EFFECT OF EDIBLE COATINGS ON QUALITY OF SUMMER SQUASH

Not AvailableThe present investigation was carried out with the aim to find out the beneficial effects of edible coating on postharvest quality of summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) under cold storage condition. In our experiments, different edible coatings, viz. gum arabic (5, 10 and 15%) and fruwash were used in order to minimize the excessive moisture loss during postharvest handling and storage. Among the treatments, gum arabic (10%) coating showed better colour retention in terms of Lvalue followed by fruwash treatment. Fruits coated with 10% gum arabic found best for minimizing water loss (more than 50%), respiration rate (≈21%) with higher fruit firmness (7.55 N) as compared with other treatments including control. After 12 days of storage, malondialdehyde content in 10% gum arabic treated fruits (0.141 nmol/g) was recorded significantly lower than control (0.183 nmol/g fruit weight). Highest proline content (235.05 μg/g fruit weight) was recorded in 10% gum arabic while, it was lowest (140.06 μg/g fruit weight) in control. Proline content was ≈68% higher in 10% concentration and ≈30% in 15% gum arabic treated fruit as compared with control after 12th days of storage. Overall 10% gum arabic coated summer squash fruits had better postharvest quality retention characteristics.Not Availabl

Influence of ozone treatment on postharvest quality of stored summer squash

Not AvailableThis study was carried out to ascertain the effect of different concentrations of ozone (0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 ppm ozonated water) on postharvest quality of summer squash fruit during cold storage at 8 ± 2ºC temperature and 85-90% relative humidity. Various physico-chemical quality traits were recorded at a regular interval of 3 days upto 12 days of fruit storage. Among the applied doses of ozone, 0.4 ppm ozone concentration was found better in retaining higher fruit firmness (5.84 N) and maintaining lower weight loss (15.06%) over control fruits during storage of 12 days. However, total bacterial count (3.92 log cfu/g); yeast & mould count (3.65 log cfu/g) and decay incidence (%) were effectively controlled by 0.6 ppm ozone concentration. Contrast to these gainful impact of ozone application on firmness, physiology and microbial load; the colour of the stored fruit was masked even by 0.2 ppm ozone.Not Availabl

Response surface optimization for development of Dragon fruit based ready to serve drink

Dragon fruit based ready to serve drink (RTS) was formulated using dragon fruit (60-80% v/v), grape juice (0-10% v/v) and sugar syrup (2-6% v/v). The juice concentrations were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) following box-behnken design (BBD) for obtaining blended RTS drink with higher functional and nutritional characteristics like total soluble solid (TSS), titratable acidity, ascorbic acid content, total phenol content, colour and sensory evaluation. Results showed that there was significant (P<0.01) effect of incorporating grape juice and sugar syrup which further improved the organoleptic properties of the blended RTS.Optimum juice percentages obtained for the best blend formulation were,dragon fruit (70%), grape juice (5%) and sugar syrup (3%), respectively. The beverage was observed to be acceptable in terms of its nutritional value and overall acceptability

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Not AvailableThis study focuses on the effect of weather conditions during fruit growth and ripening on functional components and storage life of strawberry. Two newly adopted commercial strawberry cultivars Camarosa and Winter Dawn were tested for their bioactive compounds and storage life in relation to harvesting months February(winter) March(spring) and April(summer). Fruits were harvested at commercial maturity, packed in plastic punnets and stored at 5 ± 2 °C temperature and 85 ± 5% relative humidity up to 12 days. During storage, March–April harvested fruits showed higher retention of total soluble solids (TSS), total sugars, functional components and consumer acceptability over winter produce. Between varieties, Camarosa showed better storage response over Winter Dawn in terms of overall quality. In conclusion. strawberries harvested during March–April have lower acidity, higher TSS, antioxidant capacity and consumer acceptability over February picking.Not Availabl

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Not AvailablePresent study hypothesized that washing of button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) with aqueous solution of H2O2 retains their postharvest quality in terms of weight loss, maturity, color, flavor, taste, disease incidence and overall acceptability during storage. To test this hypothesis, fresh button mushrooms were washed with aqueous solution of H2O2 at different concentrations (3, 4 and 5%) for 2 minutes and stored under two temperature conditions namely; low (5°C) and room temperature (25-35°C). Results evidenced that washing treatments with different concentrations of H2O2 were found effective in retaining the quality of stored button mushrooms for extended period (4-14 days) when compared with unwashed button mushrooms (3 days). With the advancement in storage period, significant increase in weight loss, maturity index and microbial growth of button mushrooms was observed. Among all the treatments, washing with 5% H2O2 followed by storage at 5°C temperature was found to be the most effective in controlling the weight loss, maturity index, microbial growth and overall quality of button mushrooms for up to a period of 14 days.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableMulching may be defined as a practice of covering the surface of soil with any materials to reduce evaporation and also reduce too much fluctuation in diurnal soil temperatures near the root zone of plant. Mulching is a general term used for a protective soil cover by use of organic manure, leaves, straw, grasses, synthetic plastics etc. It reduces the transpiration and evaporation loss and also reduces energy supply to the evaporating site by cutting off solar radiation falling on the ground.Not Availabl

POSTHARVEST APPLICATION OF ANTI-CHILLING MOLECULES

Not AvailableThe present study was carried out to minimize postharvest problems of chilling injury during cold storage by the application of anti-chilling compounds, viz. salicylic acid (SA), sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and a nitric oxide donor (NO). For minimizing chilling injury symptoms summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) fruits were treated with salicylic acid (1.0–1.5 mM) and sodium nitroprusside(1.0–1.25 mM) followed by cold storage at 5±2ºCand 85–90% relative humidity. Among the used anti-chilling molecules, salicylic acid @1.0 mM provides the best results for minimizing chilling injury score (0.74) and proline content (333.87 μg/g) during cold storage. Fruits treated with 1.5 mM SA and 1.0 mM SNP showed a 37.42% and 27.42% lower electrolyte leakage as compared to control. In the case of malondialdehyde (MDA) content, 1.0 and 1.5 mM SA dose showed a ≈39% and ≈36% lower content than control. Higher fruit firmness (7.07 N) retention was found in 1.0 mM sodium nitroprusside and followed by 1.0 mM salicylic acid (6.96 N) treated fruits. Overall 1.0 mM salicylic acid followed by 1.0 mM sodium nitroprusside proves better for prevention of chilling injury and lower production of malondialdehyde content.Not Availabl

Pharmacognostical and Physiochemical Study on the Leaves of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn

Aim: To rationalize the macroscopial, microscopical and physico-chemical studies on leaves of plant Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn. Methods: The pharmacognostic characters were determined in terms of macroscopy, microscopy and powder microscopy of plant Nyctanthes arbor-tristis leaves. The crude ethanolic extract of leaves of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn. was using physico-chemical parameters, and preliminary phytochemical investigation (TLC). Results: The microscopic study shows the general characteristic of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis leaves. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of various phytochemical groups like alkaloids, glycosides, steroids, phenolic, tannins constituents. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the established pharmacognostic profile of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis leaves will be helpful in developing pharmacopoeial standards for correct identification and quality control. The present observation will also be helpful in macroscopical and microscopical on leaves of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn. Keywords: Nyctanthes arbor-tristis, Pharmacognostical Study, Macroscopial and Microscopical studie

Cultivars and sequential harvesting influence physiological and functional quality of strawberry fruits

Introduction. Strawberry is basically a temperate fruit, but, due to its short production cycle (100–120 days), it has now become the fastest growing crop in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the Asian nations. In India, farmers of northern plain regions transplant the strawberries before the onset of the winter and keep on harvesting until early summer. Not much is known about the impact of the harvesting season (winter and summer) on the accumulation of health-promoting substances or on quality traits. Considering the existing research gaps and practical utility, the present study was undertaken. Materials and methods. Four varieties were grown on raised beds with black polythene mulch, and a drip and fertigation system. Fruits were harvested at the ¾ colour (scarlet) development stage and observations were recorded on different physiological and functional attributes consecutively during three harvesting months. Results and discussion. Our results indicated that both cultivars and harvesting months affected the physiology and functional quality of strawberry fruit. Anthocyanin, ascorbic acid and total antioxidants were found to be higher during March. Ascorbic acid content registered ≈ 50% reduction during advance summer harvesting (April). Among the tested varieties, Camarosa gave better results during all three harvesting months in terms of desirable quality traits. Conclusion. Our findings show that there are some varieties such as Camarosa which have the potential to produce functionally superior fruits over other cultivars even during early summer. The information presented may be helpful in selection of suitable cultivars, and postharvest handling and processing measures for strawberry fruits harvested during different months