Impact of modified atmosphere and humidity packaging on the quality, off-odour development and volatiles of ‘Elsanta’ strawberries

Development of off-odours, as well as visual quality of packaged fresh produce plays a crucial role in consumer’s choice. In this context, this work investigated the odour profile, condensation, gas composition, and postharvest quality attributes of strawberries stored under modified atmosphere and humidity packaging at 5 °C for 14 days. The packages were fitted with fixed area (69, 126.5, and 195.5 cm2) of different permeable membranes (NatureFlex, Xtend, and Propafilm). No significant changes were detected on the measured physicochemical quality attributes of strawberries and mass loss was below 1.5% across the different packaging systems. Package modification/design had an influence on in-package water vapour condensation, gas composition, and accumulation of secondary volatile organic compounds (acetaldehyde, acetone, ethanol and ethyl acetate)

Transpiration and moisture evolution in packaged fresh horticultural produce and the role of integrated mathematical models: A review

Transpiration has various adverse effects on postharvest quality and the shelf-life of fresh fruit and vegetables (FFV). If not controlled, the water released through this process results in direct mass loss and moisture condensation inside packaged FFV. Condensation represents a threat to the product quality as water may accumulate on the product surface and/or packaging system, causing defects in external appearance and promoting growth of spoilage microorganisms. Thus, moisture regulation is extremely important for extending FFV shelf-life. This review focuses on transpiration phenomenon and moisture evolution in packaged fresh horticultural produce. It provides recent information on various moisture control strategies suitable for packaging of fresh horticultural produce. It also provides an evaluation on the role and application of integrative mathematical modelling in describing water relations of FFV for packaging design, as well as, an overview of models reported in literature

Moisture absorption kinetics of FruitPad for packaging of fresh strawberry

This study analysed the moisture absorption kinetics of FruitPad embedded with different concentrations of fructose with further application of such pads in packaging of fresh strawberries. The FruitPad was exposed to different storage conditions (temperature and RH) and moisture absorption kinetics was gravimetrically determined over 5 days of storage. FruitPad with 30% fructose showed highest amount of moisture absorption (0.94 g of water/g of pad) at 20 °C and 100% RH. The Weibull model combined with the Flory-Huggins model adequately described changes in moisture content of the FruitPad with respect to storage time and humidity (R2 = 93–96%). The FruitPad containing fructose minimized in-package condensation compared to the pad without fructose. Weight loss of packaged strawberry was less than 0.9% which was much below the acceptable limit of 6% for strawberry

Condensation regulation of packaged strawberries under fluctuating storage temperature

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Bovi, G. G., Caleb, O. J., Rauh, C., & Mahajan, P. V. (2019). Condensation regulation of packaged strawberries under fluctuating storage temperature. Packaging Technology and Science, 32(11), 545–554. https://doi.org/10.1002/pts.2470 which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/pts.2470. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.Disruption in cold chain during distribution and retail could have a significant impact on in‐package condensation of optimally designed packaged fresh produce. The aim of this work was to regulate in‐package condensation and evaluate the performance of different packaging design systems for strawberries under fluctuating temperatures (between 10°C and 20°C) for 5 days. The design included the use of condensation control strategies, namely, enhanced permeable films (NatureFlex and Xtend) and FruitPad of different fructose content (0%, 20%, 30%, 35%, and 40%). Package performance was evaluated in terms of headspace gas composition, mass loss, condensation, physico‐chemical changes, and visual and ortho‐nasal quality evaluation. Percentage mass loss of packaged strawberries ranged from 0.6% to 4% and was 33% for unpackaged. Results also showed that compared with the control sample, both strategies (enhanced permeable films and FruitPads) were effective in reducing condensation. In addition, transpirational water loss, results of the water absorbed by the FruitPads and transferred through the films were used to understand the packaging design needs under fluctuating temperature

Arsenic accumulation in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and broad bean (Vicia faba L.) crops and its potential risk for human consumption

Exposure to arsenic (As) is considered one of the primary health risks humans face worldwide. This study was conducted to determine As absorption by broad beans and lettuce crops grown in soil with As contents and irrigated with water contaminated with this toxic element, in Pastos Chicos, Jujuy (Argentina). Total dry biomass (TDB) and total As were determined in soils, roots, leaves, pods and seeds. These data were used to determine several parameters, such as translocation (TF) and bioconcentration (BCF) factors, target hazard quotient (THQ), and carcinogenic risk (CR). Broad bean plants had the lowest biomass production when exposed to As in irrigation water and soil. Lettuce plants presented TDB reductions of 33.3 and 42.8% when grown in soil polluted with As, and in control soil under irrigation with contaminated water, respectively. The presence of this toxicant in broad bean seeds and lettuce leaves (edible parts) exceeded the limits established by Código Alimentario Argentino, i.e. 0.10 and 0.30 mg/kg, respectively. THQ values for lettuce leaves were higher than 1, the same as those for broad bean seeds when grown in soil with As contents and irrigated with arsenic-contaminated water, thus suggesting that consumers would run significant risks when consuming these vegetables. Furthermore, this type of exposure to As implied a CR that exceeded the acceptable 1 × 10−4 risk level. Hence, we may conclude that consuming lettuce and broad beans grown at the evaluated site brings about considerable health risks for local residents.Fil: Yanez, Luciano Matias. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta; ArgentinaFil: Alfaro, J. A.. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Avila Carreras, Natalia Maria Elisa. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Bovi Mitre, G.. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentin

Effect of llama (Lama glama) manure and Trichoderma strain T1R3 on arsenic uptake by Swiss chard and broad bean crops

The town of Pastos Chicos (Jujuy-Argentina), presents arsenic (As) concentrations in soil (49 mgAs kg − 1 ) and water (1.44 mgAs L − 1 ) significantly above the maximum allowable limits set by National Laws N o 24,585 and N° 24,051. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of llama manure (Lama glama) and Trichoderma strain T1R3 on As uptake and toxicity in Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris var. cicla) and broad bean (Vicia faba L.) crops while assessing potential human health risks. Results indicated that Trichoderma strain T1R3 inoculation stimulated broad bean plant growth by reducing As stress. Swiss chard crops treated with 5% manure and a manure/Trichoderma T1R3 combination reduced As absorption from 32.46 to 64.02% in roots, and from 35.2 to 44.5% in leaves. Broad bean crops inoculated with Trichoderma T1R3 showed significant mitigation of toxicant accumulation in the leaves (67.42%). Also, the manure/Trichoderma T1R3 combination reduced As accumulation (57.46%) in broad bean roots. The efficacy of llama manure and of the llama manure/Trichoderma T1R3 combination in reducing health hazards that derive from As intake by consuming chard leaves was also reflected in Hazard Quotient < 1 values. Although Cancer Risk values decreased considerably, these showed there was a considerable carcinogenic risk for humans consuming chard leaves. These observations reveal that adding llama manure and Trichoderma T1R3 might mitigate As uptake by crops, thus reducing human health risks. This study advanced our understanding of the complex llama manure/Trichoderma strain interactions in Ascontaminated soils, which are imperative for developing effective mitigations strategies.Fil: Yanez, Luciano Matias. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy; ArgentinaFil: Alfaro, Jimena Agustina. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Avila Carreras, Natalia Maria Elisa. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Bovi Mitre, G.. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentin

Trunk motion analysis: a systematic review from a clinical and methodological perspective

INTRODUCTION: This systematic literature review aims to check the current state of affairs of non-gait-related optoelectronic trunk movement analysis; results have been analyzed from a clinical and a methodological perspective. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Extensive research was performed on all papers published until December 31st, 2015, dealing with trunk movement analysis assessed by optoelectronic systems, excluding those related to gait. The research was performed on the 14th of January 2016 on three databases: Scopus, Science Direct and Pubmed. A reference search and expert consultation were also performed. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Out of a total number of 8431 papers, 45 were deemed relevant: they included 1334 participants, 57.9% healthy, with age range 8-85. Few studies considered the whole trunk, and none focused on each vertebra independently: the trunk was almost always divided into three segments. Thirteen studies included 20 or more markers. Most of the papers focused mainly on the biomechanics of various movements; the lumbar area and low back pain were the most studied region and pathology respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown the relative scarcity of current literature focusing on trunk motion analysis. In clinical terms, results were sparse. The only quite well represented group of papers focused on the lumbar spine and pathologies, but the scarcity of individuals evaluated make the results questionable. The use of optoelectronic systems in the evaluation of spine movement is a growing research area. Nevertheless, no standard protocols have been developed so far. Future research is needed to define a precise protocol in terms of number and position of markers along the spine and movements and tasks to be evaluated

Periodontal evaluation of palatally impacted maxillary canines treated by closed approach with ultrasonic surgery and orthodontic treatment: a retrospective pilot study

Aim of this study is the&nbsp;evaluation of the periodontal status of impacted canines treated by closed approach with ultrasonic surgery and orthodontic treatment compared with contralateral spontaneously erupted teeth. The periodontal conditions of the teeth adjacent to the canines (lateral incisors and first premolar) were also considered. 17 patients (9 females and 8 males; mean age: 15.2&nbsp;years) with unilateral palatal impaction of maxillary canine were selected. All patients were treated by closed-flap surgery with ultrasonic instruments. Periodontal status was evaluated by assessing probing depth (PD), gingival recession and width of keratinized tissue (KT) 4.6&nbsp;months after the end of the orthodontic treatment, on average. Test group was composed by impacted elements and adjacent teeth and control group by contralateral spontaneously erupted canines and adjacent teeth. Student's t-test was used to compare test and control group values of PD and width of KT. Significance threshold for Student's t-test was set at p &lt; 0.05. The average probing depth values show no significant clinical differences between the test and control groups. Probing depths recorded at the mesiovestibular and distopalatal sides of the impacted canine were statistically significant compared to the control elements (p &lt; 0.05). No gingival recession was detected on the treated canines. The measurement of KT did not differ significantly between the test and the control groups. In conclusion,&nbsp;the ultrasonic surgery for disinclusion associated with a closed approach and orthodontic traction allows the alignment of an impacted palatal canine without damaging the periodontium

Measurement and modelling of transpiration losses in packaged and unpackaged strawberries

Transpiration and respiration are physiological processes well-known as major sources of fresh produce mass loss. Besides causing impairment of external quality, it is associated with economic loss since it inevitably decreases saleable weight. To prevent postharvest mass losses, by improved modified atmosphere and humidity packaging, comprehensive knowledge on the mechanistic basis of both processes and their interactions is essential. The objective of this study was to evaluate the contribution of these processes on mass loss of packaged and unpackaged strawberries. Experiments on a single strawberry were performed at 4, 12 and 20 °C; and 76, 86, 96 and 100% RH. Mass loss was also investigated as a function of number of strawberries and package volume at 12 °C. A combined model based on Arrhenius equation and Fick's first law of diffusion for an unpackaged single strawberry and a model based on degree of filling was developed and validated with packaged strawberries. These models have potential application towards the selection of optimal moisture control strategies for strawberries