ABSTRACT
Small fruits such as strawberries, are a good source of natural antioxidants. In recent decades, many efforts have been made to increase the shelf life of strawberries and maintain its nutritional value in post-harvest conditions. In the present study, the effects of spermine (Spm) and spermidine (Spd) (0, 1.0 and 1.5 mM) on the post-harvest life and quality of strawberry fruits during the 3rd, 6th, and 12th days of storage, were investigated. Applications of Spm and Spd decreased the rate of weight loss, fruit decay, soluble solids content, fruit juice pH and taste index during the storage period in compared to the control. However, titratable acids and vitamin C contents, tissue stiffness, phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity increased in compared to the control. These growth regulators prevented the aging and loss of bioactive compounds of the fruit by increasing the antioxidant activity and preventing the destruction of the fruit tissue. Among the studied treatments, applications of 1.5 mM of Spm and Spd were the most effective treatments to enhance the storage life and quality characters of strawberry fruits.
Subject(s)
Fragaria , Spermidine , Spermidine/pharmacology , Spermidine/analysis , Spermine/pharmacology , Spermine/analysis , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Antioxidants/analysis , FruitABSTRACT
Abstract Small fruits such as strawberries, are a good source of natural antioxidants. In recent decades, many efforts have been made to increase the shelf life of strawberries and maintain its nutritional value in post-harvest conditions. In the present study, the effects of spermine (Spm) and spermidine (Spd) (0, 1.0 and 1.5 mM) on the post-harvest life and quality of strawberry fruits during the 3rd, 6th, and 12th days of storage, were investigated. Applications of Spm and Spd decreased the rate of weight loss, fruit decay, soluble solids content, fruit juice pH and taste index during the storage period in compared to the control. However, titratable acids and vitamin C contents, tissue stiffness, phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity increased in compared to the control. These growth regulators prevented the aging and loss of bioactive compounds of the fruit by increasing the antioxidant activity and preventing the destruction of the fruit tissue. Among the studied treatments, applications of 1.5 mM of Spm and Spd were the most effective treatments to enhance the storage life and quality characters of strawberry fruits.
RESUMO Frutas pequenas como morangos são uma boa fonte de antioxidantes naturais. Nas últimas décadas, muitos esforços têm sido feitos para aumentar sua vida útil e manter seu valor nutricional em condições de pós-colheita. No presente estudo, foram investigados os efeitos da espermina (Spm) e espermidina (Spd) (0, 1,0 e 1,5 mm) pós-colheita e na qualidade dos frutos de morango durante o 3º, 6º e 12º dias de armazenamento. Aplicações de Spm e Spd diminuíram a taxa de perda de peso, podridão dos frutos, teor de sólidos solúveis, pH do suco de frutas e índice de sabor durante o período de armazenamento em comparação com o controle. No entanto, os teores de ácidos tituláveis e vitamina C, rigidez tecidual, compostos fenólicos e atividade antioxidante aumentaram em relação ao controle. Esses reguladores de crescimento preveniram o envelhecimento e a perda de compostos bioativos da fruta, aumentando a atividade antioxidante e evitando a destruição do tecido da fruta. Entre os tratamentos estudados, as aplicações de 1,5 mm de Spm e Spd foram os tratamentos mais eficazes para aumentar a vida de armazenamento e as características de qualidade dos frutos de morango.
ABSTRACT
Many toxins from scorpion venoms cause neurotransmitters release by activating the autonomic system. The aim of the present work was to determine osmotic fragility of red blood cells (RBCs) and serum biochemical changes produced by the venom of Odonthobuthus doriae (O. doriae), a dangerous species of scorpion in Iran. For this study we selected 2 groups, each one containing 10 New Zealand white rabbits weighing 2 ± 0.2 kg. In vivo and in vitro osmotic fragilities as well as packed cell volume (PCV) were determined. Serum was separated and used for determination of glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, uric acid (UA), triglycerides, cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase (AST, EC 2.6.1.1), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT, EC 2.6.1.2). Results indicate that Odonthobuthus doriae venom (0.5 mg/kg, IV) causes a significant increase (p 0.05) of serum glucose, UA, PCV, ALT, and AST. Increase was also observed in BUN, but it was not statistically significant. On the other hand a significant decrease (p 0.05) was observed in triglycerides and cholesterol levels. Increased in vivo osmotic fragility of RBCs was significant too, but in vitro osmotic fragility did not show a significant change. These results support the hypothesis that the biochemical variation caused by scorpion venom can be due to an autonomic storm and release of catecholamines.
ABSTRACT
Many toxins from scorpion venoms cause neurotransmitters release by activating the autonomic system. The aim of the present work was to determine osmotic fragility of red blood cells (RBCs) and serum biochemical changes produced by the venom of Odonthobuthus doriae (O. doriae), a dangerous species of scorpion in Iran. For this study we selected 2 groups, each one containing 10 New Zealand white rabbits weighing 2 ± 0.2 kg. In vivo and in vitro osmotic fragilities as well as packed cell volume (PCV) were determined. Serum was separated and used for determination of glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, uric acid (UA), triglycerides, cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase (AST, EC 2.6.1.1), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT, EC 2.6.1.2). Results indicate that Odonthobuthus doriae venom (0.5 mg/kg, IV) causes a significant increase (p<0.05) of serum glucose, UA, PCV, ALT, and AST. Increase was also observed in BUN, but it was not statistically significant. On the other hand a significant decrease (p<0.05) was observed in triglycerides and cholesterol levels. Increased in vivo osmotic fragility of RBCs was significant too, but in vitro osmotic fragility did not show a significant change. These results support the hypothesis that the biochemical variation caused by scorpion venom can be due to an autonomic storm and release of catecholamines.(AU)