CitrusUAT: A dataset of orange Citrus sinensis leaves for abnormality detection using image analysis techniques.

Around the world, citrus production and quality are threatened by diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, and viruses. Citrus growers are currently demanding technological solutions to reduce the economic losses caused by citrus diseases. In this context, image analysis techniques have been widely used to detect citrus diseases, extracting discriminant features from an input image to distinguish between healthy and abnormal cases. The dataset presented in this article is helpful for training, validating, and comparing citrus abnormality detection algorithms. The data collection comprises 953 color images taken from the orange leaves of Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck species. There are 12 nutritional deficiencies and diseases supporting the development of automatic detection methods that can reduce economic losses in citrus production.

Ultrasound Treatment Improves Fruit Quality of Postharvest Blood Oranges (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck): Anthocyanin Enrichment and Its Biosynthesis.

This study was to investigate the effects of different nonthermal treatments on quality attributes, anthocyanin profiles, and gene expressions related to anthocyanin biosynthesis during low-temperature storage, including pulsed light (PL), magnetic energy (ME), and ultrasound (US). Among these treatments, 1 min US treatment was the most effective method for improving fruit quality and increasing total anthocyanin contents (by 29.89 ± 3.32%) as well as individual anthocyanins during low-temperature storage of 28 days. This treatment resulted in high color intensity, intact cellular architectures, and positive sensory evaluation. In contrast, PL and ME treatments displayed negative effects on quality improvement, leading to the destruction of cell architectures and inhibiting anthocyanin levels. Furthermore, qPCR analysis revealed that the structural genes (C4H, CHS1, CHS2, CHI, F3H, ANS, and GST) related to anthocyanin biosynthesis and transport were the target genes and upregulated in response to the cavitation effect of US treatment.

Effects of Pera Orange Juice and Moro Orange Juice in Healthy Rats: A Metabolomic Approach.

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death worldwide. Heart failure is a cardiovascular disease with high prevalence, morbidity, and mortality. Several natural compounds have been studied for attenuating pathological cardiac remodeling. Orange juice has been associated with cardiovascular disease prevention by attenuating oxidative stress. However, most studies have evaluated isolated phytochemicals rather than whole orange juice and usually under pathological conditions. In this study, we evaluated plasma metabolomics in healthy rats receiving Pera or Moro orange juice to identify possible metabolic pathways and their effects on the heart. METHODS: Sixty male Wistar rats were allocated into 3 groups: control (C), Pera orange juice (PO), and Moro orange juice (MO). PO and MO groups received Pera orange juice or Moro orange juice, respectively, and C received water with maltodextrin (100 g/L). Echocardiogram and euthanasia were performed after 4 weeks. Plasma metabolomic analysis was performed by high-resolution mass spectrometry. Type I collagen was evaluated in picrosirius red-stained slides and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 activity by zymography. MMP-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-2, TIMP-4, type I collagen, and TNF-α protein expression were evaluated by Western blotting. RESULTS: We differentially identified three metabolites in PO (N-docosahexaenoyl-phenylalanine, diglyceride, and phosphatidylethanolamine) and six in MO (N-formylmaleamic acid, N2-acetyl-L-ornithine, casegravol isovalerate, abscisic alcohol 11-glucoside, cyclic phosphatidic acid, and torvoside C), compared to controls, which are recognized for their possible roles in cardiac remodeling, such as extracellular matrix regulation, inflammation, oxidative stress, and membrane integrity. Cardiac function, collagen level, MMP-2 activity, and MMP-9, TIMP-2, TIMP-4, type I collagen, and TNF-α protein expression did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: Ingestion of Pera and Moro orange juice induces changes in plasma metabolites related to the regulation of extracellular matrix, inflammation, oxidative stress, and membrane integrity in healthy rats. Moro orange juice induces a larger number of differentially expressed metabolites than Pera orange juice. Alterations in plasma metabolomics induced by both orange juice are not associated with modifications in cardiac extracellular matrix components. Our results allow us to postulate that orange juice may have beneficial effects on pathological cardiac remodeling.

Eco-Friendly Sustainable Nanocarriers to Treat Oxidative Stresses and Skin Aging-Related Ailments, Valorization of a By-Product.

The peel from Citrus-sinensis L. is a medicinally significant food waste, and its extract (O-Ext) could be significant against oxidative stresses and skin aging, However, the penetration barriers, instability in formulation, undefined toxicities, and enzymatic activities make the O-Ext difficult to formulate and commercialize. The goal of this study was to evaluate O-Ext against oxidative stress, prepare O-Ext-loaded nano-lipid carriers (O-NLCs), and load them into topical O/W-emulsion (O-NLC-E) to improve O-Ext permeation and its in vivo antiaging effects. TPC, TFC, DPPH activity, and mineral/metal contents of O-Ext were determined via atomic-absorption spectroscopy. For bioactive compounds profiling, GC-MS analysis was carried out. O-NLCs were prepared and tested for physicochemical attributes, while HaCaT and fibroblast cells were used to study permeation and cytotoxicity. The kinetic characteristics of ex vivo permeation through rat skin were established, following the Higuchi model. Following written consent, safety investigations were conducted on human volunteers for three months, where optimized O-NLC-E and B-NLC-E were regularly applied on cheeks. Non-invasive procedures were used to assess the volunteer's skin erythema, TEWL, sebum level, melanin, hydration, pH, elasticity, and pore sizes after specified intervals. The results demonstrated that applying O-NLC-E formulation to the skin of volunteers directed significant antiaging benefits. The study offers nanotechnology-based sustainability approach against skin ageing.

The potential of different ripeness of blood oranges (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) for sale in advance after low-temperature storage: Anthocyanin enhancements, volatile compounds, and taste attributes.

To explore the optimal early harvest time similar to the ripe fruit qualities, the effects of storage temperatures on maturity indexes, weight losses, colour parameters, anthocyanin profiles, volatile and taste components of blood oranges at six different maturity levels were investigated. Total anthocyanin contents of cold-treated fruits increased to or exceed that of ripe fruits (0.24 ± 0.12 mg/100 g), and fruits harvested from 260 d and 280 d after anthesis shared similar individual anthocyanin profiles to ripe fruits during storage at 8 °C for 30 d and 20 d (III-30 d and IV-20 d groups), respectively. Moreover, comparative analyses of e-nose and e-tongue demonstrated the distances of volatile components and scores of taste attributes including sourness, saltiness, bitterness, sweetness, and umami in III-30 d and IV-20 d groups were close to that of ripe fruits, indicating that the fruits could be sold about 20 to 30 d ahead of the season.

Optimization of a static headspace GC-MS method and its application in metabolic fingerprinting of the leaf volatiles of 42 citrus cultivars.

Citrus leaves, which are a rich source of plant volatiles, have the beneficial attributes of rapid growth, large biomass, and availability throughout the year. Establishing the leaf volatile profiles of different citrus genotypes would make a valuable contribution to citrus species identification and chemotaxonomic studies. In this study, we developed an efficient and convenient static headspace (HS) sampling technique combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis and optimized the extraction conditions (a 15-min incubation at 100 ˚C without the addition of salt). Using a large set of 42 citrus cultivars, we validated the applicability of the optimized HS-GC-MS system in determining leaf volatile profiles. A total of 83 volatile metabolites, including monoterpene hydrocarbons, alcohols, sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, aldehydes, monoterpenoids, esters, and ketones were identified and quantified. Multivariate statistical analysis and hierarchical clustering revealed that mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) and orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) groups exhibited notably differential volatile profiles, and that the mandarin group cultivars were characterized by the complex volatile profiles, thereby indicating the complex nature and diversity of these mandarin cultivars. We also identified those volatile compounds deemed to be the most useful in discriminating amongst citrus cultivars. This method developed in this study provides a rapid, simple, and reliable approach for the extraction and identification of citrus leaf volatile organic compound, and based on this methodology, we propose a leaf volatile profile-based classification model for citrus.

Pigments' analysis of Citrus juicing making by-products by LC-MS/MS and LC-DAD.

Citrus fruits Cold Press Essential Oils (CPEOs) constitute a low-cost by-product produced during the juice making process that are composed by a volatile and a non-volatile fraction. Their non-volatile fractions are rich in valuable secondary metabolites, such as carotenoids, coumarins, psoralens and flavonoids [1,2]. Study herein concerns the development of a quantitative method for their carotenoids analyses using the LC-MS/MS and LC-DAD methodology.•CPEOs carotenoids content was characterized quantitatively.•Natural carotenoids ß-cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin were determined as the most abundant high added value molecules.

Beneficial Effects of Sodium Nitroprusside on the Aroma, Flavors, and Anthocyanin Accumulation in Blood Orange Fruits.

The quality of Tarocco blood orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck), which has been cultivated for many years, has degraded substantially. Decreased sugar content, decreased blood color, and increased sour flavor have developed as a result. To improve fruit quality, we studied the effects of bagging and sodium nitroprusside, as a nitric oxide (NO) donor, on the fruit quality of Tarocco blood orange two months before picking. The results showed that NO treatment effectively improved the content of total soluble solids and limonene in the fruit, as well as the color and hardness of the fruit, but reduced the tannin content. It also increased the contents of soluble sugar, fructose, sucrose, vitamin C, amino acids, and mineral elements. NO treatment inhibited the activities of polygalacturonase and pectin esterase, delayed the degradation of protopectin, and promoted the accumulation of anthocyanins, total flavonoids, and flavonoids synthesis. Thus, NO treatment improved the aroma, flavors, and physical properties of blood orange fruit.

Effects of ethephon and low-temperature treatments on blood oranges (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck): Anthocyanin accumulation and volatile profile changes during storage.

Health-promoting anthocyanins in blood oranges can be enriched via appropriate postharvest storage conditions. Here, we explored the changes of anthocyanin accumulation and volatile profiles of Tarocco blood oranges (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) treated by the low temperature alone and combined with ethephon (2 mg/mL) during 50 days of storage. The combination treatment of ethephon and low temperature (8 oC) significantly enhanced the levels of total anthocyanins (10.91 ± 0.25 mg/100 g) and individual cyanidin derivatives relative to low-temperature treatment alone. The increases of six cyanidin derivatives and three delphinidin derivatives identified by LC-MS/Q-TOF were consistent with the variation in total anthocyanins. Ethyl butanoate, ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl undecanoate, linalool, and d-limonene were identified as main contributors to overall aroma of fresh blood oranges. Volatile compositions and concentrations were decreased under different treatments of ethephon and temperatures, while ethephon could alleviate the loss of activity volatiles during cold storage.

Safety and efficacy of feed additives consisting of expressed sweet orange peel oil and its fractions from Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl).

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of expressed sweet orange oil and its fractions obtained from the fruit peels of Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck, when used as sensory additives (flavourings) in feed and water for drinking for all animal species. The presence of perillaldehyde was identified as a source of potential concern. However, in target species fed citrus by-products as part of daily feed, the use of the expressed orange oil and its fractions was not expected to increase the exposure to perillaldehyde to a relevant extent (< 10%). For dogs, cats, ornamental fish and ornamental birds not normally exposed to citrus by-products, no conclusion can be drawn. For the other species, the FEEDAP Panel concluded that the additives under assessment are safe at the maximum proposed use levels in complete feed. The FEEDAP Panel considered that the use in water for drinking is safe provided that the total daily intake of the additive does not exceed the daily amount that is considered safe when consumed via feed. No concerns for consumer safety were identified following the use of the additives up to the maximum proposed use level in feed. The additives under assessment should be considered as irritants to skin and eyes, and as skin and respiratory sensitisers. The use of the additives under the proposed conditions of use in animal feed was not expected to pose a risk for the environment. Expressed orange oil and its fractions were recognised to flavour food. Since their function in feed would be essentially the same as that in food, no further demonstration of efficacy was considered necessary.

Downregulation of MMP1 expression mediates the anti-aging activity of Citrus sinensis peel extract nanoformulation in UV induced photoaging in mice.

Aging of the skin is a complicated bioprocess that is affected by constant exposure to ultraviolet irradiation. The application of herbal-based anti-aging creams is still the best choice for treatment. In the present study, Citrus sinensis L. fruit peels ethanolic extract (CSPE) was formulated into lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) anti-aging cream. Eight different formulations of CSEP-LNPs were prepared and optimized using 23 full factorial designs. In vivo antiaging effect of the best formula was tested in Swiss albino mice where photo-aging was induced by exposure to UV radiation. HPLC-QToF-MS/MS metabolic profiling of CSPE led to the identification of twenty-nine metabolites. CSPE was standardized to a hesperidin content of 15.53 ± 0.152 mg% using RP-HPLC. It was suggested that the optimized formulation (F7) had (245 nm) particle size, (91.065%) EE, and (91.385%) occlusive effect with a spherical and smooth surface. The visible appearance of UV-induced photoaging in mice was significantly improved after topical application on CSPE-NLC cream for 5 weeks, levels of collagen and SOD were significantly increased in CSPE- NLC group, while levels of PGE2, COX2, JNK, MDA, and elastin was reduced. Finally, The prepared anti-aging CSPE-NLC cream represents a safe, convenient, and promising skincare cosmetic product.

Chemical composition and larvicidal activity of essential oil of the bark of Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck / Composição Química e atividade larvicida do óleo essencial das cascas do Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck / Composición química y actividad larvicida del aceite esencial de corteza de Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck

SUMMARY Aim: We determined the chemical composition and larvicidal activity of the essential oil distilled from the Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck husks and the pattern of the major constituent. Materials and methods: For this, we distill the oil by hydrodistillation, identify the components by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS), test the larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti and calculate the lethal concentration at 50% (LC50) by the Reed-Muench method and the confidence interval by the Pizzi method for both oil and standard. Results: It showed that the oil consists mostly of limonene and showed larvicidal activity (LC50 of 199.01 (± 2.10) μg-mL-1) greater than the lemonade standard (126.03 (± 2.09) μg-mL-1). Conclusion: Therefore, we conclude that distilled oil has the potential to replace chemical larvicides.

RESUMO Objetivo: Determinamos a composição química e a atividade larvicida do óleo essencial destilado das cascas do Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck e do padrão do constituinte majoritário. Materiais e métodos: Para isso, destilamos o óleo por hidrodestilação, identificamos os componentes por cromatografía gasosa acoplada à espectrometria de massas (CG-EM), testamos a atividade larvicida contra o Aedes aegypti e calculamos a concentração letal a 50% (CL50) pelo método Reed-Muench e o intervalo de confiança pelo método de Pizzi tanto para o óleo quanto para o padrão. Resultados: O óleo é constituído em sua maior parte por limoneno e apresentou atividade larvicida (CL50 de 199.01 (± 2,10) μg-mL-1) maior que o padrão limonento (126,03 (± 2,09) μg-mL-1). Conclusões: Portanto, concluímos que o óleo destilado tem potencial para substituir os larvicida químicos.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Determinamos la composición química y actividad larvicida del aceite esencial destilado de las cáscaras de Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck y el patrón del constituyente mayoritario. Materiales y métodos: Para ello destilamos el aceite por hidrodestilación, identificamos los componentes mediante cromatografía de gases acoplada a espectrometría de masas (CG-EM), testeamos la actividad larvicida frente a Aedes aegypti y calculamos la concentración letal al 50% (CL50) por el método Reed- Muench y el intervalo de confianza por el método de Pizzi tanto para aceite como para la muestra estándar. Resultados: El aceite consiste principalmente en limoneno y mostró actividad larvicida (CL50 de 199,01 (± 2,10) μg-mL-1) mayor que el estándar de limonada (126,03 (± 2,09) μg-mL-1). Conclusiones: Por lo tanto, concluimos que el aceite destilado tiene el potencial de reemplazar los larvicidas químicos.

Artificial modification of the chemical composition of orange oil (Citrus sinensis L.) and its effect on larvicidal activity.

The use of synthetic pesticide carries along several disadvantages talking about the preservation of the natural homeostasis of the planet, causing the searching of biopesticide, which one presents advantages as well as biodegradability in minimum possible time, the low toxicity in comparison to synthetic pesticides and their variety of structure, which allows slowing down the appearance of resistance. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect on the larvicidal action when artificially varying the chemical composition of orange oil (Citrus sinensis L.). As results, we found that the analysis of gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry showed the presence of terpenoid and sesquiterpenoid compounds in the different samples. The use of electric pulses on samples modified their chemical composition, so that the percentage of limonene went from 72% in the sample that was not subjected to electric treatment to lower percentages, even in sample three the percentage of limonene was <50%. Only three compounds (limonene, linalool and caryophyllene) were found to be common in all samples. Subsequently, the larvicidal action on Drosophila melanogaster larvae was evaluated. Six concentrations of each oil sample were tested (0, 100, 500, 1000, 5000 and 10000 ppm). We found that there was no linear relationship between concentration and lethality. Additionally, in the sample without electrical treatment most of the concentrations tested had lethality higher than 50%, while in sample 7 the results of the lethality were lower than 30%, so that biological tests showed that in samples where the concentration of limonene was lower, the lethality in the larvae decreased.

Caracterização química, atividade antimicrobiana e toxicidade dos óleos essenciais da Pimenta dioica L. (pimenta da Jamaica) e Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck (laranja doce) / Chemical characterization, antimicrobial activity, and toxicity of the essential oils of Pimenta dioica L. and Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck (laranja doce)

RESUMO Este estudo avaliou a toxicidade e a atividade antimicrobiana frente a Escherichia coli e Staphylococcus aureus dos óleos essenciais de Pimenta dioica Lindl. e Citrus sinensis L. Os óleos essenciais (OE) foram extraídos por hidrodestilação, com caracterização química através de cromatografía gasosa acoplada a espectrometria de massas (CG-EM). Os parâmetros físico-químicos foram determinados de acordo com a Farmacopeia Brasileira. O ensaio de toxicidade seguiu o bioensaio com Artemia salina Leach, os OE aprovados neste ensaio seguiram para avaliação das suas propriedades biológicas. A atividade antimicrobiana seguiu a metodologia descrita pelo Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute utilizando o método de difusão de disco, diluição em caldo para concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) e posterior concentração bactericida mínima para avaliar a ação dos OE frente a Escherichia coli e Staphylococcus aureus. Ambos os OE apresentaram toxicidade baixa, e assim foram avaliados quanto as propriedades biológicas antimicrobianas. Ambos os OE apresentaram potenciais bactericidas frente aos microrganismos testados, exibindo resultados satisfatórios para a ação deles. Os resultados indicam que os OE avaliados são compostos por substâncias que propiciam e incentivam sua aplicação em virtude de seus potenciais para atividade biológicas moluscicida e antimicrobiana.

SUMMARY This study evaluated the toxicity and antimicrobial activity in the face of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus of essential oils of Pimenta dioica Lindl. and Citrus sinensis L. The essential oils (EO) were extracted by hydrodistillation, with chemical characterization by gas chromatography coupled and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Physicochemical parameters were determined according to the Brazilian Pharmacopeia. The toxicity test followed the bioassay with Artemia salina Leach, the EO approved in this assay followed to evaluate its biological properties. The antimicrobial activity followed the methodology described by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute using the disc diffusion method, broth dilution for minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and subsequent minimum bactericide concentration for to evaluate the action of EO against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Both OE showed low toxicity, and thus were evaluated for the biological antimicrobial properties. Both OE presented bactericidal potential against the microorganisms tested, showing satisfactory results for their action. The results indicate that the evaluated OE are composed of substances that provide and encourage their application due to their potentials for biological molluscicide and antimicrobial activity.

Impact of Different Pasteurization Techniques and Subsequent Ultrasonication on the In Vitro Bioaccessibility of Carotenoids in Valencia Orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) Juice.

The effects of traditional pasteurization (low pasteurization, conventional pasteurization, hot filling) and alternative pasteurization (pulsed electric fields, high pressure processing), followed by ultrasonication on the carotenoid content, carotenoid profile, and on the in vitro carotenoid bioaccessibility of orange juice were investigated. There was no significant difference in the total carotenoid content between the untreated juice (879.74 µg/100 g juice) and all pasteurized juices. Significantly lower contents of violaxanthin esters were found in the high thermally-treated juices (conventional pasteurization, hot filling) compared to the untreated juice, owing to heat-induced epoxy-furanoid rearrangement. The additional ultrasonication had almost no effects on the carotenoid content and profile of the orange juices. However, the in vitro solubilization and the micellarization efficiency were strongly increased by ultrasound, the latter by approximately 85.3-159.5%. Therefore, among the applied processing techniques, ultrasonication might be a promising technology to enhance the in vitro bioaccessibility of carotenoids and, thus, the nutritional value of orange juice.

Estudo da composição química, toxicidade e atividade moluscicida do óleo essencial Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck / Study of the chemical composition, toxicity and molluscicidal activity of the essential oil Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck

RESUMO Determinamos a composição química e testamos a toxicidade e a atividade moluscicida do óleo essencial extraído das cascas do Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck. Para isso, o óleo essencial foi extraído quantitativamente por hidrodestilação. Em seguida, as quantificações de seus componentes foram realizadas por cromatografía gasosa acoplada à espectrometria de massas (CG-MS) e a toxicidade e atividade moluscicida foram testadas, respectivamente, contra Artemia salina e caramujos Biomphalaria glabrata. Os resultados mostraram que o óleo contém 81,50% de D-limoneno (constituinte principal) e 0,06% de citronelal (componente menor) e este possui atividade moluscicida com concentração letal (CL50) de 100,08 mg.L-1 e atoxicidade, com CL50 de 321,84 mg.L-1 a um nível de confiança de 95%. Portanto, o óleo é ativo contra o caramujo Biomphalariaglabrata e atóxico para outros seres vivos.

SUMMARY In this present study, we determined the chemical composition and we tested the toxicity and the molluscicidal activity of the essential oil extracted from the barks of Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck. For this, the essential oil was extracted quantitatively by hydrodistillation. Then, quantifications of its components were performed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (CG-MS) and the toxicity and molluscicidal activity were tested, respectively, against Artemia salina and snails Biomphalaria glabrata. The results showed that the oil contains 81.50% of D-limonene (main constituent) and 0.06% of citronellal (minor component) and it has lethal activity (LC50) of 100.08 mg.L-1 and a toxicity, with LC50 of321.84 mg.L -1 at a 95% confidence level. Therefore, the oil is active against the snail Biomphalaria glabrata and non-toxic to other living bein.

Vibration Monitoring of the Mechanical Harvesting of Citrus to Improve Fruit Detachment Efficiency.

The introduction of a mechanical harvesting process for oranges can contribute to enhancing farm profitability and reducing labour dependency. The objective of this work is to determine the spread of the vibration in citrus tree canopies to establish recommendations to reach high values of fruit detachment efficiency and eliminate the need for subsequent hand-harvesting processes. Field tests were carried out with a lateral tractor-drawn canopy shaker on four commercial plots of sweet oranges. Canopy vibration during the harvesting process was measured with a set of triaxial accelerometer sensors with a datalogger placed on 90 bearing branches. Monitoring of the vibration process, fruit production, and branch properties were analysed. The improvement of fruit detachment efficiency was possible if both the hedge tree and the machinery were mutually adjusted. The hedge should be trained to facilitate access of the rods and to encourage external fructification since the internal canopy branches showed 43% of the acceleration vibration level of the external branches. The machine should be adjusted to vibrate the branches at a vibration time of at least 5.8 s, after the interaction of the rod with the branch, together with a root mean square acceleration value of 23.9 m/s2 to a complete process of fruit detachment.

Actual evapotranspiration and crop coefficient of sweet orange during the initial development phase in the Rio Largo region, Alagoas / Evapotranspiração real e coeficiente da cultura da laranja lima durante a fase inicial de desenvolvimento na região de Rio Largo, Alagoas

ABSTRACT: Determining actual crop evapotranspiration (ETa) is paramount for irrigation management. The principal measurement methods and physical models generally require crop and weather data that are not readily available. We determined the crop coefficient (Kc) of sweet oranges during the initial development stage and evaluated the performance of the Poulovassilis semi-empirical model coupled with a simple soil water balance for estimating the ETa. The ETa was inferred from the variation in the soil water content over time, measured by time-domain reflectometry. In the Poulovassilis model, the ETa is obtained by multiplying the crop evapotranspiration (ETc) by an adjustment coefficient (ca), which accounts for a reduction in the evapotranspiration caused by soil water depletion. Soil water storage was obtained using the daily and 10-day soil water balances, computed by considering inputs and outputs of water from the system. The empirical parameter, ca, was determined using inverse modeling. The optimal ca value obtained through inverse modeling was 0.05 and 0.03 for the daily and 10-day soil water balances, respectively. The model performed better for the daily soil water balance than the 10-day balance, with performance comparable with the other ETa models. Average Kc during the sweet orange initial crop stage was 0.85.

RESUMO: A determinação da evapotranspiração real da cultura (ETa) é importante para o manejo da irrigação. Os principais métodos e modelos físicos de estimativa da ETa requerem dados que não são facilmente disponíveis. Neste trabalho, obteve-se o coeficiente da cultura (Kc) da laranja lima na fase inicial de desenvolvimento e avaliou-se o desempenho do modelo semi-empírico de Poulovassilis acoplado a um balanço hídrico simplificado na estimativa da ETa. A ETa (medida) foi obtida a partir da variação temporal do conteúdo de água no solo, obtida através da reflectometria no domínio do tempo (TDR). O modelo de POULOVASSILIS et al. (2001) assume que a redução da evapotranspiração da cultura é expressa por uma função exponencial do armazenamento de água do solo e por um coeficiente de ajuste empírico (ca). O armazenamento de água do solo foi obtido através do balanço hídrico (BH), diário e decendial, contabilizando as entradas e saídas de água do sistema. O parâmetro empírico ca foi obtido por modelagem inversa. O valor ótimo de ca obtido por modelagem inversa 0,05 para o BH diário e 0,03 para o BH decendial. O modelo apresentou melhor desempenho para o BH diário, comparável a outros modelos de estimativa da ETa. O Kc médio para fase inicial da laranja lima foi igual a 0,85.

Influence of postharvest treatments on qualitative and chemical parameters of Tarocco blood orange fruits to be used for fresh chilled juice.

Tarocco "Sant'Alfio" is a late ripening blood orange cultivar. Blood oranges are more and more appreciated from consumers for their high nutraceutical value due to the presence of bioactive compounds including vitamin C, polyphenols, flavonoids and hydroxycinnamic acids. The aim of this work is to set up a reliable protocol for postharvest storage of the very-late Tarocco "Sant'Alfio" orange to prolong the availability of this product in the market to be used for fresh chilled orange juice production. Fruits were subjected to three storage treatments (20days at 1°C plus 50days at 4°C; 70days at 4°C; 70days at 20°C). The results indicate that cold treatments, in particular at 4°C constantly, can extend Tarocco "Sant'Alfio" shelf life enhancing total anthocyanin content. The defined protocols allow prolonging market availability of a high value product and could induce relevant benefits for the citrus industry and consumers.

Effect of Pasteurization on Flavonoids and Carotenoids in Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck cv. 'Cara Cara' and 'Bahia' Juices.

Orange juice is considered an excellent dietary source of several bioactive compounds with beneficial properties for human health. Citrus sinensis Osbeck cv. 'Cara Cara' is a bud mutation originated from 'Washington' navel orange, also known as 'Bahia' navel orange. The ascorbic acid, flavonoid, and carotenoid contents in pasteurized and nonpasteurized Bahia and Cara Cara juices using two LC-MS/MS platforms were investigated. Higher ascorbic acid content was observed in Bahia compared to Cara Cara in both pasteurized and nonpasteurized juices. Total flavanones content as well as hesperidin levels were higher in Cara Cara with respect to Bahia pasteurized juice. Cara Cara was also characterized by a significantly higher and diversified carotenoid content compared to Bahia juice with a mixture of (Z)-isomers of lycopene, all-E-ß-carotene, phytoene, and phytofluene isomers accounting for the highest carotenoid proportion. The exceptionally high carotenoid content of Cara Cara may be particularly interesting for nutritional or functional studies of uncommon carotenes in a citrus food matrix.