Search Results
You are looking at 1 - 10 of 17 items for
- Author or Editor: Peter Toivonen x
Chlorophyll “a” fluorescence (Fvar) was compared with respiration and vitamin C content of broccoli [Brassica oleracea L. (Botrytis group)] during storage at 1C. The amplitude of the Fvar maxima declined in a similar manner as respiration and vitamin C content. Fvar was highly correlated with respiration (r = 0·83, P > = 0·0001). The correlation of Fvar with vitamin C content was weaker (r = 0·42, P > = 0·0002). The results demonstrate that Fvar is an indicator of postharvest changes in broccoli and that Fvar can be used as a nondestructive indicator of early changes in tissue condition (i.e., degree of freshness) of broccoli in storage.
The application of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) in fresh-cut processing systems has been approached in three ways: 1) treatment of freshly harvested crop before longer-term storage after which the product is processed, 2) treatment of whole product just before processing, or 3) treatment of fresh-cut product immediately after processing. Results in the literature to date are quite variable in terms of whether 1-MCP treatment provides a benefit, no effect, or a negative effect on shelf life and quality retention of fresh-cut product. There are a number factors that impact the nature and extent of response to 1-MCP by fresh product and these include, but are not limited to, temperature of storage for fresh-cut product, condition of raw product, type of fruit or vegetable, cultivar, harvest maturity, duration of storage before cutting, and the 1-MCP treatment approach. A critical analysis, using existing published and unpublished data, provides a preliminary assessment of the impact of some of these factors. This analysis is intended to provide some insight into important considerations on the use of 1-MCP in fresh-cut processing systems and will guide researchers in considering experimental parameters for future work.
Use of sprays to sanitize and treat apple (Malus ×domestica) slices helps to reduce the potential for cross-contamination that can occur when treatments are done in dip tanks. This research examined several factors that may affect the efficacy of spray treatments: 1) spray volume; 2) efficacy of spray application of anti-browning solution (ABS) compared with dipping; 3) effect of slice density during spraying; and 4) effect of the addition of an antimicrobial compound, vanillin, on microbiologically associated browning. Low-volume sprays (36-50 mL·kg-1 slices) of ABS gave maximal control of browning and this was equivalent to the control afforded by a 2-minute dip in the ABS. Spray application resulted in significant reduction in incidence and severity of microbiologically associated “secondary browning” as compared with dip application. However, if more than one layer of slices were present on the support mesh during the spray treatment, then secondary browning increased. This was attributed to potential cross-contamination between layers of apples in the spray treatment. Addition of vanillin into the ABS resulted in a 50% reduction of the incidence of “secondary browning.” Low-volume spray applications of ABS can be managed such that the microbiologically associated “secondary browning” is much lower than possible with dip application.
The research was conducted to first determine the commercial reality in regards to effectiveness of hydrocooling of sweet cherries (Prunus avium) at commercial packing houses. Temperature data obtained from the commercial studies were then used as a guide to evaluate the effect of small differences (0.5, 3, and 5 °C) in sweet cherry core temperature on the quality retention of ‘Sweetheart’ sweet cherries over 6 weeks of storage to simulate container shipment. Sweet cherry core temperatures after in-line hydrocooling and at the time of packing were generally around 3 or 5 °C. Once palletized and placed in commercial cold rooms, the internal boxes of a pallet did not cool any further. Only when a pallet was exposed to direct airflow from cooling coils did the exterior boxes in an assembled pallet show any further reduction in core temperature of packed sweet cherries. Experiments to evaluate the differences in quality retention at close to ideal core temperature (0.5 °C) vs. at more typical 3 or 5 °C core temperatures demonstrated significant decline when the two higher temperatures were maintained over 6 weeks of storage. Sweet cherry firmness, titratable acidity, and stem removal force value declines in storage were significantly affected by these small differences in core temperature, showing the best retention at 0.5 °C. Stem browning increased significantly with 3 or 5 °C storage by 6 weeks of storage. Decay was also significantly increased with warmer temperatures, but the results were variable likely due to differences in fruit infection at the time of harvest. Soluble solids were unaffected by storage temperature, and weight loss and pitting severity were somewhat affected. These results support the need for post packing cooling of sweet cherries as the core temperatures achieved by in-line hydrocoolers during packing do not reduce temperatures sufficiently to ensure good quality retention over longer periods of time that are required for container shipping to export markets. Therefore, forced-air cooling is recommended to further reduce sweet cherry temperatures in the box, before shipping.
The objective of this study was to determine if chlorophyll fluorescence could be used as an indicator of anaerobic respiration in broccoli (Brassica oleracea L., Italica group) during modified-atmosphere packaging (MAP). Two types of packages were used, PD-941 bags, which provided optimum MAP conditions for broccoli (≈3 kPa O2 plus 5 kPa CO2), and PD-961EZ bags, which allowed the CO2 to accumulate (≈11 kPa CO2). After 28 days in MAP at 1 °C, the broccoli from both types of bag had similar appearances and weight losses. However, broccoli held in the PD-961EZ bags had developed slight to moderate alcoholic off-odors and had higher ethanol, acetaldehyde, and ethyl acetate content, as compared with broccoli in PD-941 bags. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (Fv/Fm, T1/2, Fmd, and ΦPSII) were lower for broccoli held in the PD-961EZ bags than in PD-941 bags, and these differences increased with storage duration. These results indicate that chlorophyll fluorescence is a reliable, rapid, nondestructive indicator of broccoli quality during MAP, and that it could be used to determine if broccoli has developed off-odors without opening the bag and disrupting the package atmosphere.
In order to determine the effects that 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) may have on antioxidant metabolism during cold storage, apples (Malus ×domestica Borkh. cv. Golden Smoothee) were treated with 625 nL·L−1 1-MCP immediately after harvest and stored in air for 3 months. Differences in total antioxidant activity and ascorbate levels were determined during storage and related to the activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase [SOD (EC 1.15.1.1)], catalase [CAT (EC 1.11.1.6)], and peroxidase [POX (EC 1.11.1.7)] in pulp. The level of oxidative stress in the pulp tissue was also established by determining changes in levels of hydrogen peroxide and in the content of peroxidative markers during storage. Controls and 1-MCP-treated fruit exhibited similar changes in total antioxidant activity and ascorbate levels. However, significant differences in oxidative stress levels were found between treated and untreated fruit. 1-MCP-treated fruit exhibited lower levels of hydrogen peroxide and significantly lower levels in peroxidative markers, especially at the end of the storage period. In line with this last result, 1-MCP-treated fruit also exhibited greater enzymatic antioxidant potential and, more specifically, a higher level of POX activity. Collectively, these results showed that 1-MCP did not detrimentally affect the antioxidant potential of the fruit and provided evidence to support the hypothesis that the beneficial effects of 1-MCP on ripening are not exclusively limited to its effect on ethylene, but also include direct effects on peroxidation and POX enzyme activity.
Replacing postharvest moisture loss in carrots (Daucus carota L., `Caro-choice') by single and repeated recharging (rehydration in water) treatments, interaction between the duration of recharging and temperature during recharging, and the effects of these treatments on moisture loss during subsequent short-term storage were studied. Carrot mass gain increased with increase in duration of single recharging treatments. Carrots that had lost 2.96% of their mass during storage at 13 °C and 35% relative humidity regained as much as 83% of the mass during recharging for 12 hours. Longer rechargings had little additional effect. Recharging at 13 °C and 26 °C was more effective at replacing water than at 0 °C. The rate of moisture loss (percent per day) during subsequent storage was not affected by recharging duration and temperature during recharging. With repeated recharging every 3.5 days, increase in recharging duration up to 9 hours increased carrot mass gain. Most of the mass gain occurred following 0 to 7 days of storage. These treatments, however, did not affect the rate of moisture loss during subsequent storage. These results suggest that the beneficial effect of recharging on carrot quality is due to replacement of the lost moisture and not to a decrease in moisture loss during storage following recharging. Abrading increased mass loss in non-recharged carrots and increased mass gain during recharging. Recharging should be explored as an option to improve the shelf life of carrots.
A randomized, complete block, split-plot experimental design with six replicates was established and maintained annually for the first five fruiting seasons (1999 to 2003) in a high-density apple [Malus sylvestris (L) Mill var. domestica (Borkh.) Mansf] orchard on M.9 rootstock planted in Apr. 1998. Main plot treatments involved eight different nutrient regimes, each containing three tree subplots of each of five different cultivars (Ambrosia, Cameo, Fuji, Gala, and Silken). This report compares a +phosphorus (P) treatment, involving annual fertigation at bloom time of 20 g P/tree as ammonium polyphosphate (10N–15P–0K), to a −P treatment. Both treatments also received nitrogen, potassium, and boron nutrients through fertigation. Drip fertigation of P increased 2 M KCl-extractable P to 0.4-m depth within 0.5-m distance of the drippers. Leaf and fruit P concentrations were consistently increased by the +P treatment with few differences among cultivars. P-fertigated trees also had a 20% increase in cumulative yield overall cultivars during the first five fruiting seasons. Standard fruit quality measurements, including fruit size, soluble solids concentration, titratable acidity, and red coloration were unaffected by P application. However, reductions in incidence of water core at harvest, increased resistance to browning, and elevated antioxidant content of harvested fruit measured in some years imply a role for P in apple membrane stability. The cumulative results indicate that applications of 20 g P as ammonium polyphosphate annually at bloom would be advantageous for apples receiving adequate fertigated applications of nitrogen, potassium, and boron. Best apple performance was associated with leaf P concentrations above 2.2 mg·g−1 dry weight and fruit P concentrations between 100 and 120 mg·kg−1 dry weight.
Cristalina and Skeena sweet cherry cultivars (Prunus avium L.) on Gisela 6 (Prunus cerasus × Prunus canescens) rootstock were maintained for the first four growing seasons in a randomized, replicated split-split plot experimental design with two main plot irrigation frequency treatments, the two cultivars as subplots and three soil management subsubplot treatments. The same amount of irrigation water was applied through four drip emitters per tree at either high (I1, four times daily) or low frequency (I2, once every second day) beginning in the second year. Three different soil management treatments were established the year of planting and included: 1) NK fertigation with a herbicide strip (control), or additionally; 2) maintenance of a 10-cm thick bark mulch over the herbicide strip; and 3) annual fertigation of 20 g phosphorus (P) per tree per year immediately after bloom. I1 irrigation increased soil moisture (0- to 20-cm depth) throughout each growing season. The I1 irrigation resulted in higher leaf and fruit concentrations of the immobile nutrients P and potassium (K) and larger trunk cross-sectional area than I2 trees. I1 irrigation, in general, did not affect initial yield or fruit size. Fruit from I2 irrigation had higher soluble solids concentration (SSC), color, and total phenolic concentration at harvest in 2008 and lower titratable acidity (TA), firmness, and stem pull force suggesting an acceleration of fruit maturity. When compared with the control soil management treatment, P fertigation resulted in leaves and fruit with higher P concentrations, a higher 2008 crop yield, and a delay in 2008 crop maturity as indicated by lower harvest color and SSC and higher stem pull force. Mulch application, relative to control treatments, resulted in trees with higher vigor (but only with I1 irrigation) and leaf K concentration and had few effects on initial fruit yield or quality. There were important differences in cultivar responses to treatments. ‘Cristalina’ vigor was lower than ‘Skeena’ whose fruit had lower firmness and pedicel retention than ‘Cristalina’.