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.
Fatemeh Nazoori; Elaheh ZamaniBahramabadi; Seyed Hossein Mirdehghan
Abstract
The efficiency of sulfur in controlling pistachio pests, especially psylla, has been documented in the available literature, but it is essential for pesticides not to affect the quality of the product. In this study, movento (0.5 L/1000 L), confidor (0.4 L/1000 L) and refinery micronized (R) and mineral ...
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The efficiency of sulfur in controlling pistachio pests, especially psylla, has been documented in the available literature, but it is essential for pesticides not to affect the quality of the product. In this study, movento (0.5 L/1000 L), confidor (0.4 L/1000 L) and refinery micronized (R) and mineral (M) sulfur (30 and 60 kg/1000 L in water) were sprayed twice on pistachio trees of the cultivar ‘Ahmadaghaei’ (in mid-May and 50 days thereafter). Pistachios were harvested in late September and were stored at 4 °C for 25 and 50 days to evaluate the effects of pesticides on the quality of hulls and kernels. The taste, aroma, appearance, respiration rate, firmness of hull and kernel, a* (red-green), b* (blue-yellow) and chroma of hull and kernel declined over time, while L* (lightness) and the hue angle of the hull and kernel increased. Ethylene production remained stable over time. Chemical pesticides stimulated hull firmness. Refined micronized sulfur at both concentrations caused higher L* and hue angle, but lower a*, b* and chroma in the hull and kernel (i.e. lighter and yellower in color). All sulfur treatments reduced the firmness of the hull and kernel, while also increasing the respiration rate. R30 preserved the taste and aroma after 50 days. R30 and M30 showed higher ethylene production. The R30 treatment had some positive effects on preserving the taste and aroma of pistachios overtime. Thus, it may be recommended as a reliable treatment, although the ability of sulfur in pest control could be offset by the side effects of sulfur on product quality.Abbreviations:R30: Refined micronized sulfur (30 kg/1000 L); R60: Refinery micronized sulfur (60 kg/1000 L); M30: Mineral sulfur (30 kg/1000 L); M60: Mineral sulfur (60 kg/1000 L)
Fatemeh Nazoori; Elaheh ZamaniBahramabadi; Seyed Hossein Mirdehghan; Mozhdeh Yousefi
Abstract
In recent years, sulfur has been shown to be effective in controlling pistachio psylla. In this study, the effect of sulfur foliar application as psylla pesticide on fresh fruit and kernel of three cultivars of pistachio was determined and compared with two commercial pesticides. Refinery micronized ...
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In recent years, sulfur has been shown to be effective in controlling pistachio psylla. In this study, the effect of sulfur foliar application as psylla pesticide on fresh fruit and kernel of three cultivars of pistachio was determined and compared with two commercial pesticides. Refinery micronized and mineral sulfur were applied at two concentrations of 30 and 60 kg/1000 L of water. The quality of fresh pistachio hulls and kernels were investigated. In ‘Fandoghi’ cultivar, all sulfur treatments reduced the kernel moisture. The firmness and water activity of hulls and kernels were significantly affected. All sulfur treatments decreased hull lightness in ‘Fandoghi’, while it increased in ‘Akbari’ and ‘Ahmadaghaei’ cultivars. Reduction of hull chroma was observed in some cases in all cultivars. Hue of hulls was not affected by the treatments. Lightness, chroma and hue values of the testa of kernels were not affected in ‘Fandoghi’ and ‘Akbari’. In ‘Ahmadaghaei’, refinery micronized sulfur increased the testa lightness and hue and decreased chroma probably because of the softer texture of hull in ‘Ahmadaghaei’ which breaks more easily during harvest practice. Sulfur treatments positively influenced appearance and general acceptance of ‘Ahmadaghaei’ fruits. The taste and aroma of pistachios were preserved in most of treatments. High concentration (60 kg/1000 L) of both sulfur types enhanced the ethylene production in ‘Ahmadaghaei’ which was almost same as the unripe fruit because sulfur treatments reduced the percentage of unripe fruit. In ‘Ahmadaghaei’, refinery micronized sulfur treatments increased the respiration rate.
Seyed Hossein Mirdehghan; Zahra Aghamolaei
Abstract
Two experiments were designed to evaluate the addition of essential oils to preservative solution and subsequent effects on postharvest quality and vase life of Gladiolus ‘Sorati’ cut flowers. In first experiment, the solutions of savory (Satureja hortensis.), ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi) ...
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Two experiments were designed to evaluate the addition of essential oils to preservative solution and subsequent effects on postharvest quality and vase life of Gladiolus ‘Sorati’ cut flowers. In first experiment, the solutions of savory (Satureja hortensis.), ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) were applied at the concentrations of 2, 4, and 6 (mg L−1), distilled water + 2% sucrose were considered as control treatment. In second experiment, the cut flowers pulsed with CaCl2 and AgNO3 for 1 h and then transferred to preservative solution contain 2 mg L-1 of savory, ajowan, thyme and distilled water (control). All cut flowers were kept at 25±2oC for 20 days and qualitative properties were evaluated during postharvest periods. Savory 2 mg L−1 exhibited as the most effective treatment for minimizing dehydration of the gladiolus cut flowers by enhancing the water absorption and flower weight rate than other treatments. The interaction of pulsing with CaCl2 and essential oils could maintain the quality of cut flowers.
