Novel non-destructive quality assessment techniques of onion bulbs: a comparative study.

This study was designed to compare the performances of four different non-destructive methods of assessing onion quality, one of which was based on near-infrared spectroscopy, and three of which were based on spectral imaging. These methods involve a combination of wavelengths from visible to near-infrared with different acquisition systems that were applied to discriminate between pre-sorted onions by in situ measurements of the onion surface. Compared with the partial least squares discriminant analysis classification models associated with different methods, hyperspectral imaging (HSI) with both static horizontal and rotating orientation obtained a higher level of sensitivity and specificity with a lower classification error than did other methods.

Noninvasive Determination of Firmness and Dry Matter Content of Stored Onion Bulbs Using Shortwave Infrared Imaging with Whole Spectra and Selected Wavelengths.

A firm texture of dry onions is important for consumer acceptance. Both the texture and dry matter content decline during storage, influencing the market value of onions. The main goal of this study was to develop predictive models that in future might form the basis for automated sorting of onions for firmness and dry matter content in the industry.

Volatile organic compounds as markers of quality changes during the storage of wild rocket.

The quality of leafy green vegetables changes during storage. Leaves become yellow or disintegrate, and an off-odor may develop. In addition, small amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released.

Bioassay-Guided Chromatographic Isolation and Identification of Antibacterial Compounds from Artemisia annua L. That Inhibit Clostridium perfringens Growth.

Clostridium perfringens is the causative agent of necrotic enteritis leading to significant losses in the poultry industry. Dichloromethane and n-hexane extracts of aerial parts of Artemisia annua (Asteraceae) exhibited activity against C. perfringens with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 185 and 270 μg/mL, respectively.

Artemisinin production and precursor ratio in full grown Artemisia annua L. plants subjected to external stress.

The concentration of the lifesaving antimalarial compound artemisinin (AN) in cultivated Artemisia annua (A. annua) plants is relatively low, and thus research in improving the content is important. In the present study, external stress was applied to adult plants of A.

Effect of external stress on density and size of glandular trichomes in full-grown Artemisia annua, the source of anti-malarial artemisinin.

Background And Aims: Glandular trichomes (GT) of Artemisia annua produce valuable compounds for pharmaceutical and industrial uses, most notably the anti-malarial artemisinin. Our aim was to find out whether the density, number and size of GT can be manipulated to advantage by environmental stress. A range of external stress treatments, including stress response regulators, was therefore given to fully grown plants under field and greenhouse conditions.

Investigation of genetic and morphological variation in the sago palm (Metroxylon sagu; Arecaceae) in Papua New Guinea.

Background And Aims: The genetic and morphological variation in the sago palm (Metroxylon sagu, Arecaceae) in Papua New Guinea (PNG) was investigated.

Methods: Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) was used to investigate the genetic structure of 76 accessions of M. sagu, collected in seven wild and semi-wild stands in PNG.