The Effects of a Gum Arabic-Based Edible Coating on Guava Fruit Characteristics during Storage

Guava is a nutritious fruit that has perishable behavior during storage. We aimed to determine the influences of some edible coatings (namely, cactus pear stem (10%), moringa (10%), and henna leaf (3%) extracts incorporated with gum Arabic (10%)), on the guava fruits’ properties when stored under ambient and refrigeration temperatures for 7, 14, and 21 days. The results revealed that the coating with gum Arabic (10%) only, or combined with the natural plant extracts, exhibited a significant reduction in weight loss, decay, and rot ratio. Meanwhile, there were notable increases in marketability. Moreover, among all tested treatments, the application of gum Arabic (10%) + moringa extract (10%) was the superior treatment for most studied parameters, and exhibited for the highest values for maintaining firmness, total soluble solids, total sugars, and total antioxidant activity. Overall, it was suggested that coating guava with 10% gum Arabic combined with other plant extracts could maintain the postharvest storage quality of the cold-storage guava.

Response of Root Exudates of Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) to Exposure of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Root exudates play a pivotal role in the behaviors of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in mangrove sediments, but the knowledge of how mangrove root exudates response to PAHs pollutants is limited. This study examined the root exudates of Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) (B. gymnorrhiza) under exposure in phenanthrene, pyrene, and benzo[a]pyrene solution through a 45 days hydroponic cultivation. The results showed that the root exudates of B. gymnorrhiza were mainly hydrocarbon compounds. Tartaric acid was the dominant low molecular weight organic acids (LMWOAs) in root exudates. Under PAHs stress, the proportion of hydrocarbon compounds in root exudates decreased, while the proportion of amide compounds increased. At the first 15 days exposure, the amounts of dissolved organic carbon, soluble total sugars, total organic acids and LWMOAs all increased and reached the maximum values, subsequently, the amounts of root exudates had dropped. The degradation rates of PAHs followed the sequence of phenanthrene > pyrene > benzo [a] pyrene, and the presence of root exudates can significantly enhance the degradation of PAHs. The results illustrated that PAHs stress can significantly change the concentrations and species of root exudates. This study provides the scientific reference for understanding the ability of B. gymnorrhiza response to PAHs stress.

Optimization of dextran production from Leuconostoc strains isolated from different dairy products from Ouargla region Algeria

Leuconostoc (Ln) sp. belongs to a group of lactic acid bacteria, which has the capacity to produce dextran (an exopolysaccharides) in the presence of su-crose. dextran is industrially important, it was the first microbial exopolysac-charide affirmed for commercial use. This study aimed to optimize the pro-duction of the synthesized dextran by Ln strains species isolated from differ-ent dairy products. Morphological, cultural, physiological and biochemical characteristics were employed to identify 23 isolated strains. We have identi-fied the species: Ln. gelidum, Ln. carnosum, Ln. citreum, Ln. fallax, Ln. mesen-teroides subsp mesenteroides, Ln. mesenteroides subsp dextranicum, Ln. mesenteroides subsp cremoris. 20 strains had the capacity to produce dex-tran from sucrose. The precipitation and quantification of EPS on MRSs (Mark rogosa et sharpe sucrose) medium revealed a difference between the strains, by the total sugars assay method, the amount of EPS varied between 0.63 ± 0.19 and 2.41 ± 0.17 g / L of strains LnF70 and LnC1 (isolated from goat's milk), respectively. The dextran production from MRSs medium was better than from liquid MSE. The optimization of production on MRSs medi-um with different concentration of glucose, yeast extract and sucrose showed that the strains had good production with a concentration of 2% glucose, 0.3% yeast extract and 10% sucrose.

Intakes of nutrients and food categories in Canadian children and adolescents across levels of sugars intake: Cross-sectional analyses of the Canadian Community Health Survey 2015 Public Use Microdata File

Dietary recommendations to reduce sugars consumption may influence choices of sugars-containing foods and affect the intake of key micronutrients. We compared intakes of nutrients and food sources stratified by quintiles of total sugars in Canadian children (2-8y) and adolescents (9-13y, 14-18y) using 24-hour dietary recalls from the 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey-Nutrition. Energy intakes did not differ across quintiles of sugars intake. Those with lower sugars intakes (Q1/Q3) generally had higher protein, fat, sodium, niacin, folate and zinc and lower vitamin C compared to those with the highest sugars intakes (Q5). Q1 also had lower potassium but higher saturated fat compared to Q5. Further, Q1 generally had higher protein, fats and niacin compared to Q3, while children in Q3 had higher potassium and riboflavin and older adolescents had higher calcium and fibre. Q5 had highest intakes of multiple sugar-containing food categories (e.g. fruit, confectionary, milks, cakes/pies/pastries), with higher sugars-sweetened beverages in adolescents. Q3 had higher fruit, milks and fruit juice compared to Q1 and lower sugars/syrups/preserves, confectionary, and fruit juices compared to Q5. Certain nutrient-dense food sources of sugars (fruit, milks) may help increase key nutrients (potassium, calcium, fibre) in older adolescents with low sugars intakes. However, in those with the highest sugars intakes, nutrient-poor foods may displace nutrient-dense foods. Novelty: • Canadian children and adolescents with lower sugars intake have better intakes of some nutrients • Energy intakes did not differ across sugars intake • Older adolescents with mean intakes of total sugars had better intakes of some key nutrients (potassium, calcium, fibre)

Influence of probiotics on physico-chemical and organoleptic characteristics of sweet orange juice

Aim: The study was undertaken to evaluate the survival probiotic organisms and its influence on the physical, chemical, nutritional and sensory characteristics of sweet orange juice. Methodology: Two samples of probiotic juice were prepared with 10 percent innoculum containing LAB strains (Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Lactobacillus plantarum). Sample A (without encapsulated strains) and Sample-B (with encapsulated strains) were prepared and incubated for 10hrs at 35oC. After incubation, the physico-chemical analysis of both the samples were analyzed for TSS, pH, acidity, total sugars, reducing sugars and ascorbic acid content. Results: The results of TSS, pH, acidity, total sugars, reducing sugars and ascorbic acid content for sample –A and Sample –B were 11.4˚Brix, 3.51, 0.82 percent, 6.1 percent, 1.5 percent, 4.6 percent, 40mgml-1 and 11.6˚ Brix, 3.68, 0.77 percent, 6.4 percent, 1.7 percent, 4.9 percent, 40 mg ml-1, respectively. Sensory evaluation revealed that overall acceptance of probiotic juice containing encapsulated strains and free strains in the first week was 8.3 and 7.8, respectively. Even after 4 weeks of storage, the overall acceptance for juice with encapsulated strains was better than free strains with a score of 7.5 and 7.0 at the end of storage period. Interpretation: The sweet orange juice with encapsulated strains has high viable cell count (109cfu ml-1) even after 4 weeks of storage resulted in stable therapeutic probiotic sweet orange juice. It is further, suitable for commercial production of probiotic sweet orange juice with probiotic cultures.

Artificial Shading Can Adversely Affect Heat-tolerant Lettuce Growth and Taste, with Concomitant Changes in Gene Expression

Shading has been used to produce high-quality lettuce (Lactuca sativa) in locations where production conditions are not optimal for this cool-season crop. To learn what additional benefits shading provides if heat-tolerant cultivars are used and to understand the effects of shading on growth, sensory quality, chemical content, and transcriptome profile on heat-tolerant lettuce, we grew two romaine lettuce cultivars with and without shading using 50% black shadecloth in 2018 and 2019. Shading reduced plant leaf temperatures, lettuce head fresh weights, glucose and total sugars content, and sweetness, but not bitterness, whereas it increased lettuce chlorophyll b content compared with unshaded controls. Transcriptome analyses identified genes predominantly involved in chlorophyll biosynthesis, photosynthesis, and carbohydrate metabolism as upregulated in unshaded controls compared with shaded treatments. For the tested cultivars, which were bred to withstand high growing temperatures, it may be preferable to grow them under unshaded conditions to avoid increased infrastructure costs and obtain lettuce deemed sweeter than if shaded.

Improvement in the Quality Attributes of Forage Cowpea by Use of Liquid Microbial Inoculants

Background: The present investigation was accepted to study the impact of liquid microbial inoculants on the quality parameters of forage cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). There upon, the field experiment was conducted during kharif 2018 at Punjab Agricultural University, Regional Research Station, Bathinda and at Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab respectively. Methods: The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with a total of eleven treatment combinations of liquid microbial inoculants (Burkholderia seminalis, Burkholderia sp. and Bradyrhizobium sp.) with 75% and 100% RDF and replicated thrice. The qualitative properties including crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), in-vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), total soluble sugars and ash content were determined on the forage samples. Result: The results indicated that the treatment T10 (75% RDF + Burkholderia sp. + Burkholderia seminalis) has reduced ADF% and NDF% at both the locations. Forage with high ADF and NDF% content tends to have low digestibility, low ADF and NDF% is desirable. In addition, treatment T10 showed significantly (p less than 0.05) improved IVDMD (79.98%) and total sugars (15.82 mg/g) at Ludhiana and at Bathinda, T10 treatment significantly escalated crude protein (19.93%), total ash content (11.55%), total chlorophyll content (2.07 mg/g) and total sugars (15.80 mg/g).Further correlation studies showed highly significant positive correlation among ADF% and NDF% and there negative correlation with all other quality components at both the locations. Consequently, liquid microbial inoculants can play pertinent role in ameliorating fibre quality and interrelation between the various quality parameters proposed that forage with low ADF% and NDF% can be selected for simultaneous amelioration in different attributes of quality.

The influence of growth regulators on the quality of the harvest of grapes varieties Moskovskij ustojchivyj and Khasansky Bousa in the conditions of Moscow

The article presents the results of studying the influence of growth regulators on the quality of the grape harvest of varieties of interspecific variety Moskovsky ustojchivyj (Skuin 675) and Khasansky Bousa when growing them in Moscow. An assessment of the quality of the crop was carried out when using shock freezing as a processing of fruit and berry raw materials, which makes it possible to obtain a well-preserved, transportable and not losing its properties product. Keywords: GRAPES, GROWTH REGULATORS, CROP QUALITY, TOTAL SUGARS, SHOCK FREEZING, CRYOPRESERVATION

Assessment of the Interactive Effect of the Use of 1-Methylcyclopropene and Cultivars on the Nutritional Value of Broccoli during Storage

Broccoli is a short-term fresh storage vegetable; it most often goes to the processing plant where it is frozen or cold-stored. 1-methylcyclopropene gas (1-MCP) can be used to extend broccoli’s shelf life. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of the genetic cultivar determinants, the use of 1-MCP and the storage time on the weight loss as well as the content of nutrients and harmful compounds in cultivars: ‘Bay Meadows’, ‘Monaco’, ‘Naxos’ and ‘Vicario’. The cultivars selected for the study differed significantly in terms of the traits after harvest and storage, and the differences were also conditioned by the interaction of the genetic factor and 1-MCP used, especially within 30 days after harvest. Of the broccoli cultivars, ‘Monaco’ demonstrated the lowest weight loss during storage, the highest content of dry weight, total sugars, vitamin C, both after harvest and after storage, in the samples treated with 1-methylcycloprepene after harvest. In turn, ‘Vicario’ lost most weight after storage and broccoli florets treated with 1-MCP have lost less weight. The highest amounts of nitrates and nitrites, both after harvest and after storage, were found in ‘Monaco’; however, the differences, as compared with the other cultivars, were significant, yet relatively low. The lowest compactness of the florets was recorded, and hence the lowest commercial value (basically unmarketable), for ‘Naxos’, ‘Monaco’ and ‘Vicario’ cultivars after 30 days of storage without the use of 1-MCP. However, due to the use of 1-MCP and low temperature (4 °C), the commercial value of those broccoli cultivars was satisfactory.

Characterizing Selected Sorghum Grain Varieties and Evaluating the Suitability of Their Malt Extracts for Cultivating Microbial Biomass

Microbial biomass is cultivated for different technological applications including food processing, medicine, waste management, and research. The conventional growth media used are generally expensive thus necessitating the development of more affordable alternatives. In this study, four sorghum grain varieties, SESO 1, SESO 3, Epuripur, and Eyera, and their malt extracts were characterized which is aimed at determining their suitability for growing microbial biomass. The varieties had kernel length, kernel width, kernel thickness, and thousand kernel weigh equivalent to 3.8-4.3 mm, 3.2-4.5 mm, 2.4-2.8 mm, and 12.4-20.2 g, respectively. SESO 1 and Epuripur had corneous endosperm textures whereas those of SESO 3 and Eyera were intermediate and floury, respectively. Varieties had germinative energies > 90 % and total defects < 8 %. SESO 3 had the highest ( p < 0.05 ) crude protein ( 10.8 ± 0.3 %) and dietary fiber ( 22.5 ± 0.4 %) whereas Epuripur had the highest ( p < 0.05 ) starch ( 81.6 ± 0.0 %) and crude fat ( 2.9 ± 0.1 %). There was no significant difference ( p > 0.05 ) in the ash contents ( 2.1 ± 0.0 %). The total sugars, free amino nitrogen, condensed tannins, and pH of the malt extracts were 106-116 g/L, 70-78 mg/L, 0.1-0.6 mg/mL, and 5.5-5.7, respectively. The composition of the sorghum malt extracts suggests their potential for use in cultivating microbial biomass.