Organic versus conventional ‘Prata-Anã’ banana: effects on quality, bioactive compounds and oxidative markers

Purpose: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of two systems of cultivation on the banana crop (Musa spp.) in the postharvest quality, bioactive compounds and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase during ripening process. Research method: Changes in physicochemical parameters, non-antioxidant, phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity and oxidative markers were evaluated in banana cv. Prata-Anã from organic and conventional systems at three ripening stages: unripe, breaker and ripe. Main findings: The weight of conventional fruit was 48% greater at the ripe stage. The fruit size was reduced in fruits from organic farming while titratable acidity and the soluble solids content were respectively 82% and 58% higher at breaker stage in conventional bananas. The organic bananas have an increase of 58% in the phenolics at the unripe stage. The PAL activity was observed throughout banana development from organic farming, however the same was not observed for the conventional farming. Dismutase superoxide activity was also dramatically higher in matures and ripe fruits from organic farming. The lipid peroxidation degree of the cell membrane was 40% higher in ripe bananas for both systems. Research limitations: No limitations were founded, since the methods were well established. Originality/Value: Our observations suggest that banana fruits presented little changes in the function of farming conditions with an accumulation of specific compounds in determined stages of ripening without remarkable difference among systems of cultivation

Influência do tratamento pré-colheita com 1-aminoetoxivinilglicina e ácido giberélico na fisiologia e na qualidade de pedúnculos de caju

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of the preharvest treatment with gibberellic acid (GA3) and aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) on the quality and physiological attributes of ripe 'CCP 76' cashew (Anacardium occidentale) peduncles at different developmental stages. Sprays of 180 mg L-1 GA3 and 180 mg L-1 AVG were applied, combined and isolated, at 34, 40, and 44 days after anthesis (DAA), and peduncles were harvested ripe at 46 DAA and evaluated for physical and physiological variables. The treatment with GA3 resulted in firmer peduncles with a greater apical diameter, but did not affect the physiological variables activity of the pectin methylesterase and polygalacturonase cell wall enzymes and degree of lipid peroxidation of the biological membranes, nor the physical attributes total mass (peduncles and nut) and nut size. At early developmental stages (34 DAA), GA3 increased the activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase, and, at later stages (40 DAA), promoted polyphenol and carotenoid accumulation. The application of AVG at the final stages (44 DAA) provided greater total antioxidant activity, despite the lower ascorbate peroxidase activity. The application of GA3 pre-harvest increases the firmness and diameter of the cashew peduncles, and the treatment with AVG increases the total antioxidant activity of the peduncles.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do tratamento pré-colheita com ácido giberélico (GA3) e 1-aminoetoxivinilglicina (AVG) nos atributos de qualidade e fisiológicos de pedúnculos maduros de cajueiro (Anacardium occidentale) 'CCP 76', em diferentes estádios de desenvolvimento. Foram realizadas pulverizações com 180 mg L-1 GA3 e 180 mg L-1 AVG, combinadas e isoladas, aos 34, 40 e 44 dias após a antese (DAA), e os pedúnculos foram colhidos maduros aos 46 DAA para avaliações de variáveis físicas e fisiológicas. O tratamento com GA3 proporcionou pedúnculos mais firmes e com maior diâmetro apical, mas não influenciou as variáveis fisiológicas atividades das enzimas pectinametilesterase e poligalacturonase da parede celular e grau de peroxidação lipídica das membranas biológicas, nem os atributos físicos massa total (pedúnculo e castanha) e comprimento e largura da castanha. Em estádios iniciais (34 DAA), GA3 aumentou a atividade das enzimas antioxidantes superóxido dismutase e catalase, e, nos finais (40 DAA), promoveu o acúmulo de polifenóis e carotenoides. A aplicação de AVG, ao final do desenvolvimento (44 DAA), proporcionou maior atividade antioxidante, apesar da menor atividade da ascorbato peroxidase. A aplicação de GA3 em pré-colheita promove aumento da firmeza e do diâmetro dos pedúnculos de cajueiro, e o tratamento com AVG aumenta a atividade antioxidante dos pedúnculos

Antioxidant compoundsand total antioxidant activity in fruits of acerola from cv. Flor Branca, Florida Sweet and BRS 366

Information on antioxidant properties at different ontological stages may help producers and food technologists to identify which cultivar and/or maturity stage are most adequate for their need, therefore this work aimed to study the changes in the antioxidant metabolism during acerola development. Fruit from cv. Flor Branca, BRS366 and Florida Sweet were harvested at different stages: immature green colored (I), physiologically mature with green color and maximum size (II), breaker (III) and full red ripe (IV). After harvest, fruits were selected, divided into four replications with 500 g each and evaluated regarding their titratable acidity, pH, soluble solids, total soluble sugar, vitamin C, polyphenol, anthocyanin, yellow flavonoid, total antioxidant activity and antioxidant enzyme activity. Anthocyanin and flavonoid were determined through LC-DAD-ESI/MS and all analysis followed a completely randomized factorial 3 x 4 design. Fruits of 'Florida Sweet' presented significantly higher soluble solids (9.46ºBrix). Vitamin C content decreased during ripening, but ripe 'BRS 366' fruits showed the greatest values (1363 mg.100 g-1) and highest TAA with 42.36 µM TEAC.g-1FW. Cyanidin 3-rhamnoside (520.76 mg.100 g-1 DM) and quercetin 3-rhamnoside (33.72 mg.100 g-1 DM) were the most abundant anthocyanin and yellow flavonoids found mainly in 'Flor Branca' fruit of acerola, whose antioxidant enzymes activities were also higher. Ripe 'Florida Sweet' fruit presents a great potential for fresh consumption, meanwhile physiologically mature 'BRS 366' fruit seems the best option for the bioactive compounds processing industry. As 'Flor Branca' fruit of acerola kept the highest activity levels, it could be an indicative of greater potential for postharvest conservation

QUALITY OF ACEROLA (Malpighia emarginata) TREATED WITH GIBBERELIC ACID AND STORED UNDER REFRIGERATION

<div><p>ABSTRACT The goal of this study was study the postharvest quality of acerola clone BRS 236 (Malpighia emarginata D.C.) which was harvested at physiological maturity and submitted to four treatments under immersion during 5 minutes at 25 °C, which are: control (water), 60 mg L-1; 120 mg L-1 and 180 mg L-1. After treatment the fruits were packed in polystyrene trays and placed with polyethylene film and then stored at 10 ± 2 °C and 85 ± 5% RH for 12 days. Were analyzed in three days intervals (0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 days): skin color, firmness, pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, SS/TA ratio, vitamin C and yellow flavonoids. Vitamin C, anthocyanins and yellow flavonoids were not influenced by treatments with GA3 at the end of 12-day of cold storage at 10 ºC. The exogenous application of 120 mg L-1 of GA3 resulted in retention of red color and content of anthocyanins of acerola fruits BRS 236 clone 12-day storage at 10 °C.</p></div