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

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

Comparison of ozone and UV-C treatments on the postharvest stilbenoid monomer, dimer, and trimer induction in var. 'Superior' white table grapes

Postharvest treatment of seedless white table grapes (var. 'Superior') with different gas ozone concentrations (3.88 and 1.67 g/h) for 1, 3, and 5 h induced an increase in stilbenoid biosynthesis [trans-resveratrol, piceatannol, and viniferinas (resveratrol dehydrodimers and dehydrotrimers)] during storage at 22 degrees C and 95% relative humidity. The maximal resveratrol concentration was reached after 2 days of storage, and this amount was similar to that induced by optimized UV-C treatments (1 min, 510 W, 40 cm). Although similar resveratrol concentrations accumulated in grapes after both UV-C and O3 treatments (maximum ozone production and time), the ozone treatment was more efficient in inducing viniferins accumulation in grape berries. A sequence in the biosynthesis of stilbenoids was observed, starting with the resveratrol monomer, continuing with the resveratrol dehydrodimers epsilon-viniferin and delta-viniferin, and ending with four different resveratrol dehydrotrimers. These trimers were different from alpha-viniferin, a trimer previously reported to be induced in grapes after biotic and abiotic stresses. Two alpha-viniferin isomers were also detected in the ozone-treated grapes, although at very low concentrations that prevented their quantification.     

Etiology of UV-C-induced browning in var. Superior white table grapes

White table grapes, var. Superior, were treated with UV-C light after harvest to increase stilbenes concentration, especially trans-resveratrol (RES), because this may be of relevance to the health-promoting properties assigned to these compounds. However, irradiated grapes also developed some browning on the surface on the third day of storage at 22 degrees C, with the subsequent detriment in the sensorial quality of the fruit. Possible causes for browning development during storage were investigated. The phenolic-related oxidative enzymes, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD), were not specifically activated, and no new isoforms appeared upon UV-C treatment. UV-treated grapes had lower content of chlorophyll b than control grapes on the fourth day of storage, concomitant with the increase of pheophytins (chlorophyll degradation derived compounds). Microscopy data showed lower fluorescence emission in chloroplasts from the UV-treated samples, which may explain the decrease of chlorophylls content in the corresponding grape berries extracts. In addition, microscopy images showed cell wall thickening in the skin tissue of UV-treated grapes which could be considered as a general wound response in plant tissues. These results suggest that the development of browning in Superior white grapes after UV-C treatment is not closely related with the evolution of oxidative enzymes during storage and may be mainly due to the decrease of chlorophylls content.     

Effect of plasticizer type and amount on hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-beeswax edible film properties and postharvest quality of coated plums (cv. Angeleno)

The effect of the composition of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC)-beeswax (BW) edible coatings on stand-alone film properties and on postharvest quality of coated 'Angeleno' plums was studied. Glycerol (G) and mannitol (M) were tested as plasticizers at two different plasticizer/HPMC ratios (100:1 and 300:1 molar basis). BW content was 20 or 40% (dry basis). An increase in G content increased film flexibility and vapor permeability (WVP), whereas an increase in M content enhanced film brittleness without affecting WVP. An increase in BW content reduced film flexibility and reduced WVP of only G-plasticized films. Coatings reduced plum softening and bleeding, but were not effective in reducing plum weight loss. At low plasticizer content, coatings reduced texture loss effectively. Low BW also lowered plum bleeding. Plasticizer type affected only ethanol and acetaldehyde contents without affecting the remaining quality parameters. Therefore, HPMC-BW coatings have the potential to extend the shelf life of plums. However, this effect depends on coating composition. Differences between coating and film performance indicate that data from stand-alone films may be used as a preliminary screening, but coating performance should be analyzed on coated fruit.     

采后硅酸钠处理对贮藏期兰州“大接杏”果实品质和挥发性风味物质的影响

本文以兰州“大接杏”（Armeniaca vulgaris Lam. cv. Lanzhou Dajie）为试材,使用硅酸钠（10 mM）化学诱抗处理,以探讨其对杏果实品质,特别是挥发性风味物质的影响。结果表明,硅酸钠处理可延缓果实硬度、可滴定酸、可溶性固形物（SSC）和Vc含量的下降,但对果实总糖含量的影响不显著。采用固相微萃取（SPME）结合气相色谱质谱联用（GC-MS）的方法分离鉴定了“大接杏”果实的香气成份,共分离鉴定出超过100多种挥发性成份。硅酸钠处理样挥发性物质的释放总量低于对照,同时处理后的杏果还表现出醛类物质、萜类物质和β-紫罗兰酮的释放增大和脂类物质的释放减少的现象。     

Factors affecting taste scores of early season seedless table grape cv. Mystery and Prime.

Table grapes of cv. Mystery and Prime were harvested from 10 farms in two growing areas of Israel over two seasons. The grapes were separated on the basis of sucrose solutions from 12 to 18%; soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), and pH were determined; and taste tests were conducted. SSC gave the best correlation with taste tests, and multiple regression of SSC, TA, and pH improved the correlation. There were both seasonal and regional differences in the measured maturity parameters. Lower TA and higher pH were found in grapes from the Jordan Valley. Volatiles were predominantly C(6) compounds hexanal and 2-hexanal, contributing a fresh aroma to the grapes. It is concluded that Mystery and Prime grapes have good organoleptic quality if harvested at SSC levels of >14%.     

Effects of elicitors on the production of resveratrol and viniferins in cell cultures of Vitis vinifera L. cv Italia

Methyl jasmonate, jasmonic acid and chitosan were tested as elicitors on cell suspension cultures obtained from Vitis vinifera cv Italia to investigate their effect on stilbene production. Stilbene accumulation in the callus, grown under nonelicited conditions, was also investigated. Calli and cell suspensions were obtained in a B5 culture medium supplemented with 0.2 mg L(-1) NAA and 1 mg L(-1) KIN. Stilbene determination was achieved by HPLC/DAD/MS. Whereas callus biosynthesized only piceid, cell suspensions elicited with jasmonates produced several stilbenes, mainly viniferins. In suspended cells, methyl jasmonate and jasmonic acid were the most effective in stimulating stilbene biosynthesis, whereas chitosan was less effective; in fact, the amount of stilbenes obtained with this elicitor was not significantly different from that obtained for the control cells. The maximum production of total stilbenes was at day 20 of culture with 0.970 and 1.023 mg g(-1) DW for MeJA and JA, respectively.     

In vitro availability of flavonoids and other phenolics in orange juice

Hand-squeezed navel orange juice contains 839 mg/L phenolics, including flavanones, flavones, and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives. The flavanones are the main phenolics in the soluble fraction (648.6 mg/L) and are also present in the cloud fraction (104.8 mg/L). During refrigerated storage of fresh juice (4 degrees C), 50% of the soluble flavanones precipitate and integrate into the cloud fraction. Commercial orange juices contain only 81-200 mg/L soluble flavanones (15-33%) and the content in the cloud is higher (206-644 mg/L) (62-85%), showing that during industrial processing and storage the soluble flavanones precipitate and are included in the cloud. An in vitro simulation of orange juice digestion shows that a serving of fresh orange juice (240 mL) provides 9.7 mg of soluble hesperidin (4'-methoxy-3',5,7-trihydroxyflavanone-7-rutinoside) and 4.7 mg of the C-glycosylflavone vicenin 2 (apigenin, 6,8-di-C-glucoside) for freshly squeezed orange juice, whereas pasteurized commercial juices provide 3.7 mg of soluble hesperidin and a higher amount of vicenin 2 (6.3 mg). This means that although orange juice is a very rich source of flavanones, only a limited quantity is soluble, and this might affect availability for absorption (11-36% of the soluble flavanones, depending on the juice). The flavanones precipitated in the cloud are not available for absorption and are partly transformed to the corresponding chalcones during the pancreatin-bile digestion.     

Resveratrol and other phenolics from the bark of Yucca schidigera roezl

Five phenolic constituents have been identified in Yucca schidigera bark, and their structures were established by spectral (FABMS and NMR) experiments. These included two known stilbenes, trans-3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene (resveratrol) and trans-3,3',5,5'-tetrahydroxy-4'-methoxystilbene, as well as three novel compounds, yuccaols A, B, and C, with spiro-structures rarely occurring in the plant kingdom. It is suggested that yuccaols A-C are biosynthethized via attachment of a stilbenic derivative to the carbocationic intermediate of the oxidative flavanone-flavonol conversion.     

Preharvest calcium applications improve postharvest quality of papaya fruits (Carica papaya L. cv. Eksotika II)

This research was conducted to evaluate the effects of calcium chloride (CaCl₂) and calcium nitrate Ca(NO₃)₂ on nutrient concentrations and postharvest quality of papaya fruits. In the first experiment, plant stem height increased significantly after Ca(NO₃)₂ application compared to CaCl₂. The calcium content in the peel and pulp for both sources [CaCl₂ and Ca(NO₃)₂] significantly rose with increasing calcium concentrations, but there was a significantly higher content of calcium in fruit peel and pulp in the CaCl₂ treatment. Magnesium and potassium in fruits decreased with increasing calcium concentrations. A reduction in anthracnose lesion diameter in the infected fruit with increasing calcium was observed in both CaCl₂ and Ca(NO₃)₂ treatments. Ethylene production in fruits decreased with increasing calcium concentrations. In the second experiment, only CaCl₂ was used as the calcium source, and results showed that the calcium content in fruit peel and pulp significantly increased at higher CaCl₂ levels, whereas ethylene production, anthracnose lesion diameter, and magnesium content decreased compared to control.     

基于改进MSVR的鲜食葡萄运输过程中环境因子与感官品质建模

挖掘运输过程中环境因子和生鲜果蔬感官品质之间的关系,实现基于环境因子的感官品质评估和预测,对于保持生鲜果蔬物流品质具有重要意义。该研究以鲜食葡萄为研究对象,通过对实际运输过程的跟踪监测,在实验室开展了鲜食葡萄运输模拟试验和感官试验,构建了鲜食葡萄运输感官品质数据集。在建模方法层面,该研究提出了一种基于多输出支持向量回归（Multiple Output Support Vector Regression,MSVR）模型的运输环境因子（温度、相对湿度）与感官品质（外观、香气、质地和风味品质）的预测模型,并利用粒子群（Particle Swarm Optimization,PSO）算法和遗传算法（Genetic Algorithm,GA）对模型进行优化（PSOGA-MSVR）。结果表明,PSOGA联合优化算法有效提高了MSVR模型的调参效率,且在常温运输、保冷运输和冷链运输3种不同的运输模式下,PSOGA-MSVR模型的预测效果均更优,决定系数R²高于0.985且各项误差指标低于其他模型;研究结果可为运输过程中合理调控环境因子,减缓生鲜水果感官品质的下降提供参考。     

Phenolic and volatile composition of wines made from Vitis vinifera cv. Muscat lefko grapes from the island of Samos

A study of the phenolic and volatile composition of wines produced from the white cultivar Muscat lefko from the island of Samos was conducted. Dry, fortified, naturally sweet wines and mistelles (aged and nonaged) have been studied. The phenolic components (flavan-3-ols, hydroxycinnamates, and flavonols) were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography after solid phase extraction (SPE). The terpenes (free and glycosidically linked) were determined by the use of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) after SPE. The fermentation aroma components were analyzed by GC-MS after liquid-liquid extraction. It was found that the dry wines contained lower amounts of most of the phenolics and higher quantities of terpenes and fermentation aroma compounds than the sweet wines. The aged mistelle wines contained lower levels of coutaric and caftaric acids, higher concentrations of the free acids, and markedly fewer free and bound terpenes and fermentation aroma components compared to the other sweet wines. The naturally sweet wine contained relatively increased amounts of phenolics, 2,3-butanediol, and glycosidically linked terpenes.     

采前苯丙噻重氮处理抑制厚皮甜瓜采后挥发性物质的释放

用50 mg/L苯丙噻重氮(BTH)于采前1周喷洒“银帝”甜瓜植株和果实,采收后采用固相微萃取(SPME)结合气-质联用(GC-MS)技术分析果实常温贮藏期间挥发性物质的释放变化。结果表明：BTH处理可明显抑制果实挥发性物质的释放,处理者挥发性物质的释放随贮藏时间的延长而逐渐增加,而对照果实挥发性物质的释放呈单峰形变化,至采后第7 d达到高峰。BTH处理者挥发性物质的释放总量也明显低于对照。此外,BTH处理对10种甜瓜特征成分的释放也存在不同程度的影响。     

高氧对巨峰葡萄冷藏和货架期品质的影响

本文研究了高氧气调冷藏对巨峰葡萄品质、质构、贮藏性和货架寿命的影响。结果表明,与空气冷藏相比,高氧气调抑制了葡萄可溶性固形物、可滴定酸、维生素C含量和果柄耐拉力的降低,改善了葡萄的硬度、弹性、凝聚性、咀嚼性、风味和外观,减少了水分损失、腐烂、落果率和果梗褐变。与40%O₂+30%CO₂气调相比,除弹性、凝聚性、水分损失、落果和外观无显著差异外,80%O₂处理葡萄的保鲜效果更好。     

Extraction of anthocyanins and other phenolics from black currants with sulfured water

Health benefits of fruits, vegetables, and red wine are attributed to anthocyanins and other phytochemicals. In this research, the extraction of phenolics from black currants was optimized using different SO(2) concentrations (28, 300, 700, 1100, and 1372 ppm), temperatures (6, 20, 40, 60, and 74 degrees C), and solvent to solid ratios (S/S) (6, 20, 40, 60, and 74 mL/g). Surface response methodology was used to optimize yields of anthocyanins and total phenolics, as well as their antiradical and antioxidant activities. The extraction of phenolics varied with the SO(2) concentration, S/S, and temperature. Maximum yields of total phenolics and anthocyanins were obtained at an SO(2) concentration of 1000-1200 ppm and 19 L of solvent/kg of milled frozen berries. The increase of extraction temperature increased the rate of extraction and, thus, times to reach equilibrium for the extraction of total phenolics and anthocyanins were reduced. However, for the extraction of anthocyanins it is recommended that temperatures of 30-35 degrees C be used, as higher temperatures will degrade these compounds. Antioxidant activity was affected by all three experimental variables evaluated; however, the main variable affecting it was S/S. The higher the S/S, the lower the antioxidant index.     

Smoke-derived taint in wine: effect of postharvest smoke exposure of grapes on the chemical composition and sensory characteristics of wine

Although smoke exposure has been associated with the development of smoke taint in grapes and subsequently in wine, to date there have been no studies that have demonstrated a direct link. In this study, postharvest smoke exposure of grapes was utilized to demonstrate that smoke significantly influences the chemical composition and sensory characteristics of wine and causes an apparent 'smoke taint'. Verdelho grapes were exposed to straw-derived smoke for 1 h and then fermented according to two different winemaking treatments. Control wines were made by fermenting unsmoked grapes. Sensory studies established a perceivable difference between smoked and unsmoked wines; smoked wines were described as exhibiting 'smoky', 'dirty', 'earthy', 'burnt' and 'smoked meat' characteristics. Quantitative analysis, by means of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, identified guaiacol, 4-methylguaiacol, 4-ethylguaiacol, 4-ethylphenol, eugenol, and furfural in each of the wines made from smoked grapes. However, these compounds were not detected in the unsmoked wines, and their origin is therefore attributed to the application of smoke. Increased ethanol concentrations and browning were also observed in wines made from grapes exposed to smoke.     

Effect of storage on wall-bound phenolics in green asparagus

The cell walls of green asparagus spears have been analyzed for their phenolic and carbohydrate composition as modified by postharvest storage. Esterified phenolic components were released by sequential alkaline hydrolysis and identified and quantified by diode array HPLC. Significant quantities of ferulic acid (FA) and its derivatives were found to increase at least 3-fold during storage, particularly in walls from the lower parts of the stem, where accompanying changes in sugar composition were also observed. In fresh asparagus, >60% of the total FA was in the form of diferulic acid, and this increased to approximately 70% after 3 days of storage. The main FA dehydrodimers were 8-8-, 8-O-4-, and 8-5-diferulates. These have been detected in other monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants, but as a smaller proportion of the total FA. The possible roles phenolic esters might have in relation to the mechanical, textural, and wound-response properties of asparagus spears are discussed.     

Concentration of isoflavones and other phenolics in the aerial parts of Trifolium species

Some species of the genus Trifolium are well-known for their content of isoflavones, which are natural compounds showing health-promoting activities. Until recently, only a few species of this genus have been characterized with respect to their composition. In the present study, 57 Trifolium species have been analyzed for their contents of isoflavones, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and clovamides. The cluster analysis of experimental data allowed us to identify a number of species, which should be of interest as potential sources of these metabolites. The isoflavone contents of the three species ( T. heldreichianum, T. scabrum, and T. subterraneum) had extremely high amounts of these compounds, reaching 7-9% of dry matter, and the concentration in a number of other species was higher or at least comparable to the amounts occurring in T. pratense, one of the major isoflavone sources for the nutraceutical industry. Several species contained high amounts of all four analyzed groups of phenolics (isoflavones, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and clovamides). These species may also be of great interest as the association of several groups of active molecules is highly desired for effective disease prevention.     

Physicochemical properties of natural phenolics from grapes and olive oil byproducts and their antioxidant activity in frozen horse mackerel fillets

The reducing and chelating capacities and the affinity for the incorporation into the fish muscle of grape procyanidins, hydroxytyrosol, and propyl gallate were studied together with their antioxidant activity in frozen horse mackerel (Trauchurus trauchurus) fillets. Fillets were supplemented with phenolic antioxidants by (a) spraying an aqueous phenolic solution, (b) glazing with an aqueous phenolic solution, and (c) a previous washing of fillets with water plus spraying an aqueous phenolic solution. The effect of washing on the endogenous pro-oxidant/antioxidant balance of the fillets was also determined. All phenolic compounds were effective delaying lipid oxidation in the fish fillets. The order of antioxidant efficiency in spraying and glazing was propyl gallate > hydroxytyrosol > procyanidins, which was similar to the reducing power of these phenolics, but did not show any correlation with their chelating capacity and their affinity to the fish muscle. Washing the fillets with water prior to spraying phenols increased synergistically the antioxidant activity of grape procyanidins and changed the relative antioxidant efficiency to propyl gallate approximately procyanidins > hydroxytyrosol. This synergism may be a result of a better distribution of the procyanidins onto the fillet surface because of the residual water that remained on the fillets surface after washing.