Postharvest Storage of 'Ponkan', 'Satsuma Okitusu' and 'Fremont' Tangerines and Their Minimally Processed Products Using Refrigeration and Controlled Atmosphere

This study aimed to evaluate the postharvest conservation of tangerines 'Fremont', 'Satsuma Okitsu' and 'Ponkan' when stored at different conditions, as well as the quality of the minimally processed product. Fruit were harvested when a sugar: acid ratio of 10.0 to 12.0 for 'S. Okitsu' and 'Fremont' and 16.0 to 19.0 for 'Ponkan' was reached, selected for uniformity of color, size, and absence of injuries. Whole fruits were stored at 3 degrees C, 85% RH and 7 degrees C, 95% RH, and after each storage period, fruits were brought to ambient conditions (22 degrees C, 65% RH) for 3 days before evaluation. The minimally processed products (peeled) were packed in polystyrene trays (22.4x14.8x3.7 cm) coated with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) stretchable, with 0.014 mm thickness, and in lidded packages (500 ml) of transparent polyethylene terephthalate. Fruit were analyzed for appearance, weight loss, respiratory rate, package atmosphere, rind and pulp color, soluble solids, titratable acidity and ascorbic acid content. Shelf life of tangerine 'Fremont' was limited to 42 days based on freshness. Its minimally processed product had a 9 day shelf-life for products packaged in PVC film. The mandarins 'S. Okitsu' had 35 days shelf-life at 7 degrees C, which was reduced to 28 days at 3 degrees C. Its fresh-cut product had a shelf-life of 15 days, stored in PVC or PET. 'Ponkan' fruit stored at 3 degrees C had a shelf life of 35 days, which was reduced to 28 days at 7 degrees C. When minimally processed, its shelf-life lasted for 15 days, whether packaged in PVC or PET. The 'Ponkan' had a shelf-life of 35 days at 3 degrees C and 28 days at 7 degrees C, also limited by loss of freshness. When minimally processed and stored in PVC or PET, its shelf life reached 15 days.

Postharvest decay development on guava stored under several controlled atmosphere conditions

The control of post-harvest fungal decay on guava (Psidium guajava L. 'Pedro Sato') stored under low oxygen controlled atmosphere (5 kPa) was compared with increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmospheres. The combination of high concentrations of carbon dioxide (1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 kPa) with low oxygen (5 kPa) did not result in additional decay control. The low oxygen level (5 kPa) was the main factor for controlling post-harvest fungal development which resulted in a very low percentage of fruits with symptoms of anthracnose and stylar end rot throughout cold storage, regardless of the CO2 concentration. After transfer to ambient conditions, only the atmospheres with 5 kPa O2 (control), 5 kPa O2 + 1 kPa CO2 and 5 kPa O2 + 5 kPa CO2 resulted in reduced incidence of stylar end rot (P<0.05). There was not a significant interaction among CA combinations and storage duration on the percentage and number of typical anthracnose lesions.

The development of controlled atmosphere storage of fruit.

Cover title.

Impact of atmosphere, organic acids, and calcium on quality of fresh-cut 'Kensington' mango

Fresh-cut slices from ripe 'Kensington' mango (Mangifera indica L.) were prepared aseptically and stored under various treatments at 3 degrees C. Treatments included reduced oxygen (2.5%), enhanced carbon dioxide (5-40%), organic acid application, calcium chloride application, and combinations of the above. Symptoms limiting shelf-life were characterised by tissue darkening, development of a 'glassy' appearance, surface desiccation, and loss of firmness. Reduced oxygen (2.5%) was effective at controlling tissue darkening and the development of a 'glassy' appearance, while calcium application (3%) was partly effective at controlling darkening. Calcium chloride however significantly slowed (but did not stop) loss of tissue firmness. Carbon dioxide (5-40%) and citric acid had little positive effect on shelf-life, with both treatments appearing to promote tissue softening. A combination of low oxygen and calcium allowed 'Kensington' slices to be held for at least 15 days at 3 degrees C. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.

Storage of 'Espada' mango fruits in modified atmosphere and cooling: effects on conservation

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Role of the reactive atmosphere during the sol-gel synthesis on the enhancing of the emission quantum yield of urea cross-linked tripodal siloxane-based hybrids

Transparent monoliths and films of urea cross-linked tripodal siloxane-based hybrids (named tri-ureasils) were prepared by the sol-gel process, under controlled atmosphere (inside a glove box) and ambient conditions and their structure and optical features were compared. X-ray diffraction data point out that all the materials are essentially amorphous and Si-29 NMR reveal an increase in the condensation degree (0.97) for the hybrids prepared under controlled atmosphere relatively to that found for those prepared under ambient conditions (0.84-0.91). The tri-ureasils are white light emitters under UV/Visible excitation (from 250 to 453 nm) being observed for the composites prepared inside the glove box a significant enhancement (60-80 %) of the absorption coefficient and higher emission quantum yield values (similar to 0.27 and similar to 0.20 for monoliths and films, respectively) relatively to those synthesized under ambient condition.

Response of minimally processed carambola to chemical treatments and low-oxygen atmospheres

Fresh-cut carambola (Averrhoa carambola L.) has limited marketability due to cut-surface browning. The effect of chemical treatments (ascorbic acid, citric acid and Ca-EDTA), controlled atmosphere (0.4-20.3% O2) and the association of these processes was investigated. Post-cutting dip and low-oxygen atmospheres did not prevent discoloration or improve sensory and physicochemical parameters. However, ascorbic acid (0.5% and 1%) dips reduced polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity during storage at 4.5 °C, with 1% ascorbic acid inducing the lowest activity. Although cut-surface browning of 'Maha' slices was not relevant, carambola slices treated with 1% ascorbic acid in association with 0.4% oxygen did not present significant browning or loss of visual quality for up to 12 days, 3 days longer than low oxygen alone (0.4% O2), thus, their quality can be significantly improved by combining both treatments.

A simple and inexpensive technique to study the flammability of polymers

A simple and inexpensive technique is described for the study of flammability of polymers, wherein the samples can be weighed continuously during their combustion in controlled atmosphere. The mass versus time curves for burning and quenching process in polystyrene samples are discussed. The experimental data indicates the efficiency of Monoammonium phosphate and ammonium halides in quenching of polystyrene.

A structural study of Li2S---B2S3 glasses by neutron diffraction

The radial distribution functions (RDFs) of five xLi2S.(1 - x)B2S3 glasses (x = 0.55, 0.60, 0.67, 0.71 and 0.75) have been determined from neutron diffraction experiments performed at the Institut Laue-Langevin, Grenoble. These glasses are prepared by casting a molten mixture of boron, sulphur and Li2S inside a controlled atmosphere glovebox. Addition of the Li2S Modifier is found gradually to suppress all peaks corresponding to interatomic distances > 3.5 angstrom, which implies that the structural entities present in these glasses become segmented, and therefore more ionic, as x increases. The assumption of the existence of four main structural entities based on four- and three-coordinated borons (the latter carrying bridging and/or non-bridging sulphurs) accounts for all the peaks present in the RDFs as a function of composition. Furthermore, in the most modified glass (x = 0.75), that which contains only 'isolated' BS33- triangles, there seems to be evidence for either octahedral or tetrahedral coordination of Li+ by S- ions

UV-blue upconverted emission from Nd3+-doped InF3-based heavy-metal fluoride glasses for blue upconversion fibre laser

We report spectral properties and thermal stability of Nd3+-doped InF3-based heavy-metal fluoride glasses. Fluoroindate glasses in the chemical compositions (in mol%) of (38-x)InF3-16BaF(2)-20ZnF(2)-20SrF(2)-3GdF(3)-1GaF(3-)2NaF-xNdF(3) (x = 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 3) have been prepared under a controlled atmosphere in a dry box. Strong UVblue upconversion emission from a green excitation wavelength has been observed and the involved mechanisms have been explained. Near-infrared emission occurs simultaneously upon excitation of the UV-blue upconversion emissions with a cw Ar(+)laser. The upconversion spectra have revealed four dominant emissions at 354, 380, 412 and 449 nm, which belong to the transitions of D-4(3/2) -> I-4(9/2), D-4(3/2) -> I-4(11/2) and P-2(3/2) -> I-4(9/2), D-4(3/2) -> I-4(13/2) and P-2(3/2) -> I-4(11/2), D-4(3/2) -> I-4(15/2) and P-2(3/2) -> I-4(13/2), respectively.

甜樱桃果实采后生理、耐藏性及褐变机理的研究

本文以我国目前主要栽培的甜樱桃早、中、晚熟品种“红灯”、“佐藤锦”、“那翁”、“拉宾斯”和“砂蜜豆”等为试材，系统地研究了甜樱桃果实在不同O2和CO2浓度气调贮藏条件下的生理特性、风味品质和贮藏性，提出了适合于甜樱桃果实生理特性的气调指标和贮藏时间;分析了甜樱桃在不同贮藏条件下果实中乙烯、多酚氧化酶（PPO）、过氧化物酶（POD）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD） 和丙二醛（MDA）的变化情况，揭示了它们与甜樱桃果实衰老、褐变及耐贮性的关系;分析了甜樱桃果实在不同贮藏条件下乙醇、色泽、硬度、可溶性固形物、酸和维生素C等物质成分的含量变化及与果实风味品质的关系;同时，还分析了不同甜樱桃品种果皮的结构特征及与耐藏性的关系，以及不同成熟度的甜樱桃果实在气调贮藏中的生理反应和品质变化。为形成甜樱桃果实采后商业化贮藏的系列配套技术提供了理论依据。 本文的主要研究内容包括：不同CO2浓度的气调贮藏对甜樱桃果实采后生理及品质的影响;高O2或高CO2浓度处理对甜樱桃果实褐变、衰老及风味品质的影响;动态气调贮藏和非动态气调贮藏对甜樱桃生理特性、风味品质和耐藏性的影响;不同成熟度及不同品种对甜樱桃耐藏性的影响;不同药剂配合包装处理对甜樱桃果实耐藏性及品质的影响。试验结果表明： 1. 甜樱桃果实适合于较高CO2浓度的CA贮藏：与自发性气调贮藏（MAP）相比，气调贮藏（CA）更能明显地延缓果实衰老，减少腐烂和褐变，保持风味品质和延长1.5~2倍的贮藏时间。其中以较高CO2浓度的（5% O2 + 10% CO2）气调贮藏效果最好，早熟品种“红灯”的贮藏期为60天，而中、晚熟品种“最上锦”、“佐藤锦”、“那翁”、“拉宾斯”和“砂蜜豆” 的贮藏期可达80-100天。果实在25℃下的货架存放时间为2-3天，在低温条件下（3-5℃）的货架时间是6天以上。 2. 高O2浓度气调对甜樱桃果实易造成伤害：用高O2浓度（70% O2 + 0% CO2）气调贮藏甜樱桃，在短期内可以抑制果实腐烂、减少果肉中挥发性代谢产物乙醇含量，但果实中的丙二醛含量上升迅速，褐变加剧，造成高氧伤害。 3. 动态气调贮藏更有利于延长甜樱桃果实的贮藏期：与非动态气调贮藏相比，贮藏前期用较高浓度CO2（20%）处理甜樱桃果实可有效控制维生素C含量的降低，丙二醛含量上升的速率较慢，可明显减少贮藏后期果实褐变和腐烂，保持风味品质。 4. 成熟度较高的甜樱桃果实适合于气调贮藏：成熟度较高（深红色时采收）的甜樱桃果实比成熟度低（鲜红色时采收）的果实耐藏性好。 5. 果实的耐藏性与果皮结构有关：耐藏性强的品种表皮细胞较小，排列紧密，细胞壁和外层蜡脂均较厚，果肉内部的维管束螺纹排列致密，果肉的薄壁细胞也排列得比较致密。 6. MAP与生物药剂配合有利于延长甜樱桃的贮藏期：生物1号药剂与加有TBZ的低密度塑料薄膜袋包装配合使用对控制甜樱桃果实腐烂、抑制果肉乙烯和乙醇生成、保持品质特性和延长贮藏时间都很有效。 7. 膜质过氧化是造成甜樱桃果实褐变的主要因素：甜樱桃果实褐变与PPO活性关系不大，但与膜质过氧化作用的产物—丙二醛（MAD）含量变化显著相关。

冬枣果实对不同贮藏条件的生理反应及耐贮性研究

本文以我国特有的冬枣果实为试材，系统地研究了冬枣果实在室温、低温和不同O2和CO2浓度气调贮藏条件下的生理特性、风味品质和贮藏性，提出了适合于冬枣果实生理特性的气调指标和贮藏时间;分析了冬枣在不同贮藏条件下果实硬度、颜色、叶绿素和花青素、可溶性固形物、可滴定酸、Vc、乙醇和乙酸乙酯等物质成分的含量变化及与果实风味品质的关系;同时也分析了多酚氧化酶（PPO）、苯丙氨酸解氨酶（PAL）、过氧化物酶（POD）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）、多聚半乳糖醛酸酶（PG）和脂氧合酶（LOX）的活性变化情况以及丙二醛（MDA）含量和膜透性的变化情况，揭示了它们与冬枣果实转红、酒化、褐变、软化、衰老、及耐贮性的关系。对冬枣果实在气调贮藏中的生理反应和品质变化的研究，为形成冬枣果实采后商业化贮藏的系列配套技术提供了理论依据。试验结果表明： 1、冬枣果实在不同贮藏环境下品质的变化：随着贮藏时间的延长，冬枣果实Vc含量呈明显下降的趋势，CA处理能有效地抑制果实Vc含量的下降;不同贮藏条件对冬枣果实SSC影响不大;冬枣果实花青素的含量随贮藏时间逐渐下降，高O2浓度（70%）动态气调与其它处理相比，能更有效保持冬枣果实果皮的颜色及花青素和叶绿素的含量，以及果实的亮度、颜色饱和度和色度;同时，还能降低贮藏前期冬枣果实乙醇释放量。 2、冬枣果实在不同贮藏环境下生理的变化：（1） PG 酶是影响冬枣果实软化的主要因素，冬枣果实中存在内切和外切两种PG 酶，在冬枣果实的成熟过程中，Exo-PG和Endo-PG迅速积累，并呈现较高的活性，多聚半乳糖醛酸酶活性与冬枣果实的软化密切相关。CA贮藏与普通冷藏相比，可有效地抑制冬枣果实多聚半乳糖醛酸酶的活性和延缓果实软化，其中以5% O2的CA贮藏的效果最好。（2）膜质过氧化是造成冬枣果实褐变的主要因素，在室温下冬枣果实细胞膜透性随贮藏时间逐渐上升，CA贮藏在贮藏前中期可有效控制MDA含量的上升和果实褐变的发生，有利于降低膜脂过氧化程度，保护细胞膜结构并延缓果实衰老。冬枣果实褐变与PPO活性关系不大，但与膜透性及膜质过氧化作用的产物—丙二醛（MAD）含量变化显著相关。（3）冬枣果实采收时的SOD活性很低，在25 C下，果实SOD活性急剧上升，低温贮藏条件下，果实SOD活性出现两次高峰，第一次高峰为果实后熟的标志，第二次高峰标志着果实的衰老。（4）在不同贮藏条件下，冬枣果实PAL活性均随贮藏期的延长而呈现下降趋势。 3、影响冬枣果实贮藏性的生理因素：冬枣果实的衰老与活性氧代谢失调和防御体系活力下降有关，随着果实衰老的出现，果实的POD、CAT等保护酶活性均呈现明显下降的趋势。气调贮藏在前期能显著提高冬枣果实POD的活性，而在后期又显著抑制了POD活性的上升，说明POD在果实贮藏初期表现为保护效应，而在后期则表现为伤害效应。 4、冬枣果实适宜的贮藏条件：与普通冷藏相比，气调贮藏（CA）能明显地延缓果实衰老，减少腐烂和褐变，保持风味品质和延长贮藏时间。其中以较高O2浓度的（10% O2 + 0% CO2）气调贮藏效果最好。气调贮藏与杀菌剂配合有利于延长冬枣的贮藏期，0.1%的施保克和0.1%戴挫霉处理能有效控制冬枣果实贮藏期间的腐烂，延长贮藏时间，施保克的防腐效果好于戴挫霉。 5、拮抗菌和病原菌处理对冬枣果实抗性相关酶的诱导：接种拮抗菌+病原菌或只接种病原菌能诱导冬枣果实蛋白含量的显著升高，说明拮抗菌和病原菌处理诱导了果实病原相关蛋白的积累。在常温条件下，拮抗菌和病原菌处理抑制了冬枣果实的CAT酶活性，诱导了SOD和POD活性的上升。同时果实的蛋白含量也显著升高。在低温条件下，CAT和SOD活性受抑制，POD、PPO和 PAL活性被诱导并显著高于正常果实。这说明拮抗菌处理的冬枣果实可能通过加强氧化酶活性的方式来达到抗病的效果。拮抗菌和病原菌处理后，该部分组织的氧化酶活性加强，它们可以分解毒素，促进伤口愈合，抑制病原菌水解酶活性，从而抵抗病害的扩展。PAL是催化莽草酸途径的关键酶，可合成酚、植保素和木质素，而这些物质均与植物抗性有关。

In situ, continuous monitoring of the photoinduced superhydrophilic effect: Influence of UV-type and ambient atmospheric and droplet composition

A controlled-atmosphere chamber, combined with a CCTV system, is used to monitor continuously the change in shape of water droplets on the self-cleaning commercial glass, Activ, and a sol-gel TiO2 substrate during their irradiation with either UVA or UVC light. This system allows the photoinduced superhydrophilic effect (PSH) exhibited by these materials to be studied in real time under a variety of different conditions. UVA was less effective than UVC in terms of PSH for both titania-coated glasses, and plain glass was unaffected by either form of UV irradiation and so showed no PSH activity. With UVA, ozone increased significantly the rate of PSH for both substrates, but had no effect on the wettability of plain glass. For both titania substrates and plain glass, no PSH activity was observed under an O-2-free atmosphere. A more detailed study of the PSH effect exhibited by Activ revealed that doping the water droplet with either an electron acceptor (Na2S2O8), electron donor (Na2S2O4), or simple electrolyte (KCl) in the absence of oxygen did not promote PSH. However, when Activ was UV irradiated, while immersed in a deoxygenated KCl solution, prior to testing for PSH activity, only a small change in contact angle was observed, whereas under the same conditions, but using a deoxygenated persulfate-containing immersion solution, it was rendered superhydrophilic. The correlation between organic contaminant removal and surface wetting was also investigated by using thick sol-gel films coated with stearic acid; the destruction of SA was monitored by FTIR and sudden wetting of the surface was seen to coincide with the substantial removal of the organic layer. The results of this work are discussed in the context of the current debate on the underlying cause of PSH.