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BACKGROUND Cacao beans are rich sources of polyphenols with an abundance of flavonoids and methylxanthines that have positive influences on human health. The main factors affecting the formation of flavor as well as the chemical and bioactive composition of cacao beans are cacao pod maturity and post‐harvest fermentation. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effects of pod harvest maturity (mature and ripe) and post‐fermentation period (1, 3, and 5 days in a controlled temperature environment) measured by pre‐harvest maturity indices, post‐harvest quality tests, chemical measurements, and organoleptic evaluation. RESULTS: As pods developed, flavonol accumulated while nitrogen content degraded. Mature pods produced beans with a higher flavonol, catechin, and total phenolic content (TPC). As fermentation progressed, the beans' fat, TPC, antioxidant activity, and catechin content increased, regardless of pod maturity at harvest. Free fatty acid (FFA) levels were highest in 5 day fermented beans. The 3 day fermented beans contained significantly higher epicatechin, with lower FFA content. Chocolate made from mature beans with 3 day fermentation was more pleasant as it scored the highest in flavor intensity and complexity and the lowest in acidity and astringency. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that cacao pods harvested at the mature stage with further fermentation for 3 days under controlled temperatures produce specialty beans with potential health benefits. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Polyphenol composition and antioxidant capacities of peel and pulp tissues of six apricot varieties were determined. Variations in polyphenol and antioxidant capacity based on variety (early‐maturing varieties and late‐maturing varieties) and harvest maturity (green mature and full mature) were assessed. The results of principal component analysis revealed that (+)‐catechin made the most important contributions to the antioxidant capacities of the pulp. As the (+)‐catechin content in ‘Dajie’ apricot decreased by 36.8% from green mature to full mature, the antioxidant capacities determined by ABTS free radical scavenging assay, DPPH free radical scavenging assay and cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity assay decreased by 50.0%, 45.2% and 45.8%, respectively. Levels of phenolic compounds in the apricot peels were approximately 2–4 times higher than those of the pulps. Quercetin‐3‐rutinoside may be substantially responsible for the antioxidant capacities of the peels. The late‐maturing varieties tended to have higher levels of phenolic compounds and higher antioxidant capacities than the early‐maturing varieties. The antioxidant capacities in green mature apricots were much higher than those of full mature apricots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sicyos is the only member of the Cucurbitaceae known to have water-impermeable seeds, that is, physical dormancy (PY), and development of seeds with PY has not been studied in detail in this family. Our primary aim was to describe seed development in Sicyos angulatus from pollination to seed maturity and to compare it with the development of water-impermeable seeds in other families reported in the literature. Full seed stage (highest moisture content [MC]) occurred 4–6 days after pollination (DAP) and physiological maturity occurred 20 DAP. Seeds became water impermeable 32 DAP, with 14.6% MC. The hilum was the site of water loss during the final stage of maturation drying. Excised embryos could germinate from 20 DAP to 36 DAP, whereas no intact seeds germinated during any stage of seed development. Mechanical scarification did not promote germination of seeds after the seed coat became water impermeable at 32–36 DAP. Based on a previous study of seed dormancy and germination in S. angulatus, we suggest that germination in these scarified seeds may have been prevented by resistance of inner membrane and fruit-seed coat to embryo expansion. The MC when seeds became impermeable (14.6%) is in the range of that reported for seeds of species in five other families with PY. Information on seed development in S. angulatus will be useful in planning the timing of management strategies for this pernicious annual weed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]