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Pre and Postharvest Physiology and Biochemistry of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

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A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Horticultural Science and Ornamental Plants".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2023) | Viewed by 19567

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Georgia Ouzounidou

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Guest Editor

Institute of Technology of Agricultural Products, Hellenic Agricultural Organization-DIMITRA (ELGO-DIMITRA), 111 45 Athens, Greece
Interests: antioxidant capacities; bioenergetic; biotechnology; chlorophyll fluorescence; environmental biology; fruit ripening biology; plant physiology; photosynthesis; vegetable and fruit quality characteristics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Miltiadis V. Christopoulos

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Guest Editor

Institute of Food Technology, Hellenic Agricultural Organization-Demeter (ELGO-Dimitra), 1 S. Venizelou Str., 14123 Lycovrissi, Greece
Interests: perceived quality; nutritional quality; fruits and vegetables physiology; fruits and vegetables biochemistry; postharvest technology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Fruits and vegetables play an important role in human nutrition and health, particularly as sources of essential biomolecules such as vitamin C, thiamine, niacin, pyridoxine, folic acid, fatty acids, minerals and dietary fibre.

Some components of fruits and vegetables (phytochemicals) are strong antioxidants and modify metabolic activation and the detoxification/disposition of carcinogens, and may even influence processes that could change the course of a tumor cell, but they are highly perishable as they remain metabolically active until they are consumed. It is of great importance to highlight the most significance changes occurring during maturity-ripening as pre-harvest factors affecting fruit and vegetable quality at harvest time, such as bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity. The pre-harvest factors influencing post-harvest quality are cultural practices, mineral nutrition, genetic factors and climatic factors. Post-harvest factors influencing quality of fruits are genotype, maturity stage, harvest (method and time), and the applied technologies that affect the conditions during postharvest chain (sorting and grading, packaging, storage and transportation).

In the light of the numerous advances made in recent years on the above points, this Special Issue will extensively cover the topics of pre- and post-harvest physiology and biochemistry of fruits and vegetables in order to maintain the overall quality of fresh produce. In addition, due to the great importance of reducing fruit and vegetable losses, we encourage post-harvest researchers to become more engaged with logistics and food supply-chain operations, and to conduct multidisciplinary research incorporating consumer behaviour studies into postharvest research.

Scientists are warmly invited to submit their original contributions (reviews, original research papers, short communications) to this Special Issue.

Dr. Georgia Ouzounidou
Dr. Miltiadis V. Christopoulos
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

maturity/ripening stage
quality characteristics
genetic variation
plant protection
physiological disorders
shelf life
postharvest technology
antioxidants

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 2384 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Maturity Assessment of Different Table Grape Cultivars Grown at Six Different Altitudes in Lebanon

by Najwane Hamie, Diana Nacouzi, Mariam Choker, Maya Salameh, Linda Darwiche and Walid El Kayal

Plants 2023, 12(18), 3237; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12183237 - 12 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1597

Abstract

Table grapes are harvested based on well-known maturity indices that must be monitored after fruit veraison. The aim of this study was to assess these indices across multiple locations and environmental conditions, encompassing different table grape cultivars such as Black Pearl, Crimson Seedless, Superior Seedless, and Red Globe. For this reason, grape sampling was conducted across six distinct locations characterized by varying altitudes above sea level (m asl) and environmental conditions over the ripening season. The main maturity indices, including pH, sugar content, titratable acidity, berry firmness, and other parameters were monitored over the growing season. Moreover, the quantification of total polyphenols, total anthocyanins, and antioxidant activity was determined using spectrophotometric assays at harvesting. The study has examined the effect of the vineyard’s location on grape quality and its interaction with the cultivar and environment. Crimson Seedless maintained a relatively high level of acidity with altitude near harvesting. Black Pearl exhibited a notable decline in both sugar content and berry firmness as elevation increased, whereas Red Globe demonstrated contrasting outcomes. The optimal maturity of Superior Seedless was observed at an elevation of 1000 m asl. Black Pearl and Crimson Seedless exhibited better adaptability to intermediate elevations (650 and 950 m asl), while Red Globe and Superior Seedless showed better adaptability to higher elevations (1000–1150 m asl). Among the studied cultivars, Black Pearl exhibited significantly higher levels of total polyphenols and anthocyanins, while close values were noticed between red and green cultivars. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pre and Postharvest Physiology and Biochemistry of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables)

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17 pages, 2704 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Cold Storage Temperature and Shelf Life on Ripening Physiology, Quality Attributes, and Nutritional Value in Apricots—Implication of Cultivar

by Mina Kafkaletou, Anna Velliou, Miltiadis V. Christopoulos, Georgia Ouzounidou and Eleni Tsantili

Plants 2023, 12(15), 2875; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152875 - 04 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1242

Abstract

This work aimed to investigate the storability potential of Orange Red and Orange Rubis apricots harvested at commercial maturity stage during cold storage (CS) at 1 or 5 °C for up to 28 days, followed by shelf life (SL) at 20 °C for 2 days. The variables evaluated included total soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH only at harvest, weight loss (WL), ethylene production rates, peel color, firmness, chilling injury incidence (CI), concentrations of total phenolics, flavonoids, carotenoids, total antioxidant capacity, b-carotene, b-cryptoxantine, and lutein. The main results showed that storage at 5 °C resulted in higher WL and CI symptoms than at 1 °C during both CS and SL, increased ethylene production during CS, whereas there was limited or no effect of CS temperatures on changes in firmness, color, and all antioxidants during CS. Firmness decreased abruptly soon after harvest in Orange Rubis, but progressively in the remaining samples of both cultivars during CS and SL. SL advanced fruit deterioration according to WL, CI, and softening. During SL, ethylene production increased in all samples. Orange Red exhibited higher ethylene rates during SL and antioxidant concentrations throughout CS and SL, by comparison. Conclusively, storage temperature at 1 °C retained WL, CI, and ethylene production, and both cultivars were marketable up to 21 days CS without SL or up to 14 days CS followed by SL, although Orange Rubis exhibited CI after 14 days, while Orange Red exhibited CI after 21 days of CS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pre and Postharvest Physiology and Biochemistry of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables)

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14 pages, 2249 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Different Pre-Cooling Methods on the Shelf Life and Quality of Sweet Corn (Zea mays L.)

by Chi Zhang, Pengcheng Zhou, Jun Mei and Jing Xie

Plants 2023, 12(12), 2370; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12122370 - 19 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1806

Abstract

The strong wind pre-cooling (SWPC), ice water pre-cooling (IWPC), vacuum pre-cooling (VPC), natural convection pre-cooling (NCPC), and slurry ice pre-cooling (SIPC) techniques were used to pre-cool the fresh sweet corn (Zea mays L.), and then the pre-cooling treated sweet corn samples were stored at 4 °C for 28 days. During refrigeration, quality indicators, such as hardness, water loss, color, soluble solids content, and soluble sugar, were determined. In addition, oxidation indicators, such as peroxidase, catalase, ascorbic acid-peroxidase activity, and carotene content, were also measured. The results showed that the main problems of sweet corn during cold storage were water loss and respiration. The pre-cooling speed of SWPC is the fastest, and the latent heat of sweet corn can be removed in only 31 min. SWPC and IWPC could reduce the loss of fruit quality, maintain good color and hardness, inhibit the decrease of water, soluble solids, soluble sugars, and carotenoid contents, maintain balance between POD, APX, and CAT, and extend the shelf life of sweet corn. The shelf life of SWPC and IWPC corn reached 28 days, 14 days longer than SIPC and VPC treated samples, and 7 days longer than NCPC treated samples. Therefore, SWPC and IWPC are the appropriate methods to pre-cool the sweet corn before cold storage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pre and Postharvest Physiology and Biochemistry of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables)

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17 pages, 3730 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synergistic Effects of Tragacanth and Anti-ethylene Treatments on Postharvest Quality Maintenance of Mango (Mangifera indica L.)

by Emad Hamdy Khedr and Jameel Mohammed Al-Khayri

Plants 2023, 12(9), 1887; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12091887 - 05 May 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1576

Abstract

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is one of the most popular tropical fruits grown in Egypt and several other countries, making it a potential export commodity. Excessive deterioration after harvest requires various treatments to maintain fruit quality. We evaluated the treatments effects of melatonin (MT) as an anti-ethylene agent and tragacanth gum (TRG) as an edible coating individually and together (MT–TRG) before storing mangoes at 12 °C for 32 days under 85–90% relative humidity. Compared with control, all treatments were significantly effective in preserving fruit quality. Fruits treated with MT–TRG showed significantly lower decay values, respiration rates, ethylene production, and weight loss than untreated fruits. MT–TRG treatment significantly enhanced fruit quality, thereby maintaining fruit appearance, flesh color, firmness, total soluble solids and phenolic contents, and pectin methyl esterase, polyphenol oxidase, and peroxidase activities during the storage period. We propose 200 µM MT + 1% TRG as a safe postharvest treatment to reduce the deterioration of mangoes and maintain fruit quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pre and Postharvest Physiology and Biochemistry of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables)

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15 pages, 1227 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modification of Sugar Profile and Ripening in Atemoya (Annona × atemoya Mabb.) Fruits through Copper Hydroxide Application

by Caroline P. Cardoso, Felipe G. Campos, Gabriel M. Napoleão, Gustavo R. Barzotto, Lauro P. Campos, Gisela Ferreira and Carmen S. F. Boaro

Plants 2023, 12(4), 768; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12040768 - 08 Feb 2023

Viewed by 1564

Abstract

Atemoya (Annona × atemoya Mabb.), a climacteric fruit of the Annonaceae family, is becoming increasingly popular due to its organoleptic and nutritional properties. Anthracnose, a fungus of the Colletotrichum genus, is one of the most serious diseases in orchards, causing significant damage if not controlled, so producers use phytosanitary products. The current study sought to investigate the quality of atemoya fruits after harvest in an orchard with anthracnose controlled by Cu(OH)² application: T1—no Cu(OH)², T2—7.8 mL Cu(OH)² L1 divided into two applications, T3—15.6 mL Cu(OH)² L1 divided into four, T4—8.0 mL Cu(OH)² L1 divided into eight, and T5—13.0 mL Cu(OH)² L1 divided into thirteen applications. The sugar profile of fruits was examined, as well as MDA, H₂O₂, and quality parameters such as pH, mass, soluble solids, titratable acidity, and maturation index. MDA, such as H₂O₂, can function as a signal molecule. Eight applications of 1.0 mL L-1 Cu(OH)² resulted in increased concentrations of H₂O₂ and MDA, signal molecules involved in sugar modification profiles such as glucose, fructose, and trehalose. It also had a high titratable acidity, a lower maturation index, better fruit quality, and a longer shelf life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pre and Postharvest Physiology and Biochemistry of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables)

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14 pages, 631 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Plant-Based Biostimulant (BORTAN) on Qualitative and Aromatic Traits of Rocket Salad (Diplotaxis tenuifolia L.)

by Livia Malorni, Rosaria Cozzolino, Anna Magri, Luigi Zampella and Milena Petriccione

Plants 2023, 12(4), 730; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12040730 - 07 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1625

Abstract

In this study, the influence of a new plant-based biostimulant (Bortan) on physiological and aromatic traits of rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia L. var. Pamela) was monitored by evaluating physico-chemical parameters (fresh and dry weight, leaf color and chlorophyll content) and biochemical traits (total phenolic compound (TP), total flavonoids (TF), ascorbic acid (AA) and antioxidant activity (AOX). Volatile profiles were also analyzed by headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, allowing the detection of 32 volatiles belonging to 5 chemical classes. Compared to the control, Bortan application enhanced leaf pigment content, including chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids (+10%, +16% and +28%, respectively) and increased TP (+34%), TF (+26%), AA (+19%) amonts and AOX value (+16%). Principal component analysis revealed a significant discrimination between the two samples. Specifically, treated samples were mainly associated with ”green-leaf” volatiles, namely hexanal and 2-hexenal, 3-hexenal and 1-penten-3-one, while control rocket was directly correlated with several alcohols and to all isothiocyanates, associated with the sulfur-like odor of rocket. These findings can add further support, both for farmers and the agro-food industry, in choosing PBs as a new and sustainable practice in complementing enhanced yields with premium-quality produce. To confirm these preliminary data, further experiments are needed by enlarging the sample size, testing different concentrations of Bortan and/or using other food crops. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pre and Postharvest Physiology and Biochemistry of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables)

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12 pages, 6605 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Pre-Storage CO₂ Treatment and Modified Atmosphere Packaging on Sweet Pepper Chilling Injury

by Abiodun Samuel Afolabi, In-Lee Choi, Joo Hwan Lee, Yong Beom Kwon, Hyuk Sung Yoon and Ho-Min Kang

Plants 2023, 12(3), 671; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12030671 - 03 Feb 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1505

Abstract

The effect of 10% CO₂ pre-storage treatment for 12, 24, and 48 h alongside modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on chilling injury was determined in this study. This study found significant interactions between chilling injuries and cell membrane damage indicators. The results show that chilling injuries can be somewhat reduced by the use of CO₂ treatment for sweet peppers. It was noticed that the fruit’s respiration rate increased as the treatment duration increased immediately after the treatments, while the resultant did not affect the ethylene production rate, electrolyte leakage, or malondialdehyde. Similarly, after cold storage and on the final day, no really significant differences were shown in all those parameters except for the weight loss rate, chilling injury, calyx browning, and firmness, which were at the poorest state in the control group. Of all the treatments in this study, MAP appeared to be the best treatment, and preference may be given to the 24 h treatment of pretreated fruits. Weight loss, firmness, calyx browning, and chilling injury were maintained best in MAP due to the presence of CO₂ and high humidity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pre and Postharvest Physiology and Biochemistry of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables)

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13 pages, 333 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quality Traits and Nutritional Components of Cherry Tomato in Relation to the Harvesting Period, Storage Duration and Fruit Position in the Truss

by Pavlos Tsouvaltzis, Stela Gkountina and Anastasios S. Siomos

Plants 2023, 12(2), 315; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12020315 - 09 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1698

Abstract

It is well known that the harvesting period and the storage duration have a significant effect on the quality characteristics of cherry tomato fruits. On the other hand, the effect of the fruit position in the truss has not been studied, as well as the relative contribution of each one of these factors on fruit quality. For this purpose, cherry tomato (Genio F1) whole trusses were harvested at the fruit red ripe stage during three periods. At each harvesting period, the first four (at the base of the truss) and the last four (at the top) fruits from each truss that was previously trimmed to 10 fruits, were stored at 12 °C for 0, 4 and 10 days. At the end of each storage duration, the external color, firmness, antioxidant capacity, pH and titratable acidity, as well as dry matter, soluble solid, total soluble phenol, lycopene, total carotenoid and β-carotene content, were determined. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that the harvesting period had the most significant effect on skin color parameters L * and C * and β-carotene, as well as on antioxidant capacity, total soluble phenols, dry matter and total soluble solids, while it also had an appreciable effect on titratable acidity. The storage duration had a dominant effect on firmness, total carotenoids and lycopene, while it had an appreciable effect on skin color parameter L * as well. On the other hand, the fruit position in the truss exerted an exclusive effect on h^o and a */b * ratio skin color parameters and pH and an appreciable effect on titratable acidity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pre and Postharvest Physiology and Biochemistry of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables)

17 pages, 1197 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Increasing the Storability of Fresh-Cut Green Beans by Using Chitosan as a Carrier for Tea Tree and Peppermint Essential Oils and Ascorbic Acid

by Karima F. Abdelgawad, Asmaa H. R. Awad, Marwa R. Ali, Richard A. Ludlow, Tong Chen and Mohamed M. El-Mogy

Plants 2022, 11(6), 783; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11060783 - 16 Mar 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2915

Abstract

The quality of fresh-cut green beans deteriorates rapidly in storage, which contributes to increased food waste and lower perceived customer value. However, chitosan (Cs) and certain plant essential oils show promise in reducing postharvest quality loss during storage. Here, the effect of Cs and the combinations of Cs + tea tree oil (TTO), Cs +x peppermint oil (PMO), and Cs + ascorbic acid (AsA) on the quality of fresh-cut green bean pods (FC-GB) is studied over a 15-d storage period at 5 °C. All four FC-GB treatments reduced weight loss and maintained firmness during storage when compared to uncoated FC-GB. Furthermore, all treatments showed higher total chlorophyll content, AsA, total phenolic compounds, and total sugars compared to the control. The best treatment for reducing microbial growth was a combination of Cs + AsA. Additionally, the combination of Cs with TTO, PMO, or AsA showed a significant reduction in the browning index and increased the antioxidant capacity of FC-GB up to 15 d postharvest. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pre and Postharvest Physiology and Biochemistry of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables)

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14 pages, 3236 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Physiological and Ultrastructural Alterations Linked to Intrinsic Mastication Inferiority of Segment Membranes in Satsuma Mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc.) Fruits

by Xuefei Lian, Feifei Li, Yuanyuan Chang, Tie Zhou, Yuewen Chen, Tao Yin, Yunsong Li, Li Ye, Yan Jin and Xiaopeng Lu

Plants 2022, 11(1), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11010039 - 23 Dec 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2414

Abstract

Chewing texture is important for fresh citrus fruits, and the mastication trait of a segment directly determines chewing texture. Roughing disorder impairs the quality of Satsuma mandarin fruits, and it is typically correlated with intrinsic mastication inferiority (IMI). This study explored the role of segment membranes (SMs) in IMI. Similar to IMI in roughing-disordered fruits, segment shear force significantly enhanced relative to controls (CK); cell layers and cell wall thickness increased also in inferior masticating SMs. The ‘Miyamoto Wase’ cultivar exhibited larger segment shear force and more SM cell layers than ‘Juxiangzao’. In SMs, vessel cells could be divided into outside layers where segments adjoin and inside layers where juice sacs grow from. The inside vessel cell layers in the inferior masticating SMs were denser. Vessels with a length of 200 to 300 μm and a diameter of 5 to 15 μm predominated in SMs. The average vessel diameter enlarged by 13% to 16.5% in inferior masticating SMs, depending on cultivars. Furthermore, there was a decrease in vessels with a diameter <5 μm and an increase in vessels >10 μm in the inferior masticating SMs. Between phenotypes, protopectin increased significantly throughout development of inferior masticating SMs, while water-soluble pectin increased during the later stages of development. In one inferior masticating SM sample, protopectin and water-soluble pectin levels were higher in the inner-ring area than those in the outer-ring area. Correspondingly, expression of CuPME21 which is involved in pectin hydrolysis was consistently upregulated in the inferior masticating SMs throughout fruit development. The findings in this work provide novel insights into citrus SM structure and its IMI. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pre and Postharvest Physiology and Biochemistry of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables)

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