric acid and calcium chloride (AA + CA + CaCl₂) solution and storage time on color, bioactive compounds content and antioxidant activity of fresh-cut mango ‘Kent’ stored at 5 °C was evaluated. The treated mangoes showed better color retention during storage than control mangoes. The dipping treatments with AA + CA + CaCl₂ significantly increased the vitamin C values compared with untreated mango cubes. β-Carotene was not affected by dipping treatments and vitamin E showed a significant decline over storage time for both treated and untreated mango cubes. However, higher vitamin E values were found in treated mangoes. Dipped cubes had higher antioxidant activity measured as TEAC and %RSA than controls. In general, addition of ascorbic acid as an anti-browning agent not only retarded quality loss of fresh-cut mango cubes but also promoted significant increases in antioxidant activity in comparison with control samples.     

Use of chlorine dioxide fumigation to alleviate enzymatic browning of harvested ‘Daw’ longan pericarp during storage under ambient conditions

Pericarp browning reduces both the shelf-life and market value of harvested longan fruit stored at room temperature. Our study investigated the efficiency of chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) fumigation at reducing pericarp browning of longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) cv. Daw. Fresh longan fruit were fumigated with 0 (control), 2.5, 5, 10 and 25 mg/L ClO₂ for 10 min, before being packed in cardboard boxes, and stored at 25 ± 1 °C, RH 82 ± 5% for 7 days. Fruit treated with ClO₂ had a lower browning index, but higher hue angle (true color), L* (lightness) and b* (yellowness) values than non-treated fruit. The 10 and 25 mg/L ClO₂ treatments were the most effective at extending shelf-life from 1 to 5 days, compared with the control, by reducing pericarp browning, the activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD), disease development and by maintaining the highest total phenolic content. However, quality acceptance of fruit treated with 10 mg/L ClO₂ was higher than fruits treated with 25 mg/L, as determined by odor and flavor. Consequently, ClO₂ fumigation at a concentration of 10 mg/L was considered to be the most effective treatment to reduce pericarp browning of longan, whilst maintaining fruit quality.     

Low dose gamma irradiation does not affect the quality,proximate or nutritional profile of ‘Brigitta’ blueberry and ‘Maravilla’ raspberry fruit

Blueberry (Northern Highbush, cv ‘Brigitta’) and raspberry (cv ‘Maravilla’) fruit were subject to low dose gamma irradiation (0, 150, 400 and 1000 Gy) and stored at 0 °C for three or ten days (blueberry) and two or seven days (raspberry) to determine the effects of irradiation on fruit quality and nutritional and proximate contents. In general, none of the irradiation doses (≤1000 Gy) significantly affected blueberry or raspberry fruit quality (overall fruit quality, colour, firmness, weight loss, TSS, TA levels or TSS/TA ratio), or the nutritional or proximate content (ash, carbohydrate, dietary fibre, energy, moisture, protein, sodium, potassium, total sugars, fructose, ascorbic acid, monomeric anthocyanin, citric and malic acids). The length of time in storage affected some fruit quality and nutritional and proximate content parameters (such as overall fruit quality, firmness, weight loss, TA levels, dietary fibre, potassium, ascorbic acid, citric and malic acids), with longer storage periods resulting in lower quality fruit, irrespective of irradiation treatment. No interaction was detected between the effects of irradiation treatment and storage time, indicating that the storage effect was consistent for all irradiation doses on both blueberry and raspberry fruit quality.     

Application of citric acid and mild heat shock to minimally processed sliced radish: Color evaluation

The aim of this research was to study the effects of two hurdle technologies, citric acid application (CA) at 0.3%, 0.6% and 0.9% and thermal treatments (IT) for 1, 2 and 3 min at 50 °C, on the color of radish slices over 10 d of refrigerated storage. Contribution of the hurdles and their interactions were evaluated by examining the treatment effects on the following parameters: chromatic coordinates (L*, a* and b*) and the indices: chroma (ΔC*), total color difference (ΔE) and Color Index (CI*).The chromatic parameters for fresh radish (control samples) were L₀ = 69.43 ± 0.62, a₀ = −0.46 ± 0.05 and b₀ = 5.37 ± 0.37, while the calculated color indices were chroma = 5.39 ± 0.36, ΔE = 0 and CI* = −1.19 ± 0.17. Regarding control samples, the b* values showed an increasing trend during storage, which was associated with browning of the slices. Both ΔE and ΔC* values presented similar trends as reported for b*. Based on statistical analysis of the parameters and indices tested, the single hurdle application of low citric acid concentration (0.3%) or intermediate immersion time (2 min) at 50 °C minimized the radish slices color changes during storage. However, better results were obtained when two hurdles in series were applied. According to analysis, the treatment T7 (1 min IT, 0.3% CA) was selected as the best treatment to improve the retention of typical natural color of the minimally processed sliced radishes.     

Chilling injury in mango (Mangifera indica) fruit peel: Relationship with ascorbic acid concentrations and antioxidant enzyme activities

We investigated the degree of chilling injury (CI) in mango (Mangifera indica) fruit stored at 4 °C or 12 °C, in relation to peel ascorbic acid concentrations, total antioxidant capacity, and the activities of four antioxidative enzymes. In cv. Nam Dok Mai fruit exposed to 4 °C, CI (peel browning) was found after 5 days, whilst CI in cv. Choke Anan fruit started after 10 days and did not reach the same degree. When held at 27–28 °C, following various periods of exposure to 4 °C, peel browning in both cultivars increased, but that in cv. Nam Dok Mai remained higher than in cv. Choke Anan. An inverse correlation was found between peel browning and ascorbic acid concentrations, and between peel browning and total antioxidant capacity, measured using the FRAP method. In cv. Nam Dok Mai, the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were lower during storage at 4 °C than during storage at 12 °C, while such a difference was not found in cv. Choke Anan. When compared to cv. Choke Anan, lower activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and of guaiacol peroxidase (POX) were found in the peel of cv. Nam Dok Mai. However, no difference was observed in APX and in POX activities in the peel of cv. Nam Dok Mai stored at 4 °C or 12 °C. This means that the relationships between CI and APX and POX activities were weak.     

Effect of oxalic acid on quality attributes of artichokes stored at ambient temperature

The effect of oxalic acid (OA) on the overall quality of artichokes (Cynara cardunculus L. subsp. scolymus (L.) Hayek, formerly Cynara scolymus L. cv. Blanca de Tudela) was investigated for the first time in this vegetable. Artichokes were dipped in OA solution at 1 mM for 10 min and then stored at 20 °C. OA application delayed the deterioration process in artichokes during storage by retarding weight loss, softening, colour changes and chlorophyll degradation. In addition OA significantly reduced mesophilic aerobics and yeast and moulds counts with respect to controls. Finally, the content of total phenolics and antioxidant activity were not affected negatively by OA treatment. Thus, OA treatment might be a promising method for delaying postharvest deterioration and maintaining the overall quality of artichokes.     

Pulsed light effects on surface decontamination,physical qualities and nutritional composition of tomato fruit

Pulsed light (PL) is a nonthermal food technology with a potential as postharvest decontamination strategy for fruit and vegetables. The feasibility of PL in extending shelf-life of food products while assuring appropriate quality is still under investigation. The effect of pulsed light (PL) on surface decontamination (natural and inoculated microorganisms), physical (colour, texture and weight) and nutritional quality (ascorbic acid and major carotenoids) was investigated in red-ripe tomatoes during 15 days of storage at 20 °C. The application of PL treatments at fluences of 2.68 and 5.36 J/cm² reduced microbial loads during storage of whole tomatoes. One log₁₀ reduction on the microflora present in both skin and peduncle scar parts of the tomato was obtained with a fluence of 4 J/cm². Fluences of 2.2 J/cm² allowed a 2.3 log₁₀ reduction of Saccharomyces cerevisiae inoculated onto the tomato surface. Softening, increased loss of weight, and wrinkles on the tomato surface appeared after 3 days on PL treated tomato fruit. Ascorbic acid levels remained unchanged during storage. Total lycopene, α-carotene and β-carotene contents and lycopene isomerisation percent were higher in tomato extracts prepared with fresh tomato fruit treated with a high PL dose of 30 J/cm². An increase in the bio-accessibility of lycopene was observed in hot-break purees prepared with fresh tomatoes treated at 5.36 J/cm² and stored 15 days. In conclusion, PL treatment of fresh tomato would result in a reduction in microbiological contaminants without compromising the nutritional value; but it did induce some appearance defects.     

Effect of 1-MCP treatment and N2O MAP on physiological and quality changes of fresh-cut pineapple

The effects of both 1-MCP treatment of pineapples and packaging of their fresh-cut products with an alternative modified atmosphere (MA: 86.13 kPa N₂O, 10.13 kPa O₂ and 5.07 kPa CO₂) on physiological and quality changes of these minimally processed products were investigated. Fresh-cut fruit treated or not with 1-MCP were packed in Air or in MA and were stored at 4 °C for 10 d. The following parameters were monitored during storage: ripening index; O₂, CO₂ and C₂H₄ in the package headspace; firmness and colour. Microbial spoilage of MP pineapple samples was also investigated and a mathematical model based on the Zwietering modified Gompertz equation was used to obtain growth parameters of mesophilic bacteria, yeasts and moulds.The results showed that 1-MCP treatment and MAP in a N₂O enriched atmosphere had a positive combined effect on the inhibition of respiration and ethylene production of fresh-cut pineapple and on its softening delay, confirming previous findings about 1-MCP and N₂O preservative effects on fresh-cut fruit quality. This combined effect was not extended to the ripening index and colour maintenance, as MAP at 86.13 kPa of N₂O did not add any benefit to that of the 1-MCP treatment. From a microbiological point of view, N₂O MAP extended the shelf-life of the products of 3–4 d by increasing the lag phase of microbial growth.     

Effect of ethylene concentration on quality parameters of fresh tomatoes stored using a carbon-heat hybrid ethylene scrubber

Tomato fruit were stored in cold rooms at 8 °C containing an adsorbent–catalyst device including activated carbon–1% Pd either alone or with a heater (175 °C) programmed to heat at 3 h pulse intervals. Cold rooms without the adsorbent–catalyst system were used as controls. The use of the device led to very low concentrations of both ethylene and CO₂ inside the cold rooms when compared with activated carbon–1% Pd alone or control rooms. In addition, the parameters related to ripening such as respiration rate, ethylene production, 1-aminocylcopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC, free and conjugated), colour changes, softening, decrease in total acidity (mainly citric and ascorbic acids) and lycopene were significantly higher in stored tomato fruit in control rooms than in those stored in cold rooms with both adsorbent–catalyst systems. The magnitude of the delay in these parameters was always significantly greater with the use of the device with respect to activated carbon–1% Pd alone. Thus, this device could be considered as a new tool to eliminate the ethylene surrounding fruit and vegetables in storage areas, avoiding the detrimental effects of ethylene action and leading to maintenance of their postharvest quality. Other additional advantages are the auto-regeneration process, when heat pulses were applied to the adsorbent–catalyst system, and the fact that it is an environmentally friendly technology.