scholarly journals Fungal food spoilage of supermarkets' displayed fruits

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1877-1883 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iman Saleh ◽  
Roda Al-Thani

Background and Aim: Post-harvest fungal infection of fruits and vegetables is mainly caused by fungal pathogens that can be harmful to both human and animals as they produce mycotoxins, post-harvest diseases in fruits and vegetables are a serious problem that results in the loss of a large percentage of crops reaching 50% in some fruits. This study aims at screening the post-purchasing shelf-life of four highly consumed fruits and vegetables and at identifying the fungal strains behind their spoilage in Qatar. Materials and Methods: Fruits and vegetables were collected from the market to study their post-purchasing shelf-life and to identify the fungal types involved in samples rotting. Factors that affect samples' shelf-life were also analyzed. Results: A total of 73 fungal isolates were isolated and identified, with the highest percentage of Penicillium (21.9%) followed by Rhizopus (17.8%). Interestingly, many mycotoxins producing and diseases inducing fungi were identified in this study; this includes Rhizopus, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Alternaria, Fusarium, Cladosporium, Botrytis, Geotrichum, and Colletotrichum. Statistical analysis shows that different fruits have significantly different shelf-life and different predispositions for spoilage. In many cases, a strong relationship was shown between the fungal types isolated and the country of origin of the fruit. Finally, the price of the commodity did not have a significant effect on its contamination level nor did the market from which the sample was purchased. This indicates that the fruit displaying methods in Qatar do not affect their contamination level. Conclusion: The study is among the first reports about fungal types involved in fruits and vegetables rotting in Qatar and it highlights the strong link between spoiling fungi and their country of origin.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sasi Madhan ◽  
Christophe Espírito Santo ◽  
Luís P. Andrade . ◽  
Pedro D. Silva . ◽  
Pedro D. Gaspar .

Active packaging aims to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables using active agents such as Oxygen, Carbon-di-oxide, ethylene scavengers and moisture absorber. Intelligent packaging provides information about the fruits quality inside the package to the customer and this packaging technology detects the internal changes of fruits and vegetables using sensors and indicators. Further to improve the post-harvest storage PCM such as Rubitherm can be used depending on the package box dimension to remove the field heat from the products and maintain its temperature with low variation during transport and display. Gel packs having less weight with PET and PS can also be an alternate method in the packaging. The application of these technologies may lead to a revolution in post-harvest storage, transportation, and further retail sale. This paper reviews the theoretical principles of food packaging and recent developments in packaging technologies using PCMs. Keywords: Active packaging, Intelligent packaging, Phase change materials, Shelf life extension, Fruits


Author(s):  
M. Ishaya ◽  
A. E. Anzaku ◽  
W. C. John ◽  
N. Janfa ◽  
O. Oke ◽  
...  

Aim: This study was carried out to isolate, identify and characterize fungal pathogens associated with post-harvest spoilage of cucumber. Study Design: This research study was done using random sampling technique.  Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was carried out from March to June, 2019 at biology laboratory Federal College of Forestry, Jos. Methodology: Fungi isolates were obtained from diseased portions of the cucumber fruit samples cultured on PDA media and incubated at 28ºC2 for seven days. The mycelial were identified macroscopically and microscopically. Pathogenicity tests were conducted for all the fungal pathogens identified by inoculating healthy cucumber samples and incubating for ten days with the readings being taken at two day intervals. The data obtained were analyzed using ANOVA and means were separated using LSD at P ≤ 0.05. Results: Aspergillus fumigatus, Fusarium sp., Geotrichum candidum and Yeast sp were isolated and identified. Result showed that Gada biu market was the most heavily infested location with all the fungal isolates. Geotrichum candidum constituted the highest (50%) occurrence of fungal isolates from all locations. All the fungal isolates were found to be pathogenic on cucumber fruits, with Fusarium being the most destructive, followed by yeast and Geotrichum candidum and the least was Aspergilus fumigatus. Conclusion: The results obtained in this study showed the isolates identified were involved in Cucumber spoilage. Therefore, Careful handling of Cucumber fruits should be ensured to prevent the spread of these pathogenic fungi.


Author(s):  
S. M. Yahaya ◽  
A. B. Kamalu ◽  
M. U. Ali ◽  
M. Lawan ◽  
Y. S. Ajingi ◽  
...  

This research was conducted to determine the fungal pathogens responsible for post harvest losses of pineapple sold at Wudil and Yen lemo markets.  Two samples of pineapples were purchased twice a week from both Wudil and Yanlemo markets for four months. The samples were investigated for the presence of fungal pathogen using standard microbiological methods. The methods involve mounting small portion of pineapple in the plate containing Potato dextrose agar to isolate the fungi. Three fungal pathogens belonging to Aspergillus species were isolated, and Aspergillus niger had the highest frequency of occurrence of (50%). Followed by A. flavus with (27%). The A. fumigatus had the lowest frequency of occurrence of (23%). The differences between the fungal isolates recorded were significantly different (P<0.05) between the two markets, where higher fungal isolates were recorded at Yanlemo market 159 (40.6%) and Wudil 38 (9.71%). The study showed that the post harvest losses of pine apple in the two markets are attributed to fungal infection. Therefore, safe guarding the two markets from debris and dumps of rotten fruits and vegetable may assist in reducing fungal inoculums in the two markets.


Author(s):  
Fahmida Ishaque ◽  
Md. Altaf Hossain ◽  
Md. Abdur Rashid Sarker ◽  
Md. Yunus Mia ◽  
Atik Shahriar Dhrubo ◽  
...  

An attempt was made to develop low cost porous evaporative cooling storage structures for extending the shelf life of citrus fruits and vegetables at the Sylhet Agricultural University campus, Bangladesh. Clay soil, bamboo and straw were used as a wall material. Sand, clay, zeolite, rice husk and charcoal etc. were used as a pad material. But the mixture of sand and clay was found as the most efficient pad materials for lowering temperature. Porous evaporative cooling storage structure (PECSS) was developed to reduce the problems of post-harvest losses at farmer level. It is eco-friendly and no energy requirements for storage of vegetables and fruits. PECSS improves the quality and productivity of vegetables and citrus fruits by reducing temperature, prolonging shelf life and reducing post-harvest losses respectively. The study revealed that shelf life of egg-plant (Solanum melongena) was 11 days in PECSS condition and it was 6 days in ambient condition. Therefore, weight loss was 4.07% for PECSS and 11.84% in room condition respectively. Storage life of Ladies finger (Abelmoschus esculentus) was 6 days more in PECSS condition than room condition. Weight loss was 6.62% in PECSS condition and 17.47% loss in ambient condition. In case of Malabar Spinach (Basella alba) it was 6 days for PECSS condition and 3 days for room condition and weight loss was found to be 9.48% and 16.17% respectively. The shelf life of stem amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus) was 5 days in PECSS condition and 2 days in ambient condition. Weight loss was found 7.05% at PECSS condition and 28.62% as in-room condition. By chemical analysis for fruits lemon (Citrus limon) and orange (Citrus sinensis) found that pH and TSS were increased both ambient and PECSS condition but in PECSS condition this rate was less than ambient condition. Vitamin C, percentage juice content, citric acid values all were decrease at both condition but in PECSS condition its rate was the less ambient condition. There is scope for intensive study to improve the firmness of the porous evaporative cooling storage structure (PECSS) to reduce the storage loss of vegetables and citrus fruits for different region and its suitability for large scale design.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.S. Gurjar ◽  
Bharati Killadi ◽  
Pawan Kumar Pareek ◽  
T.S. Hada

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a nontoxic biological molecule produced naturally in a pineal gland of animals and different tissues of plants. Melatonin acts as an antioxidant during postharvest storage and augments the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. Our review highlighted the role of pre and post harvest application of melatonin in extending post harvest shelf life and alleviating chilling injury in fruits and vegetables in cold storage. Review also included available information regarding biosynthesis of melatonin in plants and mode of action of melatonin in maintaining post harvest quality.


2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raiya Adiba Antora ◽  
Md Pavel Hossain ◽  
Syeeda Shiraj Um Monira ◽  
Mohammad Gulzarul Aziz

In Bangladesh, a lot of fruits and vegetables have been accused of having prolonged shelf-life by formaldehyde adulteration. So, an evaluation of the effect of formaldehyde was carried out by treating mango, litchi and oyster mushroom with different concentrations of formaldehyde and assessing their quality parameters. The three samples were dipped in 0%,1%, 5% and 10%formaldehyde solutions for 15 minutes and packed in a modified atmosphere package for observation. Changes in color, texture and weight loss were observed during storage at every alternate day. No significant increase in post-harvest quality and shelf-life was observed for mango and litchi treated with formaldehyde compared to control. Treated mushroom attained elastic texture and remained in this state up to the end of storage, whereas the control spoiled days after storage. Although formaldehyde-treated mushroom showed extended shelf-life, they lost their commercial freshness. The formaldehyde solutions did not have any significant effect on weight loss. So, formaldehyde is not a useful preservative to improve the post-harvest quality and shelf-life of fresh fruits and vegetables.J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 16(1): 151-157, April 2018


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-233
Author(s):  
Biju Adhikari ◽  
Aarati G.C.

Fruits and vegetables are highly perishable in nature and have a very short shelf-life. During different handling and marketing procedures, there is massive post-harvest loss of horticulture produce, either or both qualitative and quantitative, between harvest and consumption. Factors affecting post-harvest losses differ with topography, varieties of crops, climate, etc. and are difficult to understand. Considering the fact, the present study aims to describe the status of post-harvest losses of horticultural produce and their potential management techniques. Secondary data is used to collect the related information. The demand of high-quality horticulture produce is increasing due to its healthy nutrition. Post-harvest management of the produce includes pre- and post-harvest practices, their handling, packaging, storage, distribution, and marketing. The storage life and marketable quality of the produce can be maximized by limiting (not stopping) the respiration and transpiration through proper control of temperature and relative humidity of the produce. The right selection of packaging materials and technologies play vital role in maintaining product quality and freshness during storage and distribution. Moreover, the innovative techniques like modified active packaging, active and intelligent packaging, controlled atmospheric storage, and use of antimicrobial could extend the shelf life of produce to a significant time. This review mainly focuses on the causes of qualitative and quantitative losses of horticulture produce along with the effective measures to control the losses in Nepalese context. It emphasized on the adoption of innovative technologies to improve the storage life, marketable quality and freshness of the produce.


2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 159 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Moalemiyan ◽  
H. S. Ramaswamy

<p>Edible coating is a simple and inexpensive concept for extending post-harvest life of fruits and vegetables. In this study, cucumbers were coated with different pectin-based emulsions to preserve the fruit quality and extend the post harvest shelf life. The formulations consisted of pectin, beeswax, sorbitol, water, and an emulsifying agent. By monitoring the physiological and quality parameters, the coating effects on the storability of cucumber fruits at 23°C and 40% RH (display cabinet), and 12°C and 85% RH (cold room) were determined. The parameters included weight loss, respiration rate, firmness, color, soluble solids and chlorophyll content. The coating markedly reduced weight loss and respiration rate at both temperatures. In addition, the coating reduced loss of firmness, color, chlorophyll and total soluble solids, and extended the storage life of cucumber fruits at both storage conditions.</p>


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