Postharvest physiology
Sajjad Mostafayi; Mohammad Reza Asghari
Abstract
Introduction Apple (Malus domestica) is considered as one of the important members of the Rosaceae family and is among the most consumed fruits in the world. One of the biggest challenges for agricultural researchers is to increase the quantity and quality of food to feed the growing population, without ...
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Introduction Apple (Malus domestica) is considered as one of the important members of the Rosaceae family and is among the most consumed fruits in the world. One of the biggest challenges for agricultural researchers is to increase the quantity and quality of food to feed the growing population, without negatively affecting the health of the soil and agricultural ecosystems. Due to the adverse effects of chemicals on human health and environmental safety, the production of organic products has been considered as one of the most important issues in food production systems. It is utilized in various forms, including fresh fruit or processed as industrial products. Based on the respiratory and ethylene production pattern, apples are classified as climacteric fruits. Metabolic activities and ripening continue after harvest, so apples have the potential to transform into highly perishable products after harvest. Post-harvest treatments are certainly not the most suitable method for preserving the shelf life and quality of fruits during the post-harvest period. Therefore, employing new and effective methods to enhance quality, control decay, and consequently extend the post-harvest life of apples appears to be essential. Organic farming, as an agricultural system to protect human health and the environment, can improve product quality and shelf life. Materials and MethodsThis study was conducted on an apple orchard (Malus domestica) in Zarabad area of Khoy city located in the northwest of Iran (with the same management and growth conditions) in 2018-2019. The experiment was conducted as a factorial in the form of a completely randomized block design in 4 replications. The experimental factors included spraying fruit trees with nano-chitosan in 3 concentrations (zero, 5 and 10 ml) and ferulic acid in 3 concentrations (zero, 0.5 and 1 mM). Apple trees in three times, the first stage in the hazelnut time. Fruit drop, the second stage 20 days after the first stage and the third stage 20 days after the second stage spraying, were sprayed in the afternoon using a Cross mark PB20 manual sprayer. The harvested fruits were sprayed according to the treatments were packed and labeled and transferred to the central laboratory of horticultural sciences of Urmia University. After 24 hours of storage at the laboratory temperature, the measurement of the studied traits started on the fruits, the control treatment in this experiment was distilled water with Tween 80 (0.1/v/v). Results and DiscussionCompared to the control group, fruits treated with a combination of chitosan and ferulic acid exhibited a significant increase in firmness after harvest. Notably, the most effective treatment involved a combination of 10 milliliters of nano-chitosan and 1 millimolar ferulic acid, resulting in the highest level of firmness among all treatments.As a result, the combined treatment of chitosan and ferulic acid can delay the aging process by reducing the activity of enzymes involved in cell wall degradation and maintain firmness in apples, contributing to a positive effect. According to the obtained results, fruits treated with nano-chitosan and ferulic acid showed a higher soluble solid content compared to the control fruits, and this amount increased with the higher concentrations of nano-chitosan and ferulic acid. The minimum level of TA was observed in the control treatment, and the highest level was observed in the treatment with 10 milliliters of chitosan and 1 millimolar ferulic acid. The treatment with 1 millimolar ferulic acid and 10 milliliters of chitosan showed the highest percentage of TA content compared to the control. The combination of nano-chitosan and ferulic acid treatment led to a reduction in fruit juice pH, with the lowest pH observed in the treatment with 1 millimolar ferulic acid and 10 milliliters of chitosan, and the highest pH observed in the control treatment. Vitamin C is the primary water-soluble antioxidant that directly reduces damage caused by free radicals. According to the obtained results, the maximum content of vitamin C was observed in the treatment with 1 millimolar ferulic acid and 10 milliliters of chitosan. According to the obtained results, the maximum PAL enzyme activity was observed in the treatment with 1 millimolar ferulic acid and 10 milliliters of chitosan. Conclusion In general, the findings of the current study showed that pre-harvest treatment with nano-chitosan and ferulic acid had a positive effect on the post-harvest quality of apple fruits. The fruits treated with the highest concentration of nano-chitosan and ferulic acid exhibited the highest fruit firmness, titratable acidity, vitamin C content, PAL enzyme activity, and the lowest pH compared to the control fruits. These results indicate that nano-chitosan and ferulic acid treatment can be proposed as a promising and healthy method for improving the post-harvest quality of apple fruits.
Postharvest physiology
Chnoor Hosseini; Mohammad Reza Asghari; Maryam Khezri
Abstract
Introduction Cherry (Prunus avium L.) is one of the most important fruit products and due to its polyphenol and antioxidant compounds, it contributes to the nutrition and health of millions of people. Due to its high perishability, this fruit suffers from post-harvest physiological losses. According ...
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Introduction Cherry (Prunus avium L.) is one of the most important fruit products and due to its polyphenol and antioxidant compounds, it contributes to the nutrition and health of millions of people. Due to its high perishability, this fruit suffers from post-harvest physiological losses. According to the proven antifungal activity of plant essential oils, their use as a natural substance to reduce post-harvest waste, increase shelf life and ensure the health of consumers of horticultural products.Material and Methods In the present study, the effect of marjoram essential oil in different concentrations (0, 250, 500, 750 and 1000 µl/l) on biochemical reactions of Mashhad cherry fruit var takdaneh, including phenylalanine ammonialyase enzyme activity, total anthocyanin content, ascorbic acid content, tissue color, polyphenol oxidase enzyme activity, fruit rot and browning of the tail were evaluated with three replications. The treated fruits were transferred to the refrigerator for 30 days at a temperature of 1.0 °C and a relative humidity of 90-95%. Qualitative measurements of fruits were performed during three periods before storage, on the 15th day and on the 30th day of storage. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed based on factorial experiment in a completely randomized design. Mean comparison was performed based on Duncan's multiple range test using SAS software and its graphs were drawn with Excel. Finally, correlation analysis was performed using R software.Results and Discussion The results of this evaluation showed that marjoram essential oil maintained the activity of phenylalanine ammonialyase enzyme, total anthocyanin content, ascorbic acid content and color significantly. It also reduced the activity of polyphenol oxidase activity, tissue color change, rot and browning of cherry fruit tail. The level of ascorbic acid in all treated samples decreased over time, but this decrease was more severe in the control sample than the other treatments. Increasing storage time and essential oil concentration improved the amount of anthocyanin in the treated fruits. The essential oil at a concentration of 750 μl/l avoided reduction of color change compared to the control. The activity of phenylalanine ammonialyase enzyme in all essential oil concentrations in both periods had an upward trend. The lowest and highest polyphenol oxidase enzyme activity were recorded in 750 μl/l essential oil treatment and control treatment, respectively. use of essential oil decreased the browning of the fruit tail in which, is probably due to the antioxidant activity of the essential oil. Also, the lowest rate of decay and the highest marketability were observed in the concentration of 750 μl/l of marjoram essential oil. On the other hand, there were significant correlations between most traits. Marketability as one of the most important traits had a positive correlation with traits such as ascorbic acid (r=0.82**) and fruit color (r=0.77**). These results clearly show that the increase of these traits leads to high marketability of cherry fruit. Also, the existence of a negative correlation between the rate of maintaining marketability with the traits of rot (r= -0.95**) and browning of the fruit tail (r= -0.89**) shows that with the increase of these traits, the marketability of the fruit decreases. Finally, according to the findings of the present study and considering the quality and durability of treated cherry fruits compared to untreated fruits, instead of harmful chemical compounds, marjoram essential oil can be recommended as an additive in cherry fruit.Conclusion The use of plant essential oils as a natural method can be effective in increasing the shelf life of this fruit by preventing deterioration and degradation. The results of this study showed that marjoram essential oil at a concentration of 750 µl/l by increasing and maintaining ascorbic acid, anthocyanin, PAL enzyme activity, marketability and also by reducing the activity of PPO enzyme, color variability, degree of rot and browning of the fruit tail led to maintaining the internal quality and better durability of the cherry fruit during storage. The reason for this can be related to the phenolic and antioxidant compounds in marjoram essential oil. These compounds directly affect fruit spoilage and indirectly increase the host fruit's defense system and maintain fruit quality. According to the results of this study, marjoram essential oil with a concentration of 750 µl/l can be introduced as a healthy method to maintain physicochemical properties and improve the cherries quality characteristics after harvest.
Mohammad Reza Asghari; Zahra Azarsharif; Hossein Tajik; Alireza Farrokhzad
Abstract
Introduction: Galbanum, an aromatic oleo-resin gum, is produced from umbelliferous Persian plant species in the genus Ferula with the common Persian name “Barije”, chiefly endemic flora of the mountain ranges of northern Iran. Cuminum cyminum is an edible medicinal plant, which is widely distributed ...
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Introduction: Galbanum, an aromatic oleo-resin gum, is produced from umbelliferous Persian plant species in the genus Ferula with the common Persian name “Barije”, chiefly endemic flora of the mountain ranges of northern Iran. Cuminum cyminum is an edible medicinal plant, which is widely distributed in Iran, Turkey, India, Egypt and Central America countries. Calcium (Ca2+) is a secondary messenger that plays pivotal roles (such as cell wall structure, signaling in fruit ripening and ethylene biosynthesis) in regulating physiological functions in fruits, vegetables and flowers during postharvest life. Sweet cherry is one of the most popular fruits among consumers because of its good taste and abundant nutrients and bioactive components such as phenolic compounds and flavonoids. This fruit is a highly perishable product due to its high respiration rate and rapid softening process at room temperature, which ultimately cause the color changes, weight loss, browning and changes of nutrients and restrict its shelf life. Several studies have demonstrated that the postharvest life of sweet cherries can be extended by different preservation techniques, such as refrigeration, synthetic chemical fungicides, modified atmosphere packaging, osmotic treatments, hypobaric treatments, heat treatments and edible coating. In the last several years, edible coatings have been widely studied for the preservation of fruits and vegetables. Edible coating with semipermeable films might extend the postharvest life of sweet cherry through a reduction of moisture migration, gas exchange, respiration and oxidative reaction rates. Materials and Methods: Healthy fruits, uniform in size, shape, color, and degree of maturity were selected from sweet cherries collected from orchard in Kahriz located in Urmia. Effects of galbanum gum (0, 1, 2 and 3% W/V), cumin essential oil (0, 100 and 200 µl/l) and calcium chloride (0 and 1% W/V) coating on the physiological and quality responses of sweet cherry (Prunus avium Cv. Siah Mashhad) fruit were investigated. The fruits were coated, and stored at 2±1 ºC and 90-95% relative humidity for 30 day and then transferred to 20 ºC for an additional 1 day. The quality of sweet cherries was analyzed at the initial day, 15-day after storage in 2±1 ºC and 30-day after storage in 2±1 ºC+ an additional 1 day in 20 ºC. Different qualitative and physicochemical attributes including pH, total soluble solid, titrable acidity, fruit water content and moisture percentage, proline, malondialdehyde, phenyl alanine amonialyase (PAL) enzyme activity and nutraceutical (total phenol and flavonoid) evaluations were performed. Statistical analysis of data was done by SAS (version 9.4) and mean comparisons were performed using Duncan's multiple range test. Result and Discussion: Significant differences were observed in fruit coated galbanum gum 1% W/V, cumin essential oil 200 µl/l and calcium chloride 1% W/V as compared to the control. The coating applications including gum, cumin essence and calcium chloride resulted in slower rise of pH and TSS, and were effective in maintaining higher titrable acidity, fruit water content, moisture percentage, PAL enzyme activity, total phenol and flavonoid. Coating with 1% W/V galbanum gum combined with 1% W/V calcium chloride resulted in highest increase of PAL enzyme activity and total phenol 15-day after storage, which effectively prevented rapid decline enzyme activity and phenolic compound to the end of storage. The combined coating of galbanum gum 2% W/V with CaCl2 1% W/V or 200 µl/l cumin essential oil significantly maintained total flavonoid 30-day after storage in 2±1 ºC + an additional 1 day in 20ºC; These treatment are not significantly different with galbanum gum 1% W/V with CaCl2 1% W/V or 200 µl/l cumin essential oil. Concomitantly proline content (0.002748 mgr/gr F.W.) was at higher levels and malondialdehyde (0.0320 mmol/gr F.W.) at lower levels in tissues of treated fruit with 1% W/V CaCl2 compared with those of control fruit at the end of storage. Conclusion: Fruit and vegetables are highly perishable, and the causes of postharvest losses can generally be ascribed to physiological deterioration associated with consumption of the internal water and reserve substances. In addition, increasing public concern towards healthy foods has contributed to the promotion of interest in the development of alternative (Safe) methods for controlling postharvest decay and deterioration. These results suggest that galbanum gum, cumin essence and CaCl2 treatments delayed the development of senescence process ‘Siah mashhad’ sweet cherry by delaying the loss of quality parameters, polyphenol substances and maintaining the structural integrity of cell membrane. Application of 1% W/V galbanum gum coating combined with 1% W/V CaCl2 might be enhanced low temperature tolerance by maintaining quality parameters, antioxidant compound and shelf life of sweet cherry fruits.
Mohammad Reza Asghari; Mohammad Tohidian
Abstract
Introduction: Asaclimactericfruit, peach has a highrespiration rateandvery lowshelf life. Nowadays theuse ofappropriatepostharvesttechnologiesto increase fruit postharvest lifeis necessary.Use of nanotechnologyis considered asan effective method to increase fruit postharvest life. Nanotechnology isused ...
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Introduction: Asaclimactericfruit, peach has a highrespiration rateandvery lowshelf life. Nowadays theuse ofappropriatepostharvesttechnologiesto increase fruit postharvest lifeis necessary.Use of nanotechnologyis considered asan effective method to increase fruit postharvest life. Nanotechnology isused extensivelyinallstages of production, processing, storage, packagingand transport ofagriculturalproducts.The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of silver and silica nanocomposites, nanosilver and polypropylene containers on shelf-life and preservation of peach qualitative characteristics (Prunuspersicacv. Elberta) such as titrable acidity, soluble solids, ascorbic acid, total antioxidant and total phenolics content in cold storage after the harvest.
Materials and Methods: To determine the effect of nanopackaging onshelf life andqualitativecharacteristics ofElberta peaches,the experiment was conducted in a factorial based on a completely randomized design with two treatmentsand four replications.The first factor consisted of nanopackagingnanosilver, silver and silica nanocompositesandpolypropylenepackaging, and the second factor was coldstorage periods of15, 30 and 45 daysattemperaturesfrom 0 to0/5 °C and a relative humidityof 85to 95%.In general, the experiment consisted of 36 experimental units, and each includinga container with four Elberta peach fruits.Data were analyzed by using SAS software, and Microsoft Office Excel 2010 software was used to plot the graphs.Duncan's multiple range test was used to compare the means of treatments.
Results and Discussion: At the end of the maintenance period, the highest firmness of peach texture was related to nanosilver containers. The main cause of fruit softening is the destruction of cell wall components, especially pectin, which is caused by certain enzymes such as polygalactronase. Whenstorage timeincreased, polypropylene containers showed a higher weight loss compared to nanocomposite containers, thus the results indicated that nanopackaging had a greater effect on preventing weight loss, which could be attributed to the formation of better barrier against water molecules. Nanoparticles and polypropylene containers up to 30-daystorage period preserved the pH of the product to some extent and prevented it from increasing too much. However, with an increase in storage time from 30 to 45 days, the pH of all dishes showed sharpincrease. In most treatments, fruits grew during the maintenance period, which is due to the reduction of organic acids. The lowest levels of organic acids reduction were recorded in polypropylene and nanosilver treatments. Generally, organic acids decreased as a result of respiration or becoming sugars, whichcan bedirectly related to metabolic activity. Maintaining organic acids in fruits is the result of a slowdown in the processes of ripeningand aging and reduction inrespiration and other metabolic activities. The results showed that in all the three treatments, the amount of soluble solids up to 15-day periodshowed an increasing trend, and after the end of day 30, it stopped in nanosilver and polypropylene treatments, and soluble solids were retained but reduced in nanocomposite treatment showed that this decrease. Nanocomposite containers exhibited the best performance in maintaining ascorbic acid content and preventing its changes, while ascorbic acid content in nanosilver and polypropylene containers varied greatly, thoughthere were no significant differences among thetreatments. Low oxygen environments, such as packaging containers, can inhibit ascorbic acid changes during maintenance by inhibiting oxidation. The results showed that total antioxidant level was almost identical in all treatments at the end of maintenance. Antioxidant activity has a close relationship with phenolic compounds, flavonoids and vitamins. The antioxidant capacity of fruits and vegetables is related to enzymatic and non-enzymatic compounds such as vitamin C, phenolic compounds, and carotenoids. Treatments reducingrespiration and producingethylene can reduce the rate of aging,the rate of free radical production and the consumption of antioxidants. Based on the results, on the day 30 in all treatments, the amount of phenolic compounds initiallyincreased, which is normal in red fruits, but afterwards decreased in all treatments mainly due to the increased activity of the polyphenol oxidase enzyme and the progression of aging. Increasing the amount of phenol on the day 30 can be attributed to decreased activity of the polyphenol oxidase enzyme and the oxidative stress associated with high concentrations of oxygen.
Conclusion: Nanopackaging increased the shelf life and qualitative properties of peach fruit. Nanotechnology has a simple and fast process for industrialization compared to other methods of keeping food products. As a result, the use of modern technologies such as nanopackaging can improve the taste, favor, quality of food and the storage of crops, especially fruits and vegetables.
Mohammad Reza Asghari; Hojjat Khalily
Abstract
Because of the harmful effects of chemicals on human health and environment, the use of these compounds in postharvest technology of horticultural crops is highly restricted. Current study was done to evaluate the effect of Aloe vera gel on postharvest quality and storage life of fruit cultivar Siahe-Mashhad. ...
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Because of the harmful effects of chemicals on human health and environment, the use of these compounds in postharvest technology of horticultural crops is highly restricted. Current study was done to evaluate the effect of Aloe vera gel on postharvest quality and storage life of fruit cultivar Siahe-Mashhad. Fruit were treated with Aloe vera gel of 25 and 33% for 5 min at 22 °C. Control fruit were treated with distilled water at 22°C. After drying the surface moister of fruit at ambient temperature. Fruit were divided into different groups of 25 fruit in each group and were transferred to cold storage of 1±0.5°C with 85-95% RH. Fruit quality attributes including marketing, total acidity, total phenolics, pH, weight loss and polyphenoloxidase enzyme activity were evaluated at first day and after 15 and 30 days of cold storage. 33% Aloe vera gel effectively preserved marketability, total acidity and total phenolics content and prevented increase in pH, polyphenoloxidase enzyme activity and decrease in fruit weightduring 30 days of cold storage. The results showed that Aloe vera gel could be used as commercial compound as a good alternative to chemicals in postharvest technology of cherry fruit cultivar Siahe-Mashhad.
Mohammad Reza Asghari; Farhad Asghari
Abstract
The effect of different concentration of salicylic acid (0, 1 and 2 mmolL-1) and chitosan (0, 0.5 and 1 percent) on postharvest life and quality of Selva strawberry fruit during storage at 2.5±0.5°C with 85-95% RH for 7 and 14 days was studied. Decay incidence, marketability, total soluble solids, ...
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The effect of different concentration of salicylic acid (0, 1 and 2 mmolL-1) and chitosan (0, 0.5 and 1 percent) on postharvest life and quality of Selva strawberry fruit during storage at 2.5±0.5°C with 85-95% RH for 7 and 14 days was studied. Decay incidence, marketability, total soluble solids, total acidity, vitamin C content and total antioxidant activity were evaluated during storage. chitosan 1% significantly decreased decay incidence and maintained fruit marketability. 1mmolL-1 of salicylic acid in combination with 1% chitosan significantly retained fruit soluble solids, vitamin C content and total antioxidant activity and was more effective on total antioxidant activity during first week of cold storage. 1 and 2 mmolL-1 salicylic acid retained total acidity.
Seyyed Rasul Finidokht; Mohammad Reza Asghari; HABIB Shirzad
Abstract
The use of natural compounds to control plant pathogens lead to reduction in using fungicides. Chitosan with duble effects, control pathogenic microorganisms and activate inducing defence responses, has been shown to be a reliable nontoxic material in the plant-pathogen interaction. The aim of this research ...
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The use of natural compounds to control plant pathogens lead to reduction in using fungicides. Chitosan with duble effects, control pathogenic microorganisms and activate inducing defence responses, has been shown to be a reliable nontoxic material in the plant-pathogen interaction. The aim of this research was to consider the effects of chitosan and calcium chloride on decay and quality attributes of sweet cherry cv. Siah mashhad. This experiment was conducted factorially in the figure of completely randomized design with five replications. Treatments were included of chitosan (0, %0.5 and %1) and Calcium Chloride (0, %1 and %2) and time (20 and 40 days). Measuring factors was included total soluble solids (TSS), titrable acidity (TA), partability index (PI), pH, weight loss, fruit decay. The results showed that application of chitosan %0.5 alone lead to stabilize soluble solids, organic acid, pH and fruit weight, also partability index and fruit rot was decreased. In short time storage (20 days) CaCl2 stabilize organic acids and fruit weight and caused partability index, pH, fruit decay to be decreased but fruit soluble solids increased. In total simple treatment of calcium chloride and chitosn showed better results compared to combination treatments on measured parameters.
Zohreh Roohi; Mohammad Reza Asghari; Yusof rasmi; Zahra Aslani
Abstract
Abstract
Effect of different concentrations of salicylic acid on postharvest life of kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) cultivar Hayward at 0 ±.5 °C and 90-95% RH was studied. Fruits were treated with salicylic acid (0, 1 and 2 mmol/L-1) and stored at 0±.5°C for 16 weeks. Fruit quality attributes ...
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Abstract
Effect of different concentrations of salicylic acid on postharvest life of kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) cultivar Hayward at 0 ±.5 °C and 90-95% RH was studied. Fruits were treated with salicylic acid (0, 1 and 2 mmol/L-1) and stored at 0±.5°C for 16 weeks. Fruit quality attributes assessment including firmness, total acidity, soluble solid content, ascorbic acid, antioxidant activity, catalase enzyme activity and total protein content was conducted after 8 and 16 weeks of cold storage. Salicylic acid treatment significantly retained fruit firmness and 2 mmol/L-1 was the most effective treatment in retaining fruit firmness. salicylic acid treatment also had a significant effect on total acidity after 16 weeks and ascorbic acid after 8 weeks, but had no significant effect on soluble solid content. Salicylic acid significantly affected on antioxidant activity. Effect of salicylic acid had a significant increase in catalase enzyme activity and total protein content after 16 weeks of cold storage.
Keywords: Salicylic acid, Postharvest, Antioxidant activity, Kiwifruit
