Shelf life of minimally processed potatoes: Part 1. Effects of high oxygen partial pressures in combination with ascorbic and citric acids on enzymatic browning

The shelf life of minimally processed potatoes is limited by enzyme-catalysed browning reactions. Generally, this phenomenon is controlled by the use of chemical reagents such as ascorbic acid, citric acid, or 4-hexyl resorcinol, but it seems that “oxygen shock” treatments are also particularly effective in inhibiting enzymatic browning. The aim of this work was to study the effects of high oxygen partial pressures in combination with ascorbic and citric acid on the development of the enzymatic browning of peeled and cut potatoes (‘Primura’ variety) that were packaged in flexible pouches and stored at 5 °C for 10 days. Different treatments, chosen in according to a central composite design, were applied to the sliced potatoes. The browning development during storage was measured by a tristimulus colorimeter. Second-order polynomial models were computed for three periods of storage (3, 7 and 10 days) to relate the independent variables (oxygen partial pressure, ascorbic and citric acid concentrations) to the colour function attributes.The effectiveness of the statistical approach offered the possibility to investigate the effects of several processing conditions involved in the enzymatic browning of minimally processed potatoes, while the response surface methodology allowed the identification of the optimum range of the independent variables which prevented browning.     

Stability of seed oil quality traits in high and mid-oleic acid sunflower hybrids

Powdery mildew caused by Podosphaera xanthii is an important disease of melon, and race 2F is the predominant race in most areas of China. Resistance to P. xanthii race 2F in melon K7-1 was controlled by a dominant gene, designated Pm-2F, in a 106-member population of recombinant inbred lines derived from K7-1× susceptible K7-2. Using bulked segregant analysis with molecular markers, we have identified two polymorphic simple sequence repeats (SSR) to determine that Pm-2F is located on linkage group II. Comparative genomic analyses using mapped SSR markers and the cucumber genome sequence showed that the melon chromosomal region carrying Pm-2F is homologous to a 288,223 bp genomic region on cucumber chromosome (chr) 1. The SSR markers on chr 1 of cucumber, SSR02734, SSR02733 and CS27 were found linked with Pm-2F. Comparative mapping showed that two SSR markers (SSR02734 and CMBR8) flanked the Pm-2F locus and two nucleotide binding site-leucine-rich repeat resistance genes were identified in the collinear region of cucumber. A cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) marker was developed from the sequence of resistance genes and it delimits the genomic region carrying Pm-2F to 0.8 cM. The evaluation of 165 melon accessions and 13 race differential lines showed that the newly developed CAPS (CAPS-Dde I) marker can be used as a universal marker for effective marker assisted selection in melon powdery mildew resistance breeding. The putative resistance gene cluster provides a potential target site for further fine mapping and cloning of Pm-2F.     

Combined effect of ultrasound,mild heat shock and citric acid to retain greenness,nutritional and microbiological quality of minimally processed broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.): An optimization study

Response surface methodology (RSM) and Box–Behnken design were used to study the combined hurdle effect of mild heat time (1–5 min) at 50 °C, ultrasonic processing time (0–10 min) and citric acid concentration (0–2%) on the quality of refrigerated broccoli after 10 d of storage at 5 °C. Treatment effects were evaluated on weight loss, superficial colour (hue angle (H°) and total colour difference (ΔE)), headspace gas composition (O₂ and CO₂), overall browning potential, chlorophyll content, ascorbic acid content, mesophilic counts and overall visual quality (OVQ) and optimize the process by means of the desirability function. Predicted models were found to be significant with high regression coefficients (91–97%). High regression coefficients indicated that second-order polynomial models could be used to predict and optimize the quality retention in minimally processed broccoli during storage. The mesophilic counts, ascorbic acid content and the overall visual quality were significantly influenced by the three independent variables either independently or interactively. Both thermal and ultrasonic treatments were found to be critical factors influencing changes in chlorophyll content, O₂ concentration inside the package, hue angle and ΔE. On the other hand, thermal treatment and citric acid concentration were found to be significant on overall browning potential. By using the desirability function approach and considering superficial colour parameters, O₂ concentration, mesophilic counts, browning potential, ascorbic acid and chlorophyll content, the optimum processing conditions were 7.5 min of ultrasonic treatment, 3 min of a heat shock treatment and a citric acid concentration of 1.5%. These results were in good agreement with the maximum found from the canonical analysis performed from the response surface when only considering sensorial analysis. Under these optimal processing conditions it is possible to employ citric acid treatment in combination with ultrasonic and thermal treatments as hurdles for retention of green colour, nutritional quality, microbial control and for extending shelf life of refrigerated minimally processed broccoli.     

Light during storage prevents loss of ascorbic acid,and increases glucose and fructose levels in Chinese kale (Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra)

Chinese kale (Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra) leaves were stored at 1 °C (95% RH) under relatively low light levels (21.8 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) or in darkness. Stomata were closed in darkness but remained open in the light. Stomatal opening was positively correlated with loss of fresh weight. Ascorbic acid levels rapidly decreased in leaves stored in darkness. The decrease was reduced to about half by storage in the light. Light resulted in higher carotenoid, glucose, fructose and starch levels. Leaves held in darkness did not turn yellow, although total chlorophyll levels slightly decreased. The levels of chlorophyll a accumulated whereas those of chlorophyll b dropped rapidly, which is consistent with the hypothesis that the first step of chlorophyll b degradation is conversion to chlorophyll a, and with the suggestion that under the present conditions chlorophyll a was not degraded rapidly. It is concluded that fluorescent light, at the level used, induced higher weight loss, whilst partially preventing the loss of vitamin C, and increasing the levels of starch, fructose and glucose.     

Evaluation of end use quality and root traits in wheat cultivars associated with 1RS.1BL translocation

1RS.1BL translocation in wheat, exploited for its multiple disease resistance (Lr26, Yr9, Sr31 and Pm8), has  maintained significance due to its agronomical advantages. However, this translocation exhibits serious defects in dough quality due to the presence of Sec-1 loci on 1RS arm. In the present investigation micro SDS sedimentation test (MST), high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMWGS) and bread making analysis of 26 genotypes were studied along with their root phenotyping in the field and under hydroponic culture system. The MST values showed that genotypes having Sec-1 loci had low MST values but in the presence of Glu-D1 (5?+?10) with Glu-B1 (7?+?9) and (7?+?8) they had high MST values, thus overcoming the negative effects of secalin on dough quality. The loaf volume showed positive correlation with MST values of the genotypes. The translocation of 1RS arm led to higher root biomass and longer root length than Pavon 76 without 1RS. Better root traits in recombinant 1RS 44:38 and 1B?+?38 than Pavon 1RS.1BL suggested the role of negative epistatic effects between different QTL regions in 1RS arm. The results suggest that it should be possible to harness the useful alleles associated with good dough quality, better root traits, high yield and stress tolerance with or without secalin.     

寒地优质粳稻新品种区域适应性及丰产性研究

通过对15个品种丰产性、适应性和抗逆性进行综合比较.结果表明垦稻11号、垦粳2号、三江一号、龙粳20号、垦稻18号、龙粳17号、龙粳21号、龙粳24号综合性状表现良好,连续3年试验产量表现稳定,在栽培中注意各品种的自身特点,加强管理.可以搭配空育131种植.     

Ultralow oxygen treatment for postharvest control of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), on iceberg lettuce: I. Effects of temperature, time, and oxygen level on insect mortality and lettuce quality

Ultralow oxygen (ULO) treatments with different oxygen levels, treatment times, and temperatures were studied to determine effects on western flower thrips mortality and postharvest quality of iceberg lettuce. Thrips mortality increased with reduced oxygen level and increased treatment time and temperature. At 0.003% oxygen, over 99.6% mortality rates of thrips were achieved in three ULO treatments of 2, 3, and 4 d at 10, 5, and 1 °C, respectively. No treatments caused injury to lettuce surface leaves and there was no reduction in visual quality for treated lettuce. However, about 9–33% of lettuce heads sustained injury to heartleaves. The 2 d ULO treatment with 0.003% oxygen had the lowest injury rate to heartleaves and the injury increased with increased treatment duration. The amount of injured leaves was small (<2 g per head). There were also some variations among the lettuce cultivars in susceptibility to heartleaf injury by ULO treatments. Four out of eight cultivars tested tolerated the 2 d ULO treatment at 10 °C without any injury. Therefore, ULO treatment has potential to be developed as an alternative postharvest treatment for western flower thrips on iceberg lettuce.     

Evaluation of cytoplasmic effects on agronomic and seed quality traits in two doubled haploid populations of Brassica napus L.

Cytoplasmic effects have been occasionally implicated in the inheritance of several traits in oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.), including linolenic acid concentration (18:3) in the oil. It is important that these be considered when choosing the direction of cross for producing new breeding populations. To study this phenomenon, a reciprocal cross was made between two genotypes of oilseed rape, Reston and LL09, which differed for their erucic and linolenic acid concentrations in the seed oil. Two DH populations, which were produced by microspore culture from reciprocal F₁ plants, were evaluated in the growth room for one generation and in the field at two locations in Southern Ontario in 1993and 1994. Field notes were taken on days to flower, days to maturity,plant lodging, plant height and, seed quality traits. In the growth room study, the phenotypic distribution of 18:3 differed significantly between the two reciprocal DH populations. In the field, significant reciprocal differences between the population means were detected for 18:3,flowering date and protein content in both years and for days to maturity and oil content in 1993 only. To further study the parental lines,chloroplast (cp) and mitochondrial (mt) DNA from parental lines were isolated and subjected to RFLP and RAPD analysis. Several random primers revealed reproducible DNA polymorphism (RAPD) between the parental mt DNA. It is concluded that the direction of cross should be taken into consideration by oilseed rape breeders relying solely on doubled haploids for developing genotypes with modified seed quality traits in Brassica napus L. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

减氮追施和增密对全膜覆盖垄上微沟马铃薯水分利用及生长的影响

优化垄沟配置方式、种植密度和施肥方式可显著提高降水利用效率、作物产量和水分利用效率。以西北半干旱区全膜覆盖垄上微沟种植马铃薯,设置49,500株hm–2(低密度)和64,500株hm–2(高密度) 2个播种密度,传统施肥(PM)、减量追施(PMN)、有机肥替代(PMO) 3个施肥模式,随机区组设计。研究施肥和密度对马铃薯不同生育期土壤温度、阶段耗水量、产量及水分利用效率的影响。结果表明,增密对土壤温度、叶绿素相对含量(SPAD)和产量无显著影响,但降低了花前耗水量、单株地上生物量和水分利用效率,提高了叶面积指数(LAI)和花后耗水量。在块茎膨大期,高密度处理的LAI较低密度增加了3.64%～15.01%;花后耗水量在2015—2016年较低密度增加了6.50%～48.52%。与PM处理相比, PMN和PMO均能提高花前土壤温度、现蕾期-块茎膨大期的马铃薯叶片SPAD值和LAI,其中LAI在花期增加了10.42%～44.26%。PMN和PMO降低了花前耗水量,增加花后耗水量和地上生物量,在块茎膨大期地上生物量较PM增加了6.95%～49.85%。PMN能提高低密度马铃薯的块茎产量和水分利用效率(WUE),2015—2017年产量较PM和PMO分别提高了9.96%～20.87%和13.64%～17.61%,水分利用效率提高了5.46%～20.81%和13.25%～45.24%。因此,增加密度对产量和水分利用效率无显著影响,但化肥减量追施或有机肥替代均可显著促进马铃薯花后耗水和提高LAI,使马铃薯块茎产量和WUE显著增加,是西北黄土高原半干旱区增产增效的养分管理模式。     

青岛高油酸花生新品种推广实践及思考

在花生优质食用坚果类作物定位上升、高油酸花生油的健康特性不断被挖掘的新花生生产形势下,对近年青岛高油酸花生新品种推广实践,高油酸花生绿色、高质、高效定位推进的瓶颈问题及有益探索加以思考总结,并对今后高油酸花生产业绿色、高质、高效定位发展提出对策建议。     

Ultralow oxygen treatment for postharvest control of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), on iceberg lettuce: II. Effects of pre-treatment storage on lettuce quality

Iceberg lettuce stored under normal atmosphere and controlled atmosphere (CA) with about 3% oxygen at low temperature for 1 week was compared with fresh lettuce for their response to 2 d ultralow oxygen (ULO) treatment with 0.003% oxygen at 10 °C for control of western flower thrips. Lettuce which had been stored for 1 week under normal or CA tolerated ULO treatment while over 30% of fresh lettuce sustained minor injury to heartleaves. Therefore, pre-treatment storage at low temperature enhanced tolerance of lettuce to the subsequent insecticidal ULO treatment. A sequential combination of CA storage and ULO treatment was demonstrated to be effective against western flower thrips and lettuce aphid and safe to all seven lettuce cultivars tested. The study indicated that ULO treatment can be made safer to lettuce through pre-treatment storage to increase lettuce tolerance.     

Effects of genotype and environment on seed quality traits variability in interspecific cross-derived <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica</Emphasis> lines

Genotype (G), environment [i.e. year (Y) and location (L)] and their interaction (GYL) play an important role in the final expression of quality attributes. A multi-environment trial in selected interspecific cross-derived Brassica lines was conducted to evaluate the magnitude of G, Y, L and GYL effects on seed quality traits of Brassica genotypes under three locations in Poland, during the 2011–2013 cropping season. The oil, protein, fiber (Acid Detergent Fiber and Neutral Detergent Fiber) as well as glucosinolate contents was determined by near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) and significant differences were observed between tested Brassica genotypes and across harvesting years and growing locations. Generally, all tested hybrid lines displayed wider genetic variability for studied quality traits than control genotypes. Analysis of variance indicated that the main effects of genotypes, years and locations as well as all interactions were significant for all traits of study (except year?×?location interaction for glucosinolates). However, location had the most significant effect on oil, protein and fiber content while genotype had significant impact on glucosinolates content in Brassica seeds. Moreover, the individual lines having combination of desirable traits were also identified from F₅ to F₇ generations of tested hybrids.     

The genetic control of seed quality traits: effects of allelic variation at the Tri and Vc-2 genetic loci in Pisum sativum L.

Genetic variation at the Tri locus, controlling seed trypsin inhibitor activity, is relevant to both food and feed uses of Pisum sativum L. (pea). Near-isogenic lines of Pisum sativum L. (pea) were developed previously to examine the impact on digestibility of variation at Tri on linkage group V. Further studies of these lines have now revealed a significant difference in seed nitrogen concentration between near-isolines having contrasting seed trypsin inhibitor activity. In order to investigate this apparent association, the multiple genes at a closely linked locus, Vc-2, encoding a set of major vicilin polypeptides, were analysed and shown to differ between the near-isolines. Characterisation of Vc-2 cDNAs revealed distinguishing features of the functional genes between the parents of the near-isolines, while analyses of gene structure showed that a disrupted variant Vc-2 gene was present in one, but not the second, parent of the near-isolines. The variant gene appeared to be non-functional, based both on its deduced truncated protein lacking part of one conserved cupin structural domain, and the fact that it did not correspond to any isolated cDNA. Recombinant near-isolines were generated between the closely linked Tri and Vc-2 loci to investigate the genetic association with seed nitrogen concentration. Seeds from near-isolines and recombinant inbred lines where the variant Vc-2 gene was present had lower seed nitrogen concentration than lines lacking the variant gene. Furthermore, the disrupted Vc-2 gene was absent from several pea genotypes with high seed protein content. Expression analyses suggested that gene expression at the Vc-2 locus was higher when the non-functional gene variant was absent. Markers based either on the element which disrupts the coding sequence within the variant gene at the Vc-2 locus, or on the closely linked Tri locus, may be exploited in the selection of haplotypes associated with genetic variation in seed protein composition and concentration. The gene content in the genomic region of Medicago truncatula chromosome 7 that is syntenic with the pea linkage group V has identified further candidates for functional analyses and marker assisted selection.     

Effect of high-pressure hot-water washing treatment on fruit quality, insects, and disease in apples and pears: Part I. System description and the effect on fruit quality of ‘d’Anjou’ pears

A manually operated high-pressure hot-water washing system consisting of a boiler, hot-water mixing tank, contact loop, heat exchanger, spray mixing tank, high-pressure hot-water washing manifold, low-pressure fresh water rinse manifold, and pressure pump was constructed and installed in a packingline. The system developed 20–50 °C washing water at pressures up to 980 kPa. ‘d’Anjou’ pears (Pyrus communis L.), shortly after harvest, and after storage for 3 and 4 months in regular air (RA) or for 4, 7 and 8 months in controlled atmosphere (CA) at −1 °C were washed through the packingline with different wetting agents (0.1% Silwet, 0.01 and 0.1% Defoamer, and water), water pressures (regular and high-pressure (210–980 kPa)), water temperatures (control (tap water, 4–22 °C), 40 °C, and 50 °C), and brushes (soft and firm), respectively. The effect of the washing conditions on fruit quality was investigated after 1 month of storage at −1 °C to simulate shipping condition, and then again after 1 week at 20 °C to simulate marketing condition. Hot-water caused severe heat scald. When nozzle temperature was 50 °C, the incidence of heat scald increased to over 50% for the fruit stored in RA for 3 months. Combined with hot-water, 540 kPa high-pressure washing increased the incidence of friction discoloration. There were lower incidences of friction discoloration and heat scald for fruit stored in CA for 7 months, in comparison to that in RA for 3 months. However, those fruit did not ripen properly as indicated by a high extractable juice content. Fruit washed at harvest had minor incidences of friction discoloration regardless of different brushes, water pressures, and wetting agents. Fruit washed after storages in either 4 months RA or 4 or 8 months CA suffered a high incidence of friction discoloration including scuffing symptoms and pressure marking. The firm brushes caused a higher incidence of friction discoloration mainly because of scuffing symptoms. However, no differences were found between different water pressures and wetting agents with respect to friction discoloration. Fruit stored for 4 months RA suffered 26–28% friction discoloration in comparison to 16–18% in CA stored fruit with firm brush washing. Extended CA storage increased friction discoloration even with soft brush washing. The results suggest that a washing system with high-pressure spray, <30 °C warm water, wetting agent Defoamer and rotating soft brushes were significantly effective in removing surface pests and decay control without causing internal or external damage of fruit.     

Physiological and anatomical traits associated with tolerance to long‐term partial submergence stress in the Lotus genus: responses of forage species,a model and an interspecific hybrid

Cattle production based on natural pastures is often subject to flooding periods, which affect plant performance and as a result, forage production. Although most forage legumes are not tolerant to flooding, Lotus spp. are outstanding alternatives, since species, such as L. tenuis (Lt) and L. corniculatus (LcT), have high forage quality and are adaptable to different environments. We recently obtained a L. tenuis × L. corniculatus hybrid (LtxLc) with potential new cultivar traits, although its tolerance to flooding stress has not yet been evaluated. In the present study, the performance of LtxLc, its parental diploid accessions, the model legume L. japonicus and tetraploid LcT were evaluated under 55 days of partial submergence stress and a 35‐day recovery period. Physiological, morphological and anatomical traits were analysed, showing that tolerance to partial submergence was positively associated with aerenchyma and adventitious root formation and relative growth rates. Overall, Lt and LtxLc showed the best responses under stress and during the recovery period. Nevertheless, the higher forage value of LtxLc makes it recommendable for use in environments affected by flooding. Our results could be used as breeding criteria for the generation of new cultivars tolerant to partial submergence stress.     

Effect of high-pressure hot water washing treatment on fruit quality, insects, and disease in apples and pears: Part II. Effect on postharvest decay of d’Anjou pear fruit

A hot water pressure process (HWP) was evaluated for its effect on conidia of Penicillium expansum and on development of blue mold, gray mold, and mucor rot of d’Anjou pear fruit. Spores were removed from the water system through dilution and also as a result of hot water in the system that was lethal to the spores. When the system was heated, viable spores were not detected after 2–4 h of operation. Reductions in decay in the HWP system were 36, 29, and 13% for Botrytis cinerea, Mucor piriformis, and P. expansum, respectively. The response of P. expansum appeared related to the length of time fruit was in cold storage. Heat injury was observed on fruit treated with 40 and 50 °C water but not on fruit at 30 °C nozzle temperature. The HWP system described in this study should be considered as a component of an integrated decay control strategy.     

H2O2浸种对羽衣甘蓝种子萌发及幼苗的影响

研究H2O2浸种对羽衣甘蓝种子萌发及幼苗的影响,结果表明,当H2O2浸种浓度为0.1 mg/L和0.3 mg/L时,幼苗植株发芽率、发芽势、鲜重、干重、根长和苗高均显著提高,呼吸速率也极显著提高到对照的2.25倍和1.60倍。0.1 mg/L浓度的H2O2浸种是提高幼苗根系活力的最佳浓度,根系活力为对照的550.5 mg/(g.h)。浓度为0.3 mg/L的H2O2浸种处理电导率最低,仅为对照的71.79%。实验还表明,用H2O2浸种后幼苗对P的吸收没有影响,但在0.1~0.5 mg/L范围内,幼苗N和K含量极显著提高,浓度为0.5 mg/L时,N为对照的1.15倍,浓度为0.1 mg/L时,K为对照的1.12倍,差异均达到极显著水平。当浓度超过0.7 mg/L时,羽衣甘蓝幼苗生长受到抑制,几个生理指标显著下降。     

Effect of high-pressure hot-water washing treatment on fruit quality, insects, and disease in apples and pears: Part III. Use of silicone-based materials and mechanical methods to eliminate surface pests

Surface arthropods on pome fruits can cause export problems and disrupt commercial markets. Eliminating insects and mites on the packing line would be the last opportunity to provide for pest-free produce. In this study, an experimental packing line was used to evaluate techniques using different surfactant baths, pressurized water sprays, and styles of rotating brushes to remove field-collected and laboratory-reared grape mealybug, Pseudococcus maritimus (Ehrhorn) (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae), the diapausing two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) and the woolly apple aphid, Eriosoma lanigerum (Hausman) (Homoptera: Aphididae). The organosilicone Silwet L-77 was no more effective than a silicone-based food grade defoamer in aiding removal. Mechanical methods, such as the style of rotating brushes and pressurized sprays, were significantly effective in removing surface arthropods. No improvement in removal occurred when pressure was increased beyond 420 kPa. These techniques can be easily adapted to commercial facilities and will reduce the incidence of surface arthropods on marketed fresh fruits.     

Nematode resistance in bananas: screening results on some wild and cultivated accessions of Musa spp.

Bananas cultivated for export all belong to Cavendish cultivars and are all recognized as very susceptible to nematodes, particularly to the burrowing nematode Radopholus similis and the lesion nematode Pratylenchus coffeae. Even if there have been many changes in the management of banana nematodes in large commercial banana plantations, chemical control still remains most often the last resort method to manage the nematodes, although the number of registered products is definitely declining. Therefore, nematode control though genetic improvement is gaining new interest worldwide. In this study, 55 banana accessions mostly diploids from the Musa acuminata genome group (AA) but including some triploid accessions (AAA), some diploids of the Musa balbisiana genome group (BB) and some interspecific hybrids (AAB, AB) were evaluated for resistance to four nematode species R. similis, P. coffeae, Meloidogyne incognita and M. arenaria. These experiments were conducted in a growth chamber under controlled conditions. All banana accessions were susceptible to nematode species, although many different levels of susceptibility were detected. This study confirmed the good resistance status to R. similis of some cultivars from the Pisang jari buaya and Pisang batuau subgroups and the partial resistance of 17 diploid accessions significantly different from the susceptible reference cv. Grande Naine. This study also showed that 12 diploid accessions exhibited a partial resistance to P. coffeae, including some usual or potential genitors belonging to the wild diploids subspecies burmannica (cvs. Long Tavoy 1 and 2) and burmannicoides (cv. Calcutta 4). No source of resistance to Meloidogyne spp. was found. These screening results, combining for the first time four nematode species, are discussed within the scope of banana breeding in order to produce parental diploid lines with single or combined nematode resistances and further develop triploids that can substitute existing susceptible commercial cultivars.