Baby-leaf and multi-leaf of green and red lettuces are suitable raw materials for the fresh-cut industry

Consumer demand for softer leaves with variation in taste, shape and colours has encouraged the development of new lettuce products of baby-sized leaves. The objective of this study was the comparison of whole-head lettuce, as the most common raw material for fresh-cut, with baby-leaf and multi-leaf as the newest baby-sized lettuce leaves. Lettuces (Lactuca sativa L.) of the types Green Leaf, Red Leaf and Lollo Rosso were cultivated in the same field with different plant densities, under commercial conditions. Although baby-leaf was subjected to far less wound damage than the shredded lettuce from the whole-head, leaf age could play an important role in increasing respiration rate and determining postharvest quality. After 9-11 d of storage, minimally processed products from the three types of raw material showed good visual quality without differences among them. However, over the 12-d storage period, quality decreased to the limit of marketability mainly due to browning of the cut edge surface of the fresh-cut product from whole-heads and decay due to the soft tissue in the case of baby-leaves. Additionally, with the processing of whole-heads, the increase in cut-damage surfaces and availability of cell nutrients provided conditions that favoured the growth of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and total coliforms compared to uncut surfaces of baby-sized leaves. The ratio between the oxidized and reduced forms of ascorbate (DHA/AA) increased 2-4 times after 9-11 d of storage. Furthermore, baby-sized leaves had higher phenolic contents than the shredded product from the whole-head which probably contributed to reaching a shelf-life of 11 d. In conclusion, the new green and red baby-sized leaves both at immature and mature stages provided high quality lettuce for the fresh-cut market, meeting specific requirements regarding visual quality, microbial load and high content of phytochemicals.     

Effect of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment on sweet basil leaf senescence and ethylene production during shelf-life

The effect of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on shelf-life and postharvest quality of sweet basil detached leaves was examined. Treatment with 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 g m⁻³ 1-MCP for 8 h was conducted at 15 °C in the dark. After the treatment the leaves were packed in polyethylene bags then sealed and stored at 20 °C. All 1-MCP concentrations significantly increased the shelf-life of leaves compared to the untreated control, and leaf weight loss with 1-MCP treatment was minimal. 1-MCP treatment significantly retarded the degradation of chlorophyll and protein content of detached leaves during storage and decreased leaf ethylene production. 1-MCP treatment also significantly retarded the decrease of volatile oil percentage in detached leaves during storage compared to the control. Among 1-MCP concentrations, 0.4 g m⁻³ resulted in the maximum shelf-life as well as improved postharvest quality of the leaves. The results clearly indicate that a single treatment with 1-MCP may provide a feasible technique for extending the shelf-life and maintaining higher volatile oil percentage of sweet basil leaves.     

气调处理对“早生新水”梨果实贮藏品质的影响

为研究气调环境对冷藏和货架期间早生新水’梨果实贮藏品质的影响,筛选其适宜的气调贮藏技术参数,对其冷藏和货架期间果实失重率、腐烂率、糖、酸、叶绿素含量及果皮色差进行测定。结果表明：低温冷藏60d,货架期3d,对照果实果皮和果心出现褐变,固有风味降低。处理Ⅴ的梨果实冷藏和货架期间果皮、果肉和果心严重发黑、果肉呈水渍状,果皮有汁液溢出。适宜比例的O 2、和CO 2气体配比组合可抑制冷藏和货架期间果实糖损耗和果实褐变。综合得出：1% CO2、8% O2 和92%N2 的气体配比（处理Ⅲ）可显著降低冷藏期间果实带皮硬度的下降速率,抑制果实葡萄糖、果糖和山梨醇的降解、以及果实果皮叶绿素尤其是叶绿素b的降解或氧化,延缓果实褐变,较好的保持果实固有风味;较好地保持货架期间胚乳的完整、色泽和果实固有风味,抑制果肉褐变。1% CO2、8% O2 和92%N2的气体配比结合温度为1±0.5 ℃、相对湿度为80%-85%的冷藏参数,可使果实的冷藏期延长至60d,货架期3d。     

Role of commercial sanitizers and washing systems on epiphytic microorganisms and sensory quality of fresh-cut escarole and lettuce

Increasing concerns about the possible formation of carcinogenic compounds and the emergence of new, more tolerant pathogens, have raised questions on the use of chlorine in fresh-cut produce. There is a growing need to investigate the efficacy of new commercial sanitizing and other alternative technologies. In the present study, the effectiveness of chlorine and other commercial sanitizer agents (Sanova, Sanoxol 20, Tsunami 100, Purac FCC 80, Citrox 14W and Catallix) was evaluated on epiphytic microorganisms and their influence on the sensory quality of fresh-cut escarole and lettuce. Different sanitizer concentrations (manufacturer's recommended dose and half of this dose) and application systems (submersion and spray) were also compared. The antimicrobial efficacy of the treatments was evaluated, initially after washing, and after 8 days of storage simulating a commercial shelf-life (3 days at 4 °C + 5 days at 8 °C). All the tested washing solutions were more effective in reducing the microbial load than water washes, particularly in fresh-cut escarole. However, the microbial load of fresh-cut escarole and lettuce after 8 days of storage was very similar for most of the treatments despite the different application systems and concentrations of the sanitizers. Clearly epiphytic microorganisms of fresh-cut escarole and lettuce were able to grow rapidly during storage under low temperature, reaching similar or higher values than the unwashed fresh-cut produce at the day of production. The overall visual quality of fresh-cut salad leaves was scored as good or very good (≥6) after 8 days of storage, except for the product washed with Purac. Thus, despite the high number of mesophilic bacteria present in the product, between 6 and 8 log cfu g⁻¹, it was not associated with a detrimental quality. Therefore, the determination of the initial epiphytic reductions of fresh-cut products after washing with different sanitizing agents provides little information about the microbial or sensory quality of the product at the time of consumption.     

Storage of intact heads prior to processing limits the shelf-life of fresh-cut Lactuca sativa L.

Harvested lettuce heads are usually transported and stored for some period of time under a variety of conditions prior to processing. During storage, especially under suboptimal conditions, nutritional composition of the harvested produce continues to change. The possible impact of prior storage of the heads on the performance of the fresh-cut product has not been quantified, and was the aim of this study. The experiments were performed with three related genotypes of Lactuca sativa L. (butterhead lettuce): two green varieties and one red variety. The effect of prior storage on quality parameters in the stored whole heads and on subsequent fresh-cut quality performance was investigated. In addition, the effect of prior storage of heads with and without their root system and the application of light during storage were investigated. The changes in visual quality, the levels of energy reserves, and some selected senescence markers, i.e. chlorophyll content and electrolyte leakage were evaluated. Despite the relatively high storage temperature of 12 °C, the intact heads still looked fresh even after 17 days of storage. However, a decline in the soluble sugars, a decrease in chlorophyll, and an increase in electrolyte leakage were observed with advancing storage duration. Prior storage of intact heads greatly decreased the shelf-life of the fresh-cut product prepared from these heads. Storage of rooted heads and the continuous application of light (above the light compensation point) did not alter the effect of prior storage of the heads on the quality of the fresh-cut product.     

Sensory quality,bioactive constituents and microbiological quality of green and red fresh-cut lettuces (Lactuca sativa L.) are influenced by soil and soilless agricultural production systems

Quality characteristics and shelf-life of fresh-cut lettuce cultivated in soil, as the traditional production system, and soilless, as an innovative production system, were investigated. Three lettuce genotypes, lollo rosso and red oak leaf as red-leafed genotypes, and butterhead as a green-leafed genotype, were studied. Lettuces from both production systems were grown in the same open field and at the same time in the winter season. A longer growing period was needed, to obtain the same maturity stage, in the soil than in the soilless (102 and 63 d after planting, respectively). After harvest, the visual quality of the fresh-cut produce from red-leafed lettuce cultivated in soilless was better than those in soil. In the case of green-leafed genotype, the soilless system gave a lower visual quality of the fresh-cut product. Lollo rosso cultivated in the soilless system had a higher content of phytochemicals, including vitamin C and individual and total phenolics, than that cultivated in soil. At the end of storage, fresh-cut lollo rosso and red oak leaf grown in the soilless system showed significantly higher content of vitamin C than those in soil. This high content of antioxidants was linked to a better maintenance of visual quality and the control of browning when compared with the fresh-cut product from lettuces cultivated in soil. The soilless system was more effective in controlling microbial contamination as lettuce cultivated in the soilless system had a lower initial microbial load and slower microbial growth during storage. At the end of shelf-life, differences in microbial counts between soil and soilless lettuce were 3 and 1.5 log units higher for lactic acid bacteria and total coliforms, respectively, in soil. This study shows that higher quality and microbiologically safer raw product can be provided by the soilless system as a new growing system although it depends on the genotype and the season.     

Pre-harvest nitrogen and Azoxystrobin application enhances postharvest shelf-life in Butterhead lettuce

Two trials were carried out on Butterhead lettuce (March–May 2008 and April–June 2009) to investigate the effect of the application of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 50 and 100 kg ha⁻¹ of N) and of strobilurin (Azoxystrobin, methyl (E)-2-{2-[6-(2-cyanophenoxy)pyrimidin-4-yloxy]phenyl}-3-methoxyacrylate) on (i) yield and morphological traits at harvest, (ii) physical (weight loss and dry matter), visual (chlorophyll content and main colour indices), physiological (relative water content, osmotic potential, and electrolytic leakage), and nutritional (ascorbic acid, nitrate, and polyphenol content) quality of raw material and their changes after storage of fresh-cut leaves. Cool storage lasted 7 and 12 days in the first and second experiment, respectively. In the first cycle, under early-spring conditions, lettuce yield was lower by 38% and, even if the product was lighter coloured [higher L* (+6%) and lower CHL (−21%)], it had lower dry matter content (−32%), higher electrolyte leakage (EL) (+14%) and WL_Trans (+8%) compared with the raw product from the second cycle. In both years, the increase of N supply and the application of Azoxystrobin improved yield (by 8.5% and 10%, respectively). The response in N fertilization was more evident under early-spring (2008) compared to late-spring (2009) conditions (12.3% vs. 4.8%), and when (2008) the highest N rate interacted with the application of Azoxystrobin (+12.9% compared with the other treatments). The nitrate content in leaves was always reduced by Azoxystrobin application (−43%) and increased with the N supply (+53%). In the second experiment, when storage was prolonged for 12 days, strobilurin improved postharvest shelf-life by reducing chlorophyll degradation (−27%), senescence (−19%, measured as EL), and browning (−53%, measured as h° index decrease). Azoxystrobin lowered also the total polyphenol content of raw material (−12.5%), which can be linked to less browning during storage. During postharvest storage, irrespective to the preharvest dose, N supply kept the visual quality and physiological senescence indices constant (L*, h° and EL). The suitability of the Butterhead lettuce to fresh-cut processing depends on climatic growing conditions. Preharvest Azoxystrobin supply improves the nutritional quality of the raw material, reducing leaf nitrate content, and the shelf-life in prolonged storage. The N rate of 100 kg ha⁻¹ of N is suitable under less favourable growing conditions, while the rate of 50 kg ha⁻¹ is better for more favourable climatic conditions, especially if a moderate contribution in available N from soil organic matter mineralization and no leaching from heavy rains is expected.     

冷藏期间水分胁迫对菠菜叶片衰老生理的影响

保水处理菠菜以低密度聚乙烯（LDPE）薄膜袋自然合拢不扎口包装,对照菠菜直接装在多孔塑料筐内,在RH80%、温度（2±1）℃下贮藏,研究冷藏期间大量失水（水分胁迫）对菠菜叶片叶绿素降解和活性氧代谢的影响。结果表明,冷藏期间对照菠菜失水很快,遭受严重的水分胁迫;而保水处理菠菜失水很少。与保水处理菠菜相比,水分胁迫加快了对照菠菜叶片叶绿素含量的下降速度,使超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶（APX）和谷胱甘肽还原酶（GR）活性降低,其中CAT和APX活性降低速率超过SOD,促进了过氧化物酶（POD）活性的上升,但没有明显增加丙二醛（MDA）的积累。说明水分胁迫降低了采后菠菜贮藏期间活性氧清除酶的活性,导致氧化胁迫,从而加速叶绿素的降解和衰老。     

Changes in antioxidant activity and postharvest quality of sweet pomegranates cv. Hicrannar under modified atmosphere packaging

The effects of different modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on antioxidant compounds and storage quality of ‘Hicrannar’ sweet pomegranates were investigated during long term storage. Pomegranates were harvested at the commercial harvest stage and packed in two different types of MAP (MAP1 and MAP2). After packaging, all fruit were stored at 6 °C and 90–95% RH for 120 days, then removed from storage for different quality analyses. Some fruit were kept at 20 °C for 3 days to simulate a period of shelf-life. Fruit weight loss, decay index, skin color, total titratable acidity, total soluble solids content, total phenolics, total anthocyanins and antioxidant activity were determined. Internal atmospheres created by the MAP were periodically assessed during cold storage, and CO₂ concentrations increased and O₂ concentrations decreased inside the MAP. MAP significantly reduced weight loss after both 120 days of cold storage and shelf-life. MAP2 was the most effective packaging in reducing weight loss. Storage of pomegranates in MAP also reduced decay and the decay index, and maintained visual appearance compared to control fruit. During storage, a decrease in L* and C* values and an increase in h° values were observed in all treatments. However, fruit stored in MAP2 had higher L*, C* and lower h° values than in other treatments. Titratable acidity and total soluble solids decreased after cold storage and shelf-life, and no significant differences among treatments were found. Total phenolics, total anthocyanin contents and antioxidant activity increased during the storage period in control fruit.     

Low-intensity light cycles improve the quality of lamb's lettuce (Valerianella olitoria [L.] Pollich) during storage at low temperature

The influence of light on fresh-cut vegetables during storage is controversial, since both positive and negative effects on shelf-life and quality of such products have been observed. In this work, the effect of low-intensity light treatments on lamb's lettuce, a fresh-cut leafy and ready-to-eat vegetable, was investigated during storage at low temperature (6 °C), in comparison with conventional storage (in the dark at 4 °C). Although continuous light treatment (1 cycle of 8 h per day) was deleterious, cycles of light treatments (8 cycles of 1 h per day; 16 cycles of 0.5 h per day) showed positive effects, assessed by evaluating the content of chlorophylls, carotenoids, ATP, glucose and ascorbate. These analyses were performed at the beginning and after 6 days of storage, in comparison with samples stored in the dark at 4 °C. Under low-intensity light treatments, even if performed at a higher temperature (6 °C), the content of such bioactive compounds increased or was at least similar to that found in samples stored in the dark at the same temperature. We suggest that continuous low-intensity light treatments during cold storage of lamb's lettuce are able to promote photosynthesis but, at the same time, induce photo-damage. On the contrary, under intermittent low-intensity light cycles, photosynthesis is only partially activated, while the metabolism of the green tissues is still able to provide carbon moieties for the synthesis of bioactive molecules involved in delaying senescence. Therefore, low-intensity light cycles at 6 °C could contribute to maintain quality of lamb's lettuce, with respect to samples stored in the dark at both 6 and 4 °C. Finally, setting the temperature at 6 °C allows reduction of refrigerator energy consumption during storage.     

Semi-commercial ultralow oxygen treatment for control of western flower thrips,Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), on harvested iceberg lettuce

Pallet-scale ultralow oxygen (ULO) treatment was applied to iceberg lettuce after various lengths of postharvest storage to determine the effects of pre-treatment storage on lettuce tolerance to ULO treatment for control of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Lettuce from seven cultivars was vacuum cooled and stored at 2 °C after harvest for 0, 2, 3, and 5 d before being subjected to 2-d ULO treatment with 0.003% oxygen at 10 °C ambient temperature. Complete control of thrips was achieved in all three tests. Temperature of lettuce increased from about 5 °C at the start of ULO treatment to 9.6 °C at the end of the treatment. Fresh vacuum-cooled lettuce from three of seven cultivars sustained injury to heartleaves by the ULO treatment. Lettuce that had been stored at the low temperature for 2, 3, or 5 d before the ULO treatment tolerated the ULO treatment and there was no significant quality reduction compared with untreated controls. Heavier heads were significantly more susceptible to heartleaf injury than lighter heads. This study demonstrated that 2-d postharvest refrigerated storage followed by 2-d ULO treatment was effective in controlling western flower thrips with minimal adverse effects on lettuce quality. The ULO treatment protocols developed in this study also have potential to be scaled-up for commercial ULO treatment applications.     

不同保鲜剂处理对切割生菜品质影响的研究

研究了5种保鲜剂（1mmol／L苯甲酸、0．5％氯化钙、1．0％过氧化氢、1．0％维生素C、1．0％柠檬酸）处理对新鲜切割生菜（10～15mm切割度）在3℃贮藏期间品质变化及贮藏效果的影响。结果表明,在3℃贮藏条件下,5种处理中,1mmol／L苯甲酸和0．5％氯化钙显著延缓切割生菜的叶绿素、总酸、VC以及可溶性固形物含量的下降,保持了较好感官品质,贮藏到第12天仍有商品价值;1,0％过氧化氢和1,0％VC处理对保持切割生菜的品质有一定的作用,但处理效果略次于苯甲酸和氯化钙,商品贮藏期仅为8天：1．0％柠檬酸的处理效果不明显,商品贮藏期仅为6天左右。     

Changes in antioxidative metabolism accompanying pitting development in stored blueberry fruit

Blueberries (Vaccinium spp. ‘LanFeng’) are harvested and consumed at maturation and have a short storage life at room temperature. Changes in blueberry quality and physiological parameters differ under room or low temperature storage conditions. The storage life of blueberries can be extended at low temperature, but pitting can develop associated with refrigeration, especially during subsequent shelf-life. The objective of this research was to understand the antioxidative metabolism accompanying pitting development of stored blueberry fruit, involving reactive oxygen species and antioxidant systems. Physiological and metabolic disorders, including low firmness, increased cell membrane electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and changes in enzyme activity, were observed in pitting blueberries. Blueberries were stored at 20 °C and 0 °C for 10 days and 60 days, respectively. Hydrogen peroxide and superoxide radical production rate increased more rapidly during shelf-life after cold storage than at room temperature. On the other hand, blueberries during shelf-life after cold storage, when pitting occurred, had lower activity of antioxidant-related enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), than those stored at room temperature. The severity of pitting was paralleled by higher cell membrane electrolyte leakage and MDA content, and lower SOD, CAT, and APX activities.     

Physiological and quality responses of Chinese chive leaves to low oxygen atmosphere

Harvested leaves of Chinese chive were stored in 0, 1 or 3% O₂ (balance N₂), or air for 7 days at 20 °C to determine the effects of low O₂ atmospheres on their physiology and quality. Leaf yellowing was visible at day 5 in air, whereas low O₂ treatment delayed yellowing and retarded chlorophyll and protein degradation that accompanied leaf senescence. The respiration rates of leaves stored at low O₂ atmospheres were substantially lower than those of the control during storage. However, at 0% O₂, undesirable off-odors were induced and visible anaerobic injury appeared in stored leaves, presumably due to a high accumulation of acetaldehyde and ethanol in the tissue. The contents of acetaldehyde and ethanol were very low during storage at 1% O₂, 3% O₂, or air. At 0% O₂, ethanol and to a lesser extent acetaldehyde, rapidly accumulated in the leaf tissue. Pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) activity greatly increased in leaves exposed to 0 or 1% O₂, while its activity in leaves exposed to 3% O₂ was only slightly higher than that of the control. Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity greatly increased in leaves exposed to 1 or 3% O₂, while its activity in leaves exposed to 0% O₂ was only slightly higher than that of the control. The activity of ADH was about 250 times that of PDC during storage. Changes in ADH isozymes correlated well with changes in ADH activity. The potential for using low O₂ atmospheres to help in maintaining the quality of Chinese chive leaves is discussed.     

Salinity of nutrient solution influences the shelf-life of fresh-cut lettuce grown in floating system

Quality, microbiological and enzymatic characteristics of fresh-cut lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. longifolia, ‘Duende’), grown in floating system with three electrical conductivities of nutrient solutions (2.8, 3.8 and 4.8 mS cm^?1), were investigated in order to evaluate the effect of salinity on product shelf-life during cold storage (9 d at 4 °C). Pre-harvest salinity of 3.8 and 4.8 mS cm^?1 improved the properties of fresh-cut lettuce, since CO₂ production was reduced with a subsequent control of the decay process. Fresh-cut processing caused an activation of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase; in all cases the product obtained by salinity treatments was less subject to oxidase activity and browning phenomena during storage. Increased salinity reduced the number of mesophilic bacteria and of moulds and yeasts, assessed by plate counts on different culture media; in contrast, Enterobacteriaceae levels were unaffected by pre-harvest treatments. The research demonstrated that an increase in nutrient solution electrical conductivity, through the use of floating system, affects fresh-cut lettuce characteristics, improving shelf-life of the product.     

Ultralow oxygen treatment for postharvest control of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), on iceberg lettuce: II. Effects of pre-treatment storage on lettuce quality

Iceberg lettuce stored under normal atmosphere and controlled atmosphere (CA) with about 3% oxygen at low temperature for 1 week was compared with fresh lettuce for their response to 2 d ultralow oxygen (ULO) treatment with 0.003% oxygen at 10 °C for control of western flower thrips. Lettuce which had been stored for 1 week under normal or CA tolerated ULO treatment while over 30% of fresh lettuce sustained minor injury to heartleaves. Therefore, pre-treatment storage at low temperature enhanced tolerance of lettuce to the subsequent insecticidal ULO treatment. A sequential combination of CA storage and ULO treatment was demonstrated to be effective against western flower thrips and lettuce aphid and safe to all seven lettuce cultivars tested. The study indicated that ULO treatment can be made safer to lettuce through pre-treatment storage to increase lettuce tolerance.     

预贮对大久宝桃果实冷害与品质的影响

在4种不同贮藏模式下对大久宝桃的品质变化进行了研究。研究结果显示,大久宝桃在0℃恒温贮藏条件下,30天以后开始出现冷害症状,20℃货架期条件下3天出现果实软化能力下降,出汁率下降;而8℃预贮15天的果实没有出现冷害症状,但显著地促进了果实的后熟软化,导致果实的商品性能下降,而失去应用价值;8℃预贮5天的果实在贮藏期间能够保持一定的硬度和TSS含量,出汁率较稳定,出库后能够正常后熟软化,在预防冷害的同时,较好地保持了大久宝桃果实的品质。     

超高温灭菌乳货架期品质稳定性变化研究

研究了超高温灭菌乳货架期理化特性的变化,为提高其货架期品质稳定性提供理论基础。取贮存1～6月UHT牛乳,测定上下层乳脂肪、蛋白质、总固形物含量及流变学特性。结果表明,3个月后UHT乳脂肪上浮量显著增加(p<0.05);4个月货架期后蛋白质下沉量显著增大(p<0.05);6个月货架期后上下层乳液总固形物含量无显著差异(p>0.05);6个月货架期后上层乳液的黏度高于下层乳液。超高温灭菌乳货架期3个月后发生脂肪上浮、蛋白质和总固形物下沉、上下层黏度不均一现象。