Greenhouse climate control affects postharvest tomato quality

In this study, important quality properties such as firmness, sugar and acid levels were measured and analysed in tomatoes harvested from three greenhouses during a five month period and stored at 16 °C for over 20 days. Tomatoes were harvested from three identical, neighbouring, greenhouses which were either conventionally ventilated (open greenhouse) or mechanically cooled (semi-closed greenhouses). Sugar and acids levels were hardly affected by greenhouse type. Compared to the open greenhouse, semi-closed greenhouses produced heavier and less mature (firmer) fruit at the commercial harvesting stage based on colour. Fruit maturity differences could be linked to the vertical temperature gradient and to CO₂ levels in the different greenhouses. This indicates that CO₂ levels and temperature affect the synchronisation between colour and firmness maturity at harvest. The acceptance period, i.e., the time period both tomato colour and firmness are considered acceptable by consumers, will likely be positively affected when growers switch from conventionally ventilated to semi-closed production systems. Additional to greenhouse effects also effects of the harvest month were observed. The sugar to acid ratio was highest and glucose to fructose ratio was lowest in July, the month with the highest irradiance, irrespective of greenhouse type. The estimated value for the maximum firmness (F_max) varied from 17.9 N in August to 31.2 N in June. This monthly variation in F_max explains an important part of the variation found in the postharvest behaviour of tomatoes. Interestingly, the monthly variation in F_max showed the same trend as found for the monthly initial sugar levels. It might be hypothesised that the monthly variation in glucose and fructose levels causes variation in that part of firmness that is generated by cell turgor. The monthly variation in F_max, sugar and acid levels could not be linked to climate conditions and remains to be elucidated.     

Improving quality of greenhouse tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) by pre- and postharvest applications of hexanal-containing formulations

From harvest to consumption, tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruit are exposed to several exogenous factors that enhance product deterioration. Phospholipase D is a key enzyme involved in membrane deterioration that occurs during fruit ripening and senescence. Hexanal, an inhibitor of phospholipase D has been successfully used for pre- and postharvest treatment of fruit, vegetables and flowers. In this study, effectiveness of pre- and postharvest application of an aqueous hexanal formulation and an enhanced freshness formulation (EFF) containing hexanal and other ingredients were evaluated by monitoring changes in quality parameters during postharvest storage of greenhouse tomatoes. Tomatoes subjected to preharvest spray with EFF containing 1 mM hexanal twice a week had better colour, and firmness than untreated fruit and hexanal formulation treated fruit. EFF treated tomatoes also showed low hue angle values indicative of enhanced red colour. Preharvest spray with 1 mM hexanal twice a week resulted in higher levels of ascorbic acid and soluble solids in fruit than those subjected to EFF treatment, and the control. Postharvest dip application of harvested tomatoes in 2 mM hexanal as EFF resulted in enhanced brightness and hue angle values, reduced red colour, increased fruit firmness and ascorbic acid content after 21 days of storage, indicative of better quality. The results suggest that hexanal has the potential to enhance shelf-life and quality of greenhouse tomatoes.     

Firmness and force relaxation characteristics of tomatoes stored intact or as slices

Firmness is an important aspect of the quality of fresh tomatoes. Its measurement is necessary for quality control, as well as for postharvest studies to develop procedures for preparation and handling of fresh-cut tomato slices. This study had two objectives, to determine how initial ripeness and cutting affect the textural changes in tomato tissue during storage and to develop a method for measuring textural attributes of tomato slices. Firmness and force relaxation characteristics were compared for tomato flesh harvested at six maturity stages and stored intact or as slices for 0–20 days. Measurements were made at three sites in the outer pericarp and three in columellar tissue on 7-mm thick transverse slices. Following loading, stress relaxation was recorded for 10 s. A 4-mm cylindrical probe provided more consistent firmness measurements (lower% CV) than a 6.4-mm spherical probe at harvest, and distances of 3 mm provided more consistent results than 1 mm. Therefore, stored tomato samples were tested only with the 4-mm cylindrical probe and distance of 3 mm. F_max (maximum force) of freshly harvested tomatoes ranged from 15 to 2 N for mature green and red tomatoes, respectively. F_max was closely related to loading energy (area), slope, and yield force; i.e. all four parameters measured elastic behavior. F_max also was related (r²=0.77–0.97) to forces at specific relaxation times. Tomatoes stored intact generally had lower CVs than those sliced before storage, although there was little difference in average firmness (F_max) between the two at a given storage time for a given initial ripeness. A three-parameter model was developed to fit the relaxation curves: Y=1−A ln(1+t)−Bt/(C+t) where t is relaxation time. There was little correlation between F_max and the three relaxation parameters (r²=0–0.33), i.e. the relaxation parameters measured a different physical property, presumably viscoelasticity. The responses of the relaxation parameters over storage time were dependent on the initial maturity of the tomatoes; but values usually differed significantly between tomatoes stored intact or sliced, with tomatoes sliced before storage generally having higher values, which we interpret as having lower viscoelasticity.     

Postharvest performance of the yellow-fleshed ‘Hort16A’ kiwifruit in relation to fruit maturation

Postharvest performance of fruit is dependent on the maturity or physiological state of the fruit at harvest in conjunction with the postharvest management applied. For yellow-fleshed kiwifruit, the flesh colour is a significant quality attribute, and for ‘Hort16A’, flesh colour has been used for timing harvest. Variability in the postharvest performance of ‘Hort16A’ kiwifruit suggests that flesh colour alone is not as strongly indicative of postharvest performance as soluble solids content (SSC) was found to be for ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit 30 years ago. The postharvest performance of ‘Hort16A’ kiwifruit, assessed as the fruit firmness and chilling injury expression during storage, has been associated with a range of fruit characteristics: flesh colour, SSC, firmness, seed colour, fresh weight, dry matter, starch and soluble carbohydrates measured at harvest throughout maturation. The changing responses of the fruit SSC to temperature, and softening to ethylene, have also been determined. The data illustrate the complex nature of ‘Hort16A’ fruit maturation, even when looking only at simple, easy-to-measure fruit attributes. While a yellow flesh colour is a commercial necessity for ‘Hort16A’ kiwifruit, flesh colour is not a robust indicator of postharvest performance and is not tightly linked to SSC or firmness. Changes in the capacity of fruit to respond to temperature or ethylene are not reflected in on-vine changes. Softening in storage is strongly linked to the softening rate occurring on the vine at the time of harvest. Any association between at-harvest characteristics and chilling susceptibility is less clear, and chilling tolerance appears more associated with the completion of growth and carbohydrate accumulation than with increased soluble solids accumulation rates as in ‘Hayward’. Approaches to extend the understanding of the link between maturation, harvest indices and postharvest performance are discussed.     

The impact of biological variation on postharvest behaviour: The case of dynamic temperature conditions

The postharvest handling chain is characterised by temperature conditions that are generally not constant throughout the chain. On top of this, postharvest research is dealing with large sources of biological variation. This paper outlines a general model approach of how to account for the propagation of biological variation when analysing experimental postharvest data gathered at dynamic temperature conditions. The proposed technique was applied to experimental data on colour change of tomatoes cv. ‘Tradiro’. The previously developed multivariate stochastic approach was combined with a transformation of real time into physiological time to account for the effect of dynamic temperature conditions. The developed model has the capability to describe the complex batch behaviour showing propagation of biological variation in tomato colour as a function of time and dynamically changing temperature during postharvest storage. This makes the current approach extremely suitable for application in real life situations when evaluating and optimising a logistic handling chain.     

Interpreting textural changes in low temperature stored tomatoes

Low temperature storage alters tomato textural properties, resulting in unusual changes in firmness, while ripening during cool storage can confound these chilling-induced textural changes. Inconsistent results have been reported related to chilling-induced alteration in tomato texture. The effects of chilling on tomato texture were investigated using fruit stored at 2.5 or 6 °C (chilled) or 20 °C (non-chilled) for 27 d before transfer to 20 °C. Given that many factors influence the firmness of chilling-injured tomato and different measurement methods indicate different characteristics of tomato texture, the present study employed a range of textural measurement techniques in order to interpret chilling-induced textural changes in tomatoes during long term storage. Analysis of data from a range of textural methods indicated that storage at 6 °C mainly induced loss of turgor whereas 2.5 °C induced loss of tissue integrity along with turgor loss. Plotting textural changes against colour as an indicator of ripening allowed a clearer definition of chilling-induced textural change.     

Effect of prolonged cold storage on the sensory quality of peach and nectarine

To maintain peach and nectarine quality after harvest, low temperature storage is used. Low temperatures induce physiological disorders in peach, but the effect of cold storage on the sensory quality of the fruit before it is damaged by chilling injury syndrome remains unclear. To evaluate the cold storage effect on the sensory quality two peach cultivars (’Royal Glory’ and ‘Elegant Lady’) and two nectarines (’Ruby Diamond’ and ‘Venus’) were harvested at a standardized firmness level and subjected to quality evaluations and sensory analysis at harvest and after storage at 0 °C for 35 d. For both time points, a supplementary ripening followed such that homogeneous flesh firmness and suitability for consumption was achieved.The fruit segregation through the Durofel firmness (DF), evaluated using a non-destructively method (Durofel device), allowed the formation of a uniform group of fruit in terms of flesh firmness (FF), showing scores between 45.1 and 55.9 N. The average FF in fruit ripened immediately after harvest was 22.9 N and 25.6 N in fruit ripened after cold storage for 35 d.The “acceptability” of fruit is highly correlated with “aroma”, “sweetness”, “juiciness”, “texture” and “flavor”. Only the “acid taste” parameter had no significant correlation with “acceptability” or with the other parameters evaluated.It is possible to conclude that the sensory quality and acceptability of peach and nectarine are characteristic of each cultivar and change, depending on the time elapsed after harvest. In general, it was confirmed that nectarine cultivars have a more consistent quality than peach cultivars.     

Biological variance in the colour of Granny Smith apples: Modelling the effect of senescence and chilling injury

The colour of ‘Granny Smith’ apples, harvested from three orchards at two stages of maturity, was measured individually using the CIE L*a*b* system during storage in regular atmosphere at three temperatures: 1, 4 and 10 °C. A model was developed based on a simplified mechanism to describe the development of the apple colour during storage as affected by senescence (aging) and chilling injury. Monitoring of individual apples made it possible to include and to describe the biological variance of colour in batches of apples and to correct the colour of each apple individually for its own biological shift factor (biological age; random effect). The biological shift factor is related to the initial condition and range of colour change. The rate of the colour development was estimated in common (fixed effects) for all batches using non-linear mixed effects regression analysis. The variance accounted for by the developed model, including effects of temperature, harvest maturity and orchard location, was more than 95% on 3211 observations. The overall reaction rate constant of decolouration, combining the effects of senescence and chilling injury, was found to depend on temperature. The temperature that showed the lowest overall reaction rate of decolouration is 8 °C, which is in contrast with the currently recommended storage temperature for ‘Granny Smith’ apples.     

Effects of cold storage and shelf-life on sensory quality and consumer acceptance of ‘Abate Fetel’ pears

Fruit products certified by quality labels should guarantee high levels of consumer acceptance, despite the unavoidable variability arising from growing conditions and postharvest responses. The quality of ‘Abate Fetel’ pear (Pyrus communis L.) fruit was studied, after short or long cold storage, by analysis of physicochemical, texture and flavour traits, to investigate factors affecting consumer acceptance. Fruit from three orchards differing in location and design, monitored during 10 d of ripening at 20 °C, softened progressively to reach and exceed firmness adequate for consumption. Change in colour, in particular hue angle, paralleled softening. Sensory traits were investigated by evaluating fruit of three different firmness levels within the range of acceptable eating quality. Firmness differences were clearly perceived both by expert judges and by consumers, but did not influence the degree of liking. ‘Abate Fetel’ pear can maintain acceptable eating quality at 20 °C for 4–8 d after 13 weeks storage at ?1 °C, or 2–6 d after 23 weeks storage at ?1 °C. Changing texture parameters were perceived at eating, without compromising overall quality. Production system affected intrinsic quality parameters such as total soluble solids concentration, but did not influence consumer acceptance. In consumer tests conducted after 13 weeks of cold storage, high scores were recorded, with a 86% acceptance frequency and more than 40% of scores reflecting “like very much” or “like extremely”. After 23 weeks of cold storage a decrease in degree of liking was observed. The overall value of ‘Abate Fetel IGP Emilia-Romagna’ quality label was confirmed by consumer evaluations. However, the decrease in consumer acceptance after 23 weeks of cold storage indicates that caution should be used in using long storage durations.     

热处理对常温贮藏樱桃西红柿采后品质及保鲜效果的影响

采用不同的热处理条件（45、50、55℃热水分别浸果3、6min）处理樱桃西红柿,研究热处理对其常温（20℃）贮藏10d期间品质特性变化的影响。结果表明：经55℃热水处理3rain以及50℃热水处理6min的樱桃西红柿在20℃条件下存放10d,可保持果实原有色泽,减少腐烂,是樱桃西红柿常温贮藏的适宜热处理条件。     

Volatile compounds,quality parameters and consumer acceptance of ‘Pink Lady®’ apples stored in different conditions

Standard quality parameters, consumer acceptance, and volatile compound emission of ‘Pink Lady^®’ apples (Malus × domestica Borkh.) were measured at harvest and after 14 and 25 weeks of cold storage in three different atmospheres. After storage, fruit were left to ripen for 1 and 7 days at 20 °C before instrumental and sensory measurements were performed. Data were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least square regression (PLSR). PLSR results indicated that the parameters positively influencing acceptability were soluble solid content, titratable acidity, background colour, and emission of hexyl 2-methylbutanoate, hexyl hexanoate, hexyl propanoate, butyl 2-methylbutanoate, 2-methylbutyl acetate and butyl propanoate. Results of sensory analyses revealed the treatments considered in this work could be split into two levels of acceptability.     

采收期对岳帅苹果采后贮藏品质的影响

以五个采收期的岳帅苹果为试材,研究不同采收期的果实在0℃条件下贮藏98 d期间品质的变化情况。结果表明,随着果实成熟度的增加,淀粉逐渐水解为糖,果实硬度、总酸与VC含量逐渐下降。采收期V(盛花期后159 d)的果实在采收时即接近完熟,品质下降较快,应在采后尽快上市销售;采收期Ⅲ、Ⅳ(盛花期后153～156 d)的果实贮藏后的品质优于其他采收期,适合较长期的贮藏。     

Prediction ability of firmness decay models of nectarines based on the biological shift factor measured by time-resolved reflectance spectroscopy

The maturity of nectarines at harvest can be assessed by measuring the absorption coefficient at 670 nm (μ_a) with the non-destructive technique of time-resolved reflectance spectroscopy (TRS). A kinetic model links μ_a, converted into the biological shift factor (BSF), to firmness decrease during ripening; in this way the firmness decay model includes the variations in maturity at harvest, thereby allowing prediction of shelf-life for individual fruit. In order to study how this methodology could be practically used at the time of harvest, when μ_a can be measured non-destructively on all fruit, while the destructive measurement of firmness can only be done on a small sample, various firmness decay models were developed using either data at harvest or within 1–2 d after harvest from previous experimental research with nectarines carried out over a 5-year period. These models were then tested for prediction and classification ability by comparing the predicted firmness and class of usability to the actual ones measured during ripening and their performance compared to that of models based on data during the whole shelf-life. Our results suggest that the methodology might be used as a management tool in the nectarine supply chain. Independently from the actual softening rate, the classification at harvest based on μ_a is able to segregate fruit of different quality and maturity according to their softening behaviour during shelf-life. Among the various models, those estimated using data at harvest and after 24 h of shelf-life had better performance than those based only on data at harvest. In the 2002 and 2005 seasons, this model showed a classification ability very close to that of models based on data during the whole shelf-life. However, its performance in the 2004 season was not so good, because it could not take into account the influence of cold storage periods prior to shelf-life. All the steps necessary to apply this methodology are detailed.     

Suitability of nectarine cultivars for minimal processing: The role of genotype,harvest season and maturity at harvest on quality and sensory attributes

Six cling-stone melting nectarine cultivars (‘Big Top’, ‘Luciana’, ‘Honey Royale’, ‘Nectareine’, ‘Big Nectared’ and ‘Nectalady’) were cut and dipped into an aqueous solution of 2% ascorbic acid, 1% citric acid and 1% calcium chloride before being stored in amorphous polyethylene terephthalate trays. Their suitability to be processed as fresh-cut product was then investigated on the basis of their initial quality, browning potential and sensory attributes as well as the changes in these parameters after processing. At harvest, two maturity stages were selected for each cultivar based on their index of absorbance difference. Nonetheless, no significant effect of maturity stage at harvest was observed for most of the physico-chemical and/or sensory parameters during storage. On the contrary, differences among cultivars were emphasized when comparing ethanol and acetaldehyde production, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity, volatiles production, sensory profile, and consumer acceptance. ‘Honey Royale’ and ‘Nectalady’ wedges showed higher volatiles production, whereas ‘Big Nectared’ and ‘Luciana’ had a slightly lower browning index (BI). In the sensory evaluation, ‘Nectareine’ had the highest acceptability scores, whereas ‘Big Nectared’ had the lowest. The significant correlations between volatiles, sensory attributes and degree of liking observed in this study underline the importance of aroma in fresh-cut products.     

Towards flexible management of postharvest variation in fruit firmness of three apple cultivars

Stochastic modeling provides a useful tool in managing biological variation in the postharvest chain. In the current study, the fruit-to-fruit variability in the postharvest firmness of apples was modeled. Apples from three cultivars (‘Jonagold’, ‘Braeburn’, and ‘Kanzi’) were harvested at different levels of maturity, and stored at different temperatures and controlled atmosphere (CA) conditions. By using a kinetic model describing firmness breakdown as a function of time, temperature, controlled atmosphere conditions and endogenous ethylene concentration, the main stochastic variables were identified as the initial firmness and the rate constants for firmness breakdown and ethylene production. Treating these variables as random model parameters, the Monte Carlo method was used to simulate the propagation of the fruit-to-fruit variability in flesh firmness within a batch of apples during storage under different CA conditions and subsequent shelf-life exposure. The model was validated using independent data sets from apples picked in a different season. The model developed in this study can be used to predict the probability of having apples of certain firmness after long term storage for different scenarios of temperatures and CA conditions.     

采收成熟度与后熟处理对红贵妃芒果贮藏品质和生理的影响

研究了采收成熟度与后熟处理对红贵妃芒果贮藏品质及采后生理的影响。结果表明,与对照（自然成熟）相比,乙烯利处理红贵妃芒果,可加速果实的品质变化和成熟进程．而热处理结合1-MCP处理则显著延缓了果实品质及生理的变化;在同一后熟处理条件下,60％成熟度果实生理变化显著慢于80％成熟度的果实,但其总糖含量却显著低于80％成熟度的果实。说明采收低成熟度的果实有利于延长果实的贮藏寿命,但其风味品质却差于高成熟度的果实。     

Quantifying lycopene synthesis and chlorophyll breakdown in tomato fruit using remittance VIS spectroscopy

The aim of this study was to increase the understanding of chlorophyll breakdown and lycopene synthesis at a quantitative level in Solanum lycopersicum fruit. To accomplish this, a kinetic model is proposed describing the transition from chloro- to chromoplast. Remittance VIS spectroscopy was used to assess chlorophyll and lycopene levels non-destructively in cocktail and round type tomatoes. Tomatoes were stored at constant temperatures between 4 and 24 °C, or at a stepwise changing temperature between 4 and 16 °C. Chlorophyll and lycopene levels were measured repeatedly over time and used to calibrate a kinetic model that describes how an autocatalytic enzyme system links chlorophyll breakdown to lycopene synthesis, including breakdown of lycopene precursor and lycopene itself. Increasing storage temperatures increased the reaction constant for lycopene synthesis more than that of chlorophyll breakdown for both tomato types. The reaction constants describing chlorophyll breakdown and lycopene synthesis were considerably larger, and the estimated enzyme levels lower for the round type. This allows round tomatoes to quickly resume lycopene synthesis after a cold storage period when enzyme levels are low. Lycopene breakdown was established for the round type while the cocktail type showed lycopene precursor breakdown. Chlorophyll breakdown and lycopene synthesis, as affected by storage temperature and tomato type, is covered well by the model for both tomato types. We hypothesise that the postulated enzyme system, responsible for the direct link between chlorophyll breakdown and lycopene synthesis, is due to STAY-GREEN proteins. Remittance VIS spectroscopy is, in combination with a parameter estimation tool, suited to screen tomato genotypes for intended colour transformation performance, or as tool in chloroplast to chromoplast transition studies.     

The potential for commonly measured at-harvest fruit characteristics to predict chilling susceptibility of ‘Hort16A’ kiwifruit

The propensity for physiological disorders to arise during low temperature storage of kiwifruit is a significant commercial risk. The potential to use fruit characteristics (flesh colour, soluble solids content (SSC), dry matter and firmness) estimated non-destructively at harvest as markers for the susceptibility of ‘Hort16A’ kiwifruit to chilling injury (CI) has been investigated for individual fruit. While the fruit that developed CI during storage were some of the least advanced fruit on each orchard, the flesh colour, SSC, firmness and dry matter of the susceptible fruit differed considerably among orchards, such that there was not a clear minimum or maximum threshold for which fruit did or did not develop CI across all orchards. There was a large ‘orchard factor’ in the susceptibility of fruit to CI that was as important, if not more important, than the flesh colour, SSC, firmness and dry matter values. The ‘orchard factor’ may derive from a combination of environmental conditions and/or orchard management practices, in conjunction with fruit growth and development. Hence it is concluded that a generally applicable at-harvest prediction of ‘Hort16A’ fruit susceptibility to CI is not possible from an at-harvest non-destructive estimation of flesh colour, SSC, firmness and dry matter.