Maintenance shelf-life quality of cocktail tomatoes by using UV-C illumination and Arabic gum coating.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of Arabic gum (AG) coating, UV-C illumination and its combinations on postharvest quality parameters of cocktail tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Ipekce F1 ). After harvest, mature green tomatoes were treated with 10% Arabic gum (AG10), 20% AG (AG20), 3.6 kJ m-2 ultraviolet-C (UV-C) illumination, 3.6 kJ m-2 UV-C+AG10 and 3.6 kJ m-2 UV-C+AG20, and stored at 20 °C for 20 days. RESULTS: The highest titratable acidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS) and the lowest weight loss were obtained in AG20 treatments. Maximum fruit firmness and L* value were in AG20 and UV-C+AG20 treatment. The greatest h° values were recorded in AG20, UV-C+AG20 and control group. The highest vitamin C content were obtained from AG20, UV-C+AG10 and UV-C+AG20 treated tomatoes. Minimum lycopene content was determined from AG10, AG20, UV-C+AG10 and UV-C+AG20 treatments. Maximum chlorophyll content was determined from UV-C+AG20-treated tomatoes. AG10, AG20, UV-C+AG10 and UV-C+AG20 treatments resulted in lower ethylene emissions as compared to control and UV-C-treated tomatoes. AG20, UV-C+AG10 and UV-C+AG20 treatments generally had lower values than control and UV-C in term of respiration rates. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that AG20 treatment effectively maintained the postharvest quality and biochemical properties of cocktail tomatoes as compared to other tested treatments. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Comparison of organically and conventionally produced Batavia type lettuce stored in modified atmosphere packaging for postharvest quality and nutritional parameters.

BACKGROUND: The impacts of organic and conventional production systems on postharvest life and quality parameters of Batavia type 'Caipira' lettuce heads (Lactuca sativa L.) were investigated. Harvested lettuce heads grown in two different production systems were stored at 0 °C temperature and 95-98% relative humidity for 20 days in modified atmosphere packaging. RESULTS: The lowest weight loss, the highest ascorbic acid content and antioxidant activity were obtained from the organic production system (Org-2). The conventional production system had higher total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and total phenolic contents. During the shelf-life period at 20 °C, the weight losses of lettuce heads grown conventionally were higher than with the other production system. Conventionally grown heads had higher titratable acidity and total phenolic contents than organically grown heads. The highest titratable acidity and h° values were obtained from the plants grown under conventional and organic production systems (Org-2), while the highest chroma value and antioxidant activity were detected from the control treatment. The highest ascorbic acid content was detected in the control treatment, but the effects of control, organic (Org-2) and conventional production systems on ascorbic acid content were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that the organic production system (Org-2) was the most effective treatment in prolonging postharvest life and protecting the quality of Batavia type 'Caipira' lettuce heads stored in modified atmosphere packaging. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.