scholarly journals Effects of Pre- and Postharvest Calcium Treatments on Shelf Life and Postharvest Quality of Broccoli Microgreens

HortScience ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 50 (12) ◽  
pp. 1801-1808 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liping Kou ◽  
Tianbao Yang ◽  
Xianjin Liu ◽  
Yaguang Luo

We reported previously that the preharvest treatment of broccoli microgreens with 10 mmol·L−1 calcium chloride (CaCl2) increased the yield and postharvest quality. The objective of this study was to investigate whether other calcium forms have the similar effect, in particular, after postharvest dip in calcium solution. Our results are as follows: 1) Preharvest spray without postharvest dip: Both 20 mmol·L−1 calcium lactate (Ca lactate) and calcium amino acid (Ca AA) chelate significantly improved broccoli microgreens quality and inhibited microbial populations as compared with the water-only control during storage at 5 °C for 21 days. However, they were less effective than 10 mmol·L−1 CaCl2. 2) Postharvest dip without preharvest spray: The microgreens sprayed with water-only control were dipped in 0, 25, 50, or 100 mmol·L−1 Ca lactate solution containing 100 μL·L−1 chlorine immediately after harvest. During storage at 5 °C for 14 days, 50 mmol·L−1 Ca lactate dip showed the highest overall quality and lowest tissue electrolyte leakage. 3) Preharvest spray and postharvest dip: Combined preharvest 10 mmol·L−1 CaCl2 spray and postharvest 50 mmol·L−1 Ca lactate dip resulted in better postharvest quality than individual pre- or postharvest calcium treatments. However, the preharvest 10 mmol·L−1 CaCl2 spray without postharvest dip displayed a best overall visual quality and longest storage life. Our data indicate that pre- and postharvest calcium treatments have positive effect on maintaining the microgreens quality and extending shelf life. However, current postharvest dip/spinning/drying method profoundly reduces the shelf life due to mechanical damages. Technologies to optimize microgreens wash are needed to provide ready-to-eat product. Alternatively, the wash step can be avoided when the microgreens are grown under controlled settings.

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeong-Eun Hyun ◽  
Ji-Yeon Kim ◽  
Eun-Mi Kim ◽  
Jong-Chan Kim ◽  
Sun-Young Lee

This study was conducted to investigate the microbiological, physicochemical, and visual quality of dried persimmons (Diospyros kaki Thunb. cv. Cheongdo-Bansi) during storage at various temperatures in order to determine the shelf-life. Two commercial dried persimmon samples were evaluated for changes in weight, moisture content, color, texture (hardness and gumminess), and microbial populations during storage at different temperatures (−20, 5, 12, and 25°C) for 70 days. Overall, dried persimmon-2 showed lower levels of total mesophilic bacteria, Escherichia coli, coliforms, yeasts, and molds than dried persimmon-1. Among the physicochemical qualities, significant differences were observed in color parameters such as L∗, a∗, and b∗ of the dried persimmons. However, no significant differences in weight, moisture content, and texture were observed in dried persimmons during storage for 70 days. Thus, changes in visual appearance and color index such as chroma value and browning index can be used as indicators for determining the shelf-life of dried persimmons.


2021 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol Mutua ◽  
Joshua Ogweno ◽  
Robert Gesimba

The present study evaluated the effect of NPK fertilizer (17:17:17) rates (0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 kg ha-1) on the postharvest quality of field and greenhouse grown pepino melons (Solanum muricatum Ait.) stored at room temperature (15-22°C) and at low temperature (7°C). The study was carried out in randomized complete block design with fruits from the field and greenhouse, five NPK fertilizer rates as treatments and the two storage temperatures replicated three times. Data were collected on percentage fruit weight loss (PWL), total soluble solids (TSS), firmness and shelf life. Results indicated that greenhouse and field grown fruits from the control and plants supplied with 100 kg NPK ha-1 had low PWL at both storage temperatures. Field grown fruits from the control stored at room temperature had the highest TSS and were firmer after 28 days of storage. Field grown fruits not supplied with fertilizer and stored at low temperature had a shelf life of 27 and 26 days in trial one and two respectively. Application of 100 kg NPK ha-1 and storage of pepino melon fruits at low temperature can be used to enhance quality and shelf life.


2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 343-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rabeya Akter Sarmin ◽  
Shamim Ahmed Kamal Uddin Khan ◽  
Kanij Fatema ◽  
Sabiha Sultana

The study was carried out to minimize the postharvest loses and extend shelf life of mango fruitby maintaining physico-chemical properties. The variety selected for the study was “Amrapali”. Freshly harvested mango was treated with different concentrations (20% and 40%) of neem leaf and banana pulp extract alone or in combination. Untreated mango was considered as control. All treated and untreated mango was kept into paper cartons at room condition. The treated fruits showed significant differences in case of total soluble solids content, titratable acidity, vitamin C, disease incidence, disease severity and shelf life in comparison to control fruits. Among the treatments, T2 (neem leaf extract at 20%) and T5 (neem leaf extract 40% + banana pulp extract 40%) treatments showed longer shelf life (9.92 and 10.25 days, respectively), slower changes in color (score 2.77 and 2.93, respectively) and firmness (score 2.67 and 2.77, respectively); less disease severity (score 2.93 and 3.57, respectively), disease incidence (46.67% and 60.00%) and lower loss in weight (38.04% and 35.17%, respectively) at 9 DAT (Days after treatment). On the other hand, total soluble solid was highest in T3 (neem leaf extract 40%) treated fruitswith18.73% more Brix at 13 DAT in comparison to control and other treatments. The effectiveness of the treatment T5 (neem leaf extract 40% + banana pulp extract 40%) was meaningful which could be recommended for maintenance of postharvest quality of mango stored in ambient conditions. J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 16(3): 343–350, December 2018


Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athanasios Koukounaras ◽  
Filippos Bantis ◽  
Nikolaos Karatolos ◽  
Christos Melissas ◽  
Antonios Vezyroglou

Shelf life of horticultural commodities is dependent on postharvest handling but also on a wide range of pre-harvest factors, which include genetic and environmental parameters. This study was conducted to explore the influence of cultivar, leaf position, and piece position on the leaf on visual quality of fresh-cut butterhead lettuce as well as the effect of a wide range of cultivation seasons on the postharvest quality and shelf life of baby leaves (spinach and ‘wild’ rocket). Six butterhead lettuce cultivars were used (cultivated soilless in an unheated plastic greenhouse) while the effect of leaf position on the plant (outer and inner leaves) and the piece position on the leaf (piece one close to the leaf base and piece four close to the top) were also evaluated. Baby leaves were cultivated under an unheated plastic greenhouse for winter production and under a nethouse for the rest of the growing season, with a total of five and seven sampling dates for spinach and ‘wild’ rocket respectively. The cultivar of butterhead lettuce had a significant effect on postharvest quality of fresh-cut product but more important was the piece position on the leaf. When this was closer to the base of the leaf, there was more browning on cut edges and limited shelf life for the fresh-cut lettuce. The result was associated in one tested cultivar with PAL activity, which was higher by 106% for piece one compared to piece four as an average for the whole storage period. The growing season of baby leaves had a great impact on their shelf life, with the season of mild environmental conditions achieving the highest marketability.


Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 711
Author(s):  
Mohamed M. El-Mogy ◽  
Mohamed Abdel M. Wahab ◽  
Mohamed B. I. El-Sawy ◽  
Aditya Parmar

Foliar application of micronutrients has become a common farm management practice to increase the overall yield of various crops. However, the effects of foliar fertilization on shelf life and postharvest quality of the crops are rather under-researched. The aim of this field experiment was to evaluate the effect of foliar application of individual mineral nutrients (calcium (Ca), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) on pre and postharvest quality of broccoli. The broccoli plants were subjected to single foliar sprays of either Ca, Fe, Zn, or Mn, which was repeated four times during plant growth at a 1 g/kg concentration. Once harvested, the broccoli heads were refrigerated at 4 °C for 28 days. Our results indicated that foliar application of Ca, Zn, Mn, and Fe did not have a significant effect on plant growth parameters, apart from enhancing Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) chlorophyll meter values. However, during postharvest, foliar application treatment showed a positive response on weight loss during storage and reduction in yellowing of the broccoli heads. Foliar treatments increased the concentration of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Ca, Zn, Mn and Fe significantly in the broccoli head tissue. Total chlorophyll content, total phenolic compound, ascorbic acid, peroxidase activity, glucoraphanin and glucobrassicin and flavonoids were significantly increased by all foliar treatments. Crude protein content and sulforaphane were enhanced by Ca and Mn treatments. Overall, foliar application of the investigated mineral nutrients may prove beneficial in improving the shelf-life and nutrient content of broccoli during postharvest handling and storage.


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.


Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (7) ◽  
pp. 1860 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roque Torres-Sánchez ◽  
María Teresa Martínez-Zafra ◽  
Noelia Castillejo ◽  
Antonio Guillamón-Frutos ◽  
Francisco Artés-Hernández

The control of the main environmental factors that influence the quality of perishable products is one of the main challenges of the food industry. Temperature is the main factor affecting quality, but other factors like relative humidity and gas concentrations (mainly C2H4, O2 and CO2) also play an important role in maintaining the postharvest quality of horticultural products. For this reason, monitoring such environmental factors is a key procedure to assure quality throughout shelf life and evaluate losses. Therefore, in order to estimate the quality losses that a perishable product can suffer during storage and transportation, a real-time monitoring system has been developed. This system can be used in all post-harvest steps thanks to its Wi-Fi wireless communication architecture. Several laboratory trials were conducted, using lettuce as a model, to determine quality-rating scales during shelf life under different storage temperature conditions. As a result, a multiple non-linear regression (MNLR) model is proposed relating the temperature and the maximum shelf life. This proposed model would allow to predict the days the commodities will reduce their theoretical shelf-life when an improper temperature during storage or in-transit occurs. The system, developed as a sensor-based tool, has been tested during several land transportation trips around Europe.


Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
David Gimeno ◽  
Jaime Gonzalez-Buesa ◽  
Rosa Oria ◽  
Maria Eugenia Venturini ◽  
Esther Arias

Red raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.) are highly appreciated by consumers. However, their postharvest shelf life scarcely exceeds 5 d under the refrigeration temperatures usually applied during commercialization, due to their high susceptibility to dehydration, softening and rot incidence. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the ability of UV-C radiation (UV1: 2 kJ m−2 and UV2: 4 kJ m−2), passive modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) with transmission rates (TR) for O2 and CO2 of 1805 mL d−1 and 1570 mL d−1 (MAP1), and 902 mL d−1 and 785 mL d−1 (MAP2), respectively, and the combination of both technologies to prolong raspberries’ shelf life at 6 °C. Their influence on respiration, physicochemical parameters, and microbiological and nutritional quality was assessed during 12 d of storage. The combination of 4 kJ m−2 UV-C radiation and a packaging film with O2 and CO2 transmission rates of 902 mL d−1 and 785 mL d−1, respectively, produced a synergistic effect against rot development, delaying senescence of the fruit. The UV2MAP2 and MAP2 samples only showed 1.66% rot incidence after 8 d of storage. The UV2MAP2 samples also had higher bioactive content (1.76 g kg−1 of gallic acid equivalents (GAE), 1.08 g kg−1 of catechin equivalents (CE) and 0.32 g kg−1 of cyanidin 3-O-glucoside equivalents (CGE)) than the control samples at the end of their shelf life. Moreover, the mass loss was minimal (0.56%), and fruit color and firmness were maintained during shelf life. However, the rest of the batches were not suitable for commercialization after 4 d due to excessive mold development.


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