Multitrait analysis of fresh-cut cantaloupe melon enables discrimination between storage times and temperatures and identifies potential markers for quality assessments

Preparation and handling procedures for fresh-cut mango slices were developed using `Tommy Atkins', `Haden', and `Palmer' mangoes. Fruit with yellow flesh color (no green color remaining) were optimum maturity for fresh-cut in terms of maintenance of acceptable appearance, texture, and taste; riper fruit developed flesh breakdown and more browning. Postharvest life of fresh-cut mango at 5 °C was 8 to 10 d with no evidence of chilling injury and was limited by flesh browning and loss of firmness. Respiration rates ranged from 32 to 40 mg CO2/kg per hr and ethylene production was typically ≤0.1 μl·kg–1·hr–1. The SSC changed little during storage, while pH varied from 3.5 to 4.8 and TA typically declined by 30% to 40%. Peeling to a depth of at least 2 mm and trimming flesh near the stem scar was necessary to minimize browning. Imported fruit that had been heat-treated for insect quarantine showed more severe browning than Florida fruit that had not been heat-treated. Preparation in aseptic conditions and dipping fruit in a 100 ppm NaOCl solution at pH 7 before and after peeling protected against decay during storage but dipping in chlorine after slicing without removal of excess liquid resulted in flesh translucency and breakdown. Dipping in 1% CaCl2 solution had no effect on flesh firmness (Instron) or browning. Storage in an unvented plastic clamshell container, which developed an atmosphere of 2.25% CO2 plus 19% O2, did not improve shelf life, but a MA of 10% CO2 plus 10% O2 was subjectively judged to slow browning and softening and resulted in no off flavor compared to air storage.

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Impact of climate and bulking materials on characteristics of compost from ecological toilets

Journal of Water Sanitation and Hygiene for Development ◽

10.2166/washdev.2012.059 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 79-86 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

James W. McKinley ◽

Rebecca E. Parzen ◽

Álvaro Mercado Guzmán

Keyword(s):

Low Carbon ◽

Pathogen Inactivation ◽

High Ph ◽

Moisture Contents ◽

Urine Diversion ◽

Ph Values ◽

Dominant Process ◽

Nitrogen Ratio ◽

Storage Times ◽

Carbon Concentrations

Urine-diversion dehydration toilets (UDDT) are common throughout the developing world, and the toilet product is widely used as compost. There is no comprehensive research to date that characterizes the compost to determine its quality, extent of pathogen inactivation, and the effects of climate and bulking materials on the compost. Compost was collected from 45 UDDT in Bolivia and analyzed for physical, chemical, and biological parameters. Eighty percent and 56% of samples did not meet acceptable compost guidelines for moisture content and pH, respectively, indicating desiccation was the dominant process in UDDT. Bulking materials significantly impacted compost characteristics in terms of pH, carbon, carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, and carbon stability (P < 0.05). Composts with ash exhibited, on average, low carbon concentrations (4.9%) and high pH values (9.7), which can be harmful to plants and composting microorganisms. Composts with sawdust exhibited, on average, high carbon concentrations (40.0%) and carbon-to-nitrogen ratios (31.0). Climate had no significant impact on chemical characteristics, however composts from humid regions had significantly higher moisture contents (34.4%) than those from arid climates (24.8%) (P < 0.05). Viable Ascaris lumbricoides ova were identified in 31% of samples, including samples with high pH, low moisture contents, and long storage times.

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