Increasing relative maturity alters the base mineral composition and phenolic concentration of avocado fruit

The effect of increasing fruit maturity on fruit base mineral composition, phenolic content and the resultant influence on postharvest fruit quality and ripening physiology of ‘Fuerte’ avocado was investigated. Late harvested fruit with increasing maturity had reduced calcium and magnesium concentrations. A reduction in ripening time was associated with a decrease in fruit calcium concentration. The relationship, if any, between fruit potassium concentration and relative maturity was less clear. Total fruit phenolics increased with increasing fruit maturity and this was associated with an increased incidence of the cold storage browning disorder, mesocarp discoloration. Cold storage had no effect on total fruit phenolic concentration.     

The effects of storage temperature and fruit size on firmness,extractable juice,woolliness and browning in two nectarine cultivars

Fruit firmness, extractable juice, woolliness and browning of the mesocarp tissue in ‘Independence’ and ‘Flavortop’ nectarines stored at —0.5°, 3°, 5° and 7°C for four weeks were determined during ripening at 15°C. The firmness of both ‘Independence’ and ‘Flavortop’ during ripening decreased as storage temperatures increased. The percentage extractable juice after cold storage and during ripening varied considerably between cultivars and between the storage temperatures. The extractable juice of fruit stored at higher temperatures tended to increase during ripening, whereas fruit stored at lower temperatures tended to decrease first before increasing. At storage temperatures of —0.5° and 3°C both cultivars passed through a stage of woolliness during ripening, while less woolliness occurred after storage at 5° and 7°C. In both cultivars the percentage extractable juice during ripening was higher on average at storage temperatures of 5° and 7°C. Severe browning of mesocarp tissue in both cultivars occurred during ripening after storage at 3°C. The effect of fruit size on changes in firmness, development of woolliness and mesocarp browning in ‘Flavortop’ nectarines stored at — 0.5°C for four weeks and ripened at 15°C was also determined. Larger nectarines lost firmness more rapidly, woolliness occurred sooner and the mesocarp tissue was more prone to browning than smaller fruit during ripening.     

Changes in ripening behavior of ‘d'Anjou’ pears (Pyrus communis L.) after cold storage

‘d'Anjou’ pear fruit, harvested at optimum maturity with flesh firmness of 6.8 kg, were stored at ?1.1°C. Fruit were ripened at 20°C for 15 days following storage for 1–8 months. Dessert qualities were evaluated organoleptically on Day 10 of each ripening period. Changes in fruit firmness, extractable juice, titratable acids, solubl solids, respiration, ethylene production and internal ethylene were determined daily during each ripening period. Fruit firmness declined continually from 6.8 kg at harvest to 4.5 kg after 8 months of storage. Fruit stored for 2–8 months softened with a similar pattern during a 15-day ripening period at 20°C, while fruit stored for 1 month softened at a slower rate during ripening to 3.2 kg, with a coarse and dry texture after 15 days at 20°C. Fruit stored for 2–4 months ripened with the desirable buttery and juicy texture, while those stored for more than 5 months ripened with a coarse or mealy and dry texture. The buttery and juicy texture was highly correlated with a lower extractable juice, which could be used for quantitative determination of storage life based on ripened fruit quality. Changes in titratable acids and soluble solids during each ripening period were not associated with changes in dessert qualities of the ripened pears. Rates of respiration, ethylene production and internal ethylene during ripening at 20°C varied with duration of storage, but were not associated with changes in dessert qualities of the ripened fruit.     

Effect of temperature manipulation during storage and ripening on firmness,extractable juice and woolliness in nectarines

‘Independence’ nectarines were stored at — 0.5°C for three or four weeks or at 3°C for four weeks or kept at room temperature for 18 h prior to storage for four weeks at -0.5°C. After cold storage, fruit from all treatments was ripened at 10°, 15°or20°C. In all treatments the percentage woolly fruit initially increased to high values and thereafter decreased with further ripening. The rate of increase and decrease in woolliness depended on the ripening temperature. A storage period of four weeks at — 0.5°C resulted more woolliness during subsequent ripening. Woolliness persisted longer after a four-week cold storage period than after a three-week one. When fruit was delayed at room temperature prior to cold storage, woolliness generally developed earlier and to a lesser extent during ripening. At all ripening temperatures initial storage at 3°C resulted in most woolliness extending over the longest period. In addition, browning of the meso- carp tissue occurred only in fruit cold stored at 3°C.-The delay period before cold storage decreased fruit firmness by 15.7 to 17.6 N. Except for fruit subjected to the delay period, the extractable juice in fruit of all treatments first decreased during ripening to low values then increased.     

Preventing cold storage disorders in nectarines

A storage experiment was aimed at preventing low temperature storage disorders in nectarine fruits, of cvs July Red and Autumn Grand. Fruit was either cooled immediately after harvest or kept at 20°C for 48 h, before transfer to controlled atmosphere (CA) conditions at 0°C. Combinations of 0, 10, 15 and 20% C02 with 8 and 16% 02 were assayed. The fruit was evaluated following cold storage, 31 days after harvest, and after four and eight days under ‘shelf conditions’ (ripening at 15-18 °C). Warming of the fruit at 20°C before cold storage prevented woolliness in the absence of elevated C02 levels but did not affect internal browning and increased reddish discoloration; further, it enhanced water loss and ripening, increasing fruit softening markedly. Conversely, high C02 delayed fruit ripening in CA storage, keeping the fruit firmer, and preventing the development of woolliness, internal browning and reddish discoloration during ripening, the best results being mostly obtained with 20% C02. 02 levels assayed did not show clear effects, but decreased 02 concentration in absence of high C02 showed some benefit in ‘July Red’. No deleterious effect of C02 concentrations even as high as 20% could be detected. Thus, even though high C02 in CA conditions showed promise for controlling disorders and preventing over-ripening, further work is needed on other cultivars, and lower 02 concentrations should be investigated before making a general recommendation.     

Intermittent warming of peaches reduces chilling injury by enhancing ethylene production and enzymes mediated by ethylene

SUMMARY

Peaches (Prunus persica ‘Hermoza’) were ripened at 208>C after harvest and either stored at 08C for four weeks (control) to induce chilling injury or given intermittent warming (IW) on the twelfth day of storage (28C for 24.h) to alleviate chilling injury (CI). Continuously stored fruit from control developed wo olliness, a CI disorder, during ripening at 208C after cold storage while only a small percentage of IW fruit developed woolliness. CI fruit produced less ethylene during ripening after storage, and this inhibited ethylene production was closely tied with woolliness development. The IW treatment caused enhanced ethylene production in the fruit when returned to 08C and the ethylene remained higher than control fruit until the end of the storage period. IW also induced the messages for 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase (ACO) and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase (ACS) in the ethylene synthesis pathway. IW also elevated the mRNA of the cell wall degrading enzymes polygalacturonase (PG) and endo-1,4-gluconase (EGase). The mRNAs of the cell wall enzymes and the enzymes in the ethylene synthesis pathway remained higher even after 5.d at 08 C following the IW treatment. It is suggested that IW maintained the fruit tissue capacity to ripen normally by preventing inhibition of the ethylene synthesis pathway which occurred in the control fruit after extended storage.     

苹果果实β-Gal和LOX活性变化特性及其与果实软化的关系

 以‘富士’和‘金冠’苹果果实为试材, 研究了β-半乳糖苷酶(β-Gal) 和脂氧合酶(LOX) 在果实发育、成熟和软化过程中的变化规律及采后乙烯调控对其活性的影响。结果表明: 在果实发育后熟过程中, 金冠果实β-Gal活性显著高于富士, 在果实后熟软化期间这种差异尤为突出; 而富士和金冠果实LOX活性呈相似的变化规律, 虽然花后富士的活性高峰显著高于金冠, 但之后其活性下降迅速,并一直低于金冠。采后苹果果实β-Gal和LOX均受乙烯调控, 乙烯抑制剂1-MCP极显著地抑制β-Gal和LOX的活性, 而乙烯利对二者活性起促进作用, 但因品种耐藏性不同其促进效应不同。综合来看, 苹果果实β-Gal和LOX活性表现相似的变化规律, 并且β-Gal在果实贮藏初期受乙烯的调控作用较LOX显著, 因此认为在苹果果实软化早期β-Gal的作用可能大于LOX。     

Subatmospheric pressure storage of mango fruits

Ripening of mango fruit is markedly delayed when the pressure in the storage chamber is reduced below 100 mm Hg, and fruit storage life is thus prolonged. The prolongation of storage life is inversely related to the pressure; control fruit stored at 760 mm Hg started to ripen after 16 days in storage at 13°C, while fruit stored at 100 and 75 mm Hg after 25 and 35 days, respectively. Fruit stored at 50 mm Hg remained unripe for 35 days. No effect on ripening was recorded at pressures above 250 mm Hg, while at pressures below 50 mm Hg the fruit desiccated. All fruits stored at subatmospheric pressure ripened 3–4 days after transfer to shelf life at 25°C. However, green mango fruits of the colored cultivars like ‘Haden’ and ‘Maya’, stored at subatmospheric pressure for a prolonged period, did not develop the proper red or orange color during shelf-life, but turned pale yellow instead. Treatment with ethylene upon removal from storage slightly improved color development in these fruits.     

京白梨果实采后PG、糖苷酶和LOX活性变化及其基因表达特性

 以京白梨为试材,测定贮藏期间果实多聚半乳糖醛酸酶（PG）、糖苷酶（β-Gal、α-L-Af）及脂氧合酶（LOX）活性及其基因表达变化及对1-MCP和低温的响应。结果表明,果实软化呈慢（3 d内）、快（3 ~ 9 d）、慢（9 d后）的变化趋势;PG、β-Gal、α-L-Af和LOX活性及其基因表达量均随果实软化呈不同程度增加,且β-Gal和LOX的活性均在果实采收后3 d内上升快,其基因的表达量亦迅速增加,由此认为β-Gal和LOX可能在果实软化早期起着更为重要的作用。经1-MCP处理和冷藏后,β-Gal、α-L-Af、LOX和PG的活性及基因表达显著受抑,延缓了果实软化进程,且1-MCP对β-Gal和LOX的抑制作用最强烈,尤其在处理前期。在果实冷藏过程中PG和β-Gal活性基本维持原有水平,其基因表达在贮藏前期受到抑制,LOX活性和基因表达均维持在极低水平,说明LOX对低温较其它酶敏感。因此认为,PG、β-Gal、α-L-Af和LOX均不同程度地参与了京白梨果实的后熟软化,在早期软化阶段β-Gal和LOX可能起着更为重要的作用,1-MCP对β-Gal和LOX活性和基因表达具有更显著的调控作用,而低温可能主要是通过抑制LOX活性和基因表达来抑制果实软化。     

Extending the postharvest life of unrefrigerated avocado (Persea americana Mill.) fruit by storage in polyethylene bags

Mature ‘Hass’ avocado (Persea americana Mill.) fruit were enclosed in sealed polyethylene bags and stored at ambient temperatures for different times. Modified atmospheres developed inside the bags and fruit stayed firm and apparently non-ripening while they remained enclosed. Storage time and temperature influenced ripening of fruits after they were removed from bags. Most storage treatments resulted in an extension to the total postharvest life of fruits compared to control fruits which were not stored in such bags. Abnormal ripening characteristics were observed when storage temperature was high and storage time exceeded 8 days.     

不同品种(系)梨贮藏过程果实失重率与果皮叶绿素、蜡质含量的变化

以香梨、‘早酥’梨及其11个杂交后代为材料,在冷库和室温条件下贮藏,研究贮藏过程梨果实失重率与果皮蜡质、叶绿素含量的变化规律。结果表明:冷库和室温条件下贮藏,果实失重率、烂果率呈上升趋势,品种(系)间差异较大,冷库贮藏果实失重率和烂果率明显低于室温下贮藏;果皮叶绿素含量呈下降趋势,冷库贮藏果实的果皮叶绿素含量明显高于室温贮藏;不同贮藏条件不同品种(系)果皮蜡质含量的峰值出现时间不同,冷库贮藏的蜡质含量明显高于室内贮藏。冷库贮藏效果好。     

Harvest parameters to improve the storability of high quality ‘Reinette du Canada’ apple

Summary

‘Reinette du Canada’ apple (Malus domestica Borkh.), which has been declared a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) product throughout the European Community, is severely affected by bitter pit during storage, but increasing demand for organic produce requires chemical post-harvest treatments to be replaced with organic practices. The objective of this work was to determine the optimum stage of fruit maturity to improve the storability of high quality ‘Reinette du Canada’ apple during storage without applying post-harvest treatments. Seasonal conditions influenced fruit quality and the occurrence of storage disorders in ‘Reinette du Canada’. Harvest maturity also influenced the quality of ‘Reinette du Canada’ apple during storage, with later harvests reducing the development of bitter pit and increasing the soluble solids content:titratable acidity (SSC:TA) ratio. This study suggests that the SSC:TA ratio was a useful parameter for determining the optimum harvest maturity for high acidity, ‘Reinette du Canada’ apple. High quality fruit were obtained after long-term storage when the SSC:TA ratio exceeded 11.0, and fruit firmness at harvest exceeded 90 N. If these thresholds were not achieved, the quality of harvested ‘Reinette du Canada’ apples may not be sufficient to market fruit with the PDO designation. The results of our study also suggested that skin hue angle (hº) measurements may provide a quick and useful index that could replace fruit firmness measurements in the future.     

Fruit Quality and Antioxidant Properties in Alabama-Grown Blackberries During Fruit Maturation

Abstract

Changes in fruit quality attributes and antioxidative properties from six cultivars of thornless blackberries (Rubus sp.) (‘Apache’, ‘Arapaho’, ‘Chester’, ‘Loch Ness’, ‘Navaho’, and ‘Triple Crown’) during four different ripening stages (red, motded, shiny-black, and dull-black) were determined under Alabama growing conditions. Berry fruit samples were evaluated for pH, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, TSS/TA ratio, soluble sugars, vitamin C (reduced, oxidized, and total) and antioxidant capacity (measured as trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, TEAC). Significant variation among cultivars and maturity of harvest were in fruit quality attributes and antioxidative properties found. An increase in fruit pH concomitant with a decline in titratable acidity (TA) was observed during ripening for all cultivars. Total soluble solids (TSS) values increased from 5.7 to 11.6%, and TSS/TA ratio ranged from 11.9 to 63.6. Highest reducing and total sugar content were contained in dull-black fruit. Vitamin C content either declined or remained unchanged with ripening and the pattern was dependent on cultivar, maturity at harvest. In general, antioxidant activity declined between red and dull-black ripening stages. The results indicate that TSS/TA ratio and TEAC were good indicators of fruit maturity and nutritional quality, respectively.     

海红果冻藏品质分析

以海红果特优品种"晋海1号"及内蒙古清水河县的2个实生品种为试材,通过测定可溶性固形物含量、可滴定酸含量、固酸比、出汁率以及果实硬度,研究了不同解冻方式、冻藏时间以及冻藏过程中的解冻次数对海红果品质的影响,以期为海红果冻果加工工艺的提升提供参考依据。结果表明:2种实生海红果的可溶性固形物含量高于"晋海1号",出汁率低于"晋海1号";随着冻藏时间延长,3种海红果的出汁率均逐渐升高;经水浴解冻海红果的可溶性固形物含量低于微波解冻和空气解冻;可溶性固形物含量随着解冻次数增加逐渐降低;与未经解冻海红果相比,经解冻海红果的出汁率显著提高。     

Storage of some local and introduced mango cultivars grown in Trinidad

The fruit characteristics and storage potential of some local and introduced mango cultivars grown in Trinidad were compared. At ambient temperature (28–32°C), fruit could be stored satisfactorily for between 3 and 8 days, after which ripening rapidly occurred. At 14°C, storage life was increased to as much as 18 days (cultivar ‘Graham’). Enclosure of fruits individually in polythene bags increased storage life at either ambient or 14°C temperature, while treatment with 3% Sta-fresh wax increased storage at ambient but not at 14°C. In the case of ‘Doodooth’, which was highly susceptible to anthracnose, treatment of fruit with hot water (52 ± 2°C) containing 500 or 1000 mg l^?4 benomyl for 5 min reduced the incidence of disease. Results are discussed in relation to the export potential of mangoes.     

气调包装对不同青贮核桃商品性的影响

设置"香玲""清香""晋龙1号""强特勒"4个品种分别单独存放、混品("元林""辽1""中林1号""元丰""香玲""清香"随机搭配)存放,共5个处理,用PE40自发气调袋包装,包装量为5 kg,(0±1)℃冷库中存放,观察贮藏期好果率、裂果率变化,筛选了适宜青贮的最佳品种及贮藏方式,以期探明青贮核桃不同品种之间、不同贮藏方式的贮藏效果。结果表明:贮藏第0～75天,裂果率以"晋龙1号"、混品较高,"强特勒"最低,"香玲""清香"居中;好果率以"清香"为最高,混品最低,"香玲""晋龙1号"居中;第90天,好果率以"清香"最高为70%,其余品种均低于60%,混品最低为20%;裂果率以"晋龙1号"最高为70%,其次为混品、"香玲""清香""强特勒"。单一品种存放较混品贮藏效果好;品种间核桃青贮以"清香"为最好,"香玲"和"强特勒"其次;"清香"贮藏天数为90 d,"香玲""强特勒""晋龙1号"均为75 d。     

The effect of fruit maturity on quality and colour shift of dried ‘Patterson’ apricot during eight months of cold storage

Summary

Fresh ‘Patterson’ apricot was harvested at three fruit maturity levels and characterized with measurements of flesh colour, Brix, acidity and levels of specific sugars. Fruit from the three maturity classes were sun-dried under uniform conditions. Dry fruit was again analysed for the content of specific sugars before cold storage. Stored fruit were sampled periodically for colour coordinates L*, C* and H° during an eight-month period. The study was repeated for two harvest seasons. In each season, significant differences (P≤0.05) were observed between the three fruit maturity classes for Brix, acidity, C* and H8. Levels of specific sugars varied significantly (P≤0.01) with regard to fruit maturity class, tissue type and fruit status. Regression analysis of colour coordinate changes during the storage period indicated significant (P≤0.05) differences in rate of colour shift of L*, C* and H8 relative to fruit maturity class. While dried fruit of the immature class was of substandard quality after the storage period, both medium and most mature dry fruit were of sufficient quality to warrant marketing even after eight months of cold storage.     

不同贮藏温度条件下薄皮甜瓜品质和生理特性的变化

以京蜜薄皮甜瓜为试材,研究不同贮藏温度条件下薄皮甜瓜品质和生理特性的变化。结果表明:贮藏温度是影响薄皮甜瓜采后品质和生理变化的重要因素。低温可减缓薄皮甜瓜质量和可溶性固形物损失,抑制呼吸强度和乙烯释放,但温度过低会引起冷害,0℃条件下贮藏3d、5℃贮藏6d即会有冷害发生;贮藏温度偏高,可加快薄皮甜瓜后熟衰老过程,室温条件下贮藏9d,腐烂严重,失去商品价值;10℃条件下贮藏能较好保持薄皮甜瓜的风味和感官品质,是京蜜薄皮甜瓜适宜的贮藏温度。     

黄肉无毛猕猴桃新品种‘鄂猕猴桃3号’

 ‘鄂猕猴桃3号’是直接从野生中华猕猴桃资源中选育出来的早熟黄肉无毛新品种, 平均单果质量85 g, 最大155 g, 果实长圆柱形, 果面棕绿色, 较光滑, 果肉金黄色, 品质上, 可溶性固形物15.0% , 维生素C 557.0 mg/kg, 在武汉9月上中旬成熟, 常温下可贮放15 d, 冷藏可达50 d。     

Re-initiating softening ability of 1-methylcyclopropene-treated ‘Bartlett’ and ‘d’Anjou’ pears after regular air or controlled atmosphere storage

Summary

‘Bartlett’ and ‘d’Anjou’ pears treated with 300 nl l^–1 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) did not soften to eating quality within 7 d, a desirable ripening period. A pre-conditioning method was evaluated as a means to re-initiate the softening ability of pears prior to marketing. Fruit were treated with 1-MCP and stored at –1°C in regular air, or in a controlled atmosphere for 2 – 9 months. After storage, fruit were pre-conditioned with nine temperature (10°, 15° or 20°C) and time (5, 10 or 20 d) combinations. Pre-conditioned fruit were then assessed for ripening ability following storage for 14 d at 20°C. The ripening ability of 1-MCP-treated ‘Bartlett’ fruit recovered in response to many pre-conditioning combinations of 10° – 20°C for 10 – 20 d, as indicated by a decrease in flesh firmness to 27 N or lower. The requirements for pre-conditioning regimes are storage atmosphere- and time-dependent. For ‘d’Anjou’ pears, no pre-conditioning combination resulted in re-initiating the ripening of fruit treated with 300 nl l^–1 1-MCP. However, when the 1-MCP dose was 50 nl l^–1, ‘d’Anjou’ pears ripened over an extended shelf-period with a substantial decrease in superficial scald. The results indicate that treatment with 1-MCP at approx. 50 nl l^–1, combined with a pre-conditioning prior to marketing, is a potential means to control scald in ‘d’Anjou’ fruit. Re-initiation of ripening occurred concomitantly with a substantial increase in ethylene production. The control of superficial scald by 1-MCP in ‘d’Anjou’ pears was due to the inhibition of the biosynthesis of -farnesene and conjugated trienes.