Maximum slat width for cooling efficiency of horticultural produce in wooden crates

The influence of wood package design on airflow distribution was investigated for forced-air cooling using horticultural produce simulators. The position of grooves on the container walls was tested using slat width of 100–200 mm and airflow rates ranging from 0.0005 to 0.003 m³ kg⁻¹ s⁻¹. The package opening configurations were compared based on their impact on the energy added to the system using a methodology previously developed. For this purpose, apples and sweet corns were taken as examples of produce from two different extremes in the respiration activity range. For airflow rates as low as 0.0005 m³ kg⁻¹ s⁻¹one groove at the bottom of the container produced a cooling process more uniform than the other one-groove configurations and even two grooves because of natural convection effect. If packing low respiration rate produce, increasing airflow rate could compromise the process energy efficiency because of air circulation obstruction for less vented containers. For high respiration rate produce enlarging open area above 2.4% would be recommended rather than increasing airflow rate to enhance cooling energy efficiency.     

Chromosomal effects in the endogenous contents of non-structural carbohydrates and proteins measured in wheat substitution lines

In hexaploid bread wheat, Triticum aestivum (2n = 6x = 42), little work has been carried out to study the genetic control of the synthesis of reduced, non‐reduced and total non‐structural carbohydrates and soluble proteins in aerial and rooting structures. The aim of this paper was to determine the chromosomal location of genes determining carbohydrate and protein synthesis that could be used for diagnostic selection in segregating breeding populations. A set of wheat intervarietal chromosome substitution lines [‘Chinese Spring’ (CS) × synthetic wheat (Triticum diccocoides×Aegilops squarrosa) (Syn)], was used. Plants were cultivated in hydroponic solutions to the fully expanded third leaf stage. Carbohydrate and protein contents and dry matter were determined for aerial and root parts. The root dry weight did not show significant differences between the parental varieties and the substitution lines, except for 5A, 2B and 6B, which had significantly lower dry weights. The aerial dry weight was significantly higher for Syn and the 2A substitution line. The ratio aerial dry weight/root dry weight was significantly higher in Syn, 1A, 2A and 4B. The protein content of the plant showed highly significant differences between both parental lines but 6A and 1D of the substitution lines showed highly significant differences, with contents as high as that for Syn. Syn produced significantly lower total aerial carbohydrates. The substitution lines 2A, 5A, 6A, 7A, 2B, 3D, 5D and 6D showed highly significant total carbohydrate content increases in the aerial parts compared with both parental lines. The non‐reduced carbohydrate contents showed a pattern similar to that of the total carbohydrates. Syn had a lower reduced carbohydrate content than CS. Only the 5A, 2B, and 1D substitution lines had a highly significantly different content of reduced carbohydrates than CS. In roots, Syn produced the lowest values for every type of sugar. The highest significant values for total carbohydrates were found in substitution lines 2B, 4B, 5B, 6B, 1D and 6D. The non‐reduced carbohydrate levels were significantly higher than CS in 2B, 5B, 6B and 6D substitution lines. Only the substitution lines 3B and 1D showed a significantly higher reduced carbohydrate content in roots compared with CS. The photoassimilate partitioning in Syn, 1 A, 2A and 4B favoured the aerial parts but, in contrast, higher partitioning to the roots was found in the 7B, 1D and 3D substitution lines. Both groups appear to carry interesting patterns worth incorporating in wheat cultivars.     

Direct spectrophotometric determination of bitterness in virgin olive oil without prior isolation by pH gradient

Bitter taste, an organoleptic characteristic of virgin olive oil, has been related to phenolic compound composition. The usual method to assess this attribute is by a sensorial panel of tasters, while in the laboratory; methods based on physicochemical properties have been assayed as K225, the most widely used one. However, a direct determination of bitterness in virgin olive oil is useful for quality-control purposes. The proposed method is supported by the observable spectral change undergone by the compounds responsible for bitterness as pH varied. This measurement was carried out directly in the oil, without prior isolation of bitter analytes. The difference of absorbance between alkaline and neutral medium showed a highly significant correlation (r = 0.988, p < 0.0001) with the conventional parameter (K225). The method was rapid, required a small sample, allowed direct determination of bitterness in virgin olive oil, and could be easily automated.     

Post-fire soil respiration in relation to burnt wood management in a Mediterranean mountain ecosystem

After a wildfire, the management of burnt wood may determine microclimatic conditions and microbiological activity with the potential to affect soil respiration. To experimentally analyze the effect on soil respiration, we manipulated a recently burned pine forest in a Mediterranean mountain (Sierra Nevada National and Natural Park, SE Spain). Three representative treatments of post-fire burnt wood management were established at two elevations: (1) “salvage logging” (SL), where all trees were cut, trunks removed, and branches chipped; (2) “non-intervention” (NI), leaving all burnt trees standing; and (3) “cut plus lopping” (CL), a treatment where burnt trees were felled, with the main branches lopped off, but left in situ partially covering the ground surface. Seasonal measurements were carried out over the course of two years. In addition, we performed continuous diurnal campaigns and an irrigation experiment to ascertain the roles of soil temperature and moisture in determining CO₂ fluxes across treatments. Soil CO₂ fluxes were highest in CL (average of 3.34 ± 0.19 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and the lowest in SL (2.21 ± 0.11 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹). Across seasons, basal values were registered during summer (average of 1.46 ± 0.04 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), but increased during the humid seasons (up to 10.07 ± 1.08 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ in spring in CL). Seasonal and treatment patterns were consistent at the two elevations (1477 and 2317 m a.s.l.), although respiration was half as high at the higher altitude.Respiration was mainly controlled by soil moisture. Watering during the summer drought boosted CO₂ effluxes (up to 37 ± 6 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ just after water addition), which then decreased to basal values as the soil dried. About 64% of CO₂ emissions during the first 24 h could be attributed to the degasification of soil pores, with the rest likely related to biological processes. The patterns of CO₂ effluxes under experimental watering were similar to the seasonal tendencies, with the highest pulse in CL. Temperature, however, had a weak effect on soil respiration, with Q₁₀ values of ca. 1 across seasons and soil moisture conditions. These results represent a first step towards illustrating the effects of post-fire burnt wood management on soil respiration, and eventually carbon sequestration.     

Chemometric studies of vinegars from different raw materials and processes of production

The phenolic composition, aroma compounds, and organic acid content of 83 vinegars have been determined. Multivariate analysis techniques have been used to classify these vinegar samples according to raw material (white wine, red wine, apple, honey, alcohol, balsamic, and malt) and production process (with and without aging in wood). Cluster analysis grouped the samples according to production process. Only apple and balsamic vinegars were separated from wine vinegars. Alcohol, honey, and malt vinegars were grouped with no aged wine vinegars. Linear discriminate analysis allowed a 88% differentiation according to raw material and 100% according to aging in wood. Besides, from the results obtained, a major role of the volatile compounds in the differentiation of the vinegar samples according to their aging period in wood can be seen.     

Input-Output Budgets of Inorganic Nitrogen for 24 Forest Watersheds in the Northeastern United States: A Review

Input-output budgets for dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) are summarized for 24 small watersheds at 15 locations in the northeasternUnited States. The study watersheds are completely forested, free of recent physical disturbances, and span a geographical region bounded by West Virginia on the south and west, and Maine on the north and east. Total N budgets are not presented; however, fluxes of inorganic N in precipitation and streamwater dominate inputs and outputs of N at these watersheds. The range in inputs of DIN in wet-only precipitation from nearby National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) sites was 2.7 to 8.1 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1 (mean = 6.4 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1; median = 7.0 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1). Outputs of DIN in streamwater ranged from 0.1 to 5.7 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1 (mean = 2.0 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1; median = 1.7 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1). Precipitation inputs of DIN exceeded outputs in streamwater at all watersheds, with net retention of DIN ranging from 1.2 to 7.3 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1 (mean = 4.4 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1; median = 4.6 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1). Outputs of DIN in streamwater were predominantly NO₃-N (mean = 89%; median = 94%). Wet deposition of DIN was not significantly related to DIN outputs in streamwater for these watersheds. Watershed characteristics such as hydrology, vegetation type, and land-use history affect DIN losses and may mask any relationship between inputs and outputs. Consequently, these factors need to be included in the development of indices and simulation models for predicting 'nitrogen saturation' and other ecological processes.