Packaging Solutions to Extend the Shelf Life of Green Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) ‘Vegalim’

The aim of the study was to assess, through a comparative shelf-life test, the suitability of two packaging materials, namely macro-perforated polypropylene (PP MA) and micro-perforated coextruded polypropylene (PP C), for the quality preservation of green asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L. ‘Vegalim’). Quality of spears was evaluated during 30 days at refrigerated storage by monitoring chemical, physical, and enzymatic parameters as well as sensory descriptors. PP C kept headspace composition close to suggested values for fresh green asparagus. Total color difference increased during the storage and it was highly correlated with chlorophyll-a and carotenoids, however, sensory color perception did not change significantly until 22 days of storage. PP C maintained ascorbic acid concentrations close to the initial levels, limited total phenolic compound loss to 24% (45% in PP MA), determined an increase of 72% in fiber content and small changes in lignin value; enzymatic changes were significantly inhibited. Significant sensorial differences were detected after 22 days of storage, with PP C performing better than PP MA. PP C film was confirmed as the best choice, limiting weight loss and maintaining a fresh-like appearance during 30 days of storage, thus allowing an extension in postharvest life.

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Exogenous Melatonin Reduces Lignification and Retains Quality of Green Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.)

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods10092111 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 2111

Author(s):

Athip Boonsiriwit ◽

Myungho Lee ◽

Minhwi Kim ◽

Pontree Itkor ◽

Youn Suk Lee

Keyword(s):

Shelf Life ◽

Phenylalanine Ammonia Lyase ◽

Color Change ◽

Lignin Content ◽

Asparagus Officinalis ◽

Melatonin Treatment ◽

Post Harvest ◽

High Respiration Rate ◽

Green Asparagus

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) is highly perishable because of its high respiration rate, which continues after harvesting and leads to weight loss, increased hardness, color change, and limited shelf life. Melatonin is an indoleamine that plays an important role in abiotic stress. This study was designed to investigate the effects of melatonin on the quality attributes of green asparagus during cold storage. Green asparagus was soaked in a melatonin solution (50, 100, and 200 μM) for 30 min and then stored at 4 °C under 90% relative humidity for 25 days. The results indicated that melatonin treatment delayed the post-harvest senescence of asparagus and maintained high chlorophyll and vitamin C levels. Melatonin treatment hindered phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and peroxidase activities and reduced lignin content, thereby delaying the increase in firmness. Moreover, melatonin treatment enhanced catalase and superoxide dismutase activities, leading to reduced hydrogen peroxide content. These results indicate that melatonin treatment can be used to maintain the post-harvest quality and prolong the shelf life of green asparagus.

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Evaluation of Physiological and Quality Parameters of Green Asparagus Spears Subjected to Three Treatments against the Decline Syndrome

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11050937 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 937

Author(s):

Francisco Javier López-Moreno ◽

Santiago Atero-Calvo ◽

Eloy Navarro-León ◽

Begoña Blasco ◽

Teresa Soriano ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Early Death ◽

Amino Acid Profile ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Asparagus Officinalis ◽

Chicken Manure ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Whole Plants ◽

High Level ◽

Green Asparagus

Green asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) is a widely grown and consumed crop which provides high-level nutritional interest. In recent years, the decline syndrome in asparagus plantations has been rapidly augmenting. This syndrome causes the early death of whole plants, also negatively affecting the new replanting. Decline causes notable economic losses in the sector. The objective of this work was to verify the effect of different treatments against asparagus decline syndrome on the physiological parameters and nutritional quality of the spears. To meet the objective, four different treatments were applied to asparagus plots strongly affected by decline syndrome: (T1) untreated control soil, (T2) biofumigation with Brassica pellets, (T3) biofumigation with chicken manure pellets, and (T4) disinfestation of the soil with Dazomet. The cumulative yield and physiological and quality parameters of green asparagus spears were studied. Thus, malondialdehyde (MDA), photosynthetic pigments, glutathione (GSH), ascorbate (AsA), total phenols, flavonoids, anthocyanin, antioxidant test, mineral nutrients, and the amino acid profile were measured on asparagus spears. The results showed that the Brassica pellets and Dazomet treatments were the most effective against the damage caused by the decline syndrome. However, it would be necessary to monitor the evolution in the following years.

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Effects of Furrow Height and Amount of Manure Compost on the Growth, Yield, and Quality of Organically Grown Green Asparagus

Vietnam Journal of Agricultural Sciences ◽

10.31817/vjas.2021.4.2.06 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 1056-1066

Author(s):

Nguyen Hong Hanh ◽

Nguyen Thi Ai Nghia ◽

Nguyen Thi Ngoc Dinh ◽

Do Thi Huong

Keyword(s):

Block Design ◽

Growth Yield ◽

Asparagus Officinalis ◽

Manure Compost ◽

Yield And Quality ◽

Upland Crop ◽

National University ◽

Organically Grown ◽

Green Asparagus

A two-season field trial was carried out in the Upland Crop Experiment Field of the Faculty of Agronomy, Vietnam National University of Agriculture (VNUA) to assess the effects of three furrow heights (20, 35, and 50cm) and three manure compost levels (15, 25, and 35 tons ha-1) on the growth, yield, and quality of green asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) grown organically. The experiments were arranged in a randomized completely block design (RCBD) with three replications. The results showed that the harvested yield was highest (11.3 and 25.1 quintals ha-1 in the 2019 autumn and 2020 spring season, respectively) in the treatment with a furrow height of 35cm and compost level of 35 tons ha-1 in both seasons, and explained by the increased spear diameters and number of spears per plant in this treatment when the furrow height and compost level were increased. Additionally, the chlorophyll content, water loss, and dry matter weight of the spears also increased when the furrow height and compost level increased. The obtained quality of the spears under organic management at the furrow height of 35 cm and compost level of 35 tons ha-1 was higher than the other treatments with higher reducing sugars, vitamin C, and Brix values, while the residue nitrate contents of all the treatments were lower than the allowed safety threshold.

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Effects of high hydrostatic pressure on the overall quality of Pêra-Rio orange juice during shelf life

Food Science and Technology International ◽

10.1177/1082013218768997 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 24 (6) ◽

pp. 507-518 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Paz Spira ◽

Antonio Bisconsin-Junior ◽

Amauri Rosenthal ◽

Magali Monteiro

Keyword(s):

Antioxidant Activity ◽

Hydrostatic Pressure ◽

Shelf Life ◽

Orange Juice ◽

High Hydrostatic Pressure ◽

Residual Activity ◽

Pectin Methylesterase ◽

Physicochemical Characteristics ◽

Total Phenolic

The effect of high hydrostatic pressure on antioxidant activity, total phenolic compounds, physicochemical characteristics, color, pectin methylesterase activity, and microbiological count were evaluated during the shelf life of Pêra-Rio orange juice. Pressurized (520 MPa, 60 ℃, for 360 s), non-processed and pasteurized (95 ℃/30 s) orange juice were compared at zero time of storage. Pressurized and pasteurized juices were studied during a refrigerated 90-day shelf life. Pressurization did not cause expressive change in physicochemical characteristics of Pêra-Rio orange juice along shelf life, but significantly reduced pectin methylesterase residual activity to 13% and microbiological counts below detection levels up to 68 days of storage, with small counts (30.0 × 10 CFU/mL mesophilic aerobic bacteria and 20.7 × 10 CFU/mL yeast and mold) at 90 days, capable of ensuring the juice’s stability along shelf life. Lightness ( L*) and b* values were significantly reduced by high hydrostatic pressure during shelf life, while a* values were significantly higher. Ascorbic acid decreased around 80% during shelf life. Antioxidant activity remained stable after processing and during storage.

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Pre-Harvest Foliar Application of Mineral Nutrients to Retard Chlorophyll Degradation and Preserve Bio-Active Compounds in Broccoli

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy9110711 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. 711

Author(s):

Mohamed M. El-Mogy ◽

Mohamed Abdel M. Wahab ◽

Mohamed B. I. El-Sawy ◽

Aditya Parmar

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Shelf Life ◽

Foliar Application ◽

Growth Parameters ◽

Management Practice ◽

Nutrient Content ◽

Mineral Nutrients ◽

Postharvest Quality ◽

Total Phenolic

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.

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Protein Bread Fortification with Cumin and Caraway Seeds and by-Products Flour

10.20944/preprints201801.0188.v1 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Bouchra Sayed Ahmad ◽

Thierry Talou ◽

Evita Straumite ◽

Martins Sabovics ◽

Zanda Kruma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Radical Scavenging Activity ◽

Radical Scavenging ◽

Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity ◽

Total Phenolic ◽

Nutritional Values ◽

Phenolic Contents ◽

Trolox Equivalent ◽

Sensory Color ◽

By Products

This study investigated the effect of protein bread fortification with 2, 4 and 6% of cumin (Cuminum cyminum) and caraway (Carum carvi) whole seeds and by-products flour, respectively. Fortified protein bread samples were compared to control protein bread and evaluated for their sensory, color, moisture, hardness properties as well as their nutritional values. Total phenolic contents and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity were also analyzed. Results indicated that bread fortification shows significant effects on bread properties depending on fortification level. A higher acceptability was observed specially for bread fortified with by-products flour. Increased tendencies of color darkness, moisture content, bread hardness, nutritional values as well as total phenolic content and radical scavenging activity compared to control bread were observed as the percentage of fortification increased in both cases. The overall results showed that addition of cumin and caraway seeds and by-products flour can improve the antioxidant potential and overall quality of protein bread.

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Postharvest Quality of Cherry Tomatoes Coated with Mucilage from Dragon Fruit and Irradiated with UV-C

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym13172919 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (17) ◽

pp. 2919

Author(s):

Zuliana Razali ◽

Chandran Somasundram ◽

Siti Zalifah Nurulain ◽

Wijenthiran Kunasekaran ◽

Matthew Raj Alias

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Ascorbic Acid ◽

Shelf Life ◽

Edible Coating ◽

Postharvest Quality ◽

Total Phenolic ◽

Flavonoid Content ◽

Uv C ◽

Cherry Tomatoes

Cherry tomatoes are climacteric fruits that have a limited shelf life. Over the years, many methods have been applied to preserve the fruit quality and safety of these fruits. In this study, a novel method of combining mucilage from dragon fruits and UV-C irradiation was carried out. Cherry tomatoes were subjected to UV-C irradiation and edible coating, both as a stand-alone and hurdle treatment. The edible coating was prepared from the mucilage of white dragon fruits. Quality parameters including color, weight loss, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, antioxidant analysis (total phenolic content and flavonoid content), and microbial analysis were measured throughout 21 days of storage at 4 °C. Results showed that the hurdle treatment extended shelf life by 21 days, reduced weight loss (0.87 ± 0.05%) and color changes (11.61 ± 0.95 ΔE), and inhibited microbes better than stand-alone treatments. Furthermore, fruits treated with the combination of UV-C and edible coating also contained higher total polyphenol content (0.132 ± 0.003 mg GAE/100 mL), total flavonoid content (13.179 ± 0.002 mg CE/100 mL), and ascorbic acid (1.07 ± 0.06 mg/100 mL). These results show that the combination of UV-C and edible coating as a hurdle treatment could be an innovative method to preserve shelf life and quality of fruits.

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Water blanching conditions on the quality of green asparagus butt segment (Asparagus officinalis L.)

Materials Today Proceedings ◽

10.1016/j.matpr.2019.07.468 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

pp. 4799-4809

Author(s):

Thi Van Linh Nguyen ◽

Tan Thanh Vo ◽

Tri Duc Lam ◽

Long Giang Bach

Keyword(s):

Asparagus Officinalis ◽

Green Asparagus

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Influence of Chitosan-Based Edible Coating on the Shelf Life and Nutritional Quality of Guava (Psidium guajava L.) Fruit in Room and Refrigerated Temperatures

10.20944/preprints202103.0652.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Areeqa Shamshad ◽

shahzad Zafar Iqbal ◽

Ahmad Faizal Abdull Razis ◽

Sunusi Usman ◽

Nada Basheir Ali ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Shelf Life ◽

Psidium Guajava ◽

Edible Coating ◽

Total Phenolic ◽

Guava Fruit ◽

Phenolic Contents ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Control Versus ◽

Control Samples

Guava is a vital fruit worldwide, especially in Pakistan, and due to its nutritional value famous in each age group. Due to a very short shelf life, the marketing and export of this fruit faced severe constraints. Therefore, in the current study, edible coating of chitosan (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0%) was evaluated on postharvest shelf life when guava fruits were stored (room temperature and 4 °C temperatures) for 12 days. The chitosan treated coating fruits have shown reduced total sugars and malondialdehyde levels compared to untreated control samples. However, a significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) in total sugar and malondialdehyde levels exists between samples stored in m compared to refrigerated temperature (4 °C). The chitosan-coated samples have shown a greater amount of vitamin C, quercetin, rutin, and total phenolic contents than control samples. However, these nutritional parameters' levels were significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) in samples stored at room than samples stored at refrigerated temperature. However, the levels of crude fiber, potassium, and sodium were found statistically nonsignificant (p ≥0.05) in control versus chitosan treated coating treatments. The findings have documented that the coatings of 1.5 and 2.0% were most effective for extension in shelf life and maintaining the nutritional attributes of guava fruit.

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