0000000000698165
AUTHOR
Roberta Passafiume
showing 24 related works from this author
Analysis of aroma compounds of nine autochthonous and non-autochthonous loquat cultivars grown in Sicily
2021
Loquat cultivation in Sicily is mainly based on nonnative cultivars and local ecotypes characterized by high nutraceutical value and appreciable physicochemical characteristics. Increased interest in commercial loquat production has increased the intention to provide premium quality loquat cultivars that include volatile substances capable of conditioning the sensorial properties and, therefore, the acceptability of fruits by consumers. This study determined the content of volatile compounds in nonnative and local loquat fruits grown in Sicily. Analyses were performed on five international cultivars and four local cultivars.
Effects of Tray-Drying on the Physicochemical, Microbiological, Proximate, and Sensory Properties of White- and Red-Fleshed Loquat (Eriobotrya Japoni…
2022
Loquat fruits, highly valued by consumers for their characteristic aroma and pleasant taste, have a short post-harvest life and are susceptible to mechanical damage, loss of firmness, and initial organoleptic characteristics. The aim of this work was to develop a drying method suitable for storing loquat fruits in polyamide/polyethylene (PA/PE) bags containing two gaseous mixtures (treatments): MAPN2 (100% N2) and MAPP (21% O2 and 0.04% CO2), at room temperature (20 ± 1 °C) for at least 2 months. The effects of these conditions on the physico-chemical, microbiological, proximate, and sensory properties of fruit stored over a 50-day time interval were studied. The results showed that convect…
Chemical–physical characteristics, polyphenolic content and total antioxidant activity of three Italian-grown pomegranate cultivars
2019
Background: In Mediterranean countries, there is an increasing demand for pomegranate fruits due to their antioxidant properties and nutritional values. The large diffusion of new genotypes and cultivars requires the knowledge of all fruit characteristics in connection with the cultivation area, to satisfy the market demand. This study seeks to determine the fruit quality attributes and nutraceutical values of three pomegranate cultivars (Wonderful, Acco and Kamel) grown in the Mediterranean climate. Methods: The fruits were evaluated for their main physico-chemical traits (weight, volume, height, width, thickness, total arils number, total arils weight, juiciness, fruit index, peel index a…
Effect of Three Different Aloe vera Gel-Based Edible Coatings on the Quality of Fresh-Cut “Hayward” Kiwifruits
2020
In recent years, the market for minimally processed fruit has increased. Fresh-cut fruits are characterized by a short shelf life due to the processing phases that accelerate the ripening courses. The aim of this work is to analyze the effect on the quality of fresh-cut Hayward kiwis of three different edible coatings based on (1) Aloe vera gel, (2) Aloe vera gel + hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and (3) Aloe vera gel + lemon essential oil. Fruit firmness, weight loss, color, soluble solids content, titratable acidity, microbial load and sensory analysis were evaluated as fresh after 2, 4, 7 and 10 days. Aloe vera gel and Aloe vera gel + lemon essential oil maintained the best values, as they…
Studio della qualità dei frutti e della risposta fotosintetica di tre cultivar di Mango (Mangifera indica L.) coltivate in serra in Sicilia
2022
La coltivazione del mango all’interno di una serra in Sicilia sottopone le piante a temperature estremamente elevate, fino a 50 °C, mentre le temperature minime registrate in serra durante la notte nel corso dell’anno non differiscono da quelle registrate all’aperto. Nonostante le alte temperature estive, l’attività fotosintetica delle piante ha mostrato valori elevati (fino a 20μmol (CO2)/s), ovvero uno dei più alti per il mango sulla base di quanto finora riportato in letteratura. I frutti ottenuti erano di alta qualità, non presentavano imperfezioni derivanti da danni di natura biotica o abiotica. Avevano, inoltre, un elevato contenuto zuccherino e sono stati pienamente apprezzati dai gi…
The Use of Opuntia ficus-indica Mucilage and Aloe arborescens as Edible Coatings to Improve the Physical, Chemical, and Microbiological Properties of…
2022
Edible coatings (EC) with mucilage of Opuntia ficus-indica or Aloe arborescens are promising to extend the shelf life of fresh-cut fruit products by reducing weight loss and microbial spoilage. In this work, fresh-cut kiwifruits (cv. Hayward) were coated in solutions with mucilage extracted from Opuntia ficus-indica (MC) and A. arborescens (AL). We used three alternative treatments with AL or MC, MC+AL, and with distilled water as control, and stored in passive atmosphere at 5 °C for 3, 5, 7, and 9 d, respectively. For all treatments at each storage period, firmness, weight loss, color, visual quality score, respiration rate, pectin content, and microbiological characteristics were observed…
Effects of combinational use of controlled atmosphere, cold storage and edible coating applications on shelf life and quality attributes of fresh-cut…
2022
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…
Nespole disidratate: un nuovo prodotto creato a partire da frutti di scarto
2022
La disidratazione delle nespole, sia a polpa gialla che a polpa bianca, rappresenta un metodo innovativo per prolungare la shelf-life dei frutti e per poter reinventare un prodotto che altrimenti verrebbe individuato come scarto alimentare. Anche se alcuni parametri, come il colore e la consistenza, hanno subito un cambiamento, rimangono comunque apprezzati a livello sensoriale. Tra tutti i trattamenti le nespole disidratate a polpa bianca della cv Claudia hanno mostrato una migliore evoluzione dei parametri qualitativi e la tecnica di packaging in MAP non ne ha influenzato l’evoluzione dei parametri. In definitiva, tramite una semplice trasformazione, come la disidratazione in corrente di …
Frigoconservazione ed edible coating per la conservazione post-raccolta dei frutti della pesca Settembrina
2018
Da quanto emerso dai dati strumentali, l’applicazione del rivestimento a base di Aloe sui frutti di pesca “Settembrina”, sia in maniera singola che congiunta con 1 MCP, consente di rallentare i processi metabolici, permettendo, quindi, il mantenimento del colore dei frutti nel tempo e prevenendo la degradazione di tutti i composti nutrizionali e bioattivi utili a conferire al frutto serbevolezza e pregevoli caratteristiche organolettiche. Quanto riscontrato, si potrebbe tradurre in un vantaggio per il produttore che, usufruendo di una tecnologia semplice ed ecosostenibile dal punto di vista ambientale, potrebbe offrire al consumatore frutti dalla elevata shelf life con elevati standard qual…
New Clones and Old Varieties: Quality of Sicilian Hillside Apple Cultivation
2021
Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate the qualitative characteristics of the new clones according to the Mediterranean hillside growing environment and, at the same time, to highlight the qualitative peculiarities of the old varieties in order to avoid genetic loss. Introduction: Several apple varieties are constantly selected for improved quality traits and introduced for cultivation and marketing in addition to a few traditional and affirmed varieties. On the other side, local genotype and ancient varieties are still valorised due to the request of a niche market. Methods: We have studied the physico-chemical quality and the sensory traits of the fruit obtained in this particular en…
La coltivazione della papaia (Carica papaya L.) in Sicilia: aspetti agronomici e qualità dei frutti
2022
Tutte le cultivar analizzate raggiungono tratti chimico-fisici che soddisfano le esigenze del mercato. Tuttavia, i nostri risultati hanno mostrato una vasta gamma di variabilità in termini di tratti fisicochimici, composizione prossimale, capacità antiossidante e caratteristiche sensoriali che potrebbero essere dovuti all’alta variabilità genetica. Per quanto riguarda l’analisi sensoriale, i descrittori relativi a difetti o sensazioni sgradevoli hanno sempre punteggi molto bassi. In conclusione, possiamo dire che i nostri dati sono paragonabili ai frutti tropicali e subtropicali. Dunque, esiste la possibilità di ottenere frutti di papaia di qualità in un clima mediterraneo raccogliendo frut…
Use of Aloe vera gel-based edible coating with natural anti-browning and anti-oxidant additives to improve post-harvest quality of fresh-cut 'Fuji' a…
2020
Recently, there is increasing use of edible and biodegradable films and packaging that are both environmentally friendly and functional for storage and market distribution. Fresh-cut &lsquo
Aloe-Based Edible Coating to Maintain Quality of Fresh-Cut Italian Pears (Pyrus communis L.) during Cold Storage
2021
Pear fruits are known for their antioxidant and nutritional characteristics. However, they are very susceptible to rapid decay. Edible coating (EC) represents a good strategy to maintain postharvest quality. The effects of two EC in slowing down the senescence processes in fresh-cut ‘Coscia’ pears were investigated: EC1 (A. vera gel, hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose and pomegranate seeds oil (PSO), EC2 (A. vera gel and hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose). Weight loss, firmness and colour decrease more slowly in both EC-treated than in untreated (CTR) slices; soluble solid content increases faster in CTR, indicating a faster ripening process. The specific investigation of undesired microorganisms di…
Ricerca Unipa su diradamento e tasso di crescita dei frutti in piante di nespolo del Giappone
2022
Il trattamento di diradamento dei frutti di nespolo del Giappone, effettuato in una sola occasione, quando i frutti si trovano a circa il 30% delle loro dimensioni finali, ha mostrato alcuni effetti positivi: in primis, i frutti ottenuti in seguito a diradamento hanno una maggiore probabilità di ricadere nelle classi commerciali superiori, le quali sono in genere più apprezzate dai consumatori e pagate a un prezzo più alto al produttore; gli stessi frutti raggiungono al contempo anche un grado zuccherino più alto, altro indice del possibile gradimento del consumatore finale e della richiesta da parte del mercato. Questo lavoro preliminare apre le porte a nuovi studi volti alla valutazione d…
AVOCADO PEELS AND SEEDS FROM HASS VARIETIES: FROM INDUSTRIAL BY-PRODUCTS TO CIRCULAR REUSE
2023
From a sustainable progress perspective, the circular economy model is widely used today. One of the main purposes of last years is to valorize wastes of agri-food industries, as new sources of bioactive components, from the approach of a circular and biorefinery economy both for environmental and economic reasons. Avocado (Persea americana cv Hass) seeds and peels are an example of promising bio-sustainability raw materials with a high nutritional value that can be obtained from industrial byproducts. The objective of this work was to study also chemical qualities of avocado peels and seeds. Avocado peel and seeds samples from fruit collected in Sicily were dried in a convective hot-air dr…
Fresh-Cut Mangoes: How to Increase Shelf Life by Using Neem Oil Edible Coating
2022
The mango is the most widely cultivated tropical fruit. Fresh-cut mango is very useful, but it is very perishable. The purpose of this study was to highlight the effects of neem oil on fresh-cut mango fruits kept for 9 days at 4 ± 1 °C and 80 ± 5% relative humidity. The neem plant (Azadirachta indica) has numerous antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Despite this, very few studies have been carried out on neem oil added to edible coatings (EC) to retard ripening processes. Two formulations were tested: EC1 (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose + CaCl2) and EC2 (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose + CaCl2 + neem oil), both compared with an untreated sample (control). Physicochemica…
Pera Coscia siciliana di IV gamma, effetti degli edible coating sulla qualità dei frutti
2021
Questo studio ha voluto mettere in evidenza gli effetti dell’edible coating nel tempo, in particolare individuando le differenze nel mantenimento delle caratteristiche fisico-chimiche e sensoriali tra frutti di pero trattati e quelli di controllo. Dall’analisi dei risultati ottenuti è emerso che i trattamenti hanno consentito di ottenere effetti positivi sui parametri qualitativi considerati, permettendo una più lunga conservazione. Infatti, durante la frigoconservazione, i frutti che hanno subito i trattamenti (AVG+HPMC+PEO - EC1 e AVG+HPMC - EC2) hanno mostrato risultati migliori rispetto ai frutti non trattati (CTR), mantenendo, durante i 7 giorni di conservazione, valori più elevati in …
Shading Net and Partial Covering Plastic Film Do Not Affect Phenology, Photosynthetic Activity or Fruit Quality Traits of Kensington Pride Mango
2022
Mango cultivation in a protected environment is becoming widespread in the Mediterranean basin where the species has to face unfavorable weather conditions which do not occur in its native cultivation areas. Besides open-air cultivation, greenhouses—and other protection systems such as shading nets and partial covering of plastic films—have been tested recently. In this study, we focused on assessing the effect of a shading net, and a partially covering plastic film, on the development of “Kensington Pride” mango fruit skin-color, its final quality, and the plants’ photosynthetic activity. A new method of measuring mango skin-color on different sides of the fru…
Primi risultati sulla disidratazione del mango siciliano: un prodotto nuovo che fa bene alla salute
2021
Prendendo spunto dall’essiccazione al sole, tecnica antica legata alla nostra tradizione utilizzata per conservare a lungo frutti e ortaggi, abbiamo disidratato il mango siciliano in corrente di aria calda, ottenendo un prodotto nuovo, naturale, ricco di colore, aroma e gusto
Mango siciliano di IV gamma: come aumentarne la shelf life con l’uso di film edibili di origine naturale.
2021
Un nuovo edible coating, a base di olio di neem e gel di aloe, allunga la vita commerciale di frutti di mango in IV gamma senza alterarne il gusto
Postharvest Application of Aloe vera Gel-Based Edible Coating to Improve the Quality and Storage Stability of Fresh-Cut Papaya
2020
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…
Postharvest Application of Sulphur Dioxide Fumigation to Improve Quality and Storage Ability of "Red Globe" Grape Cultivar During Long Cold Storage
2017
Table grape cv 'Red Globe' is produced in Sicily and in other areas of Southern Italy. This produce is very appreciated by consumers, having the best rankings in the world market for exports and quality. Nevertheless, despite it is a non-climacteric fruit, table grape is very perishable, both after harvest, and during postharvest handling and cold storage. In fact, also at low temperatures, table grape is very sensitive to fungal infection (Botrytis cinerea) and other diseases, like gray mold, which is very aggressive. For this reason, a standard practice is to fumigate table grape with sulphur dioxide (SO2), after storage in chambers. The growing market request of table grape cv. 'Red Glob…
Effects of Rapid Refrigeration and Modified Atmosphere Packaging on Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) Fruit Quality Traits
2017
Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is a tropical fruit characterized by a rapid pericarp browning and dehydration during postharvest, resulting in an accelerated shelf life and in a loss of consumer appreciation and consequently of its market value. The aim of our study was to assess litchi fruit chemical-physical and sensory quality changes during postharvest and shelf life using rapid refrigeration (RR) and active modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). Litchi fruits were picked at commercial harvest and were divided in 4 groups: not treated fruit (CTR); rapid refrigerated fruit (RRF); modified atmosphere packed fruit (MAP); hydrogen peroxide treated and modified atmosphere packed fruit (MAP+).…
Effetti dell’applicazione di Edible Coating sul comportamento fisiologico e sulle caratteristiche fisico-chimiche, nutrizionali e sensoriali in prodo…
2021
L’incremento demografico e il cambiamento dei ritmi e degli stili di vita della società moderna hanno visto un mercato sempre più globalizzato nonché lo sviluppo di nuove dinamiche nel settore agroalimentare e la crescente richiesta da parte dei consumatori di prodotti pronti al consumo. Le industrie agro-alimentari rispondono a questa richiesta con i prodotti appartenenti alla categoria della IV gamma (detti anche fresh-cut o ready to eat), ossia frutta e verdura fresca, lavata, tagliata, confezionata in packaging personalizzati e posta nei banchi refrigerati della grande distribuzione organizzata (GDO). Nell’ambito del triennio del Dottorato di Ricerca si è scelto di approfondire una dell…