Effect of antifungal hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-beeswax edible coatings on gray mold development and quality attributes of cold-stored cherry tomato fruit

Edible composite coatings based on hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), beeswax (BW), and food preservatives with antifungal properties, were evaluated on cherry tomatoes during cold storage. Food preservatives selected from previous research work included sodium propionate (SP), potassium carbonate (PC), ammonium phosphate (APh) and ammonium carbonate (AC). Cherry tomatoes artificially inoculated with Botrytis cinerea were coated and stored up to 15 d at 5 °C followed by 7 d of shelf-life at 20 °C. All antifungal HPMC-BW coatings significantly reduced gray mold development on inoculated and cold-stored cherry tomatoes, the SP-based coating being the most effective. Analytical and sensory fruit quality was also evaluated after cold storage and shelf-life. The AC-based coating was the most effective to control weight loss and maintain the firmness of coated cherry tomatoes. Respiration rate, firmness, color, sensory flavor, off-flavor, and fruit appearance were not adversely affected by the application of the antifungal coatings. Overall, the application of HPMC-BW edible composite coatings containing AC could be a promising treatment to extend the postharvest life of cherry tomatoes. Further studies should focus on the modification of some physical characteristics of the coatings in order to enhance the general performance and provide higher peel gloss.     

Epicuticular wax content and morphology as related to ethylene and storage performance of ‘Navelate’ orange fruit

The effect of ethylene (2 μL L⁻¹) on total and soft epicuticular wax content and wax morphology has been investigated in mature ‘Navelate’ (Citrus sinensis, L. Osbeck) oranges held under non-stressful environmental conditions (22 °C and constant high relative humidity (90–95% RH)). In addition, the objective of the study was to understand whether the ethylene-induced changes in epicuticular wax might participate in the beneficial effect of ethylene reducing non-chilling peel pitting, by modifying peel water, osmotic or turgor potential, or disease incidence caused by Penicillium digitatum (Pers.:Fr.) Sacc. Ethylene increased total and soft epicuticular wax content in ‘Navelate’ fruit and induced structural changes in surface wax that might be related to the formation of new waxes. Changes in epicuticular wax morphology, but not in its content, might be involved in the protective role of ethylene reducing non-chilling peel pitting, although the beneficial effect of the hormone is not related to water stress. Cell water and turgor potentials in freshly harvested fruit and fruit stored in air under non-stressful conditions suggest that water stress is not a limiting factor leading to the development of this physiological disorder. In addition, the results indicated that formation of new waxes in fruit treated with ethylene may partially cover stomata, cracks or areas lacking wax occurring in stored fruit and is likely to improve physical barriers to P. digitatum penetration.     

Combined effect of curing followed by acetic acid vapour treatments improves postharvest control of Penicillium digitatum on mandarins

In recent years several alternatives to the chemical control of postharvest decay have been examined but satisfactory levels of control, with a single system, have not been achieved yet. In the present study the results of an integrated postharvest approach are reported. Early and late harvested hybrid mandarin fruit “Fremont” and “Fairchild”, inoculated with Penicillium digitatum (Pers.:Fr.) Saccardo, were cured at 36 °C for 36 h with 95% RH and then fumigated with 0, 5, 15, 25, 50, 75 and 100 μL/L of acetic acid (AAC) vapours for 15 min. Following the treatments, fruit was stored at 20 °C and 80% RH to simulate a marketing period, and after 2 weeks the decay incidence and the visual appearance were evaluated. Curing or fumigations performed alone reduced decay with respect to untreated fruit, but the best control was achieved with combined treatments. For early harvested fruit the lowest decay percentage was obtained by using 75 μL/L with 8.3% and 2.1% of rots for “Fremont” and “Fairchild”, respectively, whereas for late harvested fruit the highest efficacy was observed using 50 μL/L (1.4% and 6.6%). Rind damage as pitting was observed only if fruit was treated with AAC alone at 100 μL/L.     

Evaluation of postharvest treatments with chemical resistance inducers to control green and blue molds on orange fruit

Preventive and curative activities of postharvest treatments with selected chemical resistance inducers to control postharvest green (GM) and blue (BM) molds on oranges (cvs. ‘Valencia’ or ‘Lanelate’) artificially inoculated with Penicillium digitatum and Penicillium italicum, respectively, were evaluated. In vivo primary screenings to select the most effective chemicals and concentrations were performed with benzothiadiazole (BTH), β-aminobutyric acid (BABA), 2,6-dichloroisonicotinic acid (INA), sodium silicate (SSi), salicylic acid (SA), acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and harpin. INA at 0.03 mM, SA at 0.25 mM, BABA at 0.3 mM and BTH at 0.9 mM were selected and tested afterwards as dips at 20 °C for 60 or 150 s with oranges artificially inoculated before or after the treatment and incubated for 7 d at 20 °C. Although it was an effective treatment, SSi at 1000 mM was discarded because of potential phytotoxicity to the fruit rind. Preventive or curative postharvest dips at room temperature had no effect or only reduced the development of GM and BM very slightly. Therefore, these treatments cannot be recommended for inclusion in postharvest decay management programs for citrus packinghouses.     

Effect of ethylene degreening on the development of postharvest penicillium molds and fruit quality of early season citrus fruit

The effect of commercial degreening with ethylene gas on fruit susceptibility and quality and development of postharvest green (GM) and blue (BM) molds on early season citrus fruit was investigated. Each cultivar was harvested with different peel color indexes (CI). Fruit were exposed for 3 d to 2 μL L⁻¹ ethylene at 21 °C and 95–100% RH before or after artificial inoculation with Penicillium digitatum or Penicillium italicum. Control fruit were kept at the same environmental conditions without ethylene. Fruit were stored at either 20 °C for 7 d or 5 °C for 14 d and disease incidence (%) and severity (lesion diameter) were assessed. No significant effect of commercial degreening was observed on fruit susceptibility to both GM and BM on citrus cultivars inoculated after degreening. Likewise, no significant effect was observed on disease incidence on citrus cultivars inoculated before degreening and stored at either 20 °C for 7 d or 5 °C for 14 d. In contrast, in cultivars like ‘Clemenules’ mandarins and ‘Navelina’ oranges, degreening significantly increased the severity on fruit with higher initial CI (−3.6 and 1.7, respectively). GM and BM severity on degreened and control ‘Clemenules’ mandarins incubated at 20 °C for 7 d was 146 and 118 mm and 56 and 46 mm, respectively. In general, commercial degreening did not significantly affect external and internal quality attributes of citrus cultivars. Commercial degreening after inoculation of less green (more mature) fruit showed a trend to increase mold severity, presumably through an aging effect (acceleration of peel senescence).     

Physicochemical measurements in ‘Mondial Gala’ apples stored at different atmospheres: Influence on consumer acceptability

Standard quality parameters, consumer acceptability, emission of volatile compounds and ethylene production of ‘Mondial Gala^®’ apples (Malus × domestica Borkh.) were determined in relation to storage atmosphere, storage period and shelf-life period. Fruit were harvested at the commercial date and stored in AIR (21 kPa O₂:0.03 kPa CO₂) or under three different controlled atmospheres (CAs): LO (2 kPa O₂:2 kPa CO₂), ULO1 (1 kPa O₂:1 kPa CO₂), or ULO2 (1 kPa O₂:2 kPa CO₂). Fruit samples were analysed after 12 and 26 weeks of storage plus 1 or 7 d at 20 °C.Apples stored in CA maintained better standard quality parameters than AIR-stored fruit. The volatile compounds that contributed most to the characteristic aroma of ‘Mondial Gala^®’ apples after storage were butyl, hexyl and 2-methylbutyl acetate, hexyl propanoate, ethyl butanoate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl, butyl and hexyl 2-methylbutanoate. Data obtained from fruit analysis were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA). The apples most accepted by consumers showed the highest emission of ethyl 2-methylbutanoate, ethyl hexanoate, tert-butyl propanoate and ethyl acetate, in addition to the highest titratable acidity and firmness values.     

Shiraz vines maintain yield in response to a 2–4 °C increase in maximum temperature using an open-top heating system at key phenostages

We measured the effects of increased daytime temperature during 2- (2007/08) or 3-week periods (2008/09) on the yield and yield components of irrigated Shiraz vines in the Barossa Valley of Australia. A simple and inexpensive open system was used to elevate temperature during a single phenological window, either bracketing budburst (E-L stage 4), shortly after flowering (E-L stage 23), bracketing pea size (E-L stage 31), around veraison (E-L stage 35) or shortly before harvest (E-L stage 38). Two important features of the heating systems were tracking of diurnal temperature dynamics, and maintaining relative humidity, hence avoiding the interaction between temperature and vapour pressure deficit. Minimum temperature was unchanged.Compared to controls, maximum ambient temperature was increased between 1.8 and 4.1 °C in treated plots but canopy temperature of treated vines only increased by 0.9–1.1 °C. Elevation of bunch temperature was 2.3–3.2 °C. Increasing temperature around budburst transiently accelerated development in comparison to controls; no phenological changes were detected for other timings of treatment. Yield averaged 4.3 kg vine⁻¹ in 2007–08 and 6.1 kg vine⁻¹ in 2008–09. In both seasons and for all timings of treatment, increasing temperature did not affect yield or its components; lack of yield response did not result, therefore, from compensatory mechanisms, e.g. heavier berries compensating for fewer fruit. The dynamics of berry growth and total soluble solids were largely unaffected by temperature. Under our experimental conditions, the capacity of irrigated Shiraz canopies to partially buffer a 2–4 °C increase in maximum ambient temperature may have been important for the maintenance of yield, and berry growth and sugar accumulation.     

Characterization of postharvest treatments with sodium methylparaben to control citrus green and blue molds

The curative antifungal activity of postharvest sodium methylparaben (SMP) treatments against citrus green (GM) and blue (BM) molds was characterized on different citrus species and cultivars artificially inoculated with Penicillium digitatum or Penicillium italicum and incubated at 20 °C and 90% RH for 7 d or stored at 5 °C and 90% RH for 8 weeks plus 7 d of shelf-life at 20 °C. Effective concentrations were selected in in vivo primary screenings with ‘Valencia’ oranges. SMP at 200 mM was tested at 20, 50 or 62 °C for 30, 60 or 150 s in small-scale trials to determine the best dip treatment conditions. Dips of 200 mM SMP at 20 °C for 60 s were selected and applied alone or in combination with 25 μL L⁻¹ of the conventional fungicide imazalil (SMP + IMZ 25). Imazalil at the very low concentrations of 25 (IMZ 25) or 50 μL L⁻¹ (IMZ 50) were also tested. Effectiveness of SMP alone at 20 °C for 60 s was significantly higher on oranges (cvs. ‘Valencia’ and ‘Lanelate’) than on mandarins (cvs. ‘Clemenules’, ‘Nadorcott’ and ‘Ortanique’), with GM and BM incidence reductions of up to 88% after 7 d at 20 °C. SMP was compatible with IMZ 25 and consistently improved its performance, irrespective of citrus cultivars and storage conditions. All treatments were less effective on ‘Clemenules’ mandarins. On ‘Valencia’ oranges stored for 8 weeks at 5 °C and 7 d at 20 °C, the combined treatment was significantly more effective than the single treatments (reductions of GM and BM incidence of about 50–60% and 90–95%, respectively). In additional tests, 200 mM SMP dips at 20 °C for 60 s did not prevent GM on ‘Valencia’ oranges wounded, treated, inoculated with P. digitatum 24 h later, and incubated at 20 °C for 7 d. In contrast, the treatments IMZ 25 and SMP + IMZ 25 showed significant preventive activity. It can be concluded from these results that SMP aqueous solutions, especially applied at room temperature, might be an interesting nonpolluting control alternative to be included in citrus postharvest disease control programs in the future.     

Changes in external and internal color during postharvest ripening of ‘Manila’ and ‘Ataulfo’ mango fruit and relationship with carotenoid content determined by liquid chromatography–APcI-time-of-flight mass spectrometry

High-performance liquid chromatography–atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APcI⁺)-time-of-flight mass spectrometry studies revealed that all-trans-β-carotene and the dibutyrates of all-trans-violaxanthin and 9-cis-violaxanthin were the main carotenoids in ‘Ataulfo’ and ‘Manila’ mango fruit mesocarp. The concentration of these carotenoids in the mesocarp was measured during fruit ripening and correlated with colorimetric changes of mesocarp and epidermis. The lowest and highest concentrations of all-trans-β-carotene, all-trans-violaxanthin and 9-cis-violaxanthin (as dibutyrates) during the ripening of ‘Manila’ mango were 0.25 × 10⁻³ to 35.57 × 10⁻³, 0.40 × 10⁻⁵ to 31.97 × 10⁻³ and 0 to 16.81 × 10⁻³ g kg⁻¹ of fresh mesocarp, respectively. For ‘Ataulfo’ they were 2.55 × 10⁻³ to 39.72 × 10⁻³, 0.16 × 10⁻³ to 15.00 × 10⁻³ and 0.21 × 10⁻³ to 7.48 × 10⁻³ g kg⁻¹ of fresh mesocarp, respectively. The concentration of these carotenoids increased in an exponential manner during fruit ripening in ‘Ataulfo’ and in an exponential or second-order polynomial manner in ‘Manila’. The highest correlation coefficients were obtained for the relationships between the mesocarp and epidermis a* and h° color values and the concentration of the evaluated carotenoids in both mango cultivars (R = 0.81–0.94). Equations to predict the concentration of the most important carotenoids in ‘Manila’ and ‘Ataulfo’ mango fruit on the basis of their mesocarp and epidermis color values were obtained.     

Metschnikowia andauensis as a new biocontrol agent of fruit postharvest diseases

Potential antagonists were isolated from the epiphytic flora associated with oranges and pome fruit. A total of 1465 microorganisms were tested in a preliminary screening against blue and green moulds on pome and citrus fruit, respectively. Among them, approximately 3% reduced incidence and severity by more than 50% and 4 microorganisms fulfilled the selection criteria of reduction in severity and incidence by 75%. The most effective was a yeast identified as Metschnikowia andauensis, strain NCYC 3728 (PBC-2), isolated from the surface of ‘Bravo de Esmolfe’ apple fruit cultivated in North Portugal. The biocontrol activity of M. andauensis PBC-2 was dependent on its applied concentration. At 5 × 10⁶ cfu/mL incidence (% of infected wounds) and severity (lesion diameter) were reduced by 62 and 70%, respectively and at 1 × 10⁷ cfu/mL, the greatest reduction was achieved, 90% of incidence and 95% of severity. The broad spectrum of action of M. andauensis PBC-2 was evaluated with effective control being achieved against Rhizopus stolonifer, Penicillium expansum and Botritys cinerea, on ‘Rocha’ pears and on different apple cultivars and against Penicillium digitatum and Penicillium italicum on mandarins and oranges. In semi-commercial trials in cold storage, the reduction of blue mould was 90%. Rapid colonization of fresh apple fruit wounds was observed during the first 24 h of cold storage, followed by a significant population increase during the first 15 days of storage and then the population remained stable until the end of storage.     

White lupine as a beneficial crop in Southern Europe: I. Potential for N mineralization in lupine amended soil and yield and N2 fixation by white lupine

Two experiments were carried out at Pegões (central Portugal) to determine the potential N mineralization in a pulse amended disturbed and undisturbed soil incubated at several temperatures, and to evaluate for 2 years the yield and N₂ fixation capacity of sweet lupine (Lupinus albus L. cv. Estoril) inoculated with a mixture of rhizobia strains or nodulated by indigenous soil bacteria and submitted to conventional tillage or no-till practices. A completely randomized block design for soil mobilization with three replicates was used for the laboratory study, and completely randomized blocks for inoculation and tillage treatments with four replicates were used for the lupine yield and N₂ fixation experiment. Residue N immobilization occurred immediately after mature residue return to the soil independent of temperature, and was greater at 7 °C especially in the disturbed topsoil. Greater immobilization was also observed by doubling the amount of mature residue incorporated in the soil. This was expected since soil microorganisms would be in direct contact with the fresh organic matter and would be provided with more organic carbon under these circumstances. Nitrogen mineralization proceeded after 5 days of amendment. Potential N mineralization was higher at 25 °C than at 18 or 7 °C, for both conventional and no-till practices. At 25 °C, 42% of buried residue-¹⁵N was released over 210 days, at a smaller rate than 18 °C (49%) over 81 days. Lupine yield and N₂ fixation capacity were similar in plots that were not inoculated and those receiving the mixture of three rhizobia strains. White lupine had an efficient symbiosis with indigenous soil rhizobia at pod-filling (>99%, >100 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) which was not affected by tillage. At this stage, plant residue including visible roots and nodules accounted for a soil N input of +96 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ (91% of crop N), showing the large soil N benefit by the crop at this stage. The lupine residue at pod-filling stage can be used as a green manure under the conditions of organic farming systems. The apparent N “harvest” index of the pulse at pod-filling was only 9% though at maturity phase it should result in a higher value and the legume will show a lower fertilizer N value.     

Light interception and radiation use efficiency in temperate quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) cultivars

Sea level quinoas are grown at low altitudes in Central and Southern Chile. Both sensitivity to photoperiod and response to temperature largely determine quinoa adaptation, but crop biomass production must be quantified to evaluate agronomic performance. The objectives of this work are: (i) to characterize development effects on leaf area evolution for genotypes of sea level quinoa differing in cycle length, (ii) to quantify the extinction coefficient (k) for photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and radiation use efficiency (RUE) from emergence up to the beginning of grain filling and (iii) to identify which crop attributes related to canopy architecture should be considered to improve biomass production. Four cultivars (NL-6, RU-5, CO-407 and Faro) were cropped in Pergamino (33°56′S, 60°35′W, 65 m a.s.l.), Argentina, at three densities (from 22 to 66 plants m⁻²) in two consecutive years under field conditions with adequate water and nutrient supply. Thermal time to first anthesis and maximum leaf number on the main stem were linearly correlated (r² = 0.87; p < 0.0001). Leaf area continued to increase during the flowering phase, notably in NL-6, the earliest genotype. There were significant differences in maximum plant leaf area between cultivars. Increasing density reduced plant leaf area but effects were comparatively small. Estimated k was 0.59 ± 0.02 across genotypes and was higher (p < 0.05) for 66 plants m⁻². Values for RUE changed as cumulative intercepted PAR (IPAR) increased; at initial stages of development RUE was 1.25 ± 0.09 g MJ IPAR⁻¹, but if cumulative IPAR was higher than 107.5 ± 10.4 MJ IPAR m⁻², RUE was 2.68 ± 0.15 g MJ IPAR⁻¹. That change occurred when leaf area index (LAI) and fraction of PAR intercepted were still low and ranged from 0.61 to 1.38 and from 0.33 to 0.51, respectively. No significant association was found with any developmental stage. Our results agreed to the notion that RUE variation during pre-anthesis phases is largely determined by LAI through its effect on radiation distribution within the canopy. Biomass production could be improved if periods of interception below 50% of incoming PAR were reduced to ensure high RUE. This seems to be possible in temperate areas both by the use of late genotypes with a higher number of leaves on the main stem and by early genotypes provided adequate plant density is chosen. Early increment in LAI and overlapping of the leaf area increase period with the flowering phase are desirable strategies for earliest genotypes to maximize yield.     

Extension of fresh-cut “Blanquilla” pear (Pyrus communis L.) shelf-life by 1-MCP treatment after harvest

‘Blanquilla’ pears processed as fresh-cut products are highly sensitive to browning and softening. Common postharvest methods, such as the use of antibrowning compounds and/or modified atmosphere packaging, fail to preserve ‘Blanquilla’ pear slices long enough to be marketable. However, treatment with 1-MCP before cutting and peeling considerably improved their textural properties (9.2 N vs. 1.1 N with and without 1-MCP treatment, respectively) and color (a* values of 1 vs. 5 after 15 d at 4 °C, for slices pear treated with 1-MCP and without treatment, respectively). These positive changes were closely related to a decrease in respiratory activity determined on whole pears after 3 months of storage in air at 0 ± 1 °C and 95% R.H. (0.40 ± 0.05 mmol CO₂ kg⁻¹ h⁻¹ vs. 0.77 ± 0.04 mmol CO₂ kg⁻¹ h⁻¹ with and without 1-MCP treatment, respectively) and ethylene production (1.18 ± 0.36 nmol C₂H₄ kg⁻¹ h⁻¹ vs. 5.751 ± 1.12 nmol C₂H₄ kg⁻¹ h⁻¹ for samples treated with and without 1-MCP, respectively). The use of 1-MCP allows fresh-cut ‘Blanquilla’ pears to be sold up to about 5 d after processing. Treatment with 1-MCP could be a viable alternative to common technologies for extending the shelf-life of ‘Blanquilla’ pears as a fresh-cut product.     

Wound response in orange as a resistance mechanism against Penicillium digitatum (pathogen) and P. expansum (non-host pathogen)

Penicillium digitatum is the most devastating postharvest pathogen of citrus. In addition, Penicillium expansum is the main pathogen of pome fruit, although recent studies have demonstrated its ability to infect oranges under some conditions. In this study, we evaluated wound response in ‘Valencia’ oranges harvested at three different maturity stages and the effect of wound response on the establishment of both pathogens when fruit were stored at two different temperatures (20 and 4 °C). The effect of wounding and pathogen inoculation on lignin content, was also quantified. Lastly, the expression of several phenylpropanoid pathway-related genes was also analyzed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Results indicated that, in general, P. digitatum exhibited lower decay incidence and severity as time between wounding and inoculation increased. Decay incidence and severity were higher in fruit from the over-mature harvest than in fruit from immature and commercial harvests. P. expansum was able to infect fruit at 20 °C but lesions were small compared to lesion size of fruit stored at 4 °C. Lignin content in wounded fruit (control) and in samples wounded and inoculated with P. expansum was highest in fruit from the immature harvest at 7 d post-wounding and inoculation. Wounded fruit had higher expression of pal1, comt1 and pox1 genes at 48 h than at 24 h. However, samples inoculated with P. digitatum showed lower expression at 48 h than at 24 h. Our results indicated that maturity and storage temperature play an important role in orange wound response.     

Improving storability of persimmon cv. Rojo Brillante by combined use of preharvest and postharvest treatments

The combined use of preharvest treatments, gibberellic acid (GA₃) or calcium nitrate, with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment applied postharvest, was evaluated to improve the storability of ‘Rojo Brillante’ persimmon fruit, at both 1 and 15 °C. Properties linked to commercial quality, such as flesh firmness, external colour, total soluble solids and level of astringency, were evaluated at harvest, periodically during storage, as well as after subsequent shelf-life periods. At both storage temperatures, control fruit and calcium nitrate-treated fruit showed commercial quality for 20 d; the sole application of GA₃ delayed loss of firmness for 30 d while the treatment with 1-MCP by itself allowed storage of the fruit for 40 d. The combined use of calcium nitrate plus 1-MCP did not improve maintenance of quality any more than when 1-MCP was applied alone. The combination of GA₃ and 1-MCP delayed the symptoms of chilling injury, extending the storability at 1 °C for up to nearly 3 months. During storage at 15 °C, the combination of both treatments resulted in high-firmness values for 30 d, but did not prolong the storage period any longer than the 40 d reached by the sole application of 1-MCP. Irrespective of treatment, a loss of efficacy of the deastringency treatment was observed after 30 d of storage at 15 °C.     

Evaluation of shelf-life of fresh-cut pineapple using FT-NIR and FT-IR spectroscopy

The aim of this work was to investigate the loss of freshness of fresh-cut pineapple samples stored at different temperatures using non-destructive spectroscopic methods. Three lots of fresh cut pineapples (Ananas comosus L. cv. Golden Ripe, from Costa Rica), packaged in PVC trays (250 g) were analyzed during storage at three different temperatures (5.3, 8.6 and 15.8 °C). Loss of quality of these fruit was evaluated by chemical and microbiological parameters and using NIR and MIR spectroscopy. The FT-NIR spectra were acquired in reflectance mode directly on the slice of fresh-cut pineapple, over the range 12,500–3900 cm⁻¹, while FT-IR spectra were collected over the range 4000–700 cm⁻¹ using an horizontal ATR cell. Some chemical and microbiological parameters were also measured. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to the second derivative of the spectra to uncover molecular modifications occurring over the storage time. A clear discrimination between “fresh” and “old” samples was obtained and a stability time corresponding to the time of the initial loss of freshness was defined at each temperature. The stability times revealed by NIR spectroscopy were in good accordance with those evaluated by MIR. At each temperature the stability times (i.e. the initial loss of freshness times) defined by spectroscopic techniques (4–5 d at 5.3 °C, 3–4 d at 8.6 °C and 1 d at 15.8 °C) were associated with a mesophilic bacteria count ranging between 10⁵ and 10⁶ CFU g⁻¹ and lower than the maximum limit for mesophilic bacteria (<5 × 10⁷ CFU g⁻¹) given by French hygienic regulations at consumption.These results show that NIR and MIR spectroscopy could support conventional techniques (chemical and microbiological analysis) in studying shelf-life of fresh-cut fruit. In particular these techniques define the initial loss of freshness time, indicating a product which rapidly will be no longer acceptable if stored beyond that time. The main advantage of using IR spectroscopic techniques is to rapidly draw a profile of the product related to its change in quality.     

Effect of packaging conditions on quality and shelf-life of fresh-cut pineapple (Ananas comosus)

Influence of packaging conditions on fresh-cut ‘Gold’ pineapple shelf-life were studied during 20 d of storage at 5 °C. Fresh-cut fruit pieces were packed in polypropylene trays (PP) and wrapped with 64 μm polypropylene film under active (high 40% or low oxygen, 11.4%) or passive modified atmospheres (air or cut fruit coated with 1%, w/v alginate). Changes in headspace composition, titratable acidity, pH, soluble solids content, juice leakage, color, texture, and microbial growth were evaluated over time. For all packaging conditions, oxygen concentration continuously decreased below its initial concentration over 20 d storage, but never reached levels below 2% O₂. Meanwhile, CO₂ concentration inside all packages continuously increased over time up to 10.6–11.7% from the initial conditions. Ethylene concentrations were always less than 0.4 μl L⁻¹ while ethanol was detected only after 13 d of storage. Color parameters L^* and b^* significantly decreased over time in all packaging conditions and were directly attributed to the translucency phenomenon in the fruit flesh. When alginate coating was used, juice leakage was significantly reduced in contrast with the substantial juice accumulation observed in the rest of the packaging conditions. Texture profile analysis (TPA) parameters, did not significantly change over time, suggesting that structural characteristics of fresh-cut pineapple pieces were preserved throughout storage. From the microbial point of view, the shelf-life of ‘Gold’ fresh-cut pineapple was limited to 14 d by mesophilic bacterial growth. Further studies are needed to evaluate the sensory aspects, as well as to characterize the flesh translucency phenomenon and reduce juice leakage of fresh-cut pineapple.     

Expression of ROP/RAC GTPase genes in postharvest loquat fruit in association with senescence and cold regulated lignification

ROP/RAC GTPases regulate various development processes and play important roles in plant defense responses. Recently, lignification or secondary cell wall formation related ROP members were reported in rice, zinnia, cotton and Eucalyptus. The present study aimed to investigate the possible association of loquat ROPs with flesh lignification under different temperatures. Four ROP cDNA fragments, EjROP1.1, EjROP1.2, EjROP2 and EjROP3, were isolated from ‘Luoyangqing’ (LYQ) loquat fruit, and all of them shared over 80% nucleotide identity with known ROPs from other plants. Sequence analysis revealed that EjROP1.1, EjROP2 and EjROP3 might be functional while EjROP1.2, with mutated C-terminal resulted from a 65 bp deletion in the corresponding nucleotide sequence as compared with EjROP1.1, might be dominant-negative and consequently act as a negative regulator of ROP signal transduction. Increase in expression of EjROP1.1, EjROP2 and EjROP3 was observed during first 4 or 6 d of storage at 20 °C and was positively correlated with the increase in flesh firmness. Expression of EjROP1.2 was constantly low under 20 °C but was quickly, within 6 h, induced under 0 °C, and it increased by about 20 times within 24 h. The expression was induced under 5 °C as well but not so strong as that under 0 °C, and transfer of fruit from 5 °C to 0 °C re-stimulated the expression. The possible roles of EjROPs played during senescence and cold regulated lignification was discussed, and the simultaneous increase in the expression of three functional EjROPs and the negative regulator EjROP1.2 was suggested to be important for maintaining a ROP rheostat to protect cells from excessive lignification. To our knowledge, this is the first study on a dominant-negative ROP resulted from a deletion mutation, and a ROP responded to low temperature.     

Combined treatment of aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) reduces melting-flesh peach fruit softening

The effects of postharvest application of aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on ethylene production and fruit quality, and thus on transportation and shelf-life, were evaluated in melting-flesh peaches. AVG (150 mg L⁻¹) significantly reduced ethylene production, and the effect was enhanced in combination with 1-MCP (1 μL L⁻¹). However, fruit treated with AVG alone softened to untreated control levels 2 d after harvest (DAH). Treatment with 1-MCP significantly reduced the rate of softening until 2 DAH, but the fruit rapidly softened thereafter, and reached untreated control levels by 4 DAH. A combination of AVG and 1-MCP significantly reduced fruit tissue softening throughout ripening. The effect of each chemical on flesh firmness indicated that 1-MCP affected fruit response in the early stages of ripening up to 4 DAH, and AVG significantly reduced softening in the latter stages from 4 to 9 DAH. Peaches treated with AVG and 1-MCP retained their ground color during ripening, but the effect of each chemical on color is unclear. The present study indicates that combined treatment with AVG and 1-MCP significantly delays the ripening of melting-flesh peaches.     

Effect of Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus and Trichoderma viride on soil health, yield and N-economy of sugarcane cultivation under subtropical climatic conditions of India

Intensive cropping and exhaustive nature of sugarcane–wheat–rice cropping system in the Indo-Gangetic Plains of South Asia have led to the depletion of soil organic carbon content and inherent soil fertility resulting in a serious threat to the sustainability of these production systems. Bioagents like Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus and Trichoderma viride have great potential to restore soil fertility and promote sugarcane growth. Field experiments, therefore, have been conducted to study the integrated effect of bioagents (G. diazotrophicus and T. viride), Farm Yard Manure (FYM) and fertilizer N on sugarcane rhizosphere, crop yield and N economy for two crop cycles during 2004–2006 and 2005–2007 crop seasons at Lucknow, in the middle Indo-Gangetic plain region. Both bioagents could survive and colonize sugarcane rhizosphere and FYM improved their colonization. Enhanced soil microbial population and microbial carbon (SMC) and nitrogen (SMN) with increasing N level were probably due to more available N in the soil. FYM/bioagents amendment further enhanced the microbial carbon. The uniform increase in the fraction of SMC and SMN of total organic carbon indicated that immobilization/mineralization was being maintained in the soil where enhanced microbial biomass might act later as a source of nutrients.Bioagents ammended FYM enhanced the uptake of N, P and K in sugarcane at all the levels of fertilizer N. It was mainly due to the enhanced nutrient availability in the rhizospheric soil as the soil organic C and available N, P and K content increased with the application of bioagents/FYM. A saving of 76.3 kg N ha⁻¹ was envisaged by the use of G. diazotrophicus inoculated FYM with marginal (2.4 t ha⁻¹) decline in the cane yield. Application of T. viride enriched FYM, however, brought economy in the use of fertilizer N by 45.2 kg ha⁻¹ and also increased the yield by 6.1 t ha⁻¹compared to the control treatment. Overall, strategic planning in terms of an integrated application of these bioagents/manures with fertilizer N will not only sustain soil fertility but will also benefit farmers in terms of reducing their dependence and expenditure on chemical fertilizers.