Variation in nutritional quality and chemical composition of fresh strawberry fruit: combined effect of cultivar and storage.

Bioclimatic air ionisation system (BI) works by neutralising air pollutants and microorganisms by means of oxidation with "activated oxygen". We investigated the effects of storage on changes in weight loss, chemical and sensory fruit properties in eight cultivars of strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.). All cultivars were evaluated for their standard parameters of quality (soluble solids content, total acidity, vitamin C content, total antioxidant activity - TAC, total phenolic and anthocyanins content) at different store conditions: fresh fruits-control, cold stored (at 4 °C) fruits without controlled atmospheres and cold stored (at 4 °C) fruits in BI. The present study outlines that anthocyanins of the strawberries stored in BI were subjected to significant degradation. These strawberries have prolonged shelf-life accompanied by weight loss reduction, TAC increment, and sensory properties improvement in tested cultivars, retaining other nutritional fruit qualities.

Biochemical properties of red currant varieties in relation to storage.

Eleven red currant varieties (Ribes rubrum L.) cultured in Serbia were evaluated for some of their biochemical properties such as total phenolics, anthocyanins, ascorbic acid, invert sugar, soluble solid content, and acidity. The average amount of ascorbic acid varied from 50.5-71.6 mg/100 g FW, while concentration of invert sugars ranged from 6.0%-9.0%. The highest amounts of total phenolics and anthocyanins were detected in variety Redpoll (153.4 mg GAE/100 g FW and 19.3 mg/100 g, respectively). Red currants were processed to juice, and the phenolic and anthocyanin contents changed as a result of processing. Berries and juices were long-term stored at -18 °C and changes in phytochemicals were monitored. In berries, storage caused the decrease of ascorbic acid content up to 49%, and a general reduction of total phenolics was also noticed. In juices, total phenolics content increased after one year of storage. In both berries and juices total anthocyanins increased during storage by up to 85% and 50%, respectively. This study demonstrates that certain varieties, namely Redpoll, Jonkheer and London Market are good source of phytochemicals, retaining the nutritional value during processing and storage.

Enzymatic Profile of 'Willamette' Raspberry Leaf and Fruit Affected by Prohexadione-Ca and Young Canes Removal Treatments.

The influence of growth regulator prohexadione-Ca (ProCa) concurrently with young canes removal on the modification of photosynthetic pigments content and antioxidant enzymes (peroxidase, POD; catalase, CAT; polyphenol oxidase, PPO; superoxide dismutase, SOD) activities in leaves and fruits of raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) cultivar 'Willamette' was studied. ProCa increased while canes removal decreased chlorophylls and carotenoids content compared to control. POD, CAT, and PPO activities in leaves after removal of young canes were higher compared to control (2-4 times) which was visually confirmed for POD by isoelectrofocusing. Removal of young canes slithly increased, while ProCa significantly enhanced SOD activity in leaves compared to control (475.10 and 218.38 nkat mg-1 prot, respectively). Pattern of SOD activity in fruit was similar as in leaf with substantial increase compared to control (about 15 times). Combination of implemented measures increased activity of all enzymes in the leaves and fruits. Our study could provide a better knowledge of the ProCa and canes removal influences on the action of enzymes in order to regulate their activities in fruit products.