Raman spectroscopy as a tool for characterisation of quality parameters in Norwegian grown apples during ripening.

This study shows for the first time the feasibility of Raman spectroscopy as a non-destructive method to follow the ripening process of apple fruits. Two different varieties of apples were studied: 'Aroma' and 'Elstar'. By visual inspection, Raman spectra showed that the starch content was higher in 'Elstar' apples compared to 'Aroma'.

Inter seasonal validation of non-contact NIR spectroscopy for measurement of total soluble solids in high tunnel strawberries.

Autonomous field robots are being developed for picking of fruit, where each fruit needs to be individually graded and handled. There is therefore a need for rapid and non-destructive sensing to measure critical fruit quality parameters. In this article we report how total soluble solids (TSS), a measure for total sugar content, can be measured in strawberries in the field by non-contact near-infrared (NIR) interaction spectroscopy.

Physiochemical and antioxidant properties of roselle-mango juice blends; effects of packaging material, storage temperature and time.

A study was conducted to determine the effects of packaging materials, seasonality, storage temperature and time on physiochemical and antioxidant properties of roselle-mango juice blends. Roselle extract (20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%) was mixed with mango juice and stored in glass and plastic bottles at 4°C and 28°C. Total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, reducing sugar, color, vitamin C, total monomeric anthocyanins, total phenols, and antioxidant activity (FRAP) were evaluated in freshly prepared juice, and after, 2, 4, and 6 months of storage.

Influence of storage temperature and time on the physicochemical and bioactive properties of roselle-fruit juice blends in plastic bottle.

Roselle-fruit juice blends were made from roselle extract and mango, papaya, and guava juices at the ratio of 80:20, 60:40, 40:60, and 20:80, % roselle: fruit juice, respectively. The blends were pasteurized at 82.5°C for 20 min and stored in 100 mL plastic bottles at 28 and 4°C for 6 months.

Quality and chemical composition of ten red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) genotypes during three harvest seasons.

Colour and chemical composition of fruits of 10 red raspberry genotypes grown in Nordic climate during three harvest seasons were studied. The main phenolic compounds in the fruits were ellagitannins and anthocyanins, contributing 57% and 42% to the quantified phenolic compounds, respectively. Cyanidin-3-sophoroside was the most abundant anthocyanin (61%).

Effects of ripeness and cultivar on chemical composition of strawberry (Fragaria×ananassa Duch.) fruits and their suitability for jam production as a stable product at different storage temperatures.

Effects of ripeness (nearly ripe, ripe, fully ripe) and cultivar ('Blink', 'Polka' and 'Senga Sengana') on colour and chemical composition of strawberry fruits and their suitability for jam production, evaluated as stability during storage at 4 and 20°C for 3 and 6months, were investigated. Quality traits of fruits and jams were significantly affected by both ripeness stage and cultivar. However, after 6months of storage, particularly at 20°C, the effects of fruit ripeness and cultivar were considerably reduced.

Compliance, tolerability and safety of two antioxidant-rich diets: a randomised controlled trial in male smokers.

It has been suggested that antioxidants attenuate oxidative stress and prevent oxidative stress-related diseases. Paradoxically, randomised controlled trials (RCT) using pharmacological doses of antioxidant supplements have demonstrated harmful effects in smokers. The aim of the present study was to test the compliance, tolerability and safety of two food-based antioxidant-rich diets in smokers.

Influence of postflowering temperature on fruit size and chemical composition of Glen Ample raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.).

The effects of postflowering temperature on the fruit chemical composition of Glen Ample raspberries were studied under controlled environment conditions. The berry weight decreased significantly with increasing temperature (12, 18, and 24 °C) and with progress of the harvest period. Because the moisture content increased in parallel with the berry weight, the antioxidant capacity (AOC) and the concentration of a range of bioactive compounds decreased with decreasing temperature and progress of the harvest season when expressed on a fresh weight basis in the conventional way.

A systematic screening of total antioxidants in dietary plants.

A predominantly plant-based diet reduces the risk for development of several chronic diseases. It is often assumed that antioxidants contribute to this protection, but results from intervention trials with single antioxidants administered as supplements quite consistently do not support any benefit. Because dietary plants contain several hundred different antioxidants, it would be useful to know the total concentration of electron-donating antioxidants (i.