Search results for " sensory"

Imbalance between sympathetic and sensory innervation in peritoneal endometriosis

2011

To investigate possible mechanisms of pain pathophysiology in patients with peritoneal endometriosis, a clinical study on sensory and sympathetic nerve fibre sprouting in endometriosis was performed. Peritoneal lesions (n= 40) and healthy peritoneum (n= 12) were immunostained and analysed with anti-protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5), anti-substance P (SP) and anti-tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), specific markers for intact nerve fibres, sensory nerve fibres and sympathetic nerve fibres, respectively, to identify the ratio of sympathetic and sensory nerve fibres. In addition, immune cell infiltrates in peritoneal endometriotic lesions were analysed and the nerve growth factor (NGF) and interleuki…

Assessing preferences of some predefined consumer profiles for attributes of small fruit

2015

Small fruit (commonly referred to as berries), represents a potential high-value niche-market crop in Italy. This fruit grows naturally in many localities of northern Italy, but favorable environmental conditions for this crop can be found also in southern regions where this production may support local farmers' incomes. According to literature and to official statistics, small fruit's health benefiting properties are well known in the international market, but little is known about the reason of a low commercialization rate of fresh small fruit in Italy. The objective of this study was to assess, in the domestic market, consumer preferences for small fruit according to consumer rankings ap…

Study of the importance of emotional factors connected to the colors of fresh-cut cactus pear fruits in the consumer purchase choices for a marketing…

2013

The cactus pear has always aroused curiosity because of its shape and its particular structural characteristics (plate and spiny clatodes, oval fruits of different colors and flowers of an enchanting beauty). This plant evocates the territory where it grows, characterized by a sub-tropical climate, which in Europe is represented by the region of Sicily, the island of the Southern Italy, that is one of the main producers in the Mediterranean area. Sicily has three native cultivars with different colors of the fruit: red, yellow and white. The variety with the yellow fruit is the most widespread, although all of them are commercialized. The chromatic variety of these fruits is one of the stre…

The role of mucilage of Opuntia ficus-indica Mill. on sweet cherry fruit during storage

2022

Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) is an important crop from temperate areas and is widespread and much appreciated by the consumers when the pedicel is green. The objective of this work was to evaluate the quality of sweet cherry fruit treated with a mucilage coating, extracted from cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica L. Mill (OFI). The cultivar ‘Ferrovia’ was harvested at the commercial ripeness stage from an orchard in Puglia (Italy), stored for 14 days at 2°C and RH 92% and to evaluated by the variation of color and other qualitative parameters such as physical-chemical, nutraceutical and sensory analysis. Fruits were transferred at 10°C to postharvest laboratory of University of Palermo after…

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+).…

Color and sensory changes in fresh cut pear during storage comparing ‘Coscia’ and ‘Butirra’, cultivated in southern Italy

2023

Pear (Pyrus communis L.) cultivars ‘Coscia’ and ‘Butirra’, cultivated in southern Italy are characterized very excellent by aroma and texture. Visual appearance is the primary descriptor that determines the acceptance of fresh-cut pears. Softening is another important quality parameter which considerably influences the acceptance of fresh-cut pears. The aim of this work was to study the effect of genotype on shelf life and quality of fresh-cut pear fruit harvested at commercial maturity stage. After cutting, pear fruit samples were stored under passive atmosphere at 5±1°C for 3, 5, 7 and 12 days. Fruit color (L*, a*, b*, ΔE), consistence, solid soluble, titratable acidity, CO2 and O2 packag…

Growth and yields of 'Arbequina' high-density planting systems in three different olive growing areas in Italy

2014

The sustainability of the traditional olive-growing sector in EU countries characterised by high production costs and a low selling price for the oil was mainly determined by EU subsidies available for the sector. With the opening of the free trade area by the Barcellona Declaration of 1995 and a cut in EU subsidies in 2014, crucial changes in the sector are now needed. In order to increase the competitiveness of EU olive production, attention should be given to new high-yielding and mechanized cultivation systems. In the 1990s, Spain introduced new high-density planting systems (1,200-2,000 trees/ha) using three low-vigour and early-fruiting cultivars ( Arbequina , Arbosana and Koroneiki )…

Fruit quality evolution of different olive table cultivars during fermentation.

2008

Evaluation of quality attributes and consumer preference of fresh or imported mangoes in Italy

2018

Mango is a climacteric fruit with a very short shelf-life due to its rapid ripeness after harvest. Generally, fruit from tropical countries and directed to longer transportation (EU markets), are in general harvested firm, before complete ripening (mature-green stage). This harvest practice usefully for mango fruit storability and transportability, generally causes fruits quality and taste decrease. The present study was conducted to evaluate quality attributes and consumer preference of fresh or imported mangoes in Italy. Mango fruit imported from abroad (cv Keitt, Kent and Osteen) were collected from 2 different large-scale organized distribution markets (LD). Mango fruits (cv Keitt, Kent…

Calcium Ascorbate Coating Improves Postharvest Quality and Storability of Fresh-Cut Slices of Coscia and Abate Fétel Pears (Pyrus communis L.)

2022

Flesh firmness is closely related to fruit ripeness and is typically a reliable indicator of shelf-life potential so it could be considered a crucial quality index for the determination of pear quality. Flesh softening after cutting could considerably affect consumer acceptance of fresh-cut pears (Pyrus communis L.). Indeed, mechanical stress (cutting, peeling, etc.) could lead to ethylene production that results in the hydrolysis of pectic substances in the cell walls. The effectiveness of an edible coating treatment on the physical-chemical, nutraceutical, and sensorial analysis was evaluated on two pear cultivars: the summer-ripening ‘Coscia’ and the late-ripening ‘Abat…