Fatemeh Ranjbari; Farid Moradinezhad; Mehdi Khayyat
Abstract
Pomegranate is a subtropical fruit that is widely consumed as fresh fruit and juice, however, its postharvest life is limited mainly due to storage disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of nitric oxide (NO) on antioxidant activity and quality attributes of pomegranate fruit. The ...
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Pomegranate is a subtropical fruit that is widely consumed as fresh fruit and juice, however, its postharvest life is limited mainly due to storage disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of nitric oxide (NO) on antioxidant activity and quality attributes of pomegranate fruit. The fruits were dipped for two minutes into different NO concentrations (0, 30, 100, 300 or 1000 µM). Then, the fruits were stored in cold room at 5 °C and RH 85%. After 90 days storage, changes in chilling injury, electrolyte leakage, titratable acidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS), pH, antioxidant activity and total anthocyanin were evaluated. The results showed that 1000 µM NO application resulted in significant decrease in electrolyte leakage and TSS and maintained antioxidant activity and total anthocyanin in pomegranate fruit. However, no significant effect of NO treatment was observed on TA and chilling injury index. In conclusion, postharvest application of NO may be a promising method for maintaining quality of pomegranate fruit during cold storage.
Somaye Amini; Majid Azizi; Mohammad Reza Joharchi; Farid Moradinezhad
Abstract
This experiment was conducted in Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, in 2011 to investigate the allelopathic potential of 68 medicinal and wild plant species belong to 19 plant families grown in Iran. Results showed that among examined plants, stigma and style of Crocus sativus,leaves of Artemisia kopetdaghensis, ...
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This experiment was conducted in Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, in 2011 to investigate the allelopathic potential of 68 medicinal and wild plant species belong to 19 plant families grown in Iran. Results showed that among examined plants, stigma and style of Crocus sativus,leaves of Artemisia kopetdaghensis, Mentha piperita, Zhumeria majdae, Frulago subvelutina, flowers bud of Eugenia caryophyllata, flower of Perovskia abrotanoides, fruits of Melia azedarach and Ruta graveolenhad the strongest inhibitory effects on lettuce seedling growth. Interestingly by using of very low amount of plant samples (10 mg)growth inhibitory effects of these plants were observed by more than 70%. Additionally, the leaf of Atriplex canescens and the flower of Achillea millefolium had the strongest inhibitory effect on radicle growth (more than 75%) compare to the growth of hypocotyl (less than 20%). Here we can suggest that plants with inhibitory effects on growth and development of other plants have the potential to be applied as biological herbicides; this finding can be highlighted as new sustainable herbicides for biological control of weeds.
Farid Moradinezhad; Mehdi Jahani
Abstract
The main objective of this work was to assess the effectiveness of salicylic acid (SA), calcium chloride (CaCl2) or sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), and packaging on some qualitative properties of apricot fruit during cold storage. The experiments were conducted using a completely randomized design as factorial, ...
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The main objective of this work was to assess the effectiveness of salicylic acid (SA), calcium chloride (CaCl2) or sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), and packaging on some qualitative properties of apricot fruit during cold storage. The experiments were conducted using a completely randomized design as factorial, with three replicates. Fruits were dipped in SA (0.1 or 0.5 mM), CaCl2 (1 or 2%) or NaHCO3 (0.2 or 0.5%) solutions for 3 min at 22°C. Then, fruits were placed into polyethylene trays and wrapped with cellophane films to create a passive modified atmosphere packaging, whilst the second group remained unwrapped. Fruits were stored in a cool room at 0.5 ± 0.5°C. Regardless of chemical treatments, total soluble solids (TSS), organoleptic characteristics, and shelf life were higher in packed fruit compare to unpacked fruit. The TSS, weight loss and firmness were lower in fruits covered with cellophane compared to unwrapped fruit. Fruits that treated with SA (0.5 mM) and covered with cellophane film had the lowest TSS while treated fruit with CaCl2 (1%) with no cover indicated the highest TSS. Generally, there was a significant decrease in fruit firmness under the cellophane layer compare to unpacked fruits while in treated fruit with CaCl2 (1%) firmness in packed fruit was obviously higher than unpacked fruits. The best visual quality and taste were obtained in treated fruit with CaCl2 (2%), followed by SA (0.5 mM) when they were packed with cellophane film. The highest shelf life obtained in treated fruit with SA (0.1 mM), followed by NaHCO3 (0.5%). Overall, a combination of chemical treatments and packaging with cellophane film improved fruit quality and extend shelf life significantly compared to the control.
Farid Moradinezhad; Fatemeh Setayesh; Sohrab Mahmoodi; Mehdi Khayyat
Abstract
Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) fruit is an important medicinal plant in Iran. The harvesting time is a crucial for jujube fruit quality. Several characteristics of jujube fruit when harvested at four development stages; white mature (light green), crisp mature (white-red), fully mature (red) and fully ...
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Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) fruit is an important medicinal plant in Iran. The harvesting time is a crucial for jujube fruit quality. Several characteristics of jujube fruit when harvested at four development stages; white mature (light green), crisp mature (white-red), fully mature (red) and fully ripe (dehydrated brown) were evaluated. Fruit weight, diameter, volume, pulp to stone ratio, firmness, titratable acidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS), ascorbic acid, total phenolics content, protein, ash and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were determined. The results showed that fruit dry weight, TSS, TSS/TA were increased significantly, while firmness, protein content and ash weight were decreased as jujube fruit harvested at progressed development stages. Ascorbic acid in fruit was decreased from white to crisp mature stage and thereafter increased significantly to fully mature stage. However, the content of total phenol increased significantly from white to crisp mature stage and thereafter decreased at more maturity and ripening stages. Moreover, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were influenced by harvesting time. The F0 and Fm showed a positive significant correlation with total phenolic, ascorbic acid and protein content and a negative significant correlation with DW. Therefore, chlorophyll fluorescence maybe a helpful, nondestructive technique to evaluate the nutritional quality changes in jujube fruit. Overall, jujube fruit harvested at crisp (white-red) and fully mature (red) stages, seem best in respect of postharvest handling and nutritional criteria.
