Academic literature on the topic 'Pericarp browning'

Mature red lychee fruit were stored at 3 different temperature and relative humidity regimes. Total anthocyanin concentration, pigment distribution, pH of the pericarp homogenate, Hunter a values (redness index), and visual colour were measured as a function of pericarp weight loss. Pericarp colour rapidly deteriorated during both ambient and high temperature storage, resulting in a uniform browning of the pericarp surface. The degree of tissue browning was proportional to the rate of pericarp desiccation. Although anthocyanin degradation occurred concurrently with tissue browning, visual colour and Hunter a values were not consistent with total anthocyanin concentration. Instead, a more significant correlation was seen between Hunter a values and the pH of the pericarp homogenate. Pericarp colour could be altered by external pH. Acidification of whole fruit increased pericarp redness, whereas alkaline treatment caused discoloration. Both colour responses occurred independently of anthocyanin synthesis and degradation and were completely reversible. These results question the current theory that browning is due to anthocyanin degradation. No evidence of browning was observed in the anthocyanin-containing mesocarp, and acidification of already brown tissue significantly increased pericarp redness independently of anthocyanin synthesis. We believe that anthocyanin pigments were progressively decolorised during ambient storage, possibly due to changes in pericarp pH. Once colourless, independent tissue browning became visual and was enhanced.

Cellular localisation of visual browning and oxidative activity studies were conducted to determine the relative significance of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) activities during pericarp browning. Pericarp browning was first observed on the protuberance apices and subsequently extended uniformly over the entire pericarp surface. Anatomically, browning was highly localised and restricted to the epicarp and the upper mesocarp. PPO and POD activities were highest in the epicarp, with progressively less activity in both the mesocarp and endocarp. In situ localisation of oxidative activity using tissue blots confirmed high epicarp PPO activity. POD activity, although primarily restricted to mesocarp vascular tissue, was also detected in the epicarp. We believe that litchi pericarp browning is due to highly localised oxidative activity in the epicarp and upper mesocarp. As PPO and POD activities were significantly higher in this tissue and browning was not observed when both enzymes were selectively inhibited, it is postulated that both PPO and POD activities are associated with litchi pericarp browning. The current theory that litchi pericarp browning is only caused by PPO activity needs to be re-appraised to determine the relative role of POD activity.

Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) rapidly lose their attractive appearance after harvest due to a superficial pericarp browning. Storage at high humidity minimizes fruit desiccation and may, therefore, delay browning onset. This paper examines the effect of reduced water loss rate on browning that may occur with time. Rambutan fruit pericarp browning beyond a commercially saleable level occurred at a weight loss of 25% to 40%. This depended on duration and storage relative humidity (RH). Skin browning was 50% greater on the red (R 134) than the yellow (R 156) cultivar at 60% RH. There was a storage time × RH interaction in the development of browning such that browning was observed earlier at lower RHs. Skin browning and spintern (soft spine) browning developed independently. Cracks appeared on the surface of fruit with increased weight loss. Browning occurrence was consistent with increased total phenolic compound levels in the pericarp. Water loss precedes browning occurrence and, over time, water loss is related to browning. Water stress appeared to affect rambutan pericarp tissue in much the same manner as senescence.

Mature lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) fruit were heat-treated at 60C for 10 min to study heat-induced pericarp browning. Polyphenol oxidase (EC 1.10.3.2) activity of the pericarp increased immediately, corresponding with rapid anthocyanin degradation, Tissue browning was observed 2 min after heating, with pigmentation distributed uniformly throughout the pericarp. The distribution of brown pigments was different than the highly localized browning observed under ambient desiccation. Although both ambient and heat-induced pericarp browning are visually similar, the anatomical distribution of brown pigmentation is quite distinct. The distribution of brown pigmentation was not consistent with anthocyanin localization. Following ambient desiccation, the mesocarp became colorless even though this represented the greatest concentration of pigment. Browning caused by heating may result from nonselective degradation of a range of compounds, including anthocyanin.

Longan ‘Huong Chi’ (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) is one of the most favorite and widely exported fruits in Vietnam, but the trading of longan faces considerable challenges due to rapid pericarp browning and decay. Our study aimed to determine the effects of modified atmospheres generated by low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene bag (PP), and LifeSpan L201 films on the quality and pericarp browning of ‘Huong Chi’ longan fruit pre-treated with 3.0 % citric acid and stored at 5oC. The results showed that LifeSpan L201 and LDPE packaging created an equilibrium atmosphere of 10.66 ± 0.78% O2, 4.44 ± 0.64% CO2, and 15.04 ± 0.89% O2, 2.96 ± 0.61% CO2, respectively. The modified atmospheres generated by LifeSpan L201 and LDPE delayed pericarp browning, maintained the total soluble solids (TSS) and vitamin C content, and reduced decay in longan fruit. Meanwhile, the PP packaging resulted in an improperly modified atmosphere which led to severe decay and browning in cold storage conditions.

Lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) has a high commercial value; however, it has a short shelf-life because of its rapid pericarp browning. The objective of this study was to evaluate the shelf-life of 'Bengal' lychee fruits stored after treatment with hydrochloric acid and citric acid, associated with cassava starch and plastic packaging. Uniformly red pericarp fruits were submitted to treatments: 1-(immersion in citric acid 100 mM for 5 minutes + cassava starch 30 g L-1 for 5 minutes), 2-(immersion in hydrochloric acid 1 M for 2 minutes + starch cassava 30 g L-1 for 5 minutes), 3-(immersion in citric acid 100 mM for 5 minutes + polyvinyl chloride film (PVC, 14 µm thick)) and 4-(immersion in hydrochloric acid 1 M for 2 minutes + PVC film). During 20 days, the fruits were evaluated for mass loss, pericarp color, pH, soluble solids and titratable acidity, vitamin C of the pulp and pericarp and activities of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase of the pericarp. The treatment with hydrochloric acid associated with PVC was the most effective in maintaining the red color of the pericarp for a period of 20 days and best preservation of the fruit. The cassava starch associated with citric acid, and hydrochloric acid did not reduce the mass loss and did not prevent the browning of lychee fruit pericarp.

Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is a tropical to subtropical crop that originated in South-East Asia. Litchi fruit are prized on the world market for their flavour, semi-translucent white aril and attractive red skin. Litchi is now grown commercially in many countries and production in Australia, China, Israel, South Africa and Thailand has expanded markedly in recent years. Increased production has made significant contributions to economic development in these countries, especially those in South-East Asia. Non-climacteric litchi fruit are harvested at their visual and organoleptic optimum. They are highly perishable and, consequently, have a short life that limits marketability and potential expansion of demand. Pericarp browning and pathological decay are common and important defects of harvested litchi fruit. Postharvest technologies have been developed to reduce these defects. These technologies involve cooling and heating the fruit, use of various packages and packaging materials and the application of fungicides and other chemicals. Through the use of fungicides and refrigeration, litchi fruit have a storage life of about 30 days. However, when they are removed from storage, their shelf life at ambient temperature is very short due to pericarp browning and fruit rotting. Low temperature acclimation or use of chitsoan as a coating can extend the shelf life. Sulfur dioxide fumigation effectively reduces pericarp browning, but approval from Europe, Australia and Japan for this chemical is likely to be withdrawn due to concerns over sulfur residues in fumigated fruit. Thus, sulfur-free postharvest treatments that maintain fruit skin colour are increasingly important. Alternatives to SO2 fumigation for control of pericarp browning and fruit rotting are pre-storage pathogen management, anoxia treatment, and dipping in 2% hydrogen chloride solution for 6−8 min following storage at 0°C. Insect disinfestation has become increasingly important for the expansion of export markets because of quarantine issues associated with some fruit fly species. Thus, effective disinfestation protocols need to be developed. Heat treatment has shown promise as a quarantine technology, but it injures pericarp tissue and results in skin browning. However, heat treatment can be combined with an acid dip treatment that inhibits browning. Therefore, the primary aim of postharvest litchi research remains the achievement of highly coloured fruit which is free of pests and disease. Future research should focus on disease control before harvest, combined acid and heat treatments after harvest and careful temperature management during storage and transport.

Background Longan fruit is a rich source of bioactive compounds; however, enzymatic browning of pericarp and microbial decay have limited its postharvest life. SO2 has widely been used to overcome these limitations; however, due to safety and regulatory concerns, alternative means should be identified. In this study, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of thymol (TH) essential oil were investigated against the enzymatic browning and decay of longan fruit. Methods Fruits were coated with TH (4%) for 5 min, sealed in polyethylene (PE) packages and stored at 4 °C for 42 d. Fruits immersed in distilled water (DW) and stored in PE were used as control. Results TH extended the postharvest life of longan to 42 d than 28 d in DW. TH residues decreased from 142 to 11.17 mg kg–1, while no residues were found at day 42. TH significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced the respiration rate, inhibited polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) enzyme activities, sustained high phenols/flavonoids and prevented pericarp browning (BI) than DW. TH also effectively (P ≤ 0.05) maintained the color values, firmness of peel and aril, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), inhibited decay incidence (DI) and resulted in lower ethanol content than DW. BI as a function of pericarp pH was highly correlated; pH and BI (r = 0. 97), with PPO (r = 0.93) and with water loss (r = 0.99). A high coefficient of correlation of BI was found with the pericarp pH, enzymes, phenolic, water loss and decay incidence with ethanol. TH could be the best alternative to SO2 and other synthetic preservatives.

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Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)
Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)
Visando prolongar a vida útil da lichia, principalmente quanto à manutenção da cor e da qualidade, executaram-se experimentos para avaliar a eficiência dos tratamentos hidrotérmico e com solução de ácido clorídrico (HCl); do armazenamento sob refrigeração, em atmosfera controlada e em diferentes embalagens plásticas e de coberturas com quitosana. No Experimento I, testou-se a imersão em HCl a 0,087M por 6 minutos; o tratamento hidrotérmico por imersão a 52ºC por 1 minuto, seguido de resfriamento em água a 10ºC por 6 minutos; e o tratamento hidrotérmico com resfriamento em HCl a 0,087M a 10ºC por 6 minutos. O tratamento hidrotérmico seguido de resfriamento em HCl conservou a coloração dos frutos até o 3º dia, e a polpa com qualidade adequada até o 12º dia. No Experimento II, utilizou-se o melhor tratamento do experimento anterior (hidrotérmico com resfriamento em HCl) e testaramse diferentes temperaturas de armazenamento: 2ºC (91% UR); 5ºC (98% UR); 10ºC (80% UR); e 20ºC (70% UR). Os frutos foram analisados após 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22 e 25 dias. O armazenamento de lichia a 5 ºC manteve a boa aparência por até 13 dias e a qualidade da polpa até o final do período, 25 dias. O armazenamento a 2 ºC levou a maiores prejuízos na aparência. As temperaturas, de 10 ºC e 20 ºC, não foram efetivas para a manutenção da cor vermelha da casca. No Experimento III, foi testado o efeito da atmosfera controlada, associado aos melhores tratamentos dos experimentos anteriores. Os frutos foram armazenados a 5ºC e 94% UR, em atmosfera controlada contendo 5%, 10%, 20% e 80% de O2, com avaliações após 0 (inicial), 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 dias. As lichias de todos os tratamentos mantiveram a boa qualidade da polpa por até 21 dias, com os frutos sob atmosfera com 5% de O2, apresentando menor escurecimento da casca. As lichias apresentaram escurecimento da casca...
Aiming to extend litchi life, especially regarding to color and quality maintenance, experiments were performed to evaluate the treatment efficiency under heat and using hydrochloric acid solution (HCl), refrigerated storage, controlled atmosphere, different plastic containers, and chitosan coatings. In Experiment I, it was tested immersion in 0,087M HCl for 6 minutes; hydrothermal treatment by immersion at 52ºC for 1 minute, followed by water cooling at 10ºC for 6 minutes; and hydrothermal treatment with 0,087M HCl cooling at 10 ºC for 6 minutes. Hydrothermal treatment followed by HCl cooling preserved fruit color until the 3rd day and adequate pulp quality until the 12th day. In Experiment II, it was used the best treatment in the previous experiment (hydrothermal with HCl cooling) and different storage temperatures were tested: 2ºC (91% RH), 5ºC (98% RH), 10ºC (80% RH), and 20ºC (70% RH). Fruits were analyzed after 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, and 25 days. Storage at 5ºC kept the good fruit appearance for up to 13 days, and pulp quality until the 25th day. The 2ºC led to to ligher losses in appearance. The temperatures of 10ºC and 20ºC, were not effective for maintaining the red color of the skin. In Experiment III, the effects of controlled atmosphere combined with improved treatments of previous experiments were tested. Fruits were stored at 5ºC and 94% RH in a controlled atmosphere containing 5%, 10%, 20% and 80% O2, with evaluations after 0 (initial), 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 days. Litchis in all treatments maintained good pulp quality for up to 21 days, with the fruits under a 5% O2 atmosphere showing a lower skin browning. Litchis showed over 50% skin browning after 7 days. In Experiment IV, different concentrations of CO2 (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) combined with the best concentration in the previous experiment, 5% O2, were tested... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Orientador: José Fernando Durigan
Banca: Ben-Hur Mattiuz
Banca: Ricardo Alfredo Kluge
Banca: Jairo Osvaldo Cazetta
Banca: Marcos David Ferreira
Resumo: Visando prolongar a vida útil da lichia, principalmente quanto à manutenção da cor e da qualidade, executaram-se experimentos para avaliar a eficiência dos tratamentos hidrotérmico e com solução de ácido clorídrico (HCl); do armazenamento sob refrigeração, em atmosfera controlada e em diferentes embalagens plásticas e de coberturas com quitosana. No Experimento I, testou-se a imersão em HCl a 0,087M por 6 minutos; o tratamento hidrotérmico por imersão a 52ºC por 1 minuto, seguido de resfriamento em água a 10ºC por 6 minutos; e o tratamento hidrotérmico com resfriamento em HCl a 0,087M a 10ºC por 6 minutos. O tratamento hidrotérmico seguido de resfriamento em HCl conservou a coloração dos frutos até o 3º dia, e a polpa com qualidade adequada até o 12º dia. No Experimento II, utilizou-se o melhor tratamento do experimento anterior (hidrotérmico com resfriamento em HCl) e testaramse diferentes temperaturas de armazenamento: 2ºC (91% UR); 5ºC (98% UR); 10ºC (80% UR); e 20ºC (70% UR). Os frutos foram analisados após 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22 e 25 dias. O armazenamento de lichia a 5 ºC manteve a boa aparência por até 13 dias e a qualidade da polpa até o final do período, 25 dias. O armazenamento a 2 ºC levou a maiores prejuízos na aparência. As temperaturas, de 10 ºC e 20 ºC, não foram efetivas para a manutenção da cor vermelha da casca. No Experimento III, foi testado o efeito da atmosfera controlada, associado aos melhores tratamentos dos experimentos anteriores. Os frutos foram armazenados a 5ºC e 94% UR, em atmosfera controlada contendo 5%, 10%, 20% e 80% de O2, com avaliações após 0 (inicial), 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 dias. As lichias de todos os tratamentos mantiveram a boa qualidade da polpa por até 21 dias, com os frutos sob atmosfera com 5% de O2, apresentando menor escurecimento da casca. As lichias apresentaram escurecimento da casca... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)
Abstract: Aiming to extend litchi life, especially regarding to color and quality maintenance, experiments were performed to evaluate the treatment efficiency under heat and using hydrochloric acid solution (HCl), refrigerated storage, controlled atmosphere, different plastic containers, and chitosan coatings. In Experiment I, it was tested immersion in 0,087M HCl for 6 minutes; hydrothermal treatment by immersion at 52ºC for 1 minute, followed by water cooling at 10ºC for 6 minutes; and hydrothermal treatment with 0,087M HCl cooling at 10 ºC for 6 minutes. Hydrothermal treatment followed by HCl cooling preserved fruit color until the 3rd day and adequate pulp quality until the 12th day. In Experiment II, it was used the best treatment in the previous experiment (hydrothermal with HCl cooling) and different storage temperatures were tested: 2ºC (91% RH), 5ºC (98% RH), 10ºC (80% RH), and 20ºC (70% RH). Fruits were analyzed after 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, and 25 days. Storage at 5ºC kept the good fruit appearance for up to 13 days, and pulp quality until the 25th day. The 2ºC led to to ligher losses in appearance. The temperatures of 10ºC and 20ºC, were not effective for maintaining the red color of the skin. In Experiment III, the effects of controlled atmosphere combined with improved treatments of previous experiments were tested. Fruits were stored at 5ºC and 94% RH in a controlled atmosphere containing 5%, 10%, 20% and 80% O2, with evaluations after 0 (initial), 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 days. Litchis in all treatments maintained good pulp quality for up to 21 days, with the fruits under a 5% O2 atmosphere showing a lower skin browning. Litchis showed over 50% skin browning after 7 days. In Experiment IV, different concentrations of CO2 (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) combined with the best concentration in the previous experiment, 5% O2, were tested... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)
Doutor

碩士
國立中興大學
園藝學系
92
The objectives of this experiment were to investigate the changes in enzyme activities with regard to litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) pericarp browning, and to develop an alternative method to SO2 fumigation for color retention of litchi fruits. After harvest, the water loss of litchi fruits was very rapid and the pericarp began to brown at 25℃ within 12 hours. Water loss of fruits mainly occurred through pericarp. During pericarp browning of ‘Yuh Her Bau’, ‘Hei Yeh’, and ‘Nuoh Mii Tzy’ litchi fruits, peroxidase activity of the peel was higher than the polyphenol oxidase activity. Variations in the peroxidase activity were also higher at low relative humidity, and showed a tendency to increase during storage. However, variations of polyphenol oxidase activity were not coincidental among three cultivars. It seemed that changes in the peroxidase activity were more significant than the polyphenol oxidase activity in respect of litchi pericarp browning. Experiments were also conducted to prevent pericarp browning of litchi fruits with the treatments of 1% chitosan solution, 1N hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution, and the combination of chitosan and 1 N of hydrochloric acid solution. The temperature of the solution was raised to 40℃ in the experiments. Results showed that the ‘a’ values of peel decreased in fruits dipping in 1% chitosan and 1N HCl solution at 40℃ for 5 minutes; significantly less than samples immersed in 1N HCl solution for 6 minutes. The ions leakage of the peel of fruits dipping in 1% chitosan and 1N HCl solution at 40℃ for 5 minutes was higher than that of the control. This seemed to indicate that permeability of plasma membrane of the fruit was increased after the heated 1% chitosan treatment, and made it easier for the acid to permeate into vacuole. Thus pH of the vacuole decreased, the anthocyanin molecules stabilized, the red color of the peel retained. Moreover, the hot 1% chitosan treatment obviously depressed polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activities of the fruits, and thus reduced enzymatic browning of the peel. Therefore, the fruits could retain the red color of the peel after fruits were returned to the room temperature. Although hot 1% chitosan treatment maintained the color of the peel, there were probabilities of dehiscence, decay and sinking of peel of fruits after they were returned to room temperature. Cold storage of the fruits in the perforated polyethylene bags (0.04mm) significantly improved the sinking of peels. Further investigations are needed to improve and control of fruit decay and dehiscence.

Thesis (MSc. (Horticulture)) -- University of Limpopo, 2019
After harvesting litchi fruit, the red pericarp colour is rapidly lost resulting in discolouration and browning during storage and marketing. To mitigate this challenge, the South African litchi industry uses sulfur dioxide fumigation to retain litchi fruit red pericarp colour during extended storage and shelf-life. However, there are health concerns regarding the commercially used (SO2) fumigation for litchi pericarp colour retention due to high levels of SO2 residues in fruit aril. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the possibility of Uvasys slow release SO2 sheets to retain ‘Mauritius’ litchi fruit red pericarp colour when packaged in plastic-punnets and bags. Treatment factors were two packaging materials (plastic-punnets and bags), six SO2 treatments (control; SO2 fumigation and four SO2 sheets viz. Uva-Uno-29% Na2S2O5; Dual-Release-Blue35.85% Na2S2O5; Slow-Release-36.5% Na2S2O5 and Dual-Release-Green-37.55% Na2S2O5) and four shelf-life periods (day 0, 1, 3 and 5). ‘Mauritius’ fruit were assessed for pericarp Browning Index (BI), Hue angle (ho), Chroma (C*) and Lightness (L*). In this study, an interactive significant effect (P < 0.05) between packaging type and SO2 treatments was observed on ‘Mauritius’ fruit pericarp L*, C* and ho during shelf-life. Fruit stored in plastic-bags and treated with SO2 fumigation showed higher pericarp C* and L*, while SO2 fumigated fruit in plastic-punnets had higher pericarp ho. Lower pericarp BI was observed in SO2 fumigated fruit stored in plastic-bags, which showed less pericarp browning than fruit in other treatments. In general, commercial SO2 fumigation resulted in lower pericarp BI, and higher pericarp L*, C* and ho throughout the storage and shelf-life. Our correlation analyses results further showed that litchi fruit red pericarp colour was better preserved as SO2 treatment levels increased, especially in plastic-bags. In retaining ‘Mauritius’ litchi fruit red pericarp colour, Uvasys SO2 sheets were not effective when compared with commercial SO2 fumigation. However, commercially SO2 fumigated fruit were bleached throughout the storage and shelf-life. Furthermore, fruit from all treatments were spoiled due to decay and mould growth after day 5 of shelf-life. Inclusion of pathogen protectants is important in future research to demonstrate whether Uvasys SO2 sheet-packaging technology can retain ‘Mauritius’ litchi fruit pericarp colour.
Agricultural Research Council and National Research Foundation (NRF)

Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is a commercially valued fruit mainly for its attractively red pericarp and exotic taste. However, the market value of the fruit is affected by pericarp browning, desiccation and postharvest decay. Current control measures include sulphur dioxide (SO2) fumigation, low temperature storage and high relative humidity (RH). Sulphur residues on fruit, moisture loss, altered taste and decay caused by Penicillium spp., limit the use of SO2 fumigation. Technology that can provide a potential alternative method to retain the quality of fruit is modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). In this study (Chapter 3), the effect of active and passive modified atmospheres on quality retention of litchi cultivars ‘Mauritius’ and ‘McLean’s Red’ was investigated. Results indicated that ‘McLean’s Red’ is more suitable for MAP technology than ‘Mauritius’. Lidding film–4 holes significantly reduced activity of oxidation enzymes, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD), and retained higher pericarp colour. Lidding film–10 holes retained soluble solids concentration to titratable acidity ratio (SSC/TA) (~65), thereby preventing the loss of taste and litchi fruit flavour. In order to enhance the MAP technology further (Chapter 4), chitosan coating of fruit was also assessed. Chitosan (1.0 g L-1) combined with MAP effectively prevented decay, browning and pericarp colour loss in ‘McLean’s Red’. Chitosan (1.0 g L-1) integrated with MAP reduced PPO and POD activity, retained membrane integrity, anthocyanin content and pericarp colour. ‘McLean’s Red’ was found to be more suitable for the chitosan (1.0 g L-1) and MAP integrated treatment than ‘Mauritius’ in retaining overall quality. In addition, the effect of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) in combination with MAP was determined for both cultivars (Chapter 5). In this case 1-MCP (300 nL L-1) was most effective in preventing browning and retaining colour in both cultivars after 14 and 21 days of cold storage. The effect of 1-MCP (300 nL L-1) showed more potential on ‘McLean’s Red’ than ‘Mauritius’. At higher concentrations (500 and 1000 nL L-1), 1-MCP showed negative effects on membrane integrity, pericarp browning, PPO and POD activity in both cultivars. The effect of integrated postharvest treatments i.e. modified atmosphere packaging combined with chitosan and integrated MAP and 1-MCP as well as MAP and chitosan coating on foodborne bacterial pathogens (Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Staphylococcus aureus) spike-inoculated on litchi fruit surfaces, and Penicillium spp. decay were also investigated (Chapter 6). Results showed integrated MAP and chitosan (0.1 g L-1 and 1.0 g L-1) treatments significantly reduced high and low inoculums load of E. coli O157:H7 and S. aureus on litchi fruit after 21 days of cold storage. Integrated MAP and 1000 nL L-1 1-MCP resulted in higher disease severity. Integrated MAP and chitosan (0.1 g L-1 and 1.0 g L-1) treatments showed very good decay control. The total microbial population of the litchi fruit surface was also determined. Integrated MAP and 1.0 g L-1 significantly reduced the total microbial flora after 21 days of cold storage.
Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2010.
Microbiology and Plant Pathology
unrestricted