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Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agricola e Ambiental - Agriambi is the property of Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agricola e Ambiental and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Alternative strategies are being utilised to extend the storage ability and preserve the quality of crops including bitter gourd. The present study was conducted to assess the potential of beeswax (BW) and lemongrass oil (LO) on the shelf life and Alternaria alternata disease of bitter gourd during cold storage. The experiment included the following treatments: (1) distilled water (control), (2) BW 5%, (3) BW 10%, (4) BW 5% + LO 0.5%, and (5) BW 10% + LO 0.5%. The bitter gourds were stored at 25°C for 15 days. The results revealed that BW 10% + LO 0.5% proved to be the best treatment followed by BW 5% + LO 0.5% and BW 10%. The BW 10% + LO 0.5% treatment exhibited inhibitory effects on mycelium growth, spore germination, disease incidence, and disease severity. It also reduced weight loss and ion leakage and conserved higher contents of titratable acidity, firmness, ascorbic acid, and total phenolic content of bitter gourd. Overall, these results revealed that beeswax and lemon grass oil can be effectively utilised to inhibit Alternaria alternate disease and prolong the storage ability of bitter gourd fruit in a cost-effective and eco-friendly way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In this study, we experimentally addressed the impact of different pollination treatments on the morphological, reproductive and chemical traits of fruits and seeds of two crop species, the wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.). Multiple flowers from each plant were exposed to different pollination treatments: (1) self pollination, (2) hand cross pollination and (3) open pollination. Both crops were positively affected by open pollination in terms of morpho-chemical parameters concerning the marketability (e.g., 35% decrease in sugar/acid ratio in open pollinated strawberries compared to the autogamous ones) and the seed germination rate as a proxy of reproduction efficiency (e.g., the almost complete absence of seed abortion in the open pollination treatment). Remarkably, the pollination treatment also strongly influenced the phytochemical composition. Open-pollinated strawberries exhibited a higher relative concentration of compounds endowed with nutraceutical properties such as anthocyanins, ellagic acid derivatives and flavonoids. At the same time, cowpea seeds displayed higher concentrations of anti-nutrients in the self pollination treatments, such as saponins, compared to the open and hand cross pollinated seeds. This study suggests the presence of a link between the pollination mechanism, market quality, plant reproduction and chemical properties of fruits and seeds, supporting the intricate interplay between pollinators, plants and human nutrition, highlighting the crucial importance of animal pollination in the ecological and dietary contexts.

In this study, we experimentally addressed the impact of different pollination treatments on the morphological, reproductive and chemical traits of fruits and seeds of two crop species, the wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.). Multiple flowers from each plant were exposed to different pollination treatments: (1) self pollination, (2) hand cross pollination and (3) open pollination. Both crops were positively affected by open pollination in terms of morpho-chemical parameters concerning the marketability (e.g., 35% decrease in sugar/acid ratio in open pollinated strawberries compared to the autogamous ones) and the seed germination rate as a proxy of reproduction efficiency (e.g., the almost complete absence of seed abortion in the open pollination treatment). Remarkably, the pollination treatment also strongly influenced the phytochemical composition. Open-pollinated strawberries exhibited a higher relative concentration of compounds endowed with nutraceutical properties such as anthocyanins, ellagic acid derivatives and flavonoids. At the same time, cowpea seeds displayed higher concentrations of anti-nutrients in the self pollination treatments, such as saponins, compared to the open and hand cross pollinated seeds. This study suggests the presence of a link between the pollination mechanism, market quality, plant reproduction and chemical properties of fruits and seeds, supporting the intricate interplay between pollinators, plants and human nutrition, highlighting the crucial importance of animal pollination in the ecological and dietary contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guava is a highly sought-after tropical fruit in the market due to its high content of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other phenolic compounds. However, due to its climacteric nature, it has a short post-harvest shelf life. The aim of this study was to develop coatings based on gellan gum (GG) and inulin (IN) incorporating Lactobacillus casei, which were tested for their potential ability to extend the post-harvest shelf life of whole guava fruit. The coatings were prepared using the following formulations: 0.5 GG/1.0 IN (w/v), 0.8 GG/5.0 IN (w/v), 0.5 GG/1.0 IN(w/v), and 0.8 GG/5.0 IN (w/v). The coated and uncoated (control) fruits were stored at 25 °C for 12 days, and various quality attributes were evaluated (including respiration rate, soluble solids, titratable acidity, weight loss, total phenol content, and color). The results indicated that the application of the coatings reduced weight loss, color change, and respiration rate in the fruits. However, the 0.8 GG/5.0 IN (w/v) formulation provided the best maintenance of post-harvest quality for the fruit evaluated. The coatings with a higher inulin content showed the highest growth of L. casei, which could enhance the antimicrobial effect of the coating. Therefore, the combined application of L. casei and inulin in coatings based on gellan gum can be considered an effective treatment to extend the shelf life and preserve the quality of guava fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) plays a central role in responses to salt stress, a major abiotic stress that impacts crop yield worldwide. Despite the evidence that H2O2 mitigates salt stress and improves post-harvest quality on several species, its effects on radish were not investigated so far. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the exogenous application of H2O2 on salt stress mitigation of radish growth, physiology, and post-harvest quality. For this, radish plants were grown in pots for 30 days, being watered with non-saline (0.31 dS m−1) or saline water (120 mM NaCl, 12.25 dS m−1). Plants were leaf-sprayed weekly with water (control – 0 µM H2O2) or H2O2 (150 or 1500 µM) solutions. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 3 × 2 factorial scheme (H2O2 treatments × salt stress conditions). The growth, physiology (gas exchanges, photochemical efficiency, relative water content, electrolyte leakage, and the contents of chlorophylls and carotenoids), and post-harvest attributes of globular roots (color, anthocyanins, vitamin C, phenolic compounds, and soluble solids) were determined. Salt stress decreased gas exchanges and increased electrolyte leakage, which resulted in stunted radish growth, and increased the contents of antioxidants, such as anthocyanins, soluble solids, and vitamin C, improving globular root quality. Conversely, H2O2 did not mitigate salt stress effects on radish growth, photosynthetic capacity, and oxidative damages. Although H2O2 increased vitamin C under non-stressed condition, it was decreased under salt stress. Thus, we conclude that H2O2 did not mitigate salt stress on radish growth and quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strawberry is one of the most favored consumed fresh fruits worldwide. However, the major constraint limiting future sustainable production and sales of strawberries is post-harvest decay. Thus, taking a deep look into the effective preservation measures including pre- and post-harvest techniques to retain freshness and inhibit the pathological spoilage of strawberries in the supply chain is of great significance and necessity. At present, relying solely on post-harvest technology is not enough to fix the aim of strawberry fruit preservation and longer shelf life. On the contrary, pre-harvest treatments could be extend shelf life of strawberry fruit and adapt to the diverse post-harvest environments. This review give the latest pre-harvest treatments, their effects on post-harvest quality and storability of strawberries, and develop the expectation of strawberries pre-harvest methods applicated in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The production and consumption of pecan nuts have been on the rise in recent times, which renders it necessary to study the best production practices to increase the yield, enhance the flavor, and maintain the bioactive components in the final product. The present study, therefore, aimed to verify the effects of tree thinning on the physicochemical characteristics and bioactive components in pecan under the cultivation conditions of Santa Rosa, Rio Grande do Sul. The pecan plants were submitted to two types of management - with thinning and without thinning, following which the fruits were evaluated for physical (size, weight, and color) and chemical (physicochemical composition, oxidative stability, fatty acid profile, and tocopherols) attributes. The results revealed that the thinning of plants increased the size and mass of both nuts and kernels while reducing the acid content and peroxides in the kernels and increasing the γ-tocopherol levels. The other quality evaluations did not reveal any significant alterations after plant thinning.

The optimal fertilizer concentration for Mentha plants is contingent on the growing systems and harvest time, serving as operational solutions to control and enhance quality and yield. This study aimed to determine the effects of three macronutrients concentration in hydroponic nutrient solution (HNS) during three harvest times on the growth, quality, yield, and shelf life of three mint species (M. spicata L. var. viridis (MV); M. piperita L. (MP); M. spicata L. var. rubra (MR)) grown in a New Growing System (NGS®). Total dry matter (DM), nitrate (NO3−), phosphate (PO43−), and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) concentrations were increased with the addition of higher levels of nutrient fertilization in three species. When the ion concentration of the HNS was increased, total fresh yield decreased. The highest total bacterial count (TBC) was obtained in MR species in the three harvests in all the levels of HNS. The lowest browning potential (BP) and soluble o-quinone (So-Q) levels were observed at second harvest in the MR species with the application of one of the two HNS high in nitrogen (N). In conclusion, the combination of optimal HNS ion concentration and appropriate species is considered essential to obtain suitable yield, quality, and ensure shelf life of mint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) is a technique used to save water, increase water use efficiency (WUE) and nutrients in plants. This practice can be enhanced when combined with soil management. In addition, enhancing root architecture and improving the absorption of water and nutrients in deeper zones can be achieved through the application of phosphorus at depth. There is a scarcity of studies that evaluate the integrated effect of different management practices of fertilization and water on the fruit quality of tomato plants intended for the industry. Thus, the objective was to investigate the postharvest responses of fruit quality and cell wall metabolism of the industry tomato 'Heinz 9553'. Two irrigation frequencies (IF) (one and seven days) were implemented in the plots and three soil management models (conventional fertilization + limestone [FL]; conventional fertilization + limestone + gypsum [FLG]; conventional fertilization + limestone + gypsum + phosphorus applied in depth [FLGP]) were implemented in the subplots. Variables that affects the quality parameters (reducing sugars, phenolic compounds, carotenoids, pectinolytic enzymes) were evaluated. The results showed that the combined management FLG and IF of seven days provided increase in soluble solids, reducing sugars, soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio, dry matter, phenolic compounds and total carotenoids in the fruits. It was also found that the firmness of the pulp was higher in the seven-day IF treatment and was inversely related to the activity of the enzymes pectin methylesterase and polygalacturonases. The combined fertilization and water management strategies promoted improvements in quality and postharvest cell wall firmness of the industrial tomato 'Heinz 9553'. Therefore, the combined soil and water management strategies FLG and FLGP with IF of seven days are recommended for field cultivation of tomato for industrial processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cherry tomatoes have gained immense interest due to their convenient size, delightful taste, and nutritional profile. Cherry tomatoes are highly perishable and are considered climacteric with lower shelf-life. In the present study, cherry tomatoes were packed with nanocellulose (NC)-arabinoxylan acetate (AXAc) packaging (50:50, 40:60 w/w) containing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as an antimicrobial agent. Further, the efficacy of AgNPs incorporated antimicrobial NC-AXAc packaging was evaluated for the post-harvest shelf-life improvement of cherry tomatoes during 15 days of storage at 25 °C (±2) and 85% RH. It was observed that NC-AXAc packaging (with and without AgNPs) were found to significantly reduce the weight loss, respiration rate, color degradation, process of fruit softening, ripening index, and enzymatic activity (PPO and POD), as compared to unpacked tomatoes and tomatoes stored with commercial biodegradable packaging during storage. Furthermore, NC-AXAc packaging (with and without AgNPs) were significantly maintained the lycopene content, organic acids, sugar content, and volatile content in stored cherry tomatoes. Moreover, tomatoes packed with AgNPs incorporated NC-AXAc (50:50, 40:60 w/w) packaging exhibited maximum inhibitory effect against total mesophilic count and Yeast/Mold count compared to unpacked and other packed tomatoes. The overall findings revealed the potential benefits of AgNPs incorporated NC-AXAc biodegradable packaging for the shelf-life extension of cherry tomatoes especially during storage and transport.

Chinese cherries, with their delightful blend of sourness and sweetness, are highly favored for their taste and nutritional benefits. However, they mature in conditions of high temperatures and rainfall, making them vulnerable to fungal infections which compromise their post-harvest quality. Our research aimed to study the effects of pre-harvest spraying with salicylic acid (SA) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) on the pathogenic fungi in Manaohong cherries and their subsequent storage quality. We discovered that using SA and SNP at varying fruit development stages preserved fruit hardness, texture, appearance, and respiratory rate during storage, although it did not significantly alter the fruit's dimensions. Furthermore, this pre-harvest treatment preserved levels of titratable acids, total phenols, and other antioxidants in the cherries, bolstered the activities of certain antioxidant enzymes (SOD, APX), and inhibited the activity of PPO and POD enzymes.Notably, the SA treatment alone demonstrated superior storage performance compared to combined treatments. Our research also identified Alternaria alternata and Colletotrichum godetiae as the primary pathogens in Manaohong cherries. In in vitro experiments, neither SA nor SNP inhibited these fungi's growth. Consequently, we evaluated 12 pesticides and determined that 5% hexaconazole and 50% benomyl were most effective against these pathogens. Thus, to enhance the shelf life of Manaohong cherries and ensure their post-harvest quality, we recommend a pre-harvest spray of a SA, and combined with 5% hexaconazole and 50% benomyl. This approach not only promises enhanced cherry longevity but also lays a foundational strategy for the flourishing Manaohong Cherry industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Lycopene consumption reduces risk and incidence of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Tomatoes are a rich source of phytochemical compounds including lycopene as a major constituent. Lycopene estimation using high‐performance liquid chromatography is time‐consuming and expensive. Objective: To develop artificial intelligence models for prediction of lycopene in raw tomatoes using 14 different physicochemical parameters including salinity, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), firmness, pH, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), colour values on Hunter scale (L, a, b), total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and antioxidant activity (AOA). Material and methods: The post‐harvest data acquisition was collected through investigation for more than 100 raw tomatoes stored for 15 days. Linear multivariate regression (LMVR), principal component regression (PCR) and partial least squares regression (PLSR) models were developed by splitting data set into train and test datasets. The training of models was performed using 10‐fold cross validation (CV). Results: Principal component analysis showed strong positive association between lycopene, colour value 'a', TPC, TFC and AOA. The R2 (CV), root mean square error (RMSE) (CV) and RMSE (Test) for best LMVR model was observed to be at 0.70, 8.48 and 9.69 respectively. The PCR model revealed R2 (CV) at 0.59, RMSE (CV) at 8.91 and RMSE (Test) at 10.17 while PLSR model revealed R2 (CV) at 0.60, RMSE (CV) at 9.10 and RMSE (Test) at 10.11. Conclusion: Results of the present study show that epidemiological studies suggest fully ripened tomatoes are most beneficial for consumption to ensure recommended daily intake of lycopene content. Tomatoes are a rich source of phytochemical compounds including lycopene as a major constituent. Lycopene estimation using high‐performance liquid chromatography is time‐consuming and dearer. This study aims to develop artificial intelligence models for prediction of lycopene in raw tomatoes using different physicochemical parameters. Linear multivariate regression, principal component regression and partial least squares regression models were developed. Results of present study read with epidemiological studies suggest fully ripened raw tomatoes be thermally processed for recommended daily intake of lycopene content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strawberry is an important horticultural crop in Victoria, Australia. Grey mould caused by Botrytis cinerea reduces marketable yield and post-harvest quality of strawberry fruit in the region. We conducted two field experiments in Victoria (Coldstream and Warburton) to evaluate the effectiveness of a commercial seaweed extract from Durvillaea potatorum and Ascophyllum nodosum (Seasol®) on the yield, revenue, and post-harvest rot of strawberry fruit. We applied the extract to strawberry crops (cv. Albion) monthly as a combined drench (10 L ha-1) and foliar spray (1:400), with water as a control. Application of the seaweed extract significantly increased strawberry fruit yields by 8-10% and revenue by AU$0.37-0.59 per plant. Furthermore, the extract significantly reduced the incidence and severity of post-harvest rots in strawberry fruit by 52-87%, respectively. The extract did not affect the firmness, soluble solids concentration (SSC), titratable acidity, or SSC:acid of strawberry fruit. In a separate laboratory experiment, we found that growing strawberry in the seaweed extract (1:400) increased the concentration of peroxidase by 50% and doubled H2O2 in roots soon after treatment. Increases in reactive oxygen species are an indicator of a suite of pathways associated with resistance and tolerance of biotic and abiotic stresses. Overall, the results demonstrate that the seaweed extract can act as a commercially-viable biostimulant for strawberry fruit production in south-eastern Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Modern Food Science & Technology is the property of Editorial Office of Modern Food Science & Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We investigated the diversity of fungal species present on inflorescences as epiphytes and in stem tissues as endophytes in flowering plants of cannabis grown organically in British Columbia during 2019–2021. Fresh and dried inflorescence samples were obtained at various times during production while stems were obtained at harvest. Fungal species in the air were assessed by exposing Petri dishes containing potato dextrose agar + streptomycin sulfate for 1 h in the growing environment while soil samples were dilution-plated to assess soil fungal diversity. Colonies were identified from PCR-derived sequences of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region of ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid. Twenty-nine species in 26 genera were recovered from inflorescences and 17 species in 11 genera originated from stem tissues. Approximately 96% of species found on inflorescences were present in air and 45% were present in organic soil. The fungi comprised plant pathogens, saprophytes, and opportunistic human pathogens. A large proportion of the species found in air and soil in organic facilities are present on cannabis inflorescences, where they may increase total colony forming units and negatively affect product quality. Some species could contribute to allergies or secondary infections in humans. The potential benefits of endophytes within organically grown cannabis plants remain unexplored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of harvesting stages (mature green, half-ripe and full ripe) and storage conditions (zero energy cool chamber, wooden box and underground storage) on post-harvest quality and sensory acceptability of mango fruit was evaluated. Three harvesting stages of mango fruit were harvested and 10 kg of mango fruit was stored in three storage conditions until the end of the storage period. Spoilage and weight loss of mango fruit were recorded from storage in three-day intervals. All samples were analyzed for Post-harvest quality of mango fruit before and after storage at Arba Minch University, Abaya Campus Chemistry laboratory, and sensory acceptability was evaluated by using untrained 45 panelists at the end of the storage period. Completely Randomized Design in factorial arrangement with three replications was used to evaluate the shelf life and postharvest quality of mango fruit. Weight loss, spoilage, firmness and total soluble solids of mango fruit were increased while vitamin C, moisture content and titratable acidity were decreased with increased storage time. The vitamin C content of mango fruit was highest at half ripe in a zero energy cool chamber and was lowest at full ripe harvested in a wooden box after the end of the storage period. The highest overall acceptability of mango fruit was observed at the half-ripe harvested stage in zero energy cool chambers while the lowest was observed at the mature green harvested stage mango fruit in a wooden box after the end of the storage period. Based on the current study, half ripen mango fruit in zero energy cool chamber storage recorded the least percent of weight loss, spoilage amount, maximum shelf life and quality, especially vitamin C content and higher overall acceptability. Further study will be needed on the microbial quality of mango fruit in different harvesting stages and storage conditions during storage periods.

The marketability of cut flowers relies on its postharvest longevity, making it crucial to develop technologies that can extend its vase life. The vase life in chrysanthemum is dependent upon floret senescence and leaf yellowing. In view of extending the vase life, the present study elucidates the implication of plant growth regulators viz. benzyl adenine (BA), thidiazuron (TDZ) and salicylic acid (SA) on postharvest performance and flower longevity of chrysanthemum stems. The harvested stems were treated with various concentrations viz. BA and SA at 50,100,150 and 200 µM and TDZ at 5,10,15 and 20 µM. Treatments containing 10 µM TDZ and 100 µM BA were most effective in improving the longevity (23.35 and 20.32 days respectively) of cut chrysanthemum stems. However, TDZ outplayed BA followed by SA extends the flower longevity through the maintenance of higher physiological and biochemical characteristics. Cluster analysis inferred that the treatments of 50 and100 µM BA and 5 and10 µM TDZ were found to be efficient in delaying floret senescence (24.01 days) and leaf yellowing (20.54 days) in cut chrysanthemum stems. Postharvest longevity exhibited a positive correlation with antioxidant activities, total soluble sugars and proteins, while it showed a negative correlation with anthocyanin and carotenoid contents. The results have demonstrated that use of growth regulators such as benzyl adenine, thidiazuron and salicylic acid may preserve the quality of cut chrysanthemum stems and delay their senescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT In this study, the objective was to determine the post-harvest indexes of arugula leaves and beet roots in intercropping under a biomass mixture of different green manures at diverse arugula population densities in two cropping seasons in a semi-arid environment. The experimental design was a randomised complete block design, with treatments arranged in a 4 × 4 factorial scheme with four replications. Treatments consisted of the combination of equitable amounts of Merremia aegyptia and Calotropis procera biomass (20, 35, 50 and 65 t ha-1 on a dry basis) and arugula population densities (400,000, 600,000, 800,000 and 1,000,000 plants ha-1). The characteristics evaluated in the arugula culture were titratable acidity, pH, and soluble solid and total soluble sugar content. In the beet crop, the same characteristics were evaluated in arugula, in addition to the betalain concentration and the internal colour parameters of the tuberose roots. Arugula showed the best post-harvest indexes when fertilised with green manure biomass amounts of 20, 20 and 65 t ha-1 at a population density of 1,000,000 plants ha-1, while beet showed the best indices with green manure amounts of 65, 41, 36 and 40 t ha-1 with an arugula density of 1,000,000 plants ha-1. The best colour parameters of beet roots were obtained with green manure amounts of 30 and 32 t ha-1 at an arugula density of 400,000 plants ha-1.

In this research work, hog plum (Spondius mangifera L.) was treated with Aloe vera gel (AVG) coating and paraffin wax-coated box (PWB) packaging and stored at ambient condition (25 ± 3 °C and 80–85% relative humidity) for 12 d to evaluate their impact on postharvest quality and storability. The physicochemical properties, microbiological analysis, and decay evaluation were analyzed throughout the storage period. The AVG and PWB coating treatments both demonstrated a significant effect on the quality of fruits during storage. The results showed that fruits with AVG coating and PWB packaging exhibited lower decay rates, weight loss, color difference, total microbial population, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and higher fruit firmness and pH than uncoated (control) fruits. The AVG coating was the most effective treatment, followed by the PWB packaging treatment. Our findings show that the AVG coating and PWB packaging treatment can be a promising solution for preserving the quality of hog plums and also helps in increasing the lifetime of hog plums during storage.

The optimal fertilizer concentration for Mentha plants is contingent on the growing systems and harvest time, serving as operational solutions to control and enhance quality and yield. This study aimed to determine the effects of three macronutrients concentration in hydroponic nutrient solution (HNS) during three harvest times on the growth, quality, yield, and shelf life of three mint species (M. spicata L. var. viridis (MV); M. piperita L. (MP); M. spicata L. var. rubra (MR)) grown in a New Growing System (NGS®). Total dry matter (DM), nitrate (NO3−), phosphate (PO43−), and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) concentrations were increased with the addition of higher levels of nutrient fertilization in three species. When the ion concentration of the HNS was increased, total fresh yield decreased. The highest total bacterial count (TBC) was obtained in MR species in the three harvests in all the levels of HNS. The lowest browning potential (BP) and soluble o-quinone (So-Q) levels were observed at second harvest in the MR species with the application of one of the two HNS high in nitrogen (N). In conclusion, the combination of optimal HNS ion concentration and appropriate species is considered essential to obtain suitable yield, quality, and ensure shelf life of mint.

Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) holds a prominent position as a key spice crop, being widely utilized globally. Despite its agricultural significance, chilli is characterized by high moisture content (60–85%) at harvest, necessitating reduction to 8-12% for prolonged storage in a dehydrated form. However, it remains highly perishable, with a short shelf life and susceptibility to postharvest challenges such as fungal diseases, quality degradation, chilling injury, and rapid weight loss. Edible coatings have emerged as a solution to extend the postharvest shelf life of fruits and vegetables, enhancing mechanical handling properties and acting as a barrier to respiratory gases and water vapor. The possibility of hydrocolloid gums, such as gum arabic, as edible coatings has drawn interest. The purpose of this study is to determine whether an edible coating based on gum arabic (GA) can effectively preserve the quality of chiles when stored at room temperature. The goal of the research is to extend the storage life of chiles while improving their physiological and microbiological quality. A composite chitosan – gelatin (CH–GL) edible covering will be used to accomplish this. The effects of pure chitosan, cassava starch, gum arabica, and gelatin coatings on chillies will also be investigated in this study. In order to improve the marketability and resilience of chilli and possibly other horticultural commodities, the research aims to offer insights into the development of efficient and sustainable postharvest strategies by methodically evaluating the effects of these coatings on weight loss, firmness, colour retention, and nutritional content.

The aims of this work were to study the C2H4 adsorption capacity of different types of activated carbon and to improve ethylene removal by impregnating activated carbon with palladium. The results showed that synthesized activated carbon from sugarcane bagasse (SAC) can effectively remove ethylene and carbon dioxide. In addition, a SAC adsorbent was developed by the addition of 1% wt. palladium. It was found that the addition of Pd increased the efficiency of ethylene and carbon dioxide removal resulting in slow ripening of bananas with the lowest C2H4 and CO2 concentration of 2.85 μL/kg.h and 11.2 × 103 μL/kg.h, respectively. In addition, the color of banana combined with 1%Pd/SAC material after 10 days of storage was slightly different with the initial one at the beginning of storage (day 0) and was greener than the banana combined with other adsorbent materials. The loss of banana weight and the digestion of starch to sugar are also low. Therefore, Pd/SAC adsorbent material can effectively maintain the quality of bananas and eliminate ethylene that negatively affects banana quality.

The marketability of cut flowers is determined by their postharvest quality parameters. Among these parameters, vase life is most crucial and different plant growth regulators (PGRs) play a significant role in regulating vase life. With the objective, to regulate vase life and other quality parameters of commercially important cut stems of chrysanthemum cv. White Star, a study was planned to have an insight into the role of different PGRs in orchestrating underlying physio-biochemical and anatomical responses. Three PGRs viz., Benzyl adenine (50, 100, 150 and 200 μM BA), Thidiazuron (5, 10, 15 and 20 μM TDZ) and Salicylic acid (50, 100, 150 and 200 μM SA) were used as pulsing solution. The results revealed that PGR especially 10 μM TDZ delayed leaf and floret senescence as compared to control. The visual observations (retention of green colour of leaves and white of florets) were correlated to enhanced water absorption, relative water content, membrane stability index, total soluble sugars and total soluble proteins ; higher content of chlorophyll in leaves and lower content of carotenoids and anthocyanins in florets. Further, the antioxidant enzymes (peroxidase and catalase) activities were also higher in PGR-treated stems than in control. These results were further supported by anatomical studies that indicated minimum blockage in xylem and maintenance in turgidity of cells as revealed through the size of tissues (radius of pith) of treated stems (control-118.48 mm and 10 μM TDZ-177.94 mm). Although all PGR concentrations significantly maintained relative water content, membrane stability index, respiratory substrates and antioxidant activity for a longer time, the low concentrations of TDZ had the most relevant impact on longevity. The longevity of stems treated with10 μM TDZ was up to 23 days as compared to 13 days in control. So 10 μM TDZ could be used as a chemical tool to improve chrysanthemum longevity and increase its commercial potential. • Pulsing with Thidiazuron, Benzyl Adenine and Salicylic acid improved vase life. • PGRs retained green leaves and white florets by delaying pigment degradation. • PGRs were effective in enhancing metabolites and antioxidant enzyme activities. • PGR treated stems had little xylem obstruction and maintained turgidity of cells. • Thidiazuron (10 μM) most effective in extended vase life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the objective was to determine the post-harvest indexes of arugula leaves and beet roots in intercropping under a biomass mixture of different green manures at diverse arugula population densities in two cropping seasons in a semi-arid environment. The experimental design was a randomised complete block design, with treatments arranged in a 4 × 4 factorial scheme with four replications. Treatments consisted of the combination of equitable amounts of Merremia aegyptia and Calotropis procera biomass (20, 35, 50 and 65 t ha-1 on a dry basis) and arugula population densities (400,000, 600,000, 800,000 and 1,000,000 plants ha-1). The characteristics evaluated in the arugula culture were titratable acidity, pH, and soluble solid and total soluble sugar content. In the beet crop, the same characteristics were evaluated in arugula, in addition to the betalain concentration and the internal colour parameters of the tuberose roots. Arugula showed the best post-harvest indexes when fertilised with green manure biomass amounts of 20, 20 and 65 t ha-1 at a population density of 1,000,000 plants ha-1, while beet showed the best indices with green manure amounts of 65, 41, 36 and 40 t ha-1 with an arugula density of 1,000,000 plants ha-1. The best colour parameters of beet roots were obtained with green manure amounts of 30 and 32 t ha-1 at an arugula density of 400,000 plants ha-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chinese cherries, with their delightful blend of sourness and sweetness, are highly favored for their taste and nutritional benefits. However, they mature in conditions of high temperatures and rainfall, making them vulnerable to fungal infections which compromise their post-harvest quality. Our research aimed to study the effects of pre-harvest spraying with salicylic acid (SA) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) on the pathogenic fungi in Manaohong cherries and their subsequent storage quality. We discovered that using SA and SNP at varying fruit development stages preserved fruit hardness, texture, appearance, and respiratory rate during storage, although it did not significantly alter the fruit’s dimensions. Furthermore, this pre-harvest treatment preserved levels of titratable acids, total phenols, and other antioxidants in the cherries, bolstered the activities of certain antioxidant enzymes (SOD, APX), and inhibited the activity of PPO and POD enzymes.Notably, the SA treatment alone demonstrated superior storage performance compared to combined treatments. Our research also identified Alternaria alternata and Colletotrichum godetiae as the primary pathogens in Manaohong cherries. In in vitro experiments, neither SA nor SNP inhibited these fungi’s growth. Consequently, we evaluated 12 pesticides and determined that 5% hexaconazole and 50% benomyl were most effective against these pathogens. Thus, to enhance the shelf life of Manaohong cherries and ensure their post-harvest quality, we recommend a pre-harvest spray of a SA, and combined with 5% hexaconazole and 50% benomyl. This approach not only promises enhanced cherry longevity but also lays a foundational strategy for the flourishing Manaohong Cherry industry.

Kinnow has been a high profit earning commodity throughout the whole world for many years. But the current situation is not satisfactory for export of Kinnow, as only 2.6% of Kinnow export is being done in developed countries. Most of the Pakistani production Kinnow is being exported to Middle East countries, Iran, Afghanistan, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Russia etc. One of major reasons for decreased export is losses occurred in result of various infections and lowered cosmetic quality during postharvest period. Kinnow is perishable in nature and easy peel-able soft fruit which require special care and management during production and postharvest period. The aim of this study was to investigate root causes of these problems during post-harvest chain and their management strategies, observing the preventive management strategies would help to avoid postharvest losses of citrus crop occurring through various defects, disorders and diseases. Postharvest management techniques and strategies are applied to Kinnow for extension of shelf life, freshness and appearance ultimately reducing postharvest fruit losses. Approximately, one third crop losses can be minimized through appropriate handling and management during harvesting, grading, sorting, packing, storage and transportation. Proper management of diseases, disorders and blemishes on the scientific basis can improve quality and value of the produce minimizing the losses. Infection causing pathogens in citrus fruit like Kinnow mandarin can be grouped as wound pathogens and latent pathogens waiting for suitable conditions to be active. Apart from the diseases, citrus is also vulnerable to various rind disorders and defects adversely affecting the cosmetic outlook and ultimately market acceptability. Preventive management strategies include maintenance of tree vigor, tree pruning, skirting, orchard sanitation, caring for fruit quality, observing fruit maturity standards, harvesting, packing and postharvest handling through best postharvest management practices. Observing the preventive management strategies would help to avoid postharvest losses of citrus crop occurring through various defects, disorders and diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chili pepper is an important vegetable and spice crop with high post-harvest deteriorations in terms of commercial and nutritional quality. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are eco-friendly light sources with various light spectra that have been demonstrated to improve the shelf-life of various vegetables by manipulating light quality; however, little is known about their effects on the post-harvest nutritional quality of chili peppers. This study investigated the effects of different LED lightings on the post-harvest firmness and nutritional quality of chili peppers. We found that red and blue light could increase the content of capsaicinoids, whereas white and red light could increase the essential and aromatic amino acid (AA) content in pepper. Nonetheless, the influence of light treatments on AA contents and compositions depends strongly on the pepper genotype, which was reflected by total AA content, single AA content, essential AA ratio, delicious AA ratio, etc., that change under different light treatments. Additionally, light affected fruit firmness and the content of nutrients such as chlorophyll, vitamin C, and total carotenoids, to varying degrees, depending on pepper genotypes. Thus, our findings indicate that LED-light irradiation is an efficient and promising strategy for preserving or improving the post-harvest commercial and nutritional quality of pepper fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The texture is an essential feature of the nutritional value of fruit and vegetables and plays a critical role in the acceptance and success of these products by the consumer. However, mechanical injuries cause softening and abrasion in the mulberry fruit tissue during harvesting, difficult to assess. The experiment was conducted to estimate the mulberry fruit texture model by linear measurements for several harvesting conditions. Research method: The mulberry may fall from the highest or middle branches or harvest by hand since three heights, including 0, 1.5, and 3 meters, were considered for both maturity stage, including purple and black stage, for dynamic loading experiments to measure texture in an orchard simulated ambiance. Mulberry fruits were stored at 3 °C for seven days. The abrasion area of mulberry fruit was determined by image analysis. Also, TA-XT PLUS Texture Analyzer (micro stable system, England) was used to perform the compression tests of mulberry fruits. Regression analysis of abrasion area versus practical factors (harvesting method, maturity stage, and storage time) was used to develop several models for assessing the area of fruit abrasion. Findings: The combined effect of hot water for 3 minutes with 3% citric acid resulted in better quality fruits (less mass loss, less degradation of soluble solids, organic acids, and vitamin C), in addition to delaying the development of browning pericarp and pulp until the sixth day of storage. Limitations: No limitations were founded. Originality/Value: These models promisingly and accurately estimate the abrasion area of fruit without applying any inaccurate procedures, e.g., using a caliper in many experimental comparisons.

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to evaluate productive characteristics and the physical, chemical and sensory quality of juices elaborated from different genotypes of the ‘Bordô’ cv. produced in the Vale do Rio Peixe-SC region, in 2016/17. The 11 clones evaluated were identified as: G03, G07, G08, G10, G12, G13, G15, G16, G17, G18 and G19. At harvest, fruit production and quality were evaluated. The mean productivity of the 11 tested genotypes was 31.2 t ha-1, with a production of 18.7 kg/plant. Genotypes G13, G16, G19 and G08 showed higher productivity in t ha-1 and kg/plant. G10 had the highest acidity. Genotypes G18 and G19 showed lower color intensity and phenolic compounds. Sensorially, genotypes G19 and G16 received lower scores for color, pleasant aroma and overall impression aspects. The 11 ‘Bordô’ genotypes evaluated showed high productivity and favorable physical, chemical and sensory characteristics for the industrialization of juices in the Vale do Rio do Peixe-SC region, with the exception of the juices of genotypes G18 and G19, which showed little color, something that may end up mischaracterizing the 'Bordô' juices.

• Rapid assessment of nut quality using computer vision and machine learning. • Prediction of moisture concentration in macadamia nut-in-shell and kernels. • Application of different spectral extraction methods and exploration of their potential. • Identification of important wavelengths for use in industrial application. • More samples and algorithms than previous research were used to build models. Tree nuts are a convenient and nutritious food source and recently considerable attention has been placed on quality assessment to provide high quality nuts and improve consumer satisfaction. Moisture is a critical parameter for tree nut quality and is routinely monitored throughout post-harvest processing. However, current direct methods to assess nut moisture are based on using limited numbers of representative sub-sets and are destructive. This study aimed to use hyperspectral imaging and machine learning (ML) to predict moisture of individual macadamia nuts during post-harvest processing. Specifically, we aimed to compare data extraction methods (automatic vs. manual) and nut orientation (base-up, base-down and combined orientations) during imaging in predicting moisture for nut-in-shell and kernels. We also explored minimum wavelength numbers to predict moisture. Spectra were obtained from images of nuts in two orientations and extracted using manual and automatic methods prior to development of partial least squares (PLSR), artificial neural network (ANN), support vector machine (SVM) and Gaussian process regression (GPR) models. Kernel moisture prediction was more accurate using automatically extracted spectra, whereas nut-in-shell moisture prediction accuracy was similar for either method. For kernels, combining the spectra from two images of nuts in base-up and base-down orientations provided similar prediction accuracy (RMSE T = 0.308 %), compared with spectra from one image (RMSE T ≥ 0.341 %), and for nut-in-shell, using spectra from one image also provided similar accuracy (RMSE T ≈ 1.2 %) as using both images combined. PLSR models predicted moisture with very high accuracy for both nut-in-shell (R2 T = 0.96, RMSE T = 1.20 %, RPD = 5.15) and kernels (R2 T = 0.99, RMSE T = 0.308 %, RPD = 11.05) following selection of ten important wavelength bands between 760 and 967 nm. ANN and GPR also achieved equivalent (R2 T = 0.99) highest accuracy predictions for kernels, however, all wavelengths were required, which would increase computational processing time for high volume applications. The important wavelength bands required to develop accurate models for macadamia moisture prediction are consistent with other food and nut products and prediction accuracies are possible for process control applications using only 10 wavelength bands. Several ML models including PLSR, ANN and GPR are suitable for use with Vis/NIR hyperspectral images to predict macadamia moisture, however, for industrial applications where high volume through-put is required, using PLSR with limited selected wavelength bands is recommended. Overall, hyperspectral imaging combined with computer vision software and ML models showed significant potential to predict moisture concentration of macadamia during post-harvest processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is known that poorly performed fertigation directly impacts on tomato production and biometric components. In addition, consumers are also affected by interrelated characteristics that interfere with the acceptability of the fruit, such as the physicochemical parameters and nutrients in the fruit. Thus, eco-friendly technologies, such as irrigation with ultra-low frequency electromagnetic treated-water, which attenuates the inadequate management of fertigation, are essential to improve marketable fruit yields. Thus, the objective of the present work was to investigate the impact of treated water with very low-frequency electromagnetic resonance fields in physical, chemical and nutritional parameters at different nutrient solution strengths in tomato fruits. In this study, experiments were carried out in randomized blocks and five doses of fertigation were used (1.5; 2.5; 4.0; 5.5; and 7.0 dS m−1), employing two types of water: electromagnetically treated and untreated. It can be seen that the fertigation affected some parameters, mainly the number of fruits with blossom-end rot, fruit size, and weight. Variance analysis (ANOVA) was performed with the subsequent use of the Tukey test. In all statistical tests, a confidence level of 95% was considered. The soluble solids content increased by 28% as a function of the fertigation doses. The electromagnetically treated water reduced the number of fruits with blossom-end rot by 35% (p < 0.05). Overall, electromagnetic water improved the physicochemical quality parameters and the nutritional status of tomato fruits. Thus, this study demonstrated that green technology could leverage tomato fruit production and quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigates the comparative effect of pre- and post-storage quarantine heat treatments (hot water treatment (HWT) and vapor heat treatment (VHT)) on the post-harvest performance of the mango fruit cv. 'Chenab Gold'. The results indicate that the application of HWT at 48 °C for 60 min or VHT at 47 °C for 25 min after 21 days under cold storage enhanced the ethylene production and fruit weight loss, while decreasing fruit firmness and vitamin C content. Noticeably, the post-storage heat treatments ruptured the fruit and destroyed their market value. However, fruit treated with HWT or VHT at harvest exhibited slow weight loss, better skin color, and maintained biochemical attributes as compared to the control when kept under ambient storage conditions. Taken together, the application of hot water before storage has a positive influence on mango fruit quality, while post-storage heat treatment has a devastating impact upon fruit quality and shelf life, cancelling its potential commercial application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grape fruit contains some nutrients and high amounts of biologically active phenolic substances, but fungal decay and quality loss are important factors limiting its shelf-life for fresh -consuming and export. Rasheh vine (Vitis vinifera cv. Rasheh) is mainly grown in rainfed vineyards in the western half of Iran, and its berries are rich in anthocyanins, flavonoids and soluble solids. In this study, the effect of natural coatings of nano -chitosan and acetic acid on the post -harvest quality characteristics of Rasheh grape fruit was investigated. Nano -chitosan suspension with a particle size distribution of 5 -30 nm was prepared in acetic acid solution by the conventional ionic gelation method. Grape fruits were coated by immersion in the nano - chitosan suspension (0.2%), acetic acid solution (0.5%) or distilled water (control) for 1 min and their microbial, physicochemical and sensory properties were measured during 8 weeks storage at 4 °C and 90% relative humidity. In general, the fruits coated with nano -chitosan or acetic acid had lower aerobic mesophilic bacteria count, mold and yeast count and decay percentage, and higher firmness, soluble solids, titratable acidity and vitamin C, as well as, better sensory properties, compared to the control. The nano -chitosan was more effective than acetic acid in improving the post -harvest quality and shelf life of grape fruit. No significant difference was observed in the weight loss percentage and pH values of the samples. Therefore, the nano -chitosan suspension prepared in acetic acid solution, as a natural and customer -friendly coating, is suitable for improving the shelflife and post-harvest quality of grape fruit, but some of its beneficial effects are due to acetic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment was to study the effect of different storage temperatures on post-harvest physiology and quality of feed mulberry leaves, the mulberry leaves were stored at room temperature 26, 8, 4, and 0 °C to analyse the changes of mulberry leaf color, respiratory intensity, weight loss rate, protein content, total sugar content and fat content. The results showed that compared with normal temperature storage, low temperature storage could prolong the storage time of feed mulberry leaves, reduce weight loss, reduce respiration, delay color change, delay the decrease time of total sugar, protein and fat content. Under low temperature condition, 0 °C would cause frostbite of mulberry leaves, and mulberry leaves lose use value. Mildew appeared in mulberry leaves after 20 d of storage at 8 °C. Storage at 4 °C could prolong the storage period of mulberry leaves to 40 d. The experiment indicates that the storage effect of mulberry leaves at 4 °C is better than that under other test conditions, so 4 °C is more suitable for storing feed mulberry leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dragon fruit (Hylocereus sp.) is a non-climacteric fruit with a short shelf-life and is easily susceptible to diseases. Chemical pesticides are commonly used to control disease in dragon fruit. However, the efficacy of Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) irradiation at low concentrations as effective germicidal to control fruit decay and prolong the shelf-life on dragon fruit is still unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of UV-C irradiation at lower rates (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0 kJ m-2) to control the postharvest decay and maintain the quality of dragon fruit. Results revealed that the quality of dragon fruit is dose-dependent. UV-C irradiated dragon fruits at 0.75 and 1.0 kJ m-2 were significantly reduced in fruit body decay, delayed bract yellowing, and prolonged shelf-life. These dosages synergistically slowed down the depletion of total soluble solids and fruit firmness during storage. Also, dragon fruit treated with 1.0 kJ m-2 UV-C exhibited the lowest pH value after the 6th day in storage. UV-C irradiation at this dosage indicated no significant adverse effects in titratable acidity and total water loss. These results indicated that UV-C irradiation at 1.0 kJ m-2 was effective to reduce post-harvest decay and hence prolong the post-harvest quality of dragon fruit storage under ambient conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid quality deterioration after harvest restricts the shelf life of broccoli, and reduces its commercial value. In this study, the effects of combined edible coating with chitosan and tea polyphenol (CTS + TP) on the post-harvest quality of broccoli were investigated. Results showed that the combined treatment of chitosan and tea polyphenol had better effects on the decay rate, weight loss rate, and respiratory intensity of broccoli than the single chitosan treatment and control. CTS + TP treatment mitigated the severity of broccoli yellowing, which was demonstrated by the higher hue angle, chlorophyll level, and strong red fluorescence emission of the treated samples, as well as delayed yellowing time compared to that observed in controls. Moreover, CTS + TP treatment better protected the sensory quality of the product, such as odor, hardness, and chewiness, and prevented evident changes. The vitamin C level in the treated samples was extremely higher, and the higher antioxidant capacity was also noted. The content of sulforaphane, the typical bioactive substance of broccoli, declined conspicuously in the yellowed broccoli, while the change was noticeably relieved by CTS + TP coating. The significantly upregulated expressions of BoCYP83A1, BoMYB28, and BoMYR in treated samples may have played an important role in the improvement of sulforaphane contents. These findings indicated that the edible coating with CTS + TP alleviated yellowing symptoms, improved the sensory quality, and enhanced the nutraceutical value of broccoli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influence of foliar application of potassium nitrate and copper sulfate on the production and quality of Pear cv. Le Conte was carried out at Horticulture Research Farm and Postharvest Laboratory, The University of Agriculture Peshawar-Pakistan, during the year 2018–19. The aim of the study was to get quality pear production with minimal disease incidence. The research was carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The study contained two factors, i.e., different concentrations of potassium nitrate (0%, 1%, 2%, and 3%) as Factor A, while different levels of copper sulfate (0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, and 0.8%) as factor B and the treatments were applied in spring season at the fruit set stage. The application of 2% potassium nitrate to the pear plants resulted in heaviest fruit (188.30 g), maximum fruit volume (203.80 cm3), fruit yield tree−1 (60.13 kg) with minimum fruit drop (8.52%) and disease incidence (5.28%), while maximum fruit firmness (7.66 kg.cm−2), total soluble solids (12.40 ○Brix), fruit juice pH (5.38), ascorbic acid content (5.56 mg.100 g−1) while minimum Titratable acidity (0.41%) were noted in fruits of plants sprayed with 3% potassium nitrate solution. However, the maximum fruit weight (192.04 g), fruit yield tree−1 (59.06 kg), minimum fruit drop (6.75%), and disease incidences (3.54%) were recorded in pear plants applied with 0.6% foliar copper sulfate solution. However, maximum fruit firmness (7.53 kg.cm−2), total soluble solids (12.38 ○Brix), fruit juice pH (5.31), ascorbic acid content (5.22 mg.100 g−1) with minimum Titratable acidity (0.42%) were noted in the plants sprayed with 0.8% copper sulfate solution. This study will provide a basis for high yield and quality fruit production, which will affect the storability of pear and other important fruit crops. Further studies should be conducted to optimize the dose, timing, and method of application of these fungicides for other pome fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of nano-chitosan and chitosan coating on physico-chemical properties of strawberries during storage. Research methods: Fresh strawberries were coated with different concentrations of chitosan (1%, 1.5%. 2%) or nano-chitosan (0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.8%) and stored in 20C for 21 days. Findings: Coatingstrawberry with0.2% and 0.4% nano-chitosan preserved the overall quality index of the fruit up to 21 days. The treatments reduced weight loss, retained firmness, titratable acidity and L-ascorbic acid, significantly retarded malondialdehyde production and inhibited polyphenol oxidase activity of the stored fruit. The 0.2% nano-chitosan treatment reserved total soluble solid and total anthocyanin content better than the 0.4% nano-chitosan. Although 2% chitosan coating showed the positive effects, the overall quality index of the coated fruit was reduced below the acceptable level after 18 days, shorter as compared to the others coated with the lower concentrations of nano-chitosan. Research Limitations: Nano-chitosan, showing to be the effective coating material in this study, is not popular traded in the industry. Originality/Value: The combination of 0.2 % nano-chitosan coating and storing fresh strawberry at 2°C preserved the quality of fruits up to 21 days. The much lower concentrations of nano-chitosan showed higher positive effects as compared to the higher concentrations of chitosan. This would help to reduce the cost of postharvest handlings for the strawberry industry.

This study was done to evaluate the effect of edible coatings based on Aloe Vera L. (AV) in combination with ascorbic acid and lactic acid on the postharvest life and quality of tomato. Several coatings based on different natural components such as gum Arabic, carnauba, mineral oil, etc. have shown an increase in the shelf life with better retention in postharvest quality. Two edible coatings of natural Aloe vera gel (10%) along with Ascorbic Acid (AA; 1%) and Lactic Acid (LA; 1%) were applied to mature tomatoes as an edible coating and stored at room temperature (25-29°C) and 82-84% Relative Humidity (RH) for 30 days. After application, weight loss, total Titratable Acidity (TA), Soluble Solids Content (SSC), ascorbic acid content, pH value, total phenolic content, total antioxidant activity, and decay percentage were measured at 0, 7, 14, 21, and 30 days. Compared with untreated tomato, coated ones exhibited a significant (P≤ 0.05) delay in weight loss and higher retention of SSC, vitamin C, and titratable acidity. Between the two coatings applied to tomato, AV+1% AA+1% LA coating was found to be the most effective in delayed ripening and maintaining the postharvest losses. Results obtained in this study support using AV and AA+LA edible coating as an effective alternative to preserving tomato, delay ripening processes, and extend shelf life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A great amount of data covering a wide variety of plant species and experimental conditions has demonstrated the beneficial actions that melatonin exerts on many aspects of plant development, including germination, photosynthesis and water economy. Melatonin behaves especially well as a plant biostimulator against biotic and abiotic stressors, increasing stress tolerance. The present contribution sets out possible future multidisciplinary studies, in which the impact of using melatonin with respect to agriculture, food technology, human nutrition and the environment needs to be clearly established. In crops, the effective dose and best formulations for individual plant species and cultivation conditions should be studied. As regards post‐harvest, the focus should be on the half‐life time of melatonin in fruits and water‐residue treatments. Detailed studies are lacking on the human intake of phytomelatonin in different diets. Studies on the metabolization of phytomelatonin and the combined effect with other phytonutrients such as carotenoids, chlorophylls, flavonoids, fibers, etc., would also be of interest. In soils, the possible interaction between melatonin and microbiome and non‐vertebrate animals is of primordial interest. In terms of the environment, although melatonin is classified as a non‐hazardous agent, its limitations as a possible animal hormone disruptor have been suggested. Specific studies on the permanence of melatonin in plant tissues, plant by‐products, soil, freshwater and honeybees, amongst others, are proposed to obtain crucial information. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Water deficit can alter the morphological, agronomic, physiological, and technological traits of the common bean plant, affecting bean grain yield. In addition to yield aspects, the grain post-harvest quality is a decisive factor for the adoption of a new cultivar. Thus, this study evaluated the effect of water deficit on the physiological, morphoagronomic, and technological traits of common bean. The experiment was carried out at in a greenhouse in a randomized block design with a 30 × 2 factorial arrangement, consisting of 30 carioca common bean genotypes and two water regimes (with and without water stress), with three replications. The water deficit affected most morphological, agronomic, and physiological traits; however, it was not significant on the darkening of the seed coat. Cultivars IAC 1849 Polaco, ANFc 5, ANFc 9, BRSMG Madrepérola, IAC Carioca Aruã, TAA Dama, and Branquinho exhibited high yield potential under water stress treatment as well as slow seed coat darkening during nine months of storage. The selection of bean genotypes with slow seed coat darkening could be performed at 30 days of storage.

Post-harvest fungal diseases, such as anthracnose, are common causes of spoilage in papaya fruits, accounting for considerable economic losses. The use of ozone gas is an alternative to tackle this problem, as it is a strong oxidizing and antimicrobial agent. Thus, the objective of the present work was to evaluate the efficiency of ozonized water for controlling anthracnose in papayas. It also aimed at assessing the influence of this treatment in CO2 production, weight loss, and fruit coloration. Papayas inoculated with Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and C. magna were exposed to ozone dissolved in water at the concentration of 0.8 mg L−1 for 40, 80, 120, and 160 min. At the temperature of 11 °C, the longest exposure times implied in a decline of CO2 production and a reduction of fruit firmness. The storage at 25 °C resulted in a lower percentage of injured areas, less CO2 production, and less effect on firmness, in comparison with the untreated fruits. The application of ozone dissolved in water at 0.8 mg L−1 for up to 160 min is a feasible alternative for controlling the severity of anthracnose in post-harvested papaya of the variety Golden, without negatively affecting the quality of the fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to evaluate productive characteristics and the physical, chemical and sensory quality of juices elaborated from different clones of the 'Bordô' cv. produced in the Vale do Rio Peixe-SC region, in 2016/17. The 11 genotypes evaluated were identified as: G03, G07, G08, G10, G12, G13, G15, G16, G17, G18 and G19. At harvest, fruit production and quality were evaluated. The mean productivity of the 11 tested genotypes was 31.2 t ha-1, with a production of 18.7 kg/plant. Genotypes G13, G16, G19 and G08 showed higher productivity in t ha-1 and kg/plant. G10 had the highest acidity. Genotypes G18 and G19 showed lower color intensity and phenolic compounds. Sensorially, genotypes G19 and G16 received lower scores for color, pleasant aroma and overall impression aspects. The 11 'Bordô' genotypes evaluated showed high productivity and favorable physical, chemical and sensory characteristics for the industrialization of juices in the Vale do Rio do Peixe-SC region, with the exception of the juices of genotypes G18 and G19, which showed little color, something that may end up mischaracterizing the 'Bordô' juices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]