0000000000117586
AUTHOR
Alessandra Gallotta
Metabolic profiling and post-harvest behavior of “dottato” fig (Ficus carica L.) fruit covered with an edible coating from O. ficus-indica
Fig fruits are usually highly sensitive to some physiopathological disorders during post-harvest life, such as softening and skin cracking. Indeed, the use of edible coating (EC) has been evaluated in several fruit crops to reduce fruit post-harvest transpiration and to maintain fruit visual quality. The aim of this study was to determine the post-harvest metabolic response of breba figs treated with mucilage extract from O. ficus-indica cladodes, using an untargeted metabolomic approach. Coated and non coated (control) fruit were sealed in plastic bags, and stored at 4 °C for 7 days. The effect of the edible coatings on their quality fruit during cold storage and qualitative attributes wer…
PREDICTION OF HARVEST TIME IN PEACH [PRUNUS PERSICA (L.) BATSCH] FRUIT USING THE DA-METER
The aim of this work was to define the most appropriate time of harvesting early ripening peach fruit using destructive and non-destructive quality indexes such as the index of absorbance (IAD), measured with the DA-Meter, a portable equipment able to measure the degradation of chlorophyll in the pericarp. In this context our research was carried out in 2009 and 2010 on several peach cultivars. Total soluble solid content increased while flesh firmness and total acidity decreased with IAD values, but no significant correlation was found between destructive and non-destructive parameters.
Postharvest quality and sensory attributes of organically grown Ficus carica L.
This study evaluates some physical and chemical characteristics and sensory descriptors of fig fruit cultivars ‘Petrelli’ and ‘Fico di Terlizzi’, belonging to the national germplasm bank of fig trees and cultivated in Southern Italy. For the sensory evaluation of external appearance, the descriptors skin color, pulp color, odor, sweetness, stickiness, bitterness, juiciness, firmness, tannic taste and presence of achenes were measured. Results showed that fresh weight, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), TSS:TA, firmness, and sensory properties were different for the two cultivars. SSC was more correlated with sensory attributes than TA, but other factors were also important…
Effects of combinational use of controlled atmosphere, cold storage and edible coating applications on shelf life and quality attributes of fresh-cut persimmon fruit
Abstract Background Persimmon fruits are cherished for their unique flavor and high nutrient content. In the present study, the effects of Aloe vera-based edible coatings (EC) added with 1% ascorbic acid, 1% citric acid and 5% calcium chloride in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and their impact on shelf-life quality of fresh-cut persimmon fruit, were investigated. The experimental design consisted of four treatments 1) Aloe vera edible coating + modified atmosphere packaging (EC + MAP), 2) untreated fruit packaged with MAP (CTR + MAP); 3) Aloe vera-based edible coating in passive atmosphere (EC PASSIVE); 4) untreated fruit in passive atmosphere (CTR PASSIVE). Persimmon fruit were stored…
The use of MAP for maintaining quality of ‘Bifara’ fig fruits
Bifara is an old cultivar of Sicilians breba fig (Ficus carica L.). Several studies on market trends and consumer preferences show that fresh fruit is required to have a good visual appearance and to be without defects on the skin in order to be considered fresh and healthy. Breba fig is a climacteric fruit that ripens very rapidly, and therefore, once harvested, it must be kept under low temperature. To reduce the respiration rate of this fruit and increase its postharvest life, effectiveness of low temperature storage was studied on ‘Bifara’ fig fruit, either placed in Modified Atmosphere Packaging MAP (20 kPa O2 and 15 kPa CO2) bags and stored for 3, 5, 7, and 10 days at 5°C and 90% RH. …
Fresh-cut storage of fruit and fresh-cuts affects the behaviour of minimally processed Big Bang nectarines ( Prunus persica L. Batsch) during shelf life
Abstract Nectarine can be minimally processed to successfully produce ready-to-eat fresh-cuts fruit. The aim of this work was to study the combined effect of the ripening stage of cold stored fruit before processing and the length of the storage period of fresh-cut slices after minimal processing, on the behaviour of minimally processed “Big Bang” nectarines during shelf life. ‘Big Bang’nectarine slices obtained from fruit stored at 1 ± 0.5 °C (RH = 90%) for 1 d, 10 d and 15 d were stored for 0, 3, 5, 7, 12 d. at 5 °C. At the end of each storage period, visual quality, color (L*, a* and b*), phenols and carothenoids content, TSS, TA were measured together with in-package CO2 and O2. Despite…
Postharvest quality and sensory attributes of Ficus carica L
The aim of this research was to evaluate the relationship between some physical and chemical characteristics and sensory descriptors of fig fruits ‘Dottato’ and ‘Melanzana’, belonging to the national germplasm bank of fig trees and cultivated in Southern Italy. The sensory principal descriptors used are external appearance, skin color, pulp color, odor, sweetness, stickiness, bitterness, juiciness, firmness, tannic taste and presence of achenes. Fresh weight, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), TSS:TA, firmness, and sensory properties changed with cultivar. SSC was more correlated with sensory attributes than TA, but other factors may also be important in controlling this r…
The effectiveness of Opuntia ficus-indica mucilage edible coating on postharvest maintenance of ‘Dottato’ fig (Ficus carica L.) fruit
Abstract Breba figs are highly perishable and their shelf-life is very short. In this study, breba figs (cv. ‘Dottato’) were treated with a mucilage solution of Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes, sealed in plastic bags, and stored at 4 °C for 14 days. The effect of the edible coating on the shelf-life and qualitative attributes of the fruit were evaluated by colors, content of total soluble solids, titratable acidity, total phenol, total carotenoids. Results showed that coating improves the quality of breba fig during storage. The edible coating was effective in maintaining fruit fresh weight, visual score values, fruit firmness and total carotenoid content. Coated fruit showed a significantly …
Postharvest Application of Aloe vera Gel-Based Edible Coating to Improve the Quality and Storage Stability of Fresh-Cut Papaya
Ready-to-eat products are damaged by various factors, including exposure to O2 and CO2, extreme temperatures, and rapid decay, due to trauma during processing. The use of natural antimicrobial agents and antioxidants might extend the shelf-life of the fruits. The aim of this work is to investigate the effects of four different antibrowning and gelling agents added into the Aloe vera gel-based edible coatings and applied to fresh-cut papaya. EC1 treatment consists of Aloe vera gel (30% v/v), EC2 contains CaCl2 (5% v/v), EC3 contains K carrageenan (0.5% v/v), and EC4 contains sodium alginate (1.5% v/v) and K carrageenan (0.5% v/v). The fruits treated with EC2 showed the best results while mai…
Effect of low SO2 postharvest treatment on quality parameters of ‘Italia’ table grape during prolonged cold storage
Table grape is a non-climacteric fruit with a low rate of physiological activity, very sensitive to water loss and fungal infection (Botrytis cinerea) during postharvest handling and cold storage. Gray mold is the most aggressive postharvest disease, because of its ability to develop at low temperatures, for that reason, it is standard practice to fumigate with sulfur dioxide (SO2) immediately after packing. ‘Italia’ table grape boxes were stored at 2°C for 4 months in a storage room with low concentrations of SO2 (0.20%) to extend their postharvest shelf life. Every 15 days, a sample of ‘Italia’ table grapes boxes was moved to 20°C for 3 days for the shelf life simulation. During storage, …