Long Term Exposure to Low Ethylene and Storage Temperatures Delays Calyx Senescence and Maintains 'Afourer' Mandarins and Navel Oranges Quality.

Calyx browning and internal quality loss are major physiological causes for the loss of quality in citrus fruit during storage. While the symptoms of calyx senescence are only superficial, it can affect the appearance and consumer acceptability of citrus fruit. In this study, continuous ethylene exposure at different storage temperatures was investigated to assess their effect on calyx senescence and internal qualities in 'Afourer' mandarin and Navel orange fruit during storage.

Continuous exposure to ethylene in the storage environment adversely affects 'Afourer' mandarin fruit quality.

'Afourer' mandarins were stored in air containing ethylene at 0.001, 0.01, 0.

Changes in the Sodium Content of Australian Processed Foods between 1980 and 2013 Using Analytical Data.

The objective of this study was to obtain analytical data on the sodium content of a range of processed foods and compare the levels obtained with their label claims and with published data of the same or equivalent processed foods in the 1980s and 1990s to investigate the extent of any change in sodium content in relation to reformulation targets. The sodium contents of 130 Australian processed foods were obtained by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) analysis and compared with previously published data. The sodium content between 1980 and 2013 across all products and by each product category were compared.

Reduction of energy usage in postharvest horticulture through management of ethylene.

Cool chain management is the preferred technology to extend the postharvest life of horticultural produce, but with rising energy costs and community pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, there is a need to use less energy-intensive technologies. Minimising the level of ethylene around horticultural produce inhibits ripening and senescence and therefore has the potential to reduce the use of refrigeration. The long-distance transport of bananas within Australia and from Central America to Europe is used as a case study to show that the need for refrigeration could be reduced if the appropriate concentrations of ethylene were maintained around fruit during transit.

Effect of halide salts on development of surface browning on fresh-cut 'Granny Smith' (Malus × domestica Borkh) apple slices during storage at low temperature.

Background: The postharvest life of fresh-cut apple slices is limited by browning on cut surfaces. Dipping in halide salt solutions was examined for their inhibition of surface browning on 'Granny Smith' apple slices and the effects on biochemical factors associated with browning.

Results: Delay in browning by salts was greatest with chloride = phosphate > sulfate > nitrate with no difference between sodium, potassium and calcium ions.

Macadamia nut consumption modulates favourably risk factors for coronary artery disease in hypercholesterolemic subjects.

Macadamia nuts are rich source of monounsaturated fats (oleic and palmitoleic acids) and contain polyphenol compounds, therefore, their consumption can be expected to impart health benefits to humans. This study was conducted to examine the effects of consuming macadamia nuts in hypercholesterolemic male individuals on plasma biomarkers of oxidative stress, coagulation and inflammation. Seventeen hypercholesterolemic male subjects were given macadamia nuts (40-90 g/day), equivalent to 15% energy intake, for a period of 4 weeks.

Carotenoid content and flesh color of selected banana cultivars growing in Australia.

Background: The problems of vitamin A deficiency and chronic diseases have emerged in recent years in some countries in the Micronesian region. These problems are associated with the dietary shift towards imported processed foods and lifestyle changes. Research in the Federated States of Micronesia indicates that yellow- and orange-fleshed banana cultivars contain significant levels of provitamin A carotenoids.

Transcriptional regulation of a pineapple polyphenol oxidase gene and its relationship to blackheart.

Two genes encoding polyphenol oxidase (PPO) were isolated from pineapple (Ananas comosus[L.] Merr. cv.

Macadamia nut consumption lowers plasma total and LDL cholesterol levels in hypercholesterolemic men.

This study was conducted to assess the cholesterol-lowering potential of macadamia nuts. Seventeen hypercholesterolemic men (mean age 54 y) were given macadamia nuts (40-90 g/d), equivalent to 15% energy intake, for 4 wk. Plasma total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and homocysteine concentrations and the fatty acid composition of plasma lipids were determined before and after treatment.

Effect of drying temperature on alkylamide and cichoric acid concentrations of Echinacea purpurea.

Root and aerial sections (flower, stem, and leaf) of Echinacea purpurea were dried with hot air at temperatures in the range of 40-70 degrees C, and the concentrations of alkylamides and cichoric acid were determined after drying. Increasing drying temperature decreased from 48 h at 40 degrees C to 9 h at 70 degrees C but resulted in a decreased concentration of cichoric acid in all plant sections with a greater loss from aerial plant parts than from the root. There was, however, no significant difference in the concentration of the alkylamides at any drying temperature.

In vitro efficacy of plant volatiles for inhibiting the growth of fruit and vegetable decay microorganisms.

The effects of acetaldehyde, benzaldehyde, cinnamaldehyde, ethanol, benzyl alcohol, nerolidol, 2-nonanone, beta-ionone, and ethyl formate vapors on the growth of Rhizopus stolonifer, Penicillium digitatum, Colletotrichum musae, Erwinia carotovora, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa on agar medium were evaluated. The aldehydes were found to be the strongest growth inhibitors and the most lethal to the fungal spores and mycelia and bacterial cells. The average minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of aldehydes that were germicidal to decay microorganisms were 0.