Can hot water treatments enhance or maintain postharvest quality of spinach leaves?

It has been reported that a short duration hot water treatment, applied as a heat shock, improves subsequent postharvest quality in bagged spinach and rocket leaves. This study has established that the maximum hot water temperature and duration before spinach leaves showed damage, was 45 °C for 60 s. Subsequent detailed studies compared postharvest quality of leaves treated at 45 °C for 60 s immediately after harvest with untreated leaves after 5 and 10 days of storage at 4 °C. Heated leaves were significantly lighter and more yellow suggesting enhanced senescence, but leaf membrane integrity and associated gas composition of the storage atmosphere were not significantly different. Hot water treatment at 45 °C for 60 s applied immediately after harvest had a mixed effect on the biochemical constituents of the leaves; total carotenoid concentration was maintained compared to untreated leaves but the contents of ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid, chlorophyll a and b were not affected. These observations suggest that in contrast to other reports, hot water treatments have limited commercial potential for postharvest quality improvement of spinach leaves.     

1-Methyl cyclopropene extends postharvest life of spinach leaves

Senescence of detached spinach leaves either untreated or treated with 0.1 or 1.0 μL L^?1 1-MCP has been investigated. 1-MCP treated leaves had higher chlorophyll content and photosystem II potential quantum yield (Fv/Fm) and lower solute leakage than untreated leaves after storage in darkness at 23 °C for 6 d, indicating a delay of senescence. Ethylene production was increased in spinach supplemented with 1-MCP after 3 d storage and then declined to the rates of untreated leaves. 1-MCP treated spinach had higher ascorbic acid and glutathione concentrations, and a low oxidised/reduced ratio for both antioxidants. Accumulations of ammonium and protein degradation were reduced by 1-MCP. The results presented here indicate that inhibition of ethylene sensitivity can be successfully used to extend the postharvest life of spinach leaves.     

高湿环境对菠菜采后贮藏品质的影响

以菠菜为试材,分别贮藏在(13±1)℃的普通冷库(相对湿度70%~75%)和安装高湿喷雾设备的冷库(相对湿度90%~93%)中,通过对贮藏过程中菠菜的感官品质和生理生化指标的测定,研究高湿环境对菠菜采后贮藏品质的影响。结果表明,高湿环境能够有效维持菠菜在采后贮藏期间的感官品质,抑制失重率和相对电导率的升高,延缓VC、叶绿素和可溶性蛋白含量的下降,同时增强了过氧化氢酶(CAT)和抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)的活性。因此,高湿环境可以提高菠菜的贮藏品质,抑制菠菜的衰老。     

冷藏期间水分胁迫对菠菜叶片衰老生理的影响

保水处理菠菜以低密度聚乙烯（LDPE）薄膜袋自然合拢不扎口包装,对照菠菜直接装在多孔塑料筐内,在RH80%、温度（2±1）℃下贮藏,研究冷藏期间大量失水（水分胁迫）对菠菜叶片叶绿素降解和活性氧代谢的影响。结果表明,冷藏期间对照菠菜失水很快,遭受严重的水分胁迫;而保水处理菠菜失水很少。与保水处理菠菜相比,水分胁迫加快了对照菠菜叶片叶绿素含量的下降速度,使超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶（APX）和谷胱甘肽还原酶（GR）活性降低,其中CAT和APX活性降低速率超过SOD,促进了过氧化物酶（POD）活性的上升,但没有明显增加丙二醛（MDA）的积累。说明水分胁迫降低了采后菠菜贮藏期间活性氧清除酶的活性,导致氧化胁迫,从而加速叶绿素的降解和衰老。     

Examination of the quality of spinach leaves using hyperspectral imaging

The present research is focused on the application of hyperspectral images for the supervision of quality deterioration in ready to use leafy spinach during storage (Spinacia oleracea). Two sets of samples of packed leafy spinach were considered: (a) a first set of samples was stored at 20 °C (E-20) in order to accelerate the degradation process, and these samples were measured the day of reception in the laboratory and after 2 days of storage; (b) a second set of samples was kept at 10 °C (E-10), and the measurements were taken throughout storage, beginning the day of reception and repeating the acquisition of Images 3, 6 and 9 days later. Twenty leaves per test were analyzed. Hyperspectral images were acquired with a push-broom CCD camera equipped with a spectrograph VNIR (400–1000 nm). Calibration set of spectra was extracted from E-20 samples, containing three classes of degradation: class A (optimal quality), class B and class C (maximum deterioration). Reference average spectra were defined for each class. Three models, computed on the calibration set, with a decreasing degree of complexity were compared, according to their ability for segregating leaves at different quality stages (fresh, with incipient and non-visible symptoms of degradation, and degraded): spectral angle mapper distance (SAM), partial least squares discriminant analysis models (PLS-DA), and a non linear index (Leafy Vegetable Evolution, LEVE) combining five wavelengths were included among the previously selected by CovSel procedure. In sets E-10 and E-20, artificial images of the membership degree according to the distance of each pixel to the reference classes, were computed assigning each pixel to the closest reference class. The three methods were able to show the degradation of the leaves with storage time.     

Effect of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment on sweet basil leaf senescence and ethylene production during shelf-life

The effect of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on shelf-life and postharvest quality of sweet basil detached leaves was examined. Treatment with 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 g m⁻³ 1-MCP for 8 h was conducted at 15 °C in the dark. After the treatment the leaves were packed in polyethylene bags then sealed and stored at 20 °C. All 1-MCP concentrations significantly increased the shelf-life of leaves compared to the untreated control, and leaf weight loss with 1-MCP treatment was minimal. 1-MCP treatment significantly retarded the degradation of chlorophyll and protein content of detached leaves during storage and decreased leaf ethylene production. 1-MCP treatment also significantly retarded the decrease of volatile oil percentage in detached leaves during storage compared to the control. Among 1-MCP concentrations, 0.4 g m⁻³ resulted in the maximum shelf-life as well as improved postharvest quality of the leaves. The results clearly indicate that a single treatment with 1-MCP may provide a feasible technique for extending the shelf-life and maintaining higher volatile oil percentage of sweet basil leaves.     

Influence of P and Cd Interaction on Spinach Growth and Uptake P and Cd in Calcareous Soil

采用盆栽试验，研究了石灰性土壤中磷、镉交互作用对菠菜生长的影响。结果表明，磷的添加可减轻镉对菠菜生长的毒害，随着向土壤中添加磷浓度的增加，菠菜叶片中叶绿素含量和菠菜生物量呈先增后降的趋势。当镉浓度相同条件下，随着向土壤中添加磷浓度的升高，菠菜叶片中叶绿素含量和菠菜生物量也呈现先增后降的趋势，其中土壤中磷浓度为150 mg/kg时，菠菜的生物量达到最大，且叶片中叶绿素含量也最高。当向土壤中添加镉浓度为1.5、20 mg/kg时，施磷均明显降低了菠菜植株中镉的含量。研究还发现，植株体内磷、镉的含量与土壤环境中的     

不同冷藏温度对采后菠菜叶片衰老和活性氧代谢的影响

研究了菠菜采后在2℃和9℃下冷藏期间叶绿素含量、色度值（a^＊、b^＊和色调角）、活性氧清除酶（SOD、CAT、POD、APX和GR）活性和丙二醛（MDA）含量的变化。结果表明,两种贮藏温度下菠菜叶片的SOD活性总体呈上升趋势;9℃温度条件下菠菜叶片的叶绿素含量、色调角值、CAT、APX和GR活性迅速下降,而膜脂过氧化产物MDA快速积累;2℃的低温条件可延缓CAT、APX和GR活性的下降,阻止膜脂过氧化产物MDA的上升,抑制叶绿素含量和色调角值的下降,从而延缓菠菜的衰老。     

Lettuce quality loss under conditions that favor the wilting phenomenon

While temperature management is a usual accepted practice and is the simplest and easiest way of delaying vegetable deterioration, maintenance of the recommended relative humidity (RH) during postharvest storage is not always carried out. The objectives of this work were to simulate two RH conditions: optimal (95–98%) and low (70–72%) during the storage of lettuce heads at recommended temperatures (0–2 °C), and to address how deviation of RH from optimal conditions affects lettuce quality indices. The effects of storage on quality parameters were assayed as follows: weight loss and water content as physical indices, chlorophyll content as a greenness index, native microflora (mesophilic bacteria, psychrotrophic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, total coliforms, yeast and molds) as microbiological quality indices, ascorbic acid retention as a nutritional quality index, and overall quality as a sensory acceptability index. Additionally, these indices (with the exception of weight loss) were analyzed in three lettuce sections: external (composed by outer and older leaves), middle (composed by mid leaves) and internal (composed by inner and younger leaves). Shelf-life of lettuce was significantly affected by RH. The exposure of lettuce heads to low RH drastically reduced shelf-life by 75%. Plants exposed to low RH had considerable weight loss from the first day to the end of storage. For both RHs, the middle and internal sections did not show chlorophyll changes during storage while the external section showed pigment degradation characterized by first order kinetics. Ascorbic acid underwent first order degradation for all situations (sections and RH conditions), but with different degradation rates. The microbial population counts were slightly affected by RH. The overall quality of lettuce stored at low RH decreased rapidly. The shelf-life of material stored at this relative humidity condition was 5 days, when the overall quality scores of middle and external sections were below the acceptability limit and only the internal section had a score above the limit. In addition, overall quality of lettuce stored at optimal RH decreased slowly. At day 5 of storage the three lettuce sections had high scores and the product was satisfactory. Only at day 20 did the external section show a score just on the acceptability limit.     

Low irradiance pulses improve postharvest quality of spinach leaves (Spinacia oleraceae L. cv Bison)

The aim of this work is to extend and improve the postharvest life of mature spinach leaves using clean technologies like the use of short pulses of light at low irradiance. After harvest spinach leaves were immediately sealed in polyethylene bags in the laboratory. These bags were placed in a dark chamber at 23 °C under continuous dark or with the application of light pulses (LP) consisting of 15 min each 2–6 h or 7 min each 2 h for 3 d. The chosen irradiance, 30 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ PPFD, corresponded to the light compensation point previously measured in spinach plants under greenhouse conditions. After the leaves were treated with LP for 3 d, all the samples were transferred to a chamber at 4 °C under continuous dark for another week. Senescence was triggered in leaves under continuous dark after 3 d of storage and delayed in those receiving LP. In addition ascorbic acid and glutathione contents were kept higher in LP-treated than in untreated spinach. These trends were conserved after storage under continuous dark and refrigeration for another week. When LP was applied in combination with 1-MCP the antioxidant capacity was further improved. These results demonstrate that short LP of low irradiance can be used to extend and to improve postharvest life of mature spinach leaves.     

氯化胆碱对低盐处理下菠菜光合生理和抗氧化酶的效应

用300 mg/L氯化胆碱(CC)喷施低盐处理下的非盐生植物菠菜叶片,研究了CC对不同浓度NaCl处理的菠菜光合生理和抗氧化酶活性的变化。结果表明:300 mg/L氯化胆碱喷施后,显著促进低盐处理后菠菜净光合速率和抗氧化酶系统中的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)的活性,叶绿素和蛋白质含量增加,超氧阴离子(O2.-)和丙二醛(MDA)含量明显低于未经CC喷施的。这说明CC可提高菠菜的耐盐性。     

Hot water treatments reduce leaf yellowing and extend vase life of Asiatic hybrid lilies

The vase life of Asiatic lilies can be limited by leaf yellowing, which can be caused by exposure to low light or temperature during winter growth or in storage. We examined the use of postharvest hot water treatments (HWTs) as a means of reducing leaf senescence in stored (4 °C for 2 weeks) and non-stored Asiatic hybrid lily ‘Elite’ (Lilium sp.). A range of HWTs (45-55 °C for 2.5 or 5 min) was applied to leaves on cut lily stems (but not flowers). Higher temperatures and the longer duration resulted in heat damage, but treatments of 50 °C for 5 min and 52.5 °C for 2.5 min were found to be optimal for minimising leaf yellowing with trace levels of heat damage for both non-stored and stored stems. The onset of yellowing was delayed by 3-4 d, and the occurrence of an unacceptable level of yellowing eliminated for up to 12 d (compared with <6 d for control stems). The physiological effects of these optimal HWTs were examined in terms of water uptake, chlorophyll fluorescence and chlorophyll degradation. Water uptake for optimal HWTs during shelf life was reduced by more than 50% of the control stems. Chlorophyll fluorescence of leaves on control stems showed a reduction in yield (F_v/F_o) over time, which was more marked in lower than upper leaves (thus correlating with yellowing, which was more severe in the lower leaves). Although both optimal HWTs resulted in an initial reduction in yield, there was a recovery over time resulting in a yield that, by 12 d, was as high or significantly higher than control leaves (particularly for the lower leaves). All treatments showed a reduction in chlorophyll content (total, chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b), but control leaves had significantly lower levels after 7 d. HWTs show potential as a non-chemical, simple means of delaying leaf yellowing of Asiatic lilies and thus increasing vase life.     

小麦灌浆期上三叶叶绿素含量与产量和品质的关系

为了探讨灌浆期小麦上三叶叶绿素含量与产量和品质性状之间的关系,以49个基因型为参试材料,对上三叶叶绿素含量、穗粒数、千粒重、穗粒重、蛋白质含量和湿面筋含量进行测定。结果表明：基因型间、上三叶间、不同灌浆期间叶绿素含量均存在较大差异,基因型间穗粒数、千粒重、穗粒重、蛋白质含量和湿面筋含量也存在较大差异;上三叶叶绿素含量与穗粒数、千粒重、穗粒重、蛋白质含量和湿面筋含量均呈正相关关系,其中5月10日倒三叶、5月15日倒二叶和倒三叶、5月19日倒二叶和倒三叶与穗粒数达到显著或极显著相关,5月19日旗叶和倒二叶和5月24日上三叶（旗叶、倒二叶和倒三叶）与千粒重均达显著或极显著相关,5月10日倒三叶、5月15日倒二叶和倒三叶、5月19日上三叶（旗叶、倒二叶和倒三叶）和5月24日旗叶和倒二叶与穗粒重相关性均达显著或极显著水平,除5月10日旗叶外其他叶绿素含量与蛋白质含量和湿面筋含量均达显著或极显著水平。灌浆期上三叶叶绿素含量对产量和品质性状有重要影响。     

营养基质对模拟贮运番茄穴盘苗质量保持的影响

为了研究不同配方营养基质条件下,番茄穴盘苗贮运前后形态和生理指标的变化问题,以番茄‘青研番茄一号’为试验材料,采用人工模拟穴盘苗贮运环境、试验分析测定的方法,研究了6种不同营养基质配方对模拟贮运番茄穴盘苗质量保持的影响。结果表明,模拟贮运环境下,不同营养基质栽培的番茄穴盘苗叶片的叶绿素、可溶性蛋白、可溶性糖含量均呈下降趋势,但不同营养基质处理间的下降幅度不同。综合形态和生理指标,最适于番茄幼苗贮运的无机营养基质是基础基质（草炭︰珍珠岩=2:1）+缓释肥(20-9-11)30 g/盘,有机营养基质是基础基质+鸡粪10%+草木灰5%。     

污水灌溉和镉胁迫对菠菜品质的影响

通过温室盆栽试验,研究了污水灌溉和镉(Cd)胁迫对菠菜叶绿素、Vc、蛋白质、可溶性糖和亚硝酸盐含量的影响。试验共设10个处理,每个处理4个重复。分别以清水和污水作对照,以清水和污水配制不同Cd2+浓度的溶液,对菠菜进行浇灌和喷洒处理。结果显示,与清水对照和污水对照相比,随Cd2+处理浓度的增大,菠菜叶绿素、Vc、蛋白质和可溶性糖的含量逐渐降低,亚硝酸盐的含量逐渐增大。Cd2+浓度相同的污水处理与清水处理相比,污水处理蛋白质、可溶性糖和亚硝酸盐含量显著增大,Vc和叶绿素含量显著减小。污水灌溉和Cd胁迫可使菠菜叶绿素、Vc、蛋白质和可溶性糖含量降低,亚硝酸盐含量升高,菠菜品质变差。     

Effect of cutting on ascorbic acid oxidation and recycling in fresh-cut baby spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) leaves

Fresh-cut spinach during processing undergoes several mechanical procedures such as cutting, which may induce stress responses. These stresses may trigger the accumulation of harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS). Plants respond through a wide range of mechanisms and ascorbic acid (AsA) has an important role. The combined effect of cutting, temperature and storage time on AsA recycling route in spinach fresh-cut leaves was studied. AsA, gene expression and activities of the enzymes involved in the AsA oxidation and recycling were considered. Spinach leaves were cut in six pieces and stored at 4 °C or 20 °C. AsA content and enzymes activities were measured over six days of storage, while gene expression analyses were performed in a time-point experiment within 24 h after cutting. Results showed that AsA decreased after cutting (from 19.41 mg/100 g FW to 15 mg/100 g FW) and generally was higher in samples stored at 4 °C. After six days, AsA was 10 mg/100 g in control and 5 mg/100 g FW in cut leaves. The expression of genes and activities of the enzymes involved in the AsA oxidation and recycling route were, for some enzymes, in accordance with AsA levels. The APX (EC 1.11.1.11) activity after cutting increased up to 290 nmol AsA mg⁻¹ prot min⁻¹ compared to the control with 190 nmol AsA mg⁻¹ prot min⁻¹. AsA reduction is firstly affected by temperature and aggravated by cutting procedures. AsA represents a valuable postharvest quality indicator of freshness in spinach leaves.     

Effect of cold storage and harvest date on bioactive compounds in curly kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala)

In this study, curly kale stored at 1 °C for 3 and 6 weeks was compared with plants remaining in the field regarding several properties related to human health and sensory quality. Cold storage had no effect on the antioxidant capacity (ORAC assay), total phenols (Folin-Ciocalteu assay) or flavonol content, but reduced the content of vitamin C and soluble sugars. The ratio ascorbic:dehydroascorbic acid decreased from about 3 to 0.5 upon storage. The largest changes in the content of bioactive compounds were found in plants that remained in the field for 6 additional weeks, including many frost days. In these plants, the levels of flavonols, total phenols and antioxidant capacity were reduced by 25–35% and the vitamin C content by more than 50%, whereas soluble sugars and dry matter increased by roughly 20% and 30%, respectively. Among all the curly kale samples, the antioxidant capacity was positively correlated with the level of total phenols (r = 0.73, P < 0.001) and total flavonols (r = 0.70, P < 0.001). Values obtained with a non-destructive method based on chlorophyll fluorescence (ChlF) were well correlated with the flavonol content in the leaves, with the highest correlation found for quercetin (r = 0.76, P < 0.001). Using the ChlF method, the kinetics of the flavonol content during the experiment was recorded. The same method also showed gradients of flavonol content within the plant, with the highest values in the upper leaves and in the tip of the leaves. ChlF measurement, therefore, proved to be a quick and cost-effective alternative to chemical analyses of the flavonol content in curly kale.     

日光温室甜樱桃叶片叶绿素含量影响因子初探

为探索日光温室甜樱桃叶片叶绿素含量的影响因子,试验测定不同温室方位、不同树体方向、不同树形、不同品种以及叶面肥处理下甜樱桃叶片叶绿素a、叶绿素b和总叶绿素含量。结果表明,温室东部甜樱桃叶片叶绿素含量显著低于温室西部和中部;树体南向和东向叶绿素含量显著大于树体西向和北向;甜樱桃品种间叶绿素a、叶绿素b和总叶绿素含量不同,且差异性不同;施用叶面肥可显著提高温室甜樱桃叶片叶绿素含量;试验中3种树形之间甜樱桃叶片叶绿素含量差异不显著。     

保鲜剂和贮藏温度对青椒果实贮藏品质的影响

以大棚秋延后陇椒5号青椒果实为试验材料,研究了常温(20～25℃)、低温(9～10℃)条件下,伊源青椒保鲜剂和乙烯利处理对贮藏期间青椒VC含量、叶绿素含量、腐烂指数、转红率和保鲜率的影响。结果表明,在不同温度的贮藏期间,青椒VC含量和叶绿素含量逐渐下降,腐烂指数和转红率逐渐增大,商品果率减小;伊源保鲜剂能显著延缓青椒VC含量的下降和叶绿素的降解速度,减小腐烂指数和转红率,延长贮藏期。低温条件显著提高了青椒的保鲜效果,延长了保鲜期。     

Storage of intact heads prior to processing limits the shelf-life of fresh-cut Lactuca sativa L.

Harvested lettuce heads are usually transported and stored for some period of time under a variety of conditions prior to processing. During storage, especially under suboptimal conditions, nutritional composition of the harvested produce continues to change. The possible impact of prior storage of the heads on the performance of the fresh-cut product has not been quantified, and was the aim of this study. The experiments were performed with three related genotypes of Lactuca sativa L. (butterhead lettuce): two green varieties and one red variety. The effect of prior storage on quality parameters in the stored whole heads and on subsequent fresh-cut quality performance was investigated. In addition, the effect of prior storage of heads with and without their root system and the application of light during storage were investigated. The changes in visual quality, the levels of energy reserves, and some selected senescence markers, i.e. chlorophyll content and electrolyte leakage were evaluated. Despite the relatively high storage temperature of 12 °C, the intact heads still looked fresh even after 17 days of storage. However, a decline in the soluble sugars, a decrease in chlorophyll, and an increase in electrolyte leakage were observed with advancing storage duration. Prior storage of intact heads greatly decreased the shelf-life of the fresh-cut product prepared from these heads. Storage of rooted heads and the continuous application of light (above the light compensation point) did not alter the effect of prior storage of the heads on the quality of the fresh-cut product.