scholarly journals Environmental variables in packing houses and their effects on the quality of grapes

Author(s):  
Osvaldo C. Vasconcelos ◽  
Cristiane Dacanal ◽  
Sílvia H. N. Turco ◽  
Sergio T. Freitas ◽  
Clóvis M. C. Ramos ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to characterize the thermal environment in the selection and packing areas of a packing house and its effects on the quality of table grapes produced in the São Francisco Valley, Brazil. The thermal environment was monitored during the winter and summer seasons. The highest value of air temperature (Tair) and the lowest relative humidity (RH) observed in the packing house were 35 °C and 40.0%, respectively, obtained during the summer, for 8 h. After observing the thermal environment data of the packing house, simulations were performed to evaluate the effect of the ideal environmental storage conditions and observed thermal conditions on the postharvest quality of “Thompson” grapes. Grapes were harvested and stored directly at the ideal temperature and RH of 0 °C and 90%, respectively, or previously exposed to a temperature of 35 °C and RH of 40% for 8 h, the thermal environment observed in the evaluated packing house, followed by storage at 0 °C and 90% RH. Fruit exposure to high temperature and low RH before the ideal storage conditions resulted in higher loss of berry firmness and weight, along with increased soluble solids and dry matter content of rachis and berry. Based on these results, the environmental conditions observed in the packing house result in berry dehydration, which accelerates the loss of fruit quality during storage.

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neide Botrel ◽  
Raphael Augusto de Castro e Melo

Abstract Pepino dulce (Solanum muricatum Aiton) or Pepino has been growing to produce edible, juicy and attractive fruits. The imported fruits and national small scale of Pepino dulce production are currently stored and commercialized under the absence of postharvest handling recommendations. Therefore, this work aimed to evaluate the quality aspects of Pepino dulce fruits in distinct ripening stages, forms of packaging and conditions of storage. The trial was conducted in a 2x2x2 factorial scheme - 2 ripening stages (ripe and immature) x 2 forms of packaging (with and without wrapping in plastic film) x 2 conditions of storage (room: 25 °C ± 2 ºC and 57% ± 5% of relative humidity (RH); cold: under refrigeration 10 °C ± 2 °C and 85% ± 5% of RH) – in a complete randomized block design. Fruit quality attributes, such as vitamin C, chemical and phenolic content, fruit color (mesocarp), firmness, dry matter content, total titratable acidity (TA), total soluble solids and pH, were evaluated. Fruits showed a centesimal composition with low calories and a significant content of potassium (K), phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg), which can contribute to the daily supply of these elements. For commercialization purposes, the association of packaging (plastic wrapping film) and refrigerated storage (cold: 10 °C ± 2 °C and 85% ± 5% of RH) to maintain the characteristics of fruit quality after a 15 days period is more important than its individual use.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 656 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiang Fang ◽  
Qinchun Duan ◽  
Zhuo Wang ◽  
Fuyun Li ◽  
Jianxiong Du ◽  
...  

‘Red Globe’ table grapes are large, edible, seeded fruit with firm flesh that tastes good, but can have poor postharvest shelf-life. This study was conducted to explore the effects of products of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus strain F17 and Leuconostoc lactis strain H52 on ‘Red Globe’ table grapes for the enhancement of shelf-life and improvement of grape quality characteristics during postharvest storage. Strains F17 and H52 were isolated from traditional fermented yak milk obtained in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. Samples from untreated and treated grapes were analyzed for physicochemical, biochemical, and microbiological properties (weight loss, decay rate, pH, total soluble solids content, titratable acidity, total phenols, sensory evaluation, and microbial growth) for 20 days. The results demonstrated that supernatants from both strains significantly reduced weight loss, decay rate, aerobic mesophilic bacteria, and coliform bacteria counts; delayed maturity and senescence of table grapes; and reduced titratable acidity and total phenols. However, the supernatant of strain F17 was more effective and resulted in better sensory evaluations and had a significant inhibitory effect on yeast and molds by day 5. Meanwhile, the supernatant from strain H52 had a significant inhibitory effect on fungi over the whole storage period. In addition, the results of the Pearson correlation analysis suggested that weight loss, decay rate, total soluble solids content, and microorganisms were highly correlated with the sensory evaluation data and quality of postharvest grapes when treated with the products of strain F17. On the basis of these data and sensory organoleptic qualities, the supernatant containing products from strain F17 had the best potential as a biopreservative to improve the postharvest quality of ‘Red Globe’ table grapes.


1992 ◽  
Vol 118 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Pimpini ◽  
L. Giardini ◽  
M. Borin ◽  
G. Gianquinto

SUMMARYPoultry manure and mineral fertilizers at two rates of application (medium and high) and in different combinations, together with a non-fertilized control, were tested at the Experimental Station of the Agricultural University of Padova, Italy (45° 21′ N, 11° 58′ E) in 1985–89.Compared to the control, all the fertilization treatments increased the incidence of larger-sized bulbs of onion and tubers of potato, improved the fruit colour of processing tomato and the raw protein content of spinach, but reduced the acidity and acids: soluble solids ratio of tomato and the dry matter content of spinach leaves.In addition, the application of 140 kg/ha of N, 140 kg/ha of P2O5 and 100 kg/ha of K2O as mineral fertilizer or as poultry manure gave the best scores of processing suitability of potato, both for sticks and chips. All the fertilization formulae, except for 140 kg/ha of N, 140 kg/ha of P2O5 and 100 kg/ha of K2O as poultry manure alone, showed significant decreases in the extractable sucrose ratio in sugarbeet, compared with the control. In processing tomato, the best scores of suitability for paste transformation were obtained with mixed fertilization (1/3 poultry manure and 2/3 mineral fertilizers) applying 210 kg/ha of N, 210 kg/ha of P2O5 and 150 kg/ha of K2O and the plots receiving only mineral fertilizers produced fruits with less favourable values of pH and electrical conductivity compared to the poultry manured ones.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 665-676
Author(s):  
Ya-Dan Sun ◽  
Da-Long Guo ◽  
Sheng-Di Yang ◽  
He-Cheng Zhang ◽  
Lei-Lei Wang ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Melatonin (MT) is an endogenous indoleamine that regulates senescence progression and stress response in plants. OBJECTIVE: Here, we investigated the effect of MT on the shelf-life and postharvest quality of table grapes (Vitis labrusca L. cv. ‘Fengzao’). METHODS: After harvesting, ‘Fengzao’ grapes were immersed in MT solution at various concentrations (0 [as control], 0.05, 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mM for 2 h and stored at 24±1 for 15 days. Physiological indicators including weight loss rate, firmness, contents of total soluble solids (TSSs), ascorbic acid (AsA), malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and activities of catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were investigated. Additionally, the DNA methylation rate of ‘Fengzao’ grapes were measured using the methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP) technique. RESULTS: Application of MT effectively delayed grape senescence in all treatment groups compared with the control, with the longest delay observed in the 0.5 mM treatment. Additionally, the rate of DNA methylation decreased in all the 0.5 mM MT treatment groups, indicating a potential role of MT in demethylation. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the exogenous application of MT can delay the senescence of grapes during postharvest.


2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bogumił Markuszewski ◽  
Jan Kopytowski

Abstract The purpose of the study was to assess the storability of unripe hazelnuts in the husk of four cultivars: ‘Hall’s Giant’, ‘Catalan’, ‘Webb’s Prize Cob’ and ‘Cosford’. The nuts were stored in normal and controlled atmospheres, and in Xtend® bags for three months. A quality assessment was performed based on the following parameters: weight of the nut in the husk and without the husk, weight of the kernel, percentage of nuts with husk attached, dry matter content in kernels, infection with fungal diseases, and the presence of physiological disorders. The study demonstrated that hazelnuts stored in Xtend® bags and under a controlled atmosphere had a higher weight for the nut in the husk and without the husk, as well as a higher weight of the kernel and water content when compared to batches of hazelnuts stored in a normal atmosphere. The percentage of nuts remaining in the husk was also higher when stored under such conditions. For the majority of investigated cultivars the storage in Xtend® bags, and to a lesser extent under normal atmosphere conditions, resulted in a substantial increase in nuts infected with fungal and abiotic diseases. Among investigated cultivars, ‘Hall’s Giant’ turned out to be the most resistant to storage diseases.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Loreto Atieno ◽  
Willis Owino ◽  
Elijah M. Ateka ◽  
Jane Ambuko

Various modes of edible coating application vary in their coat dispersion and film formation, hence the need to determine the most effective mode of application for cassava. Edible surface coatings have been found to be effective in preserving the quality of various food products. However, there are variations in effectiveness among the different coating solutions, hence the need for optimization of the concentrations of the gums used. This study aimed at determining the most efficient coating application method on the cassava postharvest quality. Physiologically mature cassava (variety KME 1) was harvested and divided into seven portions. The various portions were coated using 1.5% xanthan gum, 1.5% xanthan/guar gum, and 2% xanthan/guar gum by both dipping and spraying method. There was no significant difference on the colour, total cyanide, ethylene production, and total phenolic content between the two application methods. The 2% xanthan/guar gum coating showed a significant difference on the dry matter content while the 1.5% xanthan gum coating had a significant difference on the respiration rate and weight loss. The 1.5 xanthan treated roots had a final dry matter content of 72.5% for the sprayed samples and 75.98% for the dipped sample while the 2% xanthan/guar gum treated roots had a final dry matter content of 64.6% and 74.1% for the dipped and sprayed root samples, respectively. The 1.5% xanthan and 2% xanthan/guar gum treated roots showed no significant difference in their action on dry matter content. The 1.5% xanthan/guar dipped and sprayed samples differed significantly on their effect on flesh firmness with final values of 35.4N and 46.1N, respectively, at 20 days after harvest. This study suggested that based on the coating solution and the parameters being observed, there generally was no varying effect of dipping and spraying methods of coating application. The choice of the efficient mode of application to use will depend on other factors such as the easiness of application.


2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 386-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josuel Alfredo Vilela Pinto ◽  
Márcio Renan Weber Schorr ◽  
Fabio Rodrigo Thewes ◽  
Deiverson Luiz Ceconi ◽  
Vanderlei Both ◽  
...  

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different levels of relative humidity (RH) on the maintenance of Postharvest quality of 'Niagara Rosada' table grapes after cold storage at 0.5°C for 21 days. A completely randomized design was used, with five replicates of 18 clusters per treatment. The selected levels of relative humidity were 85, 90, 95 and 100%, obtained by means of electronic humidity controllers. The fruits were evaluated in relation to rot incidence, berry cracking, browning rate, respiratory rate, titratable acidity, soluble solids, resistance to abscission, berry drop and weight loss. The evaluations were assessed at 20 days of storage and after two and four days of shelf-life (20°C; 85% RH). The results showed that as higher as relative humidity, higher is rot incidence and that the variables rachis browning and weight loss were inversely related to relative humidity. Resistance to abscission at the end of storage was higher when humidity ranged between 90 and 95%, but it was not affected after transfer to shelf-life from cold storage. Relative humidity ranging between 90 and 95% offer the best conditions to maintain the Postharvest quality of 'Niagara Rosada' table grapes


Author(s):  
Ioana Bezdadea-Catuneanu ◽  
Liliana Badulescu ◽  
Andreea Stan ◽  
Dorel Hoza

Abstract The aims of this work were to determine which storage conditions can preserve the quince quality (Cydonia oblonga Miller, Rosaceae family), stored in three different rooms with controlled atmosphere (CA). Due to their reported high polyphenolic content in the fruit, three varieties of quinces, like Ekmek, Bereczhi and Tinella were stored and monitored for twelve months. During storage period, the following quality parameters were monitored: dry matter content (D.M.%), titratable acidity (TA), soluble solids (°Brix), firmness, antioxidant capacity and also content in total flavonoids and total polyphenols. After twelve months of storage, observations showed that quince from Tinella variety presented better quality parameters compared to quinces from Ekmek and Bereczhi varieties. As expected, keeping quinces in the presence of CO2content, respectively 2% and 5%, presented better physical and biochemical quality compared with those stored without CO2 (control).


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benson Maina ◽  
Jane Ambuko ◽  
Margaret J. Hutchinson ◽  
Willis O. Owino

Mango is an economically important fruit crop but with a very short shelf life of about 4–9 days in ambient and between 2 and 3 weeks in cold storage. Extending the shelf life and marketing period of mango fruit requires application of quality preservation technologies. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of innovative waxing options on shelf life and postharvest quality of “ngowe” mango fruits stored under different storage conditions. A homogenous sample of mango fruits, variety “ngowe” harvested at mature green stage were subjected to two waxing treatments, namely Shellac or Decco wax™. The waxes were applied by dipping the fruits in wax for five seconds followed by air drying. The waxed fruits were then packed in carton boxes and stored either at ambient room temperature (25°C) or cold room (12°C). Random samples of three fruits from each treatment and storage conditions were taken for measurement of attributes associated with ripening after every 3 and 7 days for ambient and cold storage, respectively. These included cumulative weight loss, respiration, peel firmness, total soluble solids (TSS), total titratable acidity (TTA) and beta carotene content. Results from the study showed that waxing with either Shellac or Decco wax was effective in prolonging shelf life of “ngowe” mango fruits by 3 and 6 days in ambient and cold storage respectively. Untreated fruits in ambient storage lost 5.3% of the initial weight by day 7 compared to an average of 4.5% for the waxed fruit (day 10). Waxed fruits in ambient had low CO2 concentration (59.53 ml/kg hr) compared to a high (88.11 ml/kg hr) CO2 concentration for the untreated fruits. Similarly, other ripening related changes including brix, color, and firmness were significantly slowed down by waxing, especially under cold storage. Findings from this study show the effectiveness of waxing in delaying mango fruit ripening. Waxing can therefore be used to extend the shelf life and marketing period for mango fruit.


2004 ◽  
Vol 61 (6) ◽  
pp. 598-603 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Carlos Feltran ◽  
Leandro Borges Lemos ◽  
Rogério Lopes Vieites

Increasing concerns have been verified with regard to the quality factor of potato tubers and their correct form of use and consumption. The purpose of this research was to determine the technological quality of potato tuber cultivars and identify the best forms of use and consumption. A completely randomized experimental design was adopted with 18 treatments represented by cultivars Agata, Apuã (IAC-5977), Aracy (IAC-2), IAC Aracy Ruiva, Asterix, Bintje, Dali, Clone IAC-6090, Itararé (IAC-5986), Laguna, Remarka, Liseta, Mondial, Novita, Oscar, Picasso, Santana, and Solide, with four replications. Specific gravity showed a positive correlation with starch content, texture, pulp pH, and soluble solids, and was negatively correlated with reducing sugars. The technological characteristics represented by specific gravity, dry matter content, texture, starch content, reducing sugars, pulp pH, titrable acidity, and soluble solids are influenced by genotype or cultivar. Cultivars Oscar, Itararé, IAC Aracy Ruiva, Clone IAC-6090, Aracy, Solide, Asterix, Santana, and Laguna were outstanding with best characteristics for frying, mashing and roasting. Mondial, Picasso, Novita, Dali, and Agata are appropriate for boiling, and more specifically for salads. In turn, potato cultivars Apuã, Remarka, Bintje, and Liseta are suitable for mashing and for roasting.


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