Preharvest application of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) in two plum cultivars. 2. Improvement of fruit quality and antioxidant systems during postharvest storage

‘Black Splendor’ (BS) and ‘Royal Rosa’ (RR) plums were treated preharvest with methyl jasmonate (MeJA) at three concentrations (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mM) along the on-tree fruit development: 63, 77 and 98 days after full blossom (DAFB). Both control and treated fruit were harvested at the commercial ripening stage and stored in two temperature conditions: 9 days at 20 °C or at 2 °C + 1 day at 20 °C for 50 days. Preharvest MeJA at 2.0 mM significantly accelerated whereas 0.5 mM delayed the postharvest ripening process for both cultivars, since ethylene production, respiration rate and softening were reduced significantly at the two storage conditions for 0.5 mM. In these fruit, total phenolics, total antioxidant activity (hydrophilic fraction, HTAA) and the antioxidant enzymes peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were found at higher levels in treated than control plums during postharvest storage, which could account for the delay of the postharvest ripening process and the extension of shelf-life.     

Effectiveness of submicron chitosan dispersions in controlling anthracnose and maintaining quality of dragon fruit

Conventional chitosan (CC) and submicron chitosan dispersions (SCD) were evaluated for the control of postharvest anthracnose and maintenance of quality of dragon fruit during storage at 10 ± 2 °C and 80 ± 5% RH for 28 days. All the chitosan treatments significantly reduced anthracnose symptoms, resulting in a reduction of disease development and thereby maintained the quality of fresh fruit for extended periods. SCD at 1.0% with 600 nm droplet size gave the best result in that it delayed the onset of disease and maintained the quality of dragon fruit for up to 28 days of storage. It can be concluded from the present investigation that SCD have potential to be used as an antifungal agent to control postharvest anthracnose and maintain quality of dragon fruit during storage.     

Effects of carboxymethyl cellulose and chitosan bilayer edible coating on postharvest quality of citrus fruit

There is increasing public interest in development of edible natural biodegradable coatings to replace the currently used commercial synthetic waxes for maintaining postharvest quality of citrus fruit. We tested the efficacy of a newly developed polysaccharide-based edible bilayer coating comprising carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and chitosan in preserving postharvest quality of various citrus fruit, including ‘Or’ and ‘Mor’ mandarins, ‘Navel’ oranges, and ‘Star Ruby’ grapefruit after simulated storage and marketing. In all citrus species, it was found that the CMC/chitosan bilayer coating was equally effective as the commercial polyethylene wax in enhancing fruit gloss. Furthermore, the CMC/chitosan bilayer coating slightly increased fruit firmness, especially of oranges and grapefruit, but was mostly not effective in preventing post-storage weight loss. Both the CMC/chitosan bilayer coating and the commercial wax had no significant effects on juice total soluble solids and acidity levels, and had similar effects on gas permeability, as indicated by only slight increases in internal CO₂ levels and in juice ethanol accumulation after storage. Sensory analyses revealed that neither the CMC/chitosan bilayer coating nor the commercial wax coating had any deleterious effects on flavor preference of ‘Navel’ orange and ‘Star Ruby’ grapefruit. However, application of the commercial wax, and moreover the CMC/chitosan bilayer coating, resulted in a gradual decrease in flavor acceptability of ‘Or’ and ‘Mor’ mandarins because of increased perception of off-flavors. Overall, we showed that the CMC/chitosan bilayer edible coating sufficiently enhanced fruit gloss, but was not effective in preventing postharvest weight loss. Furthermore, flavor quality was slightly impaired in mandarins but not in oranges and grapefruit.     

Preharvest application of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) in two plum cultivars. 1. Improvement of fruit growth and quality attributes at harvest

Two plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.) cultivars ‘Black Splendor’ (BS) and ‘Royal Rosa’ (RR) were treated with methyl jasmonate (MeJA) at 3 concentrations (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mM) along the on-tree fruit development: 63, 77 and 98 days after full blossom (DAFB). On a weekly basis, fruit samples were taken for measuring fruit size and weight and parameters related to quality. Results revealed that MeJA was effective in increasing fruit size and weight, the 0.5 mM being the most effective for BS cultivar and 2.0 mM for RR. At harvest, those fruit treated with 0.5 mM MeJA had the highest firmness and colour Hue values. Total acidity was also generally higher in MeJA-treated fruit than in controls, while the content of total soluble solids remained unaffected. In addition, total phenolics and total antioxidant activity were found at higher concentrations in 0.5 and 2.0 mM MeJA-treated than in control fruit over at last 3 weeks of fruit development for BS and RR cultivars, respectively. Overall results suggest that MeJA could be a promising preharvest tool to increase plum size and quality with enhanced bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity, although the optimum concentration is cultivar dependent.     

Genomics of pear and other Rosaceae fruit trees

The family Rosaceae includes many economically important fruit trees, such as pear, apple, peach, cherry, quince, apricot, plum, raspberry, and loquat. Over the past few years, whole-genome sequences have been released for Chinese pear, European pear, apple, peach, Japanese apricot, and strawberry. These sequences help us to conduct functional and comparative genomics studies and to develop new cultivars with desirable traits by marker-assisted selection in breeding programs. These genomics resources also allow identification of evolutionary relationships in Rosaceae, development of genome-wide SNP and SSR markers, and construction of reference genetic linkage maps, which are available through the Genome Database for the Rosaceae website. Here, we review the recent advances in genomics studies and their practical applications for Rosaceae fruit trees, particularly pear, apple, peach, and cherry.     

Combined effects of sodium chlorite dip treatment and chitosan coatings on the quality of fresh-cut d’Anjou pears

This study evaluated the effects of sodium chlorite (SC) alone and its sequential treatment with edible coatings on browning inhibition and quality maintenance of fresh-cut d’Anjou pears. Edible coatings were prepared from chitosan (CH) and its water-soluble derivative carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCH), separately. Pear wedges were immersed in SC solution, followed by coating with CH or CMCH solutions. The samples were packed in unsealed bags and stored at 4 °C for subsequent color, firmness, and weight loss measurement. The effects of the SC and coating treatments on polyphenol oxidase (PPO) inhibition and microbial inactivation were also evaluated. Results indicated that SC exhibited significant (P < 0.05) inhibition of browning and PPO activity. The SC treatment was also strongly effective in inactivating Escherichia coli O157:H7 on pear slices. Coating SC-treated pear slices with CH adversely affected the quality of pear slices by accelerating the discoloration of cut surfaces and increasing the PPO activity. On the contrary, coating SC-treated samples with CMCH significantly prevented the browning reaction and inhibited PPO activity. In addition, SC and CH/CMCH coatings maintained tissue firmness and did not affect weight loss. Our study may provide a scientific basis for the use of SC + CMCH treatment as an alternative preservation treatment for fresh-cut fruits and vegetables.     

灌溉方式对地表蒸发和梨果实发育的影响

为了解决地面灌溉中灌溉水利用效率低、果实品质差的问题,于2013年在河北工程大学永年校区以5年生田间梨树为试材,研究不同地面灌溉方式对土壤水分含量、地表蒸发量、梨产量与品质的影响。4种地面灌溉方式包括沟灌、畦灌、覆草畦灌和覆草非灌溉。测定不同处理的土壤含水量、地表蒸发量和果实品质。结果表明,不同灌溉方式的土壤含水量差异显著,覆草畦灌和沟灌显著高于畦灌和覆草非灌溉处理。覆草畦灌和沟灌较畦灌可显著减少地表的蒸发量,覆草非灌溉、覆草畦灌、沟灌和畦灌3—8月的累积地表蒸发量分别是77.92、114.64、163.1、203.73 mm。沟灌的灌溉水利用效率为1.99 kg/m3,显著大于覆草畦灌和畦灌,分别提高了1.45、1.06 kg/m3。沟灌显著提高了果实的单果重、可溶性固形物含量、总糖含量和维生素C含量。综上,沟灌既能减少地表蒸发又能提高果实产量和品质,是当前较好的地面灌溉方式。     

乙酰水杨酸处理对鸭梨果实货架期品质特性的影响

本文以鸭梨果实为试材,于0 ℃低温冷藏6个月后,采用1.0 mM ASA处理,与对照(CK)同时转入20℃,并对鸭梨果实货架期的硬度、TSS、失重率、呼吸速率、乙烯释放速率、可滴定酸和腐烂率等进行了研究,结果表明,ASA处理可延缓鸭梨果实的硬度下降,减轻果实的失重,抑制果实的呼吸和乙烯释放速率,维持鸭梨果实较好的外观品质和食用品质,延长其货架寿命。     

Blueberry leaf extracts incorporated chitosan coatings for preserving postharvest quality of fresh blueberries

The phenolic compounds in blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) fruit and leaf extracts (BLE) were determined based on HPLC analysis. Antimicrobial assays against Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli, as well as fungi isolated from the rotting blueberry fruit were conducted. The effects of chitosan coating incorporating different concentrations of BLE on the quality of fresh fruit during postharvest storage at 2 ± 1 °C and 95 ± 2% relative humidity (RH) for 35 d and then at room conditions for 3 d were also investigated. Five different coating treatments were applied including 2% (w/v) chitosan coating (T1), 2% (w/v) chitosan coating containing 4% (w/v, T2), 8% (w/v, T3), or 12% (w/v, T4) BLE, and 2% (w/v) chitosan coating containing 12% BLE plus modified atmosphere packaging (MAP at 3 kPa O₂ + 12 kPa CO₂) (T5). A sample of blueberries dipped into distilled water was used as control (T0). BLE had a greater variety of phenolic compounds than fruit extracts with syringic acid the highest concentration (0.259 ± 0.003 g kg⁻¹), but the total phenolic content in BLE was lower (P < 0.05) than in fruit extracts. BLE showed good antimicrobial activity against all tested microorganisms, with a minimum inhibition concentration from 25 to 50 g L⁻¹. The 2% chitosan coating that incorporated 8% or 12% BLE showed some degree of decreasing decay rate of fruit compared with the control, and the coating with BLE plus MAP had more effective control of fruit decay. All treated samples maintained higher total phenolic content and radical scavenging activity than the control. This study suggested that chitosan coating incorporating BLE can be employed to extend shelf-life and maintain high nutritional value of fresh blueberries during postharvest storage.     

Effect of oxalic acid on ripening attributes of banana fruit during storage

The effect of exogenous oxalic acid treatment on ripening attributes of banana fruit during storage was investigated. Banana fruit were dipped into solutions of 0 (control) or 20 mM oxalic acid for 10 min and then stored at room temperature (23 ± 2 °C) and 75–90% relative humidity. The application of oxalic acid reduced fruit deterioration during storage. The oxalic acid treatment also reduced the rates of respiration and ethylene production, and delayed the decreases in firmness, hue angle, and maximal chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) of banana fruit during storage. Furthermore, fruit treated with oxalic acid exhibited higher superoxide dismutase activity and antioxidant capability with a lower production of reactive oxygen species at the late storage period compared with non-oxalic acid-treated fruit. Overall, the oxalic acid treatment was effective in inhibiting postharvest ripening of banana fruit and exhibited the potential for commercial application to store the bananas at room temperature. It can be concluded that the delay in banana fruit ripening associated with oxalic acid treatment could be due to inhibition of respiration and ethylene production rates, and reduction of oxidative injury caused by reactive oxygen species through increased antioxidant activity.     

Chitosan based powder coating technique to enhance phytochemicals and shelf life quality of radish shreds

Minimally processed radish forms an important segment of the rapidly growing minimally processed industry worldwide. Radish shreds have a short shelf life thus necessitating the use of chemical additives. However, demand for natural preservatives in foods has increased. Chitosan is a natural antimicrobial biopolymer with a good film forming ability. Hence, it is used as an edible coating on whole and fresh cut fruits and vegetables. The present investigation explored powder coating technique using purified chitosan and chitosan lactate for shelf life extension of shredded radish. Macro perforated LDPE resealable pouches were used to pack the samples. Samples were stored at 10 °C for 10 d. Physicochemical characteristics, phytochemicals, antioxidant activity, respiration rate and color were analyzed periodically. The study also determined microbial load and sensory acceptability in the stored samples. Chitosan treated samples exhibited a lower degree of weight loss, respiration rate, titrable acidity, % soluble solids and higher content of phytochemicals, moisture, and pH compared with control samples. The treated samples also exhibited better sensory acceptability, lower exudate volume, lesser browning and lower microbial load compared to control. This indicated better potential marketability of the coated radish shreds. Chitosan powder coating could be used as an efficient technique for quality maintenance and shelf life extension of radish shreds with feasibility for large scale application.     

库尔勒香梨采后果实褐变机理及控制途径

库尔勒香梨采后果实褐变,不仅与酚类物质和多酚氧化酶（PPO）含量、分布有关,而且还与细胞膜结构变化密切相关。本文对库尔勒香梨果实褐变机理、控制途径及技术问题进行综述。     

采前喷施壳聚糖和高良姜溶液对龙眼采后耐贮性的影响

在采收前1周和1d进行不同浓度的壳聚糖和高良姜溶液处理龙眼果实,以探讨它们对龙眼采后生理的影响。结果表明,壳聚糖和高良姜溶液均能显著降低贮藏期间果实失重率和烂果率,减缓了贮藏期间果实可溶性固形物和总糖的下降,提高贮藏期间果皮、果肉的SOD酶活性,降低了果皮、果肉的MDA含量。两者相比,高良姜溶液的效果略高于壳聚糖,高浓度处理高于低浓度处理。     

Effects of electron-beam irradiation on blueberries inoculated with Escherichia coli and their nutritional quality and shelf life

Fresh blueberries have become a popular new functional food because of their remarkably high levels of antioxidant phytonutrients and health benefits. However, the potential prevalence of human pathogens on blueberries has become an increased concern because they are consumed fresh. Procedures effective in decontamination and extending shelf life without affecting fruit quality are needed. Electron-beam irradiation was applied to fresh blueberries at the doses ranging from 0.5 to 3.0 kGy and its effectiveness for inactivating Escherichia coli (E. coli) K-12 and extending shelf life were investigated. The decimal reduction dose, D₁₀ values, of E. coli in cultural medium and blueberries were 0.43 ± 0.01 kGy and 0.37 ± 0.015 kGy, respectively. Irradiation reduced bacteria inoculated on blueberries from 7.7 × 10⁸ CFU/g to 6 CFU/g at 3.13 kGy and decreased the decaying of blueberries stored at 4 °C up to 72% and at room temperature up to 70% at this dose. No significant effect on the total monomeric anthocyanins, antioxidant activity, and l-ascorbic acid content of blueberries was observed from irradiation at doses ≤3 kGy. However, significant decreases in the antioxidant activity and l-ascorbic acid content were found in both control and irradiated blueberries after storage at 4 °C for 7 and 15 d. Information obtained in this study indicates that low dose electron-beam irradiation is effective in reducing E. coli and extending shelf life while maintaining the antioxidant properties of blueberries.     

ABA and UV-C effects on quality,antioxidant capacity and anthocyanin contents of strawberry fruit (Fragaria ananassa Duch.)

Effects of 1 mM abscisic acid (ABA) and 4.1 kJ/m² UV-C radiation on quality, antioxidant capacity, anthocyanin contents, and anthocyanin biosynthetic enzyme activities of large green strawberry fruit stored at 20 °C were evaluated. Results showed that ABA promoted color formation, firmness decrease, soluble solids content and anthocyanin accumulation while UV-C inhibited these processes. Activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, tyrosine ammonia-lyase and p-coumarate ligase were immediately upregulated by approximately 50% with UV-C radiation but were inhibited, including dihydroflavonol 4-reductase especially on day 3 or 4. UV-C radiation had little effect on activity of cinnamate 4-hydroxylase (C4H). ABA enhanced activities of anthocyanin biosynthetic enzymes except C4H. These data indicated that the stimulatory effect of ABA on strawberry anthocyanin accumulation was related to enhancement of biosynthetic enzyme activities, while the effects of UV-C were more transient. In addition, it appeared that C4H was not a rate-limiting enzyme in the strawberry anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway.     

Detection and inheritance of a stylar protein associated with a self-incompatibility genotype of Japanese pear

Summary Stylar proteins in 6 cultivars of Japanese pear (Pyrus serotina Rehd.) with different self-incompatibility alleles were examined by isoelectricfocusing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (IEF-PAGE). Cultivars used involved 1 self-compatible mutant Osa-Nijisseiki obtained from Nijisseiki (S₂S₄). Banding patterns of proteins were almost the same among the 6 cultivars except for 3 bands; one of which associated clearly with self-incompatibility S₂-allele (hereafter the protein referred to as S₂-protein) and was easily detectable because of its large amount and its pI value differed from many other proteins. Two other bands were seemingly associated with S₃- and S₄-alleles, respectively. The S₂-protein was apparently present in the styles of Osa-Nijisseiki.The inheritance of S₂-protein was studied by using 15 selfed plants of Osa-Nijisseiki. Eight out of 15 plants possessed the S₂-protein as a major component of the stylar proteins and 3 plants as a minor component. The remainder 4 plants did not have the protein. This result may support that the S₂-protein is the actual S₂-gene product.Abbreviations IEF-PAGE isoelectrifocusing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - CBB Coomassie Brilliant Blue     

The use of pullulan coating enriched with plant extracts from Satureja hortensis L. to maintain pepper and apple quality and safety

This study determined the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration (MBC/MFC) of water and ethanol Satureja hortensis (SH) extract, as well as the antimicrobial activity of pullulan films with an addition of the extracts against test strains. The pullulan coating with an addition of water SH extract was also applied pepper and apple fruit. The concentration of bioactive compounds in the extracts was assessed using HPLC. The analysis included the effect of pullulan coating with water SH extract on weight loss and color change in peppers during storage at 16 °C/14 days, and 16 °C/28 days, and apples at 16 °C/14 days, and 2 °C/28 days. A microscopic image of the coating on materials was evaluated and sensory analysis performed. Polyphenolic compounds from phenolic acid and flavone families were identified in the extracts, and higher levels of phenolic compounds (p < 0.05) were found in the water extract. The activity of pullulan films with SH extracts increased significantly (p < 0.05) with the increase in SH extract concentration (5%, 10% and 20%). Pullulan films with water SH extract inhibited the growth of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and Penicillium expansum more strongly than was the case with those films with an ethanol SH extract. Moreover, coating application resulted in a decrease in weight loss and an extension of storage time, and also protected the material against excessive wilting and wrinkling on the surface, maintaining freshness and consumer appeal.     

Improvement of quality and shelf-life of strawberries with edible coatings enriched with chitosan

Strawberry fruit have a very short shelf-life and senescent period due to their high degree of perishability and infection caused by several pathogens that can rapidly reduce fruit quality. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) and composites with chitosan (CH) coatings on the shelf-life and overall quality of strawberry fruit. Strawberry fruit dipped for 2 min in solutions of CMC (1%), HPMC (1%), CMC (1%) + CH (1%) and HPMC (1%) + CH (1%) were stored at 11 ± 1 °C, 70–75% RH, while the uncoated fruit served as controls. Fruit coated with edible coatings showed significant delays in the change of weight loss, decay percentage, titratable acidity (TA), pH, total soluble solids (TSS) and ascorbic acid content as compared to uncoated control fruit. In addition, the edible coatings had a positive effect on maintaining higher concentrations of total phenolics and total anthocyanins, which decreased in control fruit due to over-ripening and senescence processes. Compared to the controls, all the coatings had positive effects on the inhibition of cell wall degrading enzymes and among all the tested coatings, CMC + CH and HPMC + CH was superior in inhibiting enzyme activity. These findings suggest that the use of CMC 1% + CH 1% and HPMC 1% + CH 1% coatings are useful for extending the shelf-life and maintaing quality of strawberry fruit.     

The performance of double or mixed pollinations with compatible and self-incompatible or incongruous pollen of pear and apple

Summary Six pear and five apple trials were carried out to ascertain the outcome of combinations of compatible pollen (C) with self (S) or incongruous pollen (I) as to the pollination index (PI=seeds/pollinated flower). The PI of the mixture C+I (1:5) was consistently depressed as compared to that of the control C. The results of the double pollinations S/C and I/C were affected by the temperature at pollination; their PI's at <15°C were twice as high as those at >15°C, being well above and below the PI of C in the former and latter case respectively. The opposite was true for the C/S combination, the PI of which increased with the pollination temperature; the PI of C/I did not differ much from the PI of C, irrespective of temperature. The conclusion was reached that the interaction previously and presently found between compatible and self-incompatible pollen also exists to a fair extent between compatible and incongruous pollen. However, in pear neither the mentor nor the pioneer pollen technique proved to aid its hybridization with apple, the formation of self seed was not observed either. In apple the production of apple × pear hybrids was likewise doubtful, but the double pollinations S/C and C/S formed 4–10% self seed.     

A comparison of apple and pear seedlings with reference to the juvenile period. II. Mode of inheritance

Summary Analysis of two incomplete half-diallel schemes of crosses, involving 22 apple and 33 pear progenies with 2500 and 5400 seedlings respectively, showed a highly significant GCA and an insignificant SCA variance for the juvenile period (J.P.). This indicates that the inheritance of the J.P. is of an additive nature, a mode of inheritance which is a function of the inheritance of a complex of factors governing growth. The mean J.P. of apple progenies varied between 3.4 and 5.0 years, that of pear progenies between 4.7 and 7.0 years. The implications for breeding are discussed.Also presented at the Juvenility Symposium held at West-Berlin, November 1976.