Ultraviolet-C and induced stilbenes control ochratoxigenic Aspergillus in grapes

This study investigated the efficacy of ultraviolet-C (254 nm) and induced stilbenes to inhibit Aspergillus carbonarius and Aspergillus tubingensis and control ochratoxin A production in grapes. In addition, the stilbene synthesis as a response to UV-C treatment and to infection of ochratoxigenic Aspergillus was compared. The initial microbial inactivation by a previously optimized UV-C illumination protocol for increasing trans-resveratrol content in grapes (50 W/m (2), 40 cm, 60 s) was similar on undamaged and damaged grapes, achieving 1.2 and 1.3 log conidia/100 g reductions, respectively. After 5 days of storage at 22 degrees C, UV-C treatment and the stilbenes induced by UV-C inhibited ochratoxigenic Aspergillus growth in undamaged grapes. UV-C elicited the biosynthesis of trans-resveratrol, while microbial infection and tissue damage triggered the biosynthesis of trans-piceid. trans-Resveratrol was not synthesized as a consequence of ochratoxigenic Aspergillus contamination. However, when trans-resveratrol was synthesized by UV-C, it contributed to inhibiting the development of ochratoxin A producing aspergilli. Furthermore, UV-C treatment also contributed to decrease ochratoxin A production by ochratoxigenic aspergilli. Therefore, UV-C is a promising emerging technology either for reducing the potential ochratoxigenic risk in grapes, which is of particular interest to the wine industry, and also for increasing trans-resveratrol content of grapes, which would provide an added value to the wine.     

快速脱水抑制葡萄干制过程中膜脂过氧化及褐变

为探索脱水速度对无核白葡萄干制过程中膜脂过氧化作用及褐变的影响,以新疆无核白葡萄为试验材料,经过葡萄促干剂处理后,采用快速脱水和缓慢脱水2种处理,质量每减轻10%进行取样,测定脱水过程中果实干基含水率、干燥速率、褐变度、细胞膜透性、丙二醛(malonaldehyde,MDA)含量、脂氧合酶(lipoxygenase,LOX)、超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase,SOD)、过氧化氢酶(catalase,CAT)、过氧化物酶(peroxidase,POD)、多酚氧化酶(polyphenol oxidase,PPO)活性以及总酚含量的变化。结果表明:与缓慢脱水相比,快速脱水处理显著(P0.05)降低了无核白葡萄褐变度的上升,减少MDA生成量以及膜透性的增加,抑制LOX活性的升高,保持较高的活性氧清除酶SOD、CAT及POD活性及较高的总酚含量,且使PPO活性保持在一个较低的水平。因此认为,快速脱水可以有效地抑制无核白葡萄的膜脂过氧化作用对细胞膜的破坏,保持细胞的完整性,且PPO活性较低,从而减少无核白葡萄脱水褐变的发生。研究结果为快速脱水在无核白葡萄干制中的应用提供参考。     

Postharvest stilbene-enrichment of red and white table grape varieties using UV-C irradiation pulses

The red table grape varieties Flame, Red Globe, Crimson, and Napoleon, as well as the white varieties Superior, Dominga, and Moscatel Italica, were irradiated with a previously optimized UV-C postharvest irradiation protocol (510 W, 40 cm, 60 s). The induction kinetics of the stilbenes trans-resveratrol, trans-piceid, trans-piceatannol, trans-astringin, and viniferins was followed by using HPLC-DAD/MS/MS. The most inducible stilbenes were trans-resveratrol, trans-piceatannol, and viniferins. Both quantitative and qualitative differences were observed in both the stilbene induction kinetics and stilbene content in the seven table grapes analyzed here. The total resveratrol content ranged from 0.69 mg/100 g fw (Dominga) to 2.3 mg/100 g fw (Red Globe). The net resveratrol induction ranged from 3.4-fold (Flame) to 2315-fold (Red Globe). The highest viniferins content was observed in the variety Flame (0.73 mg/100 g fw), although the variety Red Globe presented the highest viniferins induction (175-fold). The highest content and induction of piceatannol (0.17 mg/100 g fw and 173-fold, respectively) was observed in the variety Flame. It should be stressed that taking into account the health-beneficial effects claimed for stilbenes, the UV-C irradiated table grapes can be considered as new functional fruits that can supply (a serving of unpeeled 200 g table grapes) the resveratrol content (depending on the variety) equivalent to more than seven glasses of red wine ( approximately 1.5 L) with high resveratrol content.     

短波紫外线处理对采后香菇褐变的影响

为了控制采后香菇在贮藏过程中的褐变并提高其贮藏品质,本试验采用不同剂量(2、4、6和8 kJ·m^-2) 短波紫外线(UV-C)对新鲜香菇进行预处理,研究不同剂量UV-C处理对香菇色泽、总酚含量、多酚氧化酶(PPO)活性、过氧化物酶(POD)活性、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性、苯丙氨酸解氨酶(PAL)活性、可溶性蛋白含量、还原糖含量、游离氨基酸含量以及香菇表面微生物的影响。结果表明,UV-C处理延缓了香菇色泽的下降,保持了较高的总酚含量,并且有利于POD、SOD、CAT和PAL活性维持在较高水平,抑制了PPO活性,同时可以保持较高的还原糖和可溶性蛋白含量,在一定程度上延缓了蛋白质的降解,而且可以有效抑制微生物的生长,其中4 kJ·m^-2 UV-C处理效果最佳。综上所述,UV-C处理可以有效地抑制香菇褐变,延长其贮藏期。本研究结果为香菇的贮藏保鲜提供了理论依据。     

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.     

Postharvest UV-C-irradiated grapes as a potential source for producing stilbene-enriched red wines

The use of postharvest controlled irradiation by UV pulses is proposed as a potential method to produce stilbene-enriched red wine. "Monastrell" grapes were UV-C-irradiated to increase stilbene content. The main inducible stilbenes were resveratrol and piceatannol, which are molecules with reported health-beneficial activities. The evolution of both compounds was followed in the different steps of an "analytical" traditional maceration wine-making process. The final wine made from UV-C-irradiated grapes was enriched about 2- and 1.5-fold in resveratrol and piceatannol, respectively, when compared to the control wine. In addition, no difference was detected regarding the standard enological parameters (color, acidity, etc.). It is strongly suggested that, with the use of more susceptible wine grapes to induce bioactive stilbenes upon UV-C irradiation, the stilbene-enrichment of wine can be much higher.     

Impact of UV-C irradiation on the cell wall-degrading enzymes during ripening of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) fruit

The effect of a hormic dose of UV-C (254 nm) on changes in fruit firmness and cell wall-degrading enzyme (CWDE) activity was determined using tomato fruit. Throughout the storage period, a decrease in firmness was jointly observed with an increase of the CWDE (polygalacturonase, pectin methyl esterase, cellulase, xylanase, beta-D-galactosidase, and protease) activity for all treatments, suggesting the involvement of these enzymes in the ripening process. However, the enhancement in the activity of the CWDE was significantly less in fruit subjected to the hormic dose of UV-C. This reduction may explain why irradiated fruit were firmer than control and consequently may explain how UV-C could delay the ripening and senescence process. We suggest that the CWDE are one of the targets of the UV-C, and by this action, irradiation contributed to a delay of the cell wall degradation and consequently retarded softening of the tomato fruit tissues.     

壳聚糖及UV-C处理对长山药冷害和品质的影响

为探讨壳聚糖及UV-C处理对贮藏过程中长山药冷害和品质的影响,以长山药为试验材料,采用不同浓度的壳聚糖及不同剂量的UV-C照射处理长山药块茎,对比分析长山药的冷害指数、可溶性固形物、丙二醛(MDA)、相对电导率、抗氧化酶类活性等指标的变化。结果表明,维持长山药块茎品质的壳聚糖最佳浓度为1.0%,UV-C最佳照射剂量为6 KJ·m^-2。此条件下,壳聚糖、UV-C、壳聚糖+UV-C处理都能有效降低长山药块茎的冷害指数,抑制其MDA含量和相对电导率的升高,保护膜结构的完整性,显著降低了多酚氧化酶(PPO)活性,还可以保持较高的可溶性固形物含量和过氧化物酶(POD)活性,说明这3种处理均可控制长山药冷害的发生,延长块茎的贮藏期,其中以壳聚糖+UV-C处理效果最佳。本研究结果为减缓采后长山药冷害提供了一定的理论依据。     

Ozonated water extends the shelf life of fresh-cut lettuce

The use of ozonated water as a sanitizer to extend the shelf life of fresh-cut lettuce and the effect on the antioxidant constituents (polyphenols and vitamin C) were investigated. Fresh-cut iceberg lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) was washed at 4 degrees C using three different ozonated water dips [10, 20, and 10 activated by ultraviolet C (UV-C) light mg L(-1) min total ozone dose], and the dips were compared with water and chlorine rinses. Treated lettuce was packaged in air or active modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) (4 kPa of O2 + 12 kPa of CO2 balanced with N2) and stored for 13 days at 4 degrees C. Despite its strong oxidizing activity, ozonated water did not stimulate the respiratory activity of fresh-cut lettuce. Moreover, ozonated water maintained the initial visual appearance of fresh-cut lettuce and controlled browning during storage in air. Initially, ozonated water and chlorine reduced the total mesophilic population by 1.6 and 2.1 log, respectively, when compared with water. Active MAP was effective in controlling total microbial growth, achieving 2.0 log reduction in relation to samples stored in air at the end of storage. On the other hand, active MAP caused a 2.0-3.5 reduction of coliforms on sanitized samples compared with water-washed samples. The most efficient treatments were ozone 20 and ozone 10 activated by UV-C, which were as effective as chlorine. Changes in individual phenolic compounds were independent of the washing treatments. In air, chlorogenic and isochlorogenic acid contents increased noticeably after 13 days while monocaffeoyltartaric and dicaffeoyltartaric acids remained unchanged. MAP effectively suppressed accumulation of caffeoylquinic derivatives, whereas caffeoyltartaric derivatives decreased during MAP storage to reach similar levels. The content of vitamin C (ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid) decreased during storage, particularly under MAP. Ozonated water could be an alternative sanitizer to chlorine for fresh-cut lettuce due to good retention of sensorial quality and browning control with no detrimental reduction in the antioxidant constituents.     

短波紫外线处理对采后草莓果实腐烂和抗氧化能力的影响

以"凤冠"草莓为材料,研究了0、1.5、3.0和4.5kJ.m-2UV-C处理对草莓果实在10℃,12d贮藏期间腐烂和果实抗氧化能力的影响。结果表明,3kJ.m-2UV-C处理能显著抑制草莓果实采后腐烂的发生和MDA的积累,延缓果实失重、硬度和可溶性固形物含量的降低,促进果实CIRG值的提高,增强果实采后着色能力,从而保持果实的感官和食用品质。同时,3kJ.m-2UV-C处理能促进贮藏期间果实总花色苷、总酚含量和DPPH自由基清除能力的增加,减少草莓果实中抗氧化组分含量的下降,维持果实较高的营养品质。说明适宜剂量的UV-C处理(3kJ.m-2)在草莓果实采后后贮运保鲜和抗氧化能力调控中具有潜在的应用前景。     

Adsorption of phenolic compounds and browning products in white wines by yeasts and their cell walls

Dehydrated yeast cells at variable concentrations were used as fining agents to decrease the color of white wines with two different degrees of browning (0.153 and 0.177 au, measured at 420 nm). Both wines showed a linear decrease of browning with increasing yeast concentration. However, in terms of efficiency, the yeasts exhibited a higher color lightening at greater concentrations acting on the darker wine. This suggests a preferential retention of some types of yellow-brown compounds that could increase their concentrations at the higher degree of browning. To confirm the role of yeast cell walls in the retention of browning compounds and to evaluate their potential use as fining agents, they were applied at variable concentrations to a browned wine (0.175 au). The cell walls were found to be the active support for the adsorption of browning compounds, but their efficiency was much lower than that of an equivalent amount of the yeast cells from which they were obtained. Finally, HPLC determinations of low-molecular-weight phenolic compounds showed flavan-3-ol derivatives to be significantly retained by both yeasts and their cell walls.     

Changes in color and phenolic compounds during the raisining of grape cv. Pedro Ximenez

Changes in color parameters and phenolic compounds during the sun-drying grape raisining of cv. Pedro Ximenez to obtain sweet wines are studied. Browning increases during the process as a result of the contribution to a greater extent of the low and medium molecular size polymers than the high molecular size polymers. Raisining decreases hue and lightness and increases chroma, all measured as CIELab parameters, indicating a color change to dark reddish hues that is also preferentially due to low and medium molecular size polymers. Most of the phenols studied increase in concentration during raisining, essentially through the concentration effect resulting from the loss of water in the grapes. The concentration changes, however, are comparatively small for hydroxycinnamic esters and flavan-3-ol derivatives, suggesting that these phenolic fractions undergo predominantly oxidative degradation reactions by enzymatic pathways, contributing strongly to the browning of grapes.     

Composition and chemical changes during storage of fish meal from Capelin (Mallotus villosus)

The stability of fish meal depends on processing and storage conditions, but habitat and seasonal variations in composition and naturally occurring anti- and pro-oxidants may be equally important. Capelin meal from four different seasons was examined by measuring chemical composition and monitoring lipid oxidation during storage. The results revealed that lipid content was high in the summer but low in the spring. It was further demonstrated that among naturally occurring antioxidants, astaxanthin was high during summer, whereas alpha-tocopherol was highest in spring. Mineral content varied, with a high copper content in the summer, whereas iron, selenium, and zinc were highest in the winter. Measurements on the stability of capelin meal indicated a decrease in peroxide values, oxygen uptake, and thiobarbituric acid reactive compounds with storage, whereas browning and CO concentration increased with time. Rancidity was highest in autumn, but free fatty acids were highest during spring and summer.     

Use of 2-furoylmethyl derivatives of GABA and arginine as indicators of the initial steps of maillard reaction in orange juice

The formation of 2-furoylmethyl derivatives of GABA (2-FM-GABA) and arginine (2-FM-Arg) as early indicators of nonenzymatic browning in different types of orange juice was studied. In dehydrated orange juice, the presence of 2-FM-GABA and 2-FM-Arg was detected from the first day of storage at 30 degrees C. In this type of juice, the content of these two compounds increased with temperature (30, 50 degrees C) and time (1-7 days) of storage. A noticeable increase in 5-hydroxymethylfurfural was only observed after 4 days of storage at 50 degrees C. No formation of 2-FM-GABA and 2-FM-Arg was detected in liquid orange juice heated under conditions similar to those used in the industry. These furoylmethyl derivatives were also found in commercial orange juice made from concentrates. A slight increase in their concentration was observed in the two samples stored during 8 months at room temperature. According to the results obtained, 2-FM-GABA and 2-FM-Arg contents could be suitable indicators to assess the main modifications due to Maillard reaction produced during the manufacture and/or storage of orange juice concentrates.     

Extending storage life of fresh-cut apples using natural products and their derivatives

Prevention of browning of apples slices has been difficult to achieve because of the rapidity of the enzymatic oxidation of phenolic substrates even under reduced atmospheric pressure storage. Combinations of enzymatic inhibitors, reducing agents, and antimicrobial compounds containing calcium to extend storage life were tested to decrease the browning of Red Delicious apple slices stored at 5 and 10 degrees C under normal atmospheric conditions. Treatments were devised to prevent browning for up to 5 weeks at 5 degrees C with no apparent microbial growth using dipping solutions of compounds derived from natural products consisting of 4-hexylresorcinol, isoascorbic acid, a sulfur-containing amino acid (N-acetylcysteine), and calcium propionate. Analyses of organic acids and the major sugars revealed that the slices treated with the combinations of antibrowning compounds retained higher levels of malic acid and had no deterioration in sugar levels at 5 and 10 degrees C, indicating that higher quality was maintained during storage.     

Response of freshwater alga Scenedesmus to triazine herbicides

The effect of three triazine herbicides namely, Gardoprim, Gesapax and Igran on the freshwater alga, Scenedesmus sp., was studied. Growth rate, chlorophyll (a) content, and ratio of chlorophylls (a/b) tend to decrease as the concentration of herbicides in the bioassay media was increased. The inhibitory effect of the studied herbicides was in the following the order: Igran > Gesapax > Gardoprim. Obtainable results reflect the relation between chemical structure and toxicity even within a chemically related group of herbicides. Uptake of the studied compounds by Scenedesmus algal cells decreased as the concentration of herbicides in the media was increased. The pH of the bioassay media showed gradual increase as algal growth proceeded, whereas in media containing inhibitory levels of the triazines, the pH value was unaffected. Microscopical examinations of Scenedesmus in all tested cultures showed marked morphological changes. In the case of inhibitory concentrations, the unicellular forms increased in numbers compared to Scenedesmus in the normal four-cell state. Statistical analysis revealed that significant relation existed between herbicide concentrations and chlorophyll content.     

Determination of chlorophylls in Taraxacum formosanum by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection-mass spectrometry and preparation by column chromatography

Taraxacum formosanum, a well-known Chinese herb shown to be protective against hepatic cancer as well as liver and lung damage, may be attributed to the presence of abundant carotenoids and chlorophylls. However, the variety and content of chlorophylls remain uncertain. The objectives of this study were to develop an high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection-mass spectrometry method for determination of chlorophylls in T. formosanum and preparation by column chromatography. An HyPURITY C18 column and a gradient mobile phase of water (A), methanol (B), acetonitrile (C), and acetone (D) could resolve 10 chlorophylls and an internal standard Fast Green FCF within 30 min with a flow rate at 1 mL/min and detection at 660 nm. Both chlorophylls a and a' were present in the largest amount (1389.6 μg/g), followed by chlorophylls b and b' (561.2 μg/g), pheophytins a and a' (31.7 μg/g), hydroxychlorophyll b (26.5 μg/g), hydroxychlorophylls a and a' (9.8 μg/g), and chlorophyllides a and a' (0.35 μg/g). A glass column containing 52 g of magnesium oxide-diatomaceous earth (1:3, w/w) could elute chlorophylls with 800 mL of acetone containing 50% ethanol at a flow rate of 10 mL/min. Some new chlorophyll derivatives including chlorophyllide b, pyropheophorbide b, hydroxypheophytin a, and hydroxypheophytin a' were generated during column chromatography but accompanied by a 63% loss in total chlorophylls. Thus, the possibility of chlorophyll fraction prepared from T. formosanum as a raw material for future production of functional food needs further investigation.     

Fluorescence, browning index, and color in infant formulas during storage

Free and total fluorescent compounds, browning index, and color formation were measured in milk-based powdered infant formulas (IF) during 2 years of storage at 20 and 37 degrees C. The excitation spectra from 415 nm emission show three peaks (ex lambda1 = 270 nm, lambda2 = 325/315 nm, lambda3 = 350 nm) and from 347 nm excitation two emission peaks (415 and 520 nm), and no wavelength shifts were observed. Temperature and time of storage exert in general no significant effect on the development of fluorescence emission intensity and browning index. However, an important increase in pentodilysine was recorded-probably because of the iron and ascorbic acid contents of the samples-as well as in browning index in adapted IF. In both IF a color increase (deltaE) throughout storage was observed, this increase being greater in samples stored at 37 degrees C than in those stored at 20 degrees C. The increase in color with time fitted a linear regression model. Color appeared to be an indicator of sufficient sensitivity to measure the effect of temperature or storage time.     

分光光度法测定叶绿素含量的探讨

应用分光光度法研究了不同提取液对叶绿素含量测定的影响。结果表明，用不同提取液提取叶绿素，其吸收光谱相似。但对叶绿素的得率及稳定性的影响较显著，随着提取液中含水量的提高，叶绿素提取速度、效率及叶绿素提取液的稳定性显著下降。在各种提取液中，叶绿素ｂ比叶绿素ａ相对较稳定。植物材料的含水量对叶绿素含量测定及稳定性无明显影响。含水量为零的丙酮和无水乙醇２：１混合提取液是较佳的提取液，可适合于大批量样品的测定。     

Dose rate effect of gamma irradiation on phenolic compounds, polyphenol oxidase, and browning of mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus).

To enhance the shelf life of edible mature mushrooms, Agaricus bisporus, 2 kGy ionizing treatments were applied at two different dose rates: 4.5 kGy/h (I(-)) and 32 kGy/h (I(+)). Both I(+) and I(-) showed a 2 and 4 day shelf-life enhancement compared to the control (C). Before day 9, no significant difference (p>0.05) in L value was detected in irradiated mushrooms. However, after day 9, the highest observed L value (whiteness) was obtained for the mushrooms irradiated in I(-). Analyses of phenolic compounds revealed that mushrooms in I(-) contained more phenols than I(+) and C, the latter containing the lower level of phenols. The fluctuation of the precursors of glutaminyl-4-hydroxyaniline (GHB) was less in I(-) than in I(+). The polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities of irradiated mushrooms, analyzed via catechol oxidase, dopa oxidase, and tyrosine hydroxylase substrates, were found to be significantly lowered (p = 0.05) compared to C, with a further decrease in I(+). Analyses of the enzymes indicated that PPO activity was lower in I(+), contrasting with its lower phenols concentration. The observation of mushrooms' cellular membranes, by electronic microscopy, revealed a better preserved integrity in I(-) than in I(+). It is thus assumed that the browning effect observed in I(+) was caused by both the decompartmentation of vacuolar phenol and the entry of molecular oxygen into the cell cytoplasm. The synergetic effect of the residual active PPO and the molecular oxygen, in contact with the phenols, allowed an increased oxidation rate and, therefore, a more pronounced browning I(+) than in I(-).