Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Department of Horticultural Science and Landscape, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

Introduction
 Cucumber is a vegetable with a low capacity for storage; it usually loses quality 14 days from the beginning of storage. The benefits of cold storage are not the same for all the fruit or vegetables, some given vegetables are more suitable for cold storage than others. However, pre-cooling is always advisable, because the products takes profit from the benefits of low temperatures in cold storage rooms. Due to the short shelf life of cucumber and the high speed of reducing its quality, various methods are used to maintain the quality of cucumber, such as edible coatings. Propolis, also called “bee-glue,” is a natural resinous substance produced by honeybees from plant exudates, beeswax, and bee secretions in order to defend the hives. Propolis has an important role in prevention of food loss weight and waste, thus helping to ensure food safety and security. The concoction of aqueous propolis extracts has a lower cost as compared to hydroalcoholic extracts and it is believable that both, aqueous and hydro alcoholic extracts, present similar concentrations of phenolic compounds resulting in a product of appropriate functional characteristics. Herein, the biochemical composition and efficacy of propolis in maintaining the postharvest storability of food products were discussed to provide a comprehensive guide to farmers and food processing and storage sectors and to scientists.
Materials and Methods
 In order to investigate the effect of two factors of hydro cooling and propolis as an edible coating on cucumber shelf life, this study was conducted in the spring and summer of 2019 in the laboratories of horticultural sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. The factorial experiment was based on a completely randomized design. Experimental treatments included three levels of propolis alcoholic extract (0, 4 and 8%) and two temperature treatments (4 (hydro cooling temperature) and 25 ° C) in 4 replications.
Weight loss, tissue firmness, extract pH, total soluble solids, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, total phenol and antioxidant activity were measured. The experimental data were analyzed using Jump-8 statistical software and the means of treatments were compared by LSD test at 5% probability level.
Results and Discussion
 Results showed that the interaction of treatments had an effect on fruit weight loss percentage, firmness, and antioxidant activity, chlorophyll and total soluble solids. Thus, the highest percentage of fruit weight loss was observed in the control treatment (without propolis) in 4°C (5.02%). Foliar application of fruits led to an increase in firmness of fruit tissue with propolis in both concentrations of 4 and 8% compared to the control treatment (no foliar application with propolis) in both temperature treatments. The highest total chlorophyll content was in 8% propolis treatments + temperature of 24 °C (8.96 mg / gfw), treatment of 8% propolis + temperature of 4 °C (8.68 mg/gfw) and treatment of 4% propolis + temperature of 4 oC (7.93 mg/gfw) significantly. In addition, antioxidant activity increased in the treatments of 4 °C+ foliar application with propolis 4 and 8%. In general, although fruits treated with 24 ° C showed more weight loss than 4 °C, the use of both concentrations of propolis improved the above trait, reducing the amount of fruit phenol and tissue firmness and other biochemical traits. Studies have shown that the chemical composition of the propolis samples which a certain breed of bees (Apis mellifera intermissa) made have 17 different chemical compounds. They noted that the main phenolic compound was caffeic acid (0.85 mg·g−1 EAP) and the main flavonol compound was pinocembrin (0.82 mg·g−1 EAP). Significant (P ≤ 0.05) differences were observed in dragon fruit quality when treated with different concentrations of ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) (0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.0%) and stored at 20 ± 2 °C and 80 ± 5% relative humidity (RH) for 20 days, which matched our results. Passos et al. (2016) reported test panel did not detect significant differences amongst coated and not coated cv. Prata bananas up to six days of storage. Propolis extracts.
Conclusion
 In addition to a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity, contain hydrophobic composites that assist in ameliorating attributes as biodegradable films on fruits.

Keywords

Main Subjects

  1. Akhtar , Abbasi N.A., and Hussain A. 2010. Effect of calcium chloride treatments on quality characteristics of loquat fruit during storage. Pakistan Journal of Botany 42: 181-188.
  2. Ali , Cheong C.K., and Zahid N. 2014. Composite effect of propolis and gum Arabic to control postharvest anthracnose and maintain quality of papaya during storage,” International Journal of Agriculture and Biology 16: 1117-1122.
  3. Ali , Maqbool M., Ramachandran S. and Alderson P.G. 2010. Gum arabic as a novel edible coating for enhancing shelf life and improving postharvest quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruit. Postharvest Biology and Technology 58:42-47.
  4. Al-Qurashi A.D., and Awad M. A. 2018. Postharvest ethanolic extract of propolis treatment affects quality and biochemical changes of “hindi-besennara” mangos during shelf life. Scientia Horticulturae 233: 520-
  5. Badawy F.M. 2016. Effect of ethanol-extracted propolis on fruit quality and storability of balady oranges during cold storage. Assiut Journal of Agricultural Sciences 47(4): 156-166.
  6. Da Cunha M.C., Passos F.R., Mendes F.Q., and De Carvalho A.M.X. 2018. Propolis extract from different botanical sources in postharvest conservation of papaya. Acta Scientiarum Technology 40(1).
  7. Delgando E., and Wensun D. 2001. Heat and mass transfer models for predicting freezing process. Journal of Food Engineering 47: 157-174.
  8. Del-Valle V., Hern ،ndez-Muoz P., Guarda A., and Galotto M.J. 2005. Development of a cactus-mucilage edible coating (Opuntia ficus indica) and its application to extend strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) shelf life: Food Chemistry 91: 751-756.
  9. Dere , Günes T., and Sivaci R. 1998. Spectrophotometric determination of chlorophyll - A, B and total carotenoid contents of some Algae species using different solvents. Turkish Journal of Botany 22: 13-17.
  10. El-Badawy H.E.M., Baiea M.H.M., and El-Moneim E.A.A.A. 2012. Efficacy of propolis and wax coatings in improving fruit quality of “washington” navel orange under cold storage. Research Journal of Agriculture and Biological Sciences 8(5): 420-
  11. Fallik 2004. Prestorage hot water treatments (immersion, rinsing and brushing). Postharvest Biology and Technology 32: 125-134.
  12. Gabler M., Smilanick J.L., Ghosoph J.M., and Margosan D.A. 2005. Impact of postharvest hot water or ethanol treatment of table grapes on gray mold incidence, quality, and ethanol content. Plant Disease 89(3): 309-316.
  13. Garcia A, Martino M.N., and Zaritzky N.E. 1998. Plasticized starch-based coatings to improve strawberry quality and stability. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 46: 3758-3767.
  14. Howard R., and Dewi T. 1995. Sensory, microbiological and chemical quality of miniaepeeled carrots as affected by edible coating treatment: Journal of Food Science 60: 142-144.
  15. Jiang , Feng L. and Li J. 2003. Changes in microbial and postharvest quality of shiitake mushroom (Lentinus edodes) treated with chitosan glucose complex coating under cold storage: Food Chemistry 131: 780-786.
  16. Kahramano glu ˙I. 2017. Introductory chapter: postharvest physiology and technology of horticultural crops, in Postharvest Handling, P. Handling and ˙I. Kahramano glu, Eds., InTech Open, London, UK, pp. 1-
  17. Kahramano glu I., and Usanmaz S. 2019. Improving postharvest storage quality of cucumber fruit by modified atmosphere packaging and biomaterials. Horticulture Science 54(11): 2005–2014.
  18. Kahramano glu I., Aktas M., and ¨und¨uz S.G. 2018. Effects of fludioxonil, propolis and black seed oil application on the postharvest quality of “wonderful” pomegranate. PLoS One 13(5).
  19. Kahramano glu I., Okatan V., and Wan Ch. 2020. Biochemical Composition of Propolis and Its Efficacy in Maintaining Postharvest Storability of Fresh Fruitsand Journal of Food Quality 9 pages.
  20. Kittur , Saroja N., Habibunnisa R.N., and Tharanathan R. 2001. Polysaccharide-based composite coating formulations for shelf-life extension of fresh banana and mango, European Food Research and Technology 213(4-5): 306-311.
  21. Lin , and Zhao Y. 2007. Innovations in the development and application of edible coatings for fresh and minimally processed fruits and vegetables. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety 6: 60-75.
  22. Liu , Tian S., Meng X., and Xu Y. 2011. Effects of chitosan on control of postharvest diseases and physiological responses of tomato fruit. Postharvest Biology and Technology 44: 300-306.
  23. Mariano-Nasser F.A.D.C. 2020. Modified atmosphere using propolis in post-harvested “eva” organic apple,” Emirates Journal of Food and Agriculture 32(3): 172-
  24. Mattiuz H., Ducamp-Collin M.-N., and Mattiuz C.F.M. 2015. Effect of propolis on postharvest control of anthracnose and quality parameters of “kent” mango. Scientia Horticulturae 184: 160-168.
  25. Meidani , and Hashemi Dezfuli A. 1997. Postharvest Physiology. Agricultural Education Publication.
  26. Mirzoeva K., Grishanin R.N., and Calder P.C. 1997. Antimicrobial action of propolis and some of its components: the effects on growth, membrane potential and motility of bacteria. Microbiological Research 152(3): 239-246.
  27. Mobli , and Pirasteh B. 1994. Vegetable production (translation), Isfahan University of Technology Publications.
  28. Mostofi, Dehestani A.M., and Razavi S.H. 2011. The effect of chitosan on postharvest life extension and qualitative characteristics of table grape. Iranian Journal of Food Science and Technology 8(30):93-102.
  29. Nilsha , Singhal R.S., and Pandit A.B. 2004. A study on the degradation kinetics of visual green colourin spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) and the effect of salt therein. Journal of Food Engineering 64: 135-142.
  30. Palma-Harris C., McFeeters R.F., and Fleming H.P. 2002. Fresh cucumber flavor in refrigerated pickles: comparison of sensory and instrumental analysis: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 50: 4875-4877.
  31. Park J., Chinnan M.S., and Shewfelt R.L. 1994. Edible coating effects on storage life and quality of tomatoes, Journal of Food Science 59(3): 568-570.
  32. Passos R., Mendes F.Q., Cunha M.C.D., Pigozzi M.T., and Carvalho A.M.X.D. 2016. Propolis extract in postharvest conservation banana “prat” Revista Brasileira de Fruticultura, 38(2).
  33. Passos F.R., Mendes F.Q., Da Cunha M.C., and De Carvalho A.M.X. 2016. Propolis extract coated in “Pera” orange fruits: an alternative to cold storage. African Journal of Agricultural Research 11(23): 2043-
  34. Passos F.R., Mendes F.Q., Pinto M.D.C.E., Araujo E.A., and Carvalho A.M.X.D.2016. Propolis extract in postharvest conservation solo papaya cv “golden” Semina Ciencias Agrarias 37(6): 4039-
  35. Popova , Silici S., Kaftanoglu O., and Bankova V. 2005. Antibacterial activity of Turkish propolis and its qualitative and quantitative chemical composition. Phytomedicine 12(3): 221-228
  36. Qasemi Toulai M., Ramin A. and Amini F. 2015. The effect of chitosan edible coating on quality and increase of postharvest life of "Zumrod" cultivar. Production and Processing of Agricultural and Horticultural Products 5(15): 197-189.
  37. Rabea I., Badawy M.E.T., Stevens C.V., Smagghe G., and Steurbaut W. 2003. Chitosan as antimicrobial agent: applications and mode of action: Bio Macro Molecules 4:1457-1465.
  38. Rao V.R., Gol N.B., and Shah K.K. 2011. Effect of postharvest treatments and storage temperatures on the quality and shelf life of sweet pepper (Capsicum annum L.): Scientia Horticulturae 132: 18-26.
  39. Re R, Pellegrini N, Proteggente A, Pannala A., and Yang M. 1999. Rice-Evans C. Antioxidant activity applying an improved ABTS radical cation decolorization assay. Free Radical Biology 26: 1231-
  40. Ribeiro , Vicente A., Teixeira J.A., and Miranda C. 2007. Optimization of edible coating composition to retard strawberry fruit senescence: Postharvest Biology and Technology 44: 63-70.
  41. Romanazzi , Nigro F., and Ippolito A. 2003, Short hypobaric treatments potentiate the effect of chitosan in reducing storage decay of sweet cherries. Postharvest Biology and Technology 29:73-80.
  42. Ryan-Stoneham, T. and Tong, C. H. 2000. Degradation kinetics of chlorophyll in peas as a function of pH. Journal of Food Science 65: 1296-
  43. Singleton L., and Rossi J.A. 1965. Colorimetric of total phenolic with phosphor molybdic-phospho tungstic acid reagents: American journal of Enology and Viticulture 16: 144-158.
  44. Srilaong , and Tatsumi Y. 2003. Oxygen action on respiratory processes in cucumber fruit (Cucumis sativus) stored at low temperature: The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology 78: 629-633.
  45. Tabatabaekolor , Ebrahimian A. and Hashemi S. J. 2016. Investigation on the effect of temperature, packaging material and modified atmosphere on the quality of tomato. Journal of Food Science and Technology 51(13): 1-13.
  46. Tadelen , and Bayindirli L. 1998. Controlled atmosphere storage and edible coating effects on storage life and quality of tomatoes: Journal of Food Processing and Preservation 22: 303-320.
  47. Tanada-Palmu P.C.S., and Grosso C.R.F. 2005. Effect of edible wheat gluten-based films and coatings on refrigerated strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) quality. Postharvest Biology and Technology 36: 199-208.
  48. Terue , Ieckbusch T., and Cortez L. 2004. Cooling parameters for fruits and vegetables of different size in a hydrocooling system. Scientia Agricola 61(6): 655-658.
  49. Tzoumaki V., Biliaderis C.G., and Vasilakakis M. 2009, Effect of edible coatings and packaging on quality of white asparagus (Asparagus officinalis, L.) during cold storage: Food Chemistry 117: 55-63.
  50. Xing , Li X., Xu Q., Yun J., Lu Y., and Tang Y. 2011. Effects of chitosan coating enriched with cinnamon oil on qualitative properties of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.): Food Chemistry 124: 1443-1450.
  51. Zahid , Ali A., Siddiqui Y., and Maqbool M. 2013. Efficacy of ethanolic extract of propolis in maintaining postharvest quality of dragon fruit during storage. Postharvest Biology and Technology 79: 69-72.
CAPTCHA Image