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Purpose – The study aimed to relate cognitive styles (CS), self-handicapping (SH) behaviors and entrepreneurial orientation (EO) present in an agroindustry of Santa Catarina. These aspects, within the same perspective, presents alternatives in the human capital management and as something new, in order to create and expand knowledge. Design/methodology/approach – The research was descriptive, quantitative, survey, and had statistical procedures. The respondents were 46 administrative employees of this agroindustry. Findings – The results indicate the predominance of employees with quasi-analytical (31%) and adaptive (28%) cognitive styles. Low SH indexes in the surveyed agroindustry were examined, demonstrating the engagement in the search for the results expected. The EO was moderate, evidencing a conservative stance of the company. No significant differences were observed in the relationship between the constructs of CS, SH and EO. However, the relationship between SH, EO and gender confirmed significant differences. Higher SH indices were observed among males, and a higher EO index in females. This difference disappears, statistically, in the other relationships. The conclusion is that reason prevails in the decision-making process, with a commitment focused on achieving the results, with a more conservative than entrepreneurial attitude. Practical implications – The study of the relationship of Cognitive Style, Self-Handicapping, and Entrepreneurial Orientation, within the understanding of Human Capital Management, constitutes a new perspective, making it possible to broaden the understanding of the theme in terms of administrative practice. Originality/value – Studying Cognitive Style, Self-Handicapping, and Entrepreneurial Orientation, in the context of Human Capital Management, in an agroindustry, presents itself as original and valuable research, contributing to the Administration Theory.

Resumo: a physalis (Physalis peruviana L.) é uma solanácea de grande valor nutricional e econômico que aos poucos está sendo incorporada ao cultivo de pequenas frutas de sabor exótico no Brasil. Para melhorar o desenvolvimento da planta e aumentar a produtividade e foram testados três sistemas de tutoramento (em “X”, “Y” e “V”) além da testemunha qualidade dos frutos, utilizam-se algumas práticas de manejo, tais como tutoramento e podas. Neste trabalho (livre desenvolvimento). O objetivo foi avaliar o sistema de tutoramento mais adequados para o desenvolvimento vegetativo (medido através do plastocrono), produtividade (através de determinações de massa dos frutos com e sem cálice e diâmetro dos frutos) e qualidade de frutos (através do pH, acidez, sólidos solúveis, firmeza de polpa e colorimetria). Para determinações do desenvolvimento foi instalado um experimento de campo no setor de Horticultura da UFSM, região central do Rio Grande do Sul. As determinações de produtividade e qualidade foram realizadas a partir dos frutos produzidos neste experimento. O plastocrono é afetado pelo número de hastes mantidas na planta, sendo maior no tutoramento em X. Para maiores produtividades recomenda-se o tutoramento em X e para melhor qualidade de frutos o tutoramento em Y.

In recent years, consumers have shown interest in the ornamental use of some fruits that were previously used mainly for food purposes. However, the use of ‘mini-pumpkins’ for ornamentation can be limited by post-harvest aspects, such as skin depigmentation, fresh mass losses, ethylene production and respiration, which compromise the visual quality of the product, resulting in the loss of its ornamental value. The objective was to evaluate the effect of films application (control, carnauba wax, cassava starch and corn starch) in post-harvest of ornamental mini-pumpkins, aiming the shelf life prolongation (experiment 1) and reduction of ethylene production and respiration (experiment 2). The results obtained in experiment 1 pointed to lower mass loss and maintenance of the ornamental mini-pumpkins epidermis color with the application of carnauba wax film. In experiment 2, the application of carnauba wax and the ethylene action inhibitor (1-MCP) did not and respiration production of mini-pumpkins, suggesting that ethylene is not involved in the modifications that occur in the product during the time of exposure to the environment.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of controlled atmosphere (CA) storage at a low oxygen partial pressure (pO

The Gala cultivars represent about 65% of the Brazilian apple production, however, it has a short harvest period, making necessary to use technologies that anticipate or delay fruit maturation. A widely used technology is the preharvest application of growth regulators. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of preharvest application of naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) combined with aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) and 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (Ethephon), on the quality of ‘Brookfield’ apple at harvest and after eight months controlledatmosphere (CA)(1.2 kPa O2 and 2.0 kPa CO2) storage followed by seven days of shelf life at 20 °C. The treatments were: [1] Control: application of water only; [2] NAA (40 g.ha-1); [3] NAA (40 g·ha-1) plus Ethephon (2.0 L·ha-1 24% of active ingredient), and [4] NAA (40 g·ha-1) plus AVG (0.83 kg.ha-1 15% of active ingredient). At harvest, fruit treated with NAA presented a higher level of starch degradation, ethylene production and respiration rate. Fruit treated with NAA plus AVG maintained better quality after eight months under CA storage plus seven days of shelf life, due to higher healthy fruit amount and higher flesh firmness, but this combination reduced the red skin color index. Additionally, NAA plus Ethephon may be an alternative to maintain the quality of ‘Brookfield’ apple during storage in comparison to the application of NAA isolated.

The effects of a dynamic controlled atmosphere, monitored by the respiratory quotient (DCA-RQ) or chlorophyll fluorescence (DCA-CF), and ultralow oxygen (ULO) conditions on the quality, individual (IPC) and total (TPC) phenolics content and total antioxidant activity (TAA) of the peel and fleshflesh tissues of ‘Galaxy’ apples have been evaluated. DCA, and especially DCA-RQ, resulted in higher IPC in the peel, with higher contents of chlorogenic acid and procyanidin B1. In the flesh, the IPC and TPC was higher for DCA-RQ and DCA-CF than in all ULO conditions. Highest chlorogenic acid, epicatechin and catechin contents were found in DCA-RQ stored fruit.

Controlled atmosphere (CA) associated with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) or dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA) with lower oxygen partial pressures (pO2), are strategies to long-term storage of apples (Malus x domestica Borkh). However, the effect of 1-MCP application in DCA stored fruit and the storage temperature adopted in this condition still need to be determined. The storage temperature increase is desired, aiming to reduce energy consumption. ‘Galaxy’ apples were stored for 9 months at 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 °C, in either CA or DCA monitored by respiratory quotient of 1.5 (DCA-RQ). Another set of fruit that received 1-MCP application was also stored in each condition. DCA-RQ drastically reduces the metabolism, allowing the storage at higher temperatures, even without 1-MCP application, with lower physiological disorders, higher healthy fruit amount and retention of flesh firmness and acidity. The quality maintenance after long-term apple storage in CA is only feasible associated to 1-MCP treatment.

New technologies for apple preservation include storage under dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA) with respiratory quotient (RQ) monitoring or chlorophyll fluorescence (CF). Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of RQ variation on the metabolism, overall quality, and volatile organic compound concentration of ‘Galaxy’ apples after long-term storage and compare them to fixed RQ levels, controlled atmosphere (CA), and DCA-CF. We also aimed to identify the period during storage in which apples are more susceptible to low oxygen damage. Fruit were evaluated after nine months of storage plus 7 d of shelf life at 20 °C. Higher RQ (1.5 and 2.0) levels throughout the storage period or the first three months resulted in higher anaerobic metabolism, increasing the internal disorders and reducing overall fruit quality, healthy fruit and flesh firmness. The results evidenced that the critical period for low oxygen damage is the first three months of storage. Overall fruit quality is better maintained when fruit were stored under DCA-CF, DCA-RQ 1.1, DCA-RQ 1.3, and changing RQ from 1.1; 1.3; 1.5, being three months at each RQ level. Moreover, more healthy fruit, higher flesh firmness, and lower physiological disorders were observed under these storage conditions, although the main ester accumulation was reduced. In general, higher 2-methylbutyl acetate and butyl acetate were observed in fruit stored under CA and high RQ levels (1.5 and 2.0). This demonstrates that even with RQ level variations during storage, it was not possible to obtain apples with high overall quality and ester concentrations under the same storage condition.

Fungal spoilage significantly affects the quality of pecan nuts in post-harvest. Although several alternatives have been used to avoid this type of food spoilage, studies correlating controlled atmosphere (CA) and its effects on preserving pecan nuts are still scarce in the literature. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the use of vacuum and static controlled atmosphere with low oxygen partial pressure (pO2) and high carbon dioxide (pCO2) at different temperatures (1, 10, and 20 °C), for up to 6 months of storage, on the fungal contamination of shelled ‘Barton’ pecan nuts. The samples were mycologically analyzed at the beginning of storage and again at the second, fourth, and sixth month of storage by the direct plating method using dichloran 18% glycerol agar (DG18) with incubation for 7 days at 25 °C. Xerophilic Aspergillus was the leading spoilage agent under conventional storage (20 °C and normal atmosphere) with nuts becoming moldy in up to four months, while the CA ensured the absence and/or low contamination of Aspergillus sp. and Penicillium sp. after 2 months of storage, and Cladosporium sp. up to 4 months of storage at 10 °C. At 20 °C, high pCO2 presented lower contamination than the low pO2 condition. Vacuum packaging ensured that nuts stored at 20 °C maintained lower contamination levels by Aspergillus in all periods analyzed. Potential aflatoxin-producing species were not detected in any of the evaluated conditions.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of low oxygen partial pressure (pO2) and high carbon dioxide partial pressure (pCO2) combined with different temperatures on the oil acidity and peroxide values of two soybean cultivars (NA 5909 RG and FEPAGRO 37 RR). The volatile compounds correlated to lipid oxidation were also evaluated. Soybeans were stored for seven months under ambient and controlled atmosphere (CA) conditions at three temperatures (20, 25, and 30 °C). Storage under ambient conditions increased acidity and peroxide value regardless of the temperature. CA storage with low pO2 reduced oil acidity and its combination with high pCO2 had no positive effects on oil acidity and peroxide values. Grains of FEPAGRO 37 RR stored under ambient air showed higher 1-octne-3-ol amount compared to CA. The higher storage temperature increased (E)-2-heptenal and decanal amount in grains of cultivar NA 5909 RG. In addition, the ambiente air storage provide higher γ-Butyrolactone in relation to CA storage. Moreover, in both cultivars the CA storage technique provides lower (E)-2-hexenal content. This compound, together with hexanal are potential lipid deterioration markers of soybeans. CA storage is a promising tool for soybean grains preservation and the effect is mainly due to the oxygen reduction, with no additional effect of CO2 increasing.

The effects of the nut moisture content (MC) and storage conditions on the physicochemical quality and volatile compound (VC) profile after storage of pecan nuts are still poorly understood. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of MC (6 and 4 %) and the interaction with atmospheric conditions (20.9 kPa) and low O2 partial pressure (2 kPa O2) on ‘Barton’ and ‘Jackson’ pecan storage. Color parameters, internal browning (IB) incidence and severity, respiration rate, acidity, peroxide value (PV), and VC profile after 8 and 12 months of storage at 20 °C were evaluated. ‘Barton’ and ‘Jackson’ pecans stored with 6 % MC + 2 kPa O2 presented the highest hue and luminosity (L) values, i.e. lighter color, after 8 and 12 months of storage. However, ‘Barton’ and ‘Jackson’ pecans stored with 6 % MC + 20.9 kPa O2 had the highest IB incidence and severity and respiration rate. After 8 months, pecans stored with 4 % MC + 20.9 kPa O2 had lower acidity and PV in both cultivars, compared with the pecans stored under 6 % MC + 20.9 kPa O2. The lower O2 in ‘Barton’ pecans stored with 6 % MC decreased PV, which was also the case for ‘Jackson’ nuts stored at 4 % MC. Regardless of the MC, pecans stored under 2 kPa O2 had the lowest hexanal and hexanol contents in both cultivars. Our findings suggest that it is necessary to choose between reducing MC or kPa O2 when aiming to maintain the quality of ‘Barton’ and ‘Jackson’ pecans stored under ambient temperature conditions (20 °C).

The effects of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment and shell maintenance on the physicochemical quality and volatile compounds (VC) profile of pecans after storage is still poorly understood. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of 1-MCP (1 ppm) application on pecans with and without shell maintenance during storage on the parameters of color, internal browning (IB) incidence and severity, respiration rate, acidity, peroxide value (PV), and VC profile after six months of storage under ambient conditions (17 ± 5.1 °C). The 1-MCP applied to the unshelled pecans maintained the luminosity and decreased IB incidence and severity. Shelled and unshelled pecans had lower acidity and PV when treated with 1-MCP. Regarding VC profile, maintaining the shell during storage decreased unwanted volatile compounds, including hexanal, octanal, and nonanal. In shelled pecans, 1-MCP treatment reduced hexanal, octanal, and nonanal content. This study is the first to demonstrate that 1-MCP application results in better maintenance of the physicochemical quality and VC profile of shelled and unshelled pecans stored under ambient conditions after long-term storage.

The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the interaction between controlled atmosphere (CA), dynamic controlled atmosphere based on chlorophyll fluorescence (DCA – CF), and respiratory quotient (DCA – RQ 1.5 and DCA – RQ 2.0), with either immediate or delayed atmosphere establishment (30 days of delay) in the quality and volatile profile of ‘Fuji Suprema’ apple after long-term storage. Fruit stored under DCA, regardless the method, had lower ethylene production and higher flesh firmness, both at immediate and delayed atmosphere establishment. DCA – RQ resulted in lower decay incidence when the atmosphere was established immediately. Fruit stored under CA had the highest butyl acetate, 2-methylbutyl acetate and hexyl acetate, both at immediate and delayed atmosphere establishment, and its production was closely related to the ethylene and respiration rate. However, the ‘Fuji Suprema’ apple stored in DCA – RQ 2.0 had the highest total ester concentration and the highest volatile compounds that are characteristic to Fuji apples, such as ethyl 2-methyl butanoate, ethyl butanoate and ethyl hexanoate. The storage under DCA – CF resulted in the lowest production of volatile compounds by ‘Fuji Suprema’ apple.

In recent years, consumers have shown interest in the ornamental use of some fruits that were previously used mainly for food purposes. However, the use of ‘mini-pumpkins’ for ornamentation can be limited by post-harvest aspects, such as skin depigmentation, fresh mass losses, ethylene production and respiration, which compromise the visual quality of the product, resulting in the loss of its ornamental value. The objective was to evaluate the effect of films application (control, carnauba wax, cassava starch and corn starch) in post-harvest of ornamental mini-pumpkins, aiming the shelf life prolongation (experiment 1) and reduction of ethylene production and respiration (experiment 2). The results obtained in experiment 1 pointed to lower mass loss and maintenance of the ornamental mini-pumpkins epidermis color with the application of carnauba wax film. In experiment 2, the application of carnauba wax and the ethylene action inhibitor (1-MCP) did not and respiration production of mini-pumpkins, suggesting that ethylene is not involved in the modifications that occur in the product during the time of exposure to the environment. Resumo Nos últimos anos, o mercado consumidor tem mostrado interesse no uso ornamental de alguns frutos que anteriormente eram empregados principalmente para fins alimentares. No entanto, o uso das chamadas ‘mini-abóboras’ para ornamentação pode ser limitado por aspectos ligados à pós-colheita, como despigmentação da casca, perda de massa fresca, produção de etileno e respiração dos tecidos, que comprometem a qualidade visual do produto, resultando na perda de seu valor ornamental. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da aplicação de películas (testemunha, cera de carnaúba, fécula de mandioca e amido de milho) em pós-colheita de mini-abóboras ornamentais no prolongamento da vida de prateleira, através da conservação dos pigmentos da casca, manutenção da massa (experimento 1) e redução da produção de etileno e respiração (experimento 2). Os resultados obtidos no experimento 1 apontaram para menor perda de massa e manutenção da cor da epiderme de mini-abóboras ornamentais com a aplicação de película de cera de carnaúba. No experimento 2, a aplicação de cera de carnaúba e o inibidor da ação do etileno (1-MCP) não afetaram a produção de etileno e respiração das mini-abóboras, sugerindo que o etileno não está envolvido nas modificações que ocorrem no produto durante o tempo de exposição ao ambiente.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of extremely low oxygen partial pressure storage (ELO) maintained in static or dynamic controlled atmosphere monitored by chlorophyll fluorescence (DCA-CF) in the aerobic and anaerobic metabolism and its effects on physiological disorders and quality of ‘Royal Gala’ apples after 9 months, plus 7 days at 20 °C. Several static CA conditions were evaluated and compared to DCA-CF. Fruit stored under 0.4 kPa O2 + 1.0 kPa CO2 had similar quality maintenance as fruit stored under DCA-CF. Fruit stored under these two conditions were also healthier and had higher flesh firmness and lower flesh breakdown than CA-stored fruit. The partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) decreased to 0.15 kPa O2 + 0.0 kPa CO2 resulted in high anaerobic metabolism (acetaldehyde, ethanol, and ethyl acetate accumulation), which damaged fruit cells and led to low oxygen injury and consequently fewer healthy fruit amount.

Soybean seed tends to lose its quality property if kept in inappropriate storage conditions. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of different oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) partial pressures, combined with different temperatures on the soybean seed physiological potential maintenance. In 2017, seed of the cultivars 8473 RSF and TECIRGA 6070RR were stored for 7 months under: [1] ambient air; controlled atmosphere (CA) with [2] 1 kPa O2 + 0.04 kPa CO2; [3] 2 kPa O2 + 0.04 kPa CO2; [4] 2 kPa O2 + 30 kPa CO2; and [5] 2 kPa O2 + 80 kPa CO2. In 2018, seed of NA 5909 RG and FEPAGRO 37RR were stored for 7 months under the following conditions: [1] ambient air; and CA with [2] 1 kPa O2 + 0.04 kPa CO2; [3] 1 kPa O2 + 15 kPa CO2; [4] 1 kPa O2 + 30 kPa CO2; [5] 2 kPa O2 + 0.04 kPa CO2. In both years the storage conditions were conducted at three temperatures (20, 25 and 30 °C). The seed were stored with moisture content between 11 and 11.5. The reduction of the O2 until 1.0 kPa maintained higher germination, however, storage above 25 °C is not recommended. High CO2 partial pressure did not have additional effects on physiological quality conservation compared to solely low O2. Seed of 8473 RSF stored at 25 and 30 °C resulted in low germination, regardless of the CA condition. NA 5909 RG reached 80% of germination, when CA was used, regardless of temperature. The ambient air did not maintain the seed physiological quality when stored at 25 and 30 °C and CA may efficiently maintain the physiological quality of soybean seed after 7 months, even in the higher temperature for NA5909 RG, but not for the other cultivars.

The main goal of the present study was to evaluate the conditioning time to ultralow oxygen partial pressures (ULO) on the volatile profile and physical quality of ‘Royal Gala’ apples, after eight months of storage under two ULO levels (0.5 and 0.7 kPa O 2 ). Volatile compounds were analyzed and semi-quantified via GC/MS gas chromatography. Esters originated from fatty acids are strongly affected by oxygen partial pressures. The conditioning to ULO, regardless of period, did not increase the key esters of ‘Royal Gala’ apple aroma, like 2-methyl butyl acetate, butyl acetate and hexyl acetate. Fruits stored under 0.7 kPa O 2 presented higher concentration of straight-chain esters, however the storage at 0.5 kPa O 2 kept a lower ethylene production and respiration rate, resulting in higher flesh firmness and lower mealiness incidence. Results of this work also proved that immediate oxygen partial pressure reduction, on the first day of the chamber closure, is not mandatory for high quality maintenance after storage, and this fact can optimize the CA installation logistic of storing companies.

Peach brown rot, caused by the Monilinia fructicola fungus, is the main disease affecting peach crops, and it is mainly controlled via frequent fungicide applications. This study aimed at searching for alternatives to the intensive use of chemicals, evaluating silicon doses to control pre and postharvest peach brown rot and their influence on maturation parameters and fruit quality. Treatments consisted of control (water) and sodium metasilicate doses (2 g L-1, 4 g L-1, 6 g L-1, 8 g L-1 and 10 g L-1 of water). The following assessments were made: spore germination and in vitro mycelial growth, brown rot incidence, soluble solids, titratable acidity, flesh firmness, total polyphenol content and fruit ethylene production and respiration rate. The 2 g L-1 dose reduced spore germination by 95 %. Doses of 6 g L-1 and 8 g L-1 satisfactorily reduced the disease incidence in the field, with 77 % and 89.2 % control, respectively. Sodium metasilicate resulted in the maintenance of great fruit firmness, reduced respiration and ethylene production and increased total polyphenol synthesis, but it did not influence the titratable acidity or soluble solids. Applying 6 g L-1 may potentially control pre and postharvest peach brown rot, besides increasing the total polyphenol synthesis and maintaining a higher flesh firmness. RESUMO A podridão parda do pessegueiro, causada pelo fungo Monilinia fructicola, é a principal doença da cultura, e o seu controle é baseado, principalmente, em frequentes aplicações de fungicidas. Objetivou-se buscar alternativas ao uso intensivo de produtos químicos, avaliando-se doses de silício para o controle pré e pós-colheita da podridão parda e sua influência nos parâmetros de maturação e qualidade dos frutos. Os tratamentos consistiram de testemunha (água) e doses de metassilicato de sódio (2 g L-1, 4 g L-1, 6 g L-1, 8 g L-1 e 10 g L-1 de água). As avaliações incluíram a germinação de esporos e crescimento micelial in vitro, incidência de podridão parda, sólidos solúveis, acidez titulável, firmeza de polpa, conteúdo de polifenóis totais, produção de etileno e respiração em frutos. A dose de 2 g L-1 reduziu em 95 % a germinação dos esporos. Doses de 6 g L-1 e 8 g L-1 reduziram satisfatoriamente a incidência da doença a campo, com controle de 77 % e 89,2 %, respectivamente. O metassilicato de sódio manteve maior firmeza de polpa, reduziu a respiração e a produção de etileno e aumentou a síntese de polifenóis totais, porém, não influenciou na acidez titulável e sólidos solúveis. A aplicação de 6 g L-1 tem potencial para o controle pré e pós-colheita da podridão parda do pessegueiro, além de aumentar a síntese de polifenóis totais e manter maior firmeza da polpa.

The present study aimed to estimate the lower oxygen limit (LOL) by DCA – CD (Dynamic controlled atmosphere based on CO2 production) for several apple cultivars and seasons and compare this method with DCA – RQ. The metabolism and overall quality maintenance of fruit stored under DCA – CD was also compared with CA – ULO, DCA – CF and DCA – RQ for ‘Imperial Gala’, ‘Fuji Suprema’, ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Cripps Pink’ apples after 9 months of storage plus 7 d of shelf life at 20 °C. The experiments were carried out over three years. The DCA – CD method, which is based only by CO2 production by the fruit, correctly estimated the LOL for cultivars and seasons, allowing the pO2 variation according to fruit metabolism during storage period, with a difference between 0.01 to 0.10 kPa O2, when compared to DCA – RQ. Storage under DCA – CD allowed the induction of anaerobic metabolism compounds in safe levels, below the odor threshold reported in the literature, and without damaging the cell membranes. Fruit under DCA – CD had lower flesh breakdown incidence and higher flesh firmness and reduced the decay incidence in ‘Imperial Gala’ and ‘Golden Delicious’.

Nuts are considered highly nutritious foods and a source of health-promoting compounds. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition (proximate composition, fatty acids, volatile compounds, total phenolics, squalene, and β-sitosterol) of eleven pecan cultivars harvested in Rio Grande do Sul State (Brazil) and investigate their oxidative stability by the Rancimat method. 'Barton' is the main cultivar produced in Brazil and presented the highest protein, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid values and the lowest saturated fatty acid values, which provide health benefits. 'Mahan' showed the highest oxidation induction time, both in extracted oil and ground samples, low abundance of lipid oxidation compounds, low polyunsaturated fatty acids, high levels of oleic acid and β-sitosterol, which suggests potential for storage. 'Stuart' and 'Success' had the highest total dietary fiber values. Moreover, analysis showed that 'Chickasaw' and 'Success' had large quantities of compounds correlated to lipid oxidation, suggesting low stability for long-term storage. These results imply that the physicochemical characteristics and proximate composition of pecan nut cultivars from southern Brazil have variable parameters that may depend on their genetic variability.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of different temperatures and partial oxygen pressures (pO2) during the storage of 'Barton' pecans in shell. Changes in pecan color, respiration ratio, and other markers of oxidation, such as peroxide index (PI), acidity index (AI), and volatile compounds (VC) were evaluated. The temperatures 10 and 1.5 °C better preserved the initial characteristics of the pecan color than 20 °C and resulted in lower AI and PI values and VC of oxidation. At 20 °C, these alterations were minimized by reducing pO2. Moreover, regardless of the pO2, adopting a higher temperature (20 °C) increased the main VCs. However, the reduced pO2 presented an important contribution at 20 °C by reducing oxidative processes and maintaining quality. Thus, this study is a step forward in pecan nut storage techniques showing alternative that require reduced energy costs with refrigeration.

In this study, we evaluated storage methods which sustains ‘Braeburn’ apples volatile compounds and overall quality characteristics after 9 months of storage at 2.5 °C, and their relation with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment. We also proposed to evaluate if there was a relation of the methyl and ethyl esters with flesh breakdown incidence. The storage design was composed by five atmosphere conditions: controlled atmosphere (CA) (1.2 kPa O2), dynamic controlled atmosphere based on the chlorophyll fluorescence (DCA-CF), and three levels of respiratory quotient: 1.3; 1.5 and 1.7 (DCA-RQ 1.3; DCA-RQ 1.5 and DCA-RQ 1.7). In all conditions, the CO2 was kept at 0.7 kPa and relative humidity was 94 ± 1 %, whether without or with 1-MCP treatment (0.625 μL L−1). 1-MCP maintained higher flesh firmness, suppresses the ethylene production and internal ethylene concentration (IEC), due to lower ACC oxidase enzyme activity. Ethyl acetate was not reduced by 1-MCP treatment in DCA-RQ 1.3, 1.5 and 1.7 storage conditions. Without 1-MCP, DCA-RQ 1.3 storage resulted in better flesh firmness and titratable acidity maintenance. There was no correlation of methyl and ethyl esters with flesh breakdown.

The effect of a respiratory quotient dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA – RQ), which induces ethanol production through low oxygen storage, and ethanol application on softening of Braeburn apples stored at different temperatures was investigated. DCA – RQ storage was associated with the activation of the alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and greater anaerobic metabolism in comparison with DCA – CF (chlorophyll fluorescence) and controlled atmosphere (CA) storage. Greater anaerobic metabolism resulted in lower ethylene production, ACC oxidase activity, membrane permeability, -galactosidase activity and, therefore, less softening after long-term storage. Ethanol application after CA storage decreased ethylene biosynthesis, respiration rate and membrane permeability. Storage at 3 °C resulted in the lowest soluble solids and acidity, but not softening. In conclusion, Braeburn apples could be stored at 3 °C under DCA – RQ1.5. Additionally, ethanol produced by the fruit, or applied externally, had a significant effect on inhibiting softening during and after storage.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the relative effects of controlled atmosphere (CA) associated with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP; 1.0 μL L−1), induction of mass loss (IML; 2%), and low ethylene (LE