Within-season volatile and quality differences in stored fresh-cut cantaloupe cultivars

Cantaloupe cultivar variability from various U.S. regions and growing seasons within a given year was evaluated. As expected, there was often considerable quality and volatile variation among cultivars. Eight of 11 cultivars met the standard U.S. No. 1 requirement for degrees Brix (> or =9), and in most cultivars, degrees Brix declined during fresh-cut storage at 4 degrees C. Hunter L (loss of lightness color value) and a (decline of typical orange hue) colors also generally declined during storage in most cultivars. Volatile ester compounds generally decreased during fresh-cut storage or exhibited a transient increase before declining after 5-7 days of storage. The relative percentage of acetate esters declined during storage in all cultivars, and declines were accompanied by simultaneous non-acetate ester increases. Slight imbalances in compound concentrations may alter the overall perception of desirable, typical "cantaloupe" aroma/flavor during fresh-cut storage. Upsetting the unique aroma balance through storage may negatively affect flavor and the consumer's perception of desirable attributes, even though total volatile levels might not decrease substantially until after 5-7 days in storage. Subtle volatile and quality decreases are likely to be exacerbated with immature-harvested cantaloupe and are likely in out-of-season exports that have likewise been harvested at less mature stages. Altogether, this study indicates the difficulty in procuring cantaloupes of consistent quality from local producers, in a given year, for domestically grown fruit.     

Pineapple juice and its fractions in enzymatic browning inhibition of banana [Musa (AAA group) Gros Michel

The effectiveness of pineapple juice in enzymatic browning inhibition was evaluated on the cut surface of banana slices. After storage of banana slices at 15 degrees C for 3 days, pineapple juice showed browning inhibition to a similar extent as 8 mM ascorbic acid but less than 4 mM sodium metabisulfite. Fractionation of pineapple juice by a solid-phase C18 cartridge revealed that the directly eluted fraction (DE fraction) inhibited banana polyphenol oxidase (PPO) about 100% when compared to the control. The DE fraction also showed more inhibitory effect than 8 mM ascorbic acid in enzymatic browning inhibition of banana puree during storage at 5 degrees C for 24 h. Further identification of the DE fraction by fractionation with ion exchange chromatography and confirmation using model systems indicated that malic acid and citric acid play an important role in the enzymatic browning inhibition of banana PPO.     

Effects of ozone treatment on postharvest strawberry quality

The effect of ozone treatment on the postharvest quality of strawberry was evaluated. Strawberry fruits (Fragaria x ananassa Duch. cv. Camarosa) were stored at 2 degrees C in an atmosphere containing ozone (0.35 ppm). After 3 days at 2 degrees C, fruits were moved to 20 degrees C to mimic retail conditions (shelf life). The changes in several quality parameters such as fungal decay, color, sugar and acids distribution, and aroma were evaluated during the strawberries' shelf life. Ozone treatment was ineffective in preventing fungal decay in strawberries after 4 days at 20 degrees C. Significant differences in sugars and ascorbic acid content were found in ozone-treated strawberries. At the end of cold storage, the vitamin C content of ozonated strawberries was 3 times that of control fruits. A detrimental effect of ozone treatment on strawberry aroma was observed, with a 40% reduced emission of volatile esters in ozonated fruits.     

Antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of common fruits

Consumption of fruits and vegetables has been associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. Phytochemicals, especially phenolics, in fruits and vegetables are suggested to be the major bioactive compounds for the health benefits. However, the phenolic contents and their antioxidant activities in fruits and vegetables were underestimated in the literature, because bound phenolics were not included. This study was designed to investigate the profiles of total phenolics, including both soluble free and bound forms in common fruits, by applying solvent extraction, base digestion, and solid-phase extraction methods. Cranberry had the highest total phenolic content, followed by apple, red grape, strawberry, pineapple, banana, peach, lemon, orange, pear, and grapefruit. Total antioxidant activity was measured using the TOSC assay. Cranberry had the highest total antioxidant activity (177.0 +/- 4.3 micromol of vitamin C equiv/g of fruit), followed by apple, red grape, strawberry, peach, lemon, pear, banana, orange, grapefruit, and pineapple. Antiproliferation activities were also studied in vitro using HepG(2) human liver-cancer cells, and cranberry showed the highest inhibitory effect with an EC(50) of 14.5 +/- 0.5 mg/mL, followed by lemon, apple, strawberry, red grape, banana, grapefruit, and peach. A bioactivity index (BI) for dietary cancer prevention is proposed to provide a new alternative biomarker for future epidemiological studies in dietary cancer prevention and health promotion.     

Effect of storage on some volatile aroma compounds in fresh-cut cantaloupe melon

Changes in volatile aroma constituents of fresh-cut cantaloupe melon with storage were determined by headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The compounds isolated from the fruit immediately after cutting were predominantly aliphatic and aromatic esters. Storage of fruit at 4 degrees C caused a considerable decrease in concentration of esters and synthesis of the terpenoid compounds beta-ionone and geranylacetone over a period of 24 h. This change in the volatile profile with storage is consistent with that of a stress-induced defense response in the cut fruit as an adaptation process to tissue exposure and cell disruption. The same effect occurred in fruit stored at 22 degrees C and in those treated with sodium azide and ascorbic acid prior to storage. Fruit treated with ascorbic acid and sodium azide had higher concentrations of beta-ionone and geranylacetone and retained these compounds better with storage time. The reduction of esters appears to be an important early reaction step in the loss of freshness during storage of fresh-cut cantaloupe.     

Correlating volatile compounds, sensory attributes, and quality parameters in stored fresh-cut cantaloupe

Changes in post-cutting volatiles, quality, and sensory attributes during fresh-cut storage (4 degrees C) of cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L. var. Reticulatus, Naudin, cv. 'Sol Real') harvested at four distinct maturities (1/4-, 1/2-, 3/4-, and full-slip) were investigated after 0, 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, and 14 days in a 2-year study. Increased fruity and sweet taste attributes were negatively correlated with percent acetates, aromatic acetates, and total aromatic compounds, and positively correlated with percentage non-acetate esters. Ethyl hexanoate was strongly positively correlated with fruity and sweet taste. Cucurbit, water-like, hardness, cohesiveness, and denseness were positively correlated with percentage acetates, aromatic acetates, and total aromatic compounds, and negatively correlated with percentage non-acetate esters. Several non-acetate esters such as ethyl 2-methyl propanoate, ethyl butanoate, ethyl 2-methyl butanoate, and ethyl hexanoate were negatively (often strongly) correlated with cucurbit. Hardness was positively and strongly correlated with aromatic acetates and all aromatic (benzyl) compounds. In summary, firmer and denser cubes contained more acetates and fewer non-acetate esters. The apparently negative or undesirable attributes cucurbit and water-like were associated with higher acetates and aromatic compounds. Overall, relatively strong (year x maturity x day) correlations among numerous physiological, volatile, and sensory measures were found in this study. Highly significant (stronger) correlations were found in a year x day analysis used to pair maturity means; however, year and interaction effects require prudence when interpreting that data. Nonetheless, both analyses delivered almost identical trends, and strong correlations occurred even though samples were randomized from numerous fruits, per maturity, per juice catcher container, over 2 years. Further interpretation and biochemical explanation are needed to rationalize why mainly only non-acetate esters were highly correlated with desirable sensory and quality parameters.     

Biochemical and microbial changes during the storage of minimally processed cantaloupe

The effect of storage time on pH, titratable acidity, degrees Brix, organic acids, sugars, amino acids, and color of minimally processed cantaloupe melon (Cucumis melo L. var. reticulatus Naud. cv. Mission) was determined at 4 degrees C and 20 degrees C. Changes in most of the biochemical parameters with storage time were relatively slow at the lower temperature. At 20 degrees C, a 17% loss in soluble solids and a 2-fold increase in acidity occurred after 2 days. Organic acid content also increased considerably with time at this temperature as a result of the production of lactic acid. Oxalic, citric, malic, and succinic acids were the organic acids, and glucose, fructose, and sucrose were the sugars present in the freshly cut cantaloupe. Malic acid concentration decreased concurrently with lactic acid production indicating the possible involvement of anaerobic malo-lactic fermentation along with sugar utilization by lactic acid bacteria. The effect of storage on microbial growth was determined at 4, 10, and 20 degrees C. Gram-negative stained rods grew at a slower rate at 4 degrees C and 10 degrees C than the Gram-positive mesophilic bacteria that dominated microorganism growth at 20 degrees C. Eighteen amino acids were identified in fresh cantaloupe: aspartic acid, glutamic acid, asparagine, serine, glutamine, glycine, histidine, arginine, threonine, alanine, proline, tyrosine, valine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, phenyl alanine, and lysine. The dominant amino acids were aspartic acid, glutamic acid, arginine, and alanine. Total amino acid content decreased rapidly at 20 degrees C, but only a slight decrease occurred at 4 degrees C after prolonged storage. Changes in lightness (L), chroma, and hue at both temperatures indicate the absence of browning reactions. The results indicate the potential use of lactic acid and lactic acid bacteria as quality control markers in minimally processed fruits.     

Effect of wash water temperature and chlorination on phenolic metabolism and browning of stored iceberg lettuce photosynthetic and vascular tissues

Cut tissues from distinct anatomical locations in iceberg lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) were subjected to washing in cold (4 degrees C) and warm (47 degrees C) water with or without chlorine to assess their propensity to discoloration during storage. Total protein (Bradford method) and phenolic (TPH; Folin-Ciocalteu method) contents and polyphenol oxidase (PPO; spectrophotometric method using catechol as a substrate), peroxidase (POD; guaiacol substrate), and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL; phenylalanine substrate) activities were determined in photosynthetic and vascular tissue from outer and inner leaves. Unprocessed photosynthetic and inner leaf tissues had significantly higher (P < 0.05) levels of protein and TPH and PPO and POD activities than vascular and outer leaf tissues. PAL activities (on a fresh weight basis) were similar in all tissues. Changes in browning (light reflectance measurement) and phenolic metabolism in all four tissue types were observed during aerobic storage at 5 degrees C over 10 days. PAL activity increased in all tissues after 1-2 days of storage and then gradually decreased. POD activity also increased steadily for the storage duration. Protein content and PPO activity remained constant. Edge browning (measured with a Minolta Chroma Meter) and TPH increased in all tissues, especially in outer vascular tissue. Cut photosynthetic and vascular tissues washed at 4 and 47 degrees C with and without 100 microg mL(-1) chlorine for 3 min were analyzed during 7 days in storage at 5 degrees C. Enzyme activities and accumulation of phenolics in all tissues washed at 47 degrees C were significantly (P < 0.05) lower compared to controls or tissues washed at 4 degrees C. Chlorine had no additional effect at 47 degrees C but significantly (P < 0.05) reduced browning and accumulation of phenolics in lettuce washed at 4 degrees C. These results showed that inherent differences between tissues affect phenolic metabolism and browning in stored, fresh-cut lettuce.     

果皮和果肉比例对真空冷冻干燥重组芒果脆块品质的影响

芒果皮富含膳食纤维、类胡萝卜素等生物活性化合物,但在食品工业中尚未被充分利用。为了实现芒果资源的全利用,本研究制备了含不同比例果皮和果肉的真空冷冻干燥重组芒果脆块,并考察了脆块的玻璃化转变温度(T_g)、质构、微观结构、类胡萝卜素含量等品质,综合分析了果皮和果肉比例对脆块理化、质构、营养和感官品质的影响。结果表明,添加芒果皮后脆块的硬度提高了2.65%～24.07%。当果皮含量超过20%时,脆度呈下降趋势,下降了1.91%～73.49%。此外,添加芒果皮后脆块的总酚、类胡萝卜素和膳食纤维含量分别增加了60.96%～336.75%、11.17%～112.48%和28.61%～166.36%。感官评价结果表明,芒果皮添加比例为40%以内的脆块综合品质得分均较高。综合考虑,添加20%芒果皮既可显著提高脆块的营养功能特性,改善质构稳定性,又具有较佳的综合感官品质。本研究结果表明,基于质构重组和真空冷冻干燥技术制备复合脆块是实现芒果皮资源利用的一种可行方法,这为生产中芒果皮的利用和添加量的选择提供了理论依据。     

拨杆喂入式菠萝采收机构设计与试验

为解决菠萝采收效率低、成本高等问题，该研究根据菠萝果实的几何特征和花萼结合处易折断、茎秆较脆等生物学特性设计了一种拨杆喂入式菠萝采收机构，分析了影响收获效率的主要因素，包括：拨禾轮半径、拨禾轮转速、履带行走机的前进速度等，并确定了关键部件的结构和运动参数。在对菠萝果实与茎秆分离的运动学和动力学分析的基础上，确定了菠萝果实在花萼与茎秆连接处或在靠近花萼的茎秆处断裂的力学依据，其中成熟度较高时，菠萝花萼处的脱落区结合强度较小，受切应力作用而断裂；成熟度较低时，茎秆较细处因弯曲过大而断裂。建立采收过程的多体运动学仿真模型，分析了收获过程中菠萝植株的力学和动力学特征，求解不同运动情况下拨杆接触果实时的接触力峰值。两因素五水平正交台架试验表明，菠萝收获效果最佳的参数组合为前进速度0.4 m/s、拨禾轮转速22.8 r/min。最优参数组合的田间试验结果表明：拨杆喂入式菠萝收获机进行收获作业时工作顺畅，采收后的植株生长状态良好；菠萝果实收获成功率为84%，损伤率为9.53%，综合评价指标为85.94%。研究结果可为菠萝采收机械的研究提供参考。     

Maintaining quality of fresh-cut mangoes using antibrowning agents and modified atmosphere packaging

Treatments to inhibit browning and decay and prolong shelf life of fresh-cut mangoes were investigated. Combinations of antibrowning agents and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) resulted in a reduction of browning and deterioration of fresh-cut mangoes stored at 10 degrees C. Combinations of several browning inhibitors were more effective than those applied individually. Among these treatments, solutions containing 4-hexylresorcinol (0.001 M) (HR) plus potassium sorbate (0.05 M) (KS) and HR plus KS plus D-isoascorbic acid (0.5 M) (ER) reduced changes in color (L, a, and b) and microbial growth and did not affect sensory characteristics of fresh-cut mangoes. In general, these treatments did not affect significantly the changes in organic acids and sugar content of slices during the 14 days of storage at 10 degrees C. High humidity created in the in-package atmosphere alleviated tissue dryness and was an important factor in the ability of the antibrowning solutions to prevent browning and decay. It appears that the maintenance of quality of fresh-cut mangoes is more related to particular combinations of the antibrowning agents used rather than the modified atmosphere created inside the package. HR + ER + KS treatment in combination with MAP could be used to inhibit browning, decay, and deterioration of fresh-cut mangoes.     

Oxyresveratrol as an antibrowning agent for cloudy apple juices and fresh-cut apples

Antibrowning activities of Morus alba L. twig extracts, oxyresveratrol, and mulberroside A isolated from mulberry twig on cloudy apple juices and fresh-cut apple slices were evaluated by monitoring the change of a* value, total color difference (DeltaE), and visual observation. It was found, similar to 4-hexylresorcinol, that oxyresveratrol could effectively inhibit browning in cloudy apple juices at a concentration as low as 0.01% and that mulberry twig extract also showed remarkable antibrowning effects on cloudy apple juices. However, for fresh-cut apple slices, mulberry twig extract and oxyresveratrol needed to be used in combination at least with ascorbic acid to exhibit their antibrowning effects. Apple slice samples treated by dipping in a solution containing 0.001 M oxyresveratrol, 0.5 M isoascorbic acid, 0.05 M calcium chloride, and 0.025 M acetylcysteine did not undergo any substantial browning reaction for 28 days at 4 degrees C. However mulberroside A did not show antibrowning effects on cloudy apple juices although it is also a good mushroom tyrosinase inhibitor.     

适宜1-MCP处理保持采后菠萝常温贮藏品质

为了探索1-MCP处理对采后菠萝生理及品质的影响,为菠萝贮藏保鲜措施提供理论依据。以‘巴厘’品种的菠萝果实为试材,采用适宜0.45μL/L体积分数的1-MCP对菠萝进行处理,置于25℃条件下贮藏,采用气相色谱定期测定乙烯释放量,并采用常规理化分析方法测定菠萝品质及相关生理指标。结果表明,1-MCP处理能延缓果实贮藏过程中乙烯的合成速率,与相同贮藏条件下的对照(未处理)果实相比,乙烯释放高峰推迟4 d;1-MCP处理可以延缓果实丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)含量的快速升高,同时对脂氧合酶(lipoxygenase,LOX)酶活性起到抑制作用;与对照相比,1-MCP处理推迟了过氧化物酶(peroxidase,POD)、过氧化氢酶(catalase,CAT)等酶活性高峰的出现,并使POD、CAT、过氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase,SOD)等保持较高的活性,可以有效延缓菠萝在贮藏期间的衰老进程,在贮藏14 d时,分别比对照高出22.30%、32.35%、36.67%,差异显著(P0.05);1-MCP还可减缓果实可滴定酸、维生素C等含量的下降,有助于保持果实的良好品质。1-MCP处理可抑制菠萝贮藏期的果实衰老进程,有利于保持果实品质,提高贮藏效果。研究结果将为菠萝贮藏保鲜措施提供参考。     

Carotenoid changes of intact watermelons after storage

Watermelon contains lycopene, a red carotenoid pigment that has strong antioxidant properties. The lycopene content of watermelon is substantial, contributing 8-20 mg per 180 g serving. There are no reports on carotenoid changes in whole watermelon during storage. Three types of watermelon, open-pollinated seeded, hybrid seeded, and seedless types, were stored at 5, 13, and 21 degrees C for 14 days and flesh color, composition, and carotenoid content were compared to those of fruit not stored. Watermelons stored at 21 degrees C had increased pH, chroma, and carotenoid content compared to fresh fruit. Compared to fresh fruit, watermelons stored at 21 degrees C gained 11-40% in lycopene and 50-139% in beta-carotene, whereas fruit held at 13 degrees C changed little in carotenoid content. These results indicate that carotenoid biosynthesis in watermelons can be affected by temperature and storage.     

Methyl jasmonate reduces chilling injury and maintains postharvest quality of mango fruit

Exposure of mango (Mangifera indica cv. Tommy Atkins) fruit to methyl jasmonate (MJ) vapors (10(-)(4) M) for 24 h at 25 degrees C reduced chilling injury during subsequent storage for 21 days at 7 degrees C and after 5 days of shelf life at 20 degrees C. The chilling tolerance induced by MJ was positively correlated with the reduction in the percent ion leakage of mango tissue. The overall quality of MJ-treated fruit was also better than that of control fruit. MJ treatment increased the total soluble solids but did not affect titratable acidity or pH. MJ also did not change the normal climacteric rise in respiration, water loss, and softening rates. The efficacy of MJ to reduce chilling injury and decay of mango could be related to the tolerance induced at low temperature. It was concluded that MJ treatment may prevent chilling injury symptoms of mango without altering the ripening process.     

Edible coatings influence fruit ripening, quality, and aroma biosynthesis in mango fruit

The effects of different edible coatings on mango fruit ripening and ripe fruit quality parameters including color, firmness, soluble solids concentrations, total acidity, ascorbic acid, total carotenoids, fatty acids, and aroma volatiles were investigated. Hard mature green mango (Mangifera indica L. cv. Kensigton Pride) fruits were coated with aqueous mango carnauba (1:1 v/v), Semperfresh (0.6%), Aloe vera gel (1:1, v/v), or A. vera gel (100%). Untreated fruit served as the control. Following the coating, fruits were allowed to dry at room temperature and packed in soft-board trays to ripen at 21+/-1 degrees C and 55.2+/-11.1% relative humidity until the eating soft stage. Mango carnauba was effective in retarding fruit ripening, retaining fruit firmness, and improving fruit quality attributes including levels of fatty acids and aroma volatiles. Semperfresh and A. vera gel (1:1 or 100%) slightly delayed fruit ripening but reduced fruit aroma volatile development. A. vera gel coating did not exceed the commercial mango carnauba and Semperfresh in retarding fruit ripening and improving aroma volatile biosynthesis.     

基于改进YOLOv5s的自然环境下猕猴桃花朵检测方法

为实现对猕猴桃花朵的快速准确检测,该研究提出了一种基于改进YOLOv5s的猕猴桃花朵检测模型YOLOv5s＿S＿N＿CB＿CA,并通过对比试验进行了精度验证。在YOLOv5s基础上引入C3HB模块和交叉注意力(criss-cross atte ntion,CCA)模块增强特征提取能力,结合样本切分和加入负样本处理方法进一步提升模型精度。改进模型的检测精确率为85.21%,召回率为90%,模型大小为14.6 MB,交并比(intersection over union,IoU)为0.5下的均值平均精度(mAP_0.5)为92.45%,比仅进行样本缩放处理的原始YOLOv5s提高了31.91个百分点,检测速度为35.47帧/s,比原始YOLOv5s提高了34.15%。使用改进模型对自然环境下不同天气、晴天不同时段光照强度下的猕猴桃花朵进行检测,结果表明模型检测晴天、阴天下猕猴桃花朵的mAP_0.5分别为91.96%、91.15%,比原始YOLOv5s分别高出2.55、2.25个百分点;检测晴天9:00-11:00、15:00-17:00光强下猕猴桃花...     

Fruit antioxidant activity, ascorbic acid, total phenol, quercetin, and carotene of Irwin mango fruits stored at low temperature after high electric field pretreatment

Greenhouse-grown tree ripe (TR) and mature green (MG) mangoes (cv. Irwin) were exposed to high electric field treatment before 20 and 30 days of storage at 5 degrees C. MG fruits were allowed to ripen at room temperature after low-temperature storage. Fruit physical quality attributes, ascorbic acid, carotene, quercetin, total phenols, and antioxidant capacity were estimated before and after the storage period. Antioxidant capacity of fruit juice was estimated using the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Fruit firmness decreased significantly during storage. Titratable acidity decreased 20 days after storage. Total soluble solids did not change during storage. Antioxidant capacity of fruits remained unchanged up to 20 days of storage period and decreased thereafter. Total phenol and carotenes increased during storage. Antioxidant capacity of fruits was significantly correlated only to ascorbic acids. Peel color and carotenes were higher in TR fruits, whereas titratable acidity and firmness were higher in MG fruits. There was no significant difference in other parameters between the stages of picking. Electric field pretreatment affected the respiration and antioxidant capacity of TR fruits and did not have any significant affect on other parameters. TR mangoes of cv. Irwin are more suitable for low-temperature storage and can be successfully stored for up to 20 days at 5 degrees C without any significant losses in functional properties and quality attributes.     

Impact of postharvest disease control methods and cold storage on volatiles, color development and fruit quality in ripe 'kensington pride' mangoes

Postharvest diseases of mango fruit (Mangifera indica L.) cause economic losses during storage and can be controlled by chemical, physical, or biological methods. This study investigated the effects of different physical and/or chemical disease control methods on production of volatiles, color development and other quality parameters in ripe 'Kensington Pride' mango fruit. Hard mature green mango fruit were harvested from an orchard located at Carnavon, Western Australia. The fruit were heat-conditioned (8 h at 40 +/- 0.5 degrees C and 83.5 +/- 0.5% RH), dipped in hot water (52 degrees C/10 min), dipped in prochloraz (Sportak 0.55 mL x L(-1)/5 min), dipped in hot prochloraz (Sportak 0.55 mL x L(-1) at 52 degrees C/5 min), dipped in carbendazim (Spin Flo 2 mL x L(-1)/5 min), and dipped in hot carbendazim (Spin Flo 2 mL x L(-1) at 52 degrees C/5 min). Nontreated fruit served as control. Following the treatments, the fruit were air-dried and kept in cold storage (13 +/- 0.5 degrees C) for three weeks before being ripened at 21 +/- 1 degrees C. The ripe pulp of the fruit that was treated with hot prochloraz or carbendazim at ambient and high temperatures showed enhanced concentrations of volatiles, while heat conditioning and hot water dipping did not significantly affect the volatile development. Ripening time, and color development were measured daily while disease incidence and severity, weight loss, firmness, and concentrations of soluble solids, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, total carotenoids, and volatiles were determined at the eating soft ripe stage. Hot water dipping or fungicide treatments (at ambient or at a high temperature) reduced postharvest diseases incidence and severity. Fruit quality (soluble solids concentration, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid and total caretonoids) was not substantially affected by any of the treatments.     

Antioxidant capacity, vitamin C, phenolics, and anthocyanins after fresh storage of small fruits.

Fresh strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.), raspberries (Rubus idaeus Michx.), highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.), and lowbush blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton) were stored at 0, 10, 20, and 30 degrees C for up to 8 days to determine the effects of storage temperature on whole fruit antioxidant capacity (as measured by the oxygen radical absorbing capacity assay, Cao et al., Clin. Chem. 1995, 41, 1738-1744) and total phenolic, anthocyanin, and ascorbate content. The four fruit varied markedly in their total antioxidant capacity, and antioxidant capacity was strongly correlated with the content of total phenolics (0.83) and anthocyanins (0.90). The antioxidant capacity of the two blueberry species was about 3-fold higher than either strawberries or raspberries. However, there was an increase in the antioxidant capacity of strawberries and raspberries during storage at temperatures >0 degrees C, which was accompanied by increases in anthocyanins in strawberries and increases in anthocyanins and total phenolics in raspberries. Ascorbate content differed more than 5-fold among the four fruit species; on average, strawberries and raspberries had almost 4-times more ascorbate than highbush and lowbush blueberries. There were no ascorbate losses in strawberries or highbush blueberries during 8 days of storage at the various temperatures, but there were losses in the other two fruit species. Ascorbate made only a small contribution (0.4-9.4%) to the total antioxidant capacity of the fruit. The increase observed in antioxidant capacity through postharvest phenolic synthesis and metabolism suggested that commercially feasible technologies may be developed to enhance the health functionality of small fruit crops.