Seyed Hossein Mirdehghan; Farhad Pirzad; Sirvan Pireh; Maryam Hashemi; Daniel Valero
Abstract
The efficiencies of menthol and thymol fumigation in combination with modified atmosphere packaging were studied to preserve apricot fruit quality. For this purpose, 0 (control), 20, and 30 μl of menthol or thymol were placed on a sterile gauze inside a package and sealed with low-density polyethylene ...
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The efficiencies of menthol and thymol fumigation in combination with modified atmosphere packaging were studied to preserve apricot fruit quality. For this purpose, 0 (control), 20, and 30 μl of menthol or thymol were placed on a sterile gauze inside a package and sealed with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film. Following the treatments, all packages were stored at 1.5±1 °C and 85±5% relative humidity for 30 days. They were analyzed for quality parameters during cold storage. The application of menthol 30 µl, thymol 20 µl, and 30 µl reduced the microbial population of the packed fruits to at least 53, 57, and 69%, respectively. Other parameters related to fruit quality such as weight loss, softening, color changes, and malondialdehyde content, which were delayed in treated fruits, compared to the control. The treated fruits exhibited higher bioactive compounds in terms of b-carotene, ascorbic acid, and titratable acidity, respectively, compared to the control at the end of the storage period. The combination of MAP with the vapor phase of menthol and thymol at appropriate concentrations can maintain apricot fruit quality for consumers and growers to increase the possibility of extending apricot shelf life.
Hossein Meighani; Mahmood Ghasemnezhad; Davood Bakhshi
Abstract
The pomegranate fruit is a good source of bioactive compounds. The present study has investigated the biochemical and sensory characteristics of the arils of four Iranian commercial pomegranate cultivars namely Malase Shirine Saveh (MSS), Malase Torshe Saveh (MTS), Alak Shirine Saveh (ASS) and Agha Mohammad ...
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The pomegranate fruit is a good source of bioactive compounds. The present study has investigated the biochemical and sensory characteristics of the arils of four Iranian commercial pomegranate cultivars namely Malase Shirine Saveh (MSS), Malase Torshe Saveh (MTS), Alak Shirine Saveh (ASS) and Agha Mohammad Ali (AMA) for several developmental and ripening stages during 45–180 days after fruit set (DAFS). The results showed that the total soluble solids (TSS), individual and total anthocyanin concentrations, and color parameters including chroma and a* values significantly increased, in contrast, the total phenolic concentration and color parameters (L* and hue angle) gradually decreased during developmental stages. Six anthocyanin pigments were found responsible for the red color of pomegranate juice. The quantity and the quality of the anthocyanin pigments were different among the cultivars and the various developmental stages. The predominant anthocyanin pigment at all developmental stages in all cultivars was cyanidin 3,5-diglucosides. The maximum total phenolic concentration was recorded at 45 DAFS for all cultivars. The highest antioxidant activity was recorded at 45 DAFS, and gradually decreased until 135 DAFS. Similar decrease was observed in total phenolic and flavonoid concentrations. Notably, increasing of antioxidant activity at the late-developmental stage was due to induction of the flavonoids and anthocyanins accumulation.
