Search Results (166)

Fruits and vegetables are vulnerable to enhanced respiratory metabolism, water loss, enzymatic browning, and microbial invasion during postharvest storage and transportation, leading to spoilage and reduced shelf life. Traditional preservation methods, such as physical, chemical, and single-component film technologies, offer limited benefits due to their single function and instability. Composite films, however, show great promise in postharvest preservation by integrating the strengths of different substrates and active components. This review discusses the research progress of composite films in preserving fruits and vegetables, covering their definition, classification, and key performance characteristics. It also examines the functional roles of substrates like polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids, and explores the mechanisms of composite films, including gas regulation, metabolic inhibition, water retention, antimicrobial effects, antioxidant activity, and browning delay. Additionally, it compares the applications of composite films in whole and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables. Current research highlights the shift from general applications to targeted designs based on the unique deterioration mechanisms of different produce. Future studies should focus on optimizing the matching between product characteristics and film design, advancing composite films towards safer, more stable, and practical applications. Full article

Niacin contents vary significantly among fresh-cut potato cultivars with different browning sensitivities, whereas its role as a browning inhibitor for fresh-cut produce has not been previously reported. In this study, potato slices were soaked in distilled water (control) or 1% food-grade niacin solution for 5 min, then stored at 4 ± 1 °C for 8 days with sampling every 2 days for physiological and molecular analyses. In particular, the optimal niacin (1%) treatment showed higher brightness and lower color change than the control. The activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD), and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), and phenol content were reduced. Higher activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and greater glutathione accumulation, were observed following niacin treatment. Meanwhile, lower levels of malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and lower nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX) activity, indicated lower oxidant damage. The contents of NADP and NAD, and activities of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide kinase (NADK) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) were improved. Furthermore, the gene expression patterns of StRBOH, StPPO, and StG6PDH also supported the hypothesis that niacin regulates pyridine nucleotide and ROS homeostasis. Full article

Efficient propagation of Hydrangea arborescens is essential for the stable production of high-quality plantlets. However, propagation via stem cuttings is often limited by environmental conditions and inconsistent rooting. This study aimed to identify an effective in vitro culture medium by integrating quantitative growth traits with image-based quality analysis. Seven culture media (M1–M7), consisting of Murashige and Skoog (MS), McCown Woody Plant (McCown), and Gamborg B5 basal media supplemented with different plant growth regulator combinations, were evaluated based on shoot number, root number, plant height, and fresh weights, and plantlet quality was assessed using Green area, ExG (excess green index), and a composite z-score. Significant differences were observed among treatments. M5 and M7 produced the highest shoot numbers, and M7 showed the greatest fresh weight. Image-based analysis indicated that M2 and M7 exhibited the highest overall quality, whereas M3 showed the lowest performance. Basal media types did not significantly affect plantlet quality, whereas hormone treatments enhanced both shoot multiplication and callus formation. A positive association was observed between callus formation rate and shoot number (Spearman’s ρ = 0.74, p < 0.001). Overall, M7 (Gamborg B5 medium supplemented with 30 g∙L⁻¹ sucrose, 1.5 mg∙L⁻¹ BA, and 0.25 g∙L⁻¹ gelrite) provided a balanced combination of high propagation efficiency and plantlet quality, and these findings contribute to the efficient production of high-quality planting materials. Full article

Phenolic compounds contribute to the color, flavor, and functionality of foods but are often degraded during conventional heat treatments, prompting interest in non-thermal techniques. Thermal methods produce heat-driven changes that are more directly interpretable, whereas non-thermal methods require compound-resolved interpretation because higher post-treatment signals may reflect release from bound pools rather than true preservation. This review evaluates liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) evidence on how ultrasound, high-pressure processing, pulsed electric fields, and cold plasma reshape polyphenol fingerprints across food matrices (2021–early 2026). Ultrasound and high-pressure processing preserve constitutive structures while increasing measurable phenolics through cell disruption and bound-pool release. Pulsed electric fields show similar release behavior but may shift toward oxidative losses when electroporation increases enzyme contact or downstream operations amplify degradation. Cold plasma introduces reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, with the clearest LC–MS/MS evidence for oxidation and nitration. In fresh-cut tissues, stress responses elevate phenylpropanoid products. Bulk assays such as total phenolic content (TPC) cannot separate preservation from release or true chemical conversion alone. LC–MS offers the compound-level detail needed to understand how each non-thermal technique changes polyphenol structure and functionality across food matrices. Full article

To develop safe and effective preservatives for fresh-cut produce, this study elucidates the multi-pathway mechanisms through which Melatonin (MT) regulates postharvest senescence in fresh-cut potatoes. Treatment with 0.1 mmol/L exogenous MT effectively inhibited browning and softening during storage. In terms of browning control, MT suppressed PPO and POD activities by 46% and ~10% at the end of storage (day 12), while enhancing enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity by 1.1- to 1.6-fold on average throughout storage. This alleviated oxidative damage and membrane lipid peroxidation, thereby reducing tissue browning. Regarding texture maintenance, MT downregulated PME and cellulase activities by 23% and 19% at the end of storage, activated phenylpropanoid metabolism, and inhibited starch degradation (maintaining 19% higher starch content), thus preserving cell wall structure and firmness (9.2% higher at the end of storage). Further analysis revealed that MT antagonized ethylene biosynthesis, upregulated StMYB168 expression (5.8-fold higher than control on average), and activated endogenous MT biosynthesis, establishing a self-sustaining positive regulatory cycle. Correlation analysis confirmed close relationships among physiological processes, signaling responses, and quality traits, with significant associations between firmness and starch content (r = 0.72), color indices and PPO/POD (|r| > 0.65), and MT biosynthesis genes and metabolic pathways (r = 0.65–0.75) (p < 0.01). Full article

Lisianthus [Eustoma grandiflorum (Raf.) Shinners] is among the 10 most produced and marketed cut flowers in the world. However, its slow growth represents a challenge for its production. This study evaluated the efficiency of rhizobacterial strains in vegetative growth and nutrient acquisition in lisianthus plants. Freshly germinated seeds of lisianthus cv. Mariachi Blue Double were used. Seven rhizobacterial strains and two controls (sterile distilled water and nutrient broth) were evaluated in a completely randomized design. Replication varied among treatments and variables: shoot growth traits were assessed on 10–12 plants per treatment, root biomass on a destructive subsample of six plants per treatment and shoot nutrient contents on four composite samples per treatment. Measurements taken 149 days after sowing showed that plants inoculated with the strains Acinetobacter vivianii C48, Achromobacter xylosoxidans C56, and Arthrobacter pokkalii JLB4 had greater height, leaf area, leaf number, and fresh and dry biomass, both aerial and in the root. These strains also enhanced N and P uptake in shoot tissues. In contrast, the Bacillus pumilus strain R44 significantly decreased height and leaf number. The results suggest that strains C48, C56 and JLB4 can stimulate nutrition, accelerate plant growth, and shorten the vegetative phase in lisianthus. Full article

Fresh vegetables, especially green onions and chives, are raw ingredients widely consumed by Koreans, and have been linked to Listeria monocytogenes-induced food poisoning. This study aimed to assess microbial contamination levels in commercially available fresh-cut vegetables and produce, compare the effects of different types and concentrations of disinfectants on green onions and chives, and determine the growth rate of L. monocytogenes on chives under different storage conditions. Among the five fresh-cut vegetable mix salad products, the average total mesophilic count (TMC) was 2.00 log CFU/g, whereas the crown daisies exhibited the highest levels of raw produce contamination (TMC of 4.14 log CFU/g). The disinfection experiments indicated the elevated disinfectant capacities of electrolyzed water as well as washing under running water against Escherichia coli and L. monocytogenes. Enhanced anti-TMC ability of electrolyzed water were observed in acidic 30 ppm (pH 3.2) and 60 ppm (pH 5.6) of HOCl, and alkaline 100 ppm (pH 8.1) and 200 ppm (pH 8.8) of NaClO. Moreover, in the L. monocytogenes inoculation experiment in chive, the growth rates at 5 °C, 12 °C, and 30 °C were −0.002, 0.023, and 0.030 log CFU/g/h, respectively. This observation suggests that L. monocytogenes cannot grow on chives if stored at 5 °C but can at 12 °C. This study provides scientific evidence to guide the management of microbial quality of fresh produce and fresh-cut vegetables for safer meal provision in home and eating-out settings. Full article

The valorization of agro-industrial residues through fermentation processes represents a sustainable approach to producing high-value bioproducts, such as microbial organic acids and fermentation-derived anti-browning agents, including kojic acid and kojic acid-rich fermented extracts. In this study, melon waste (non-commercial-quality or damaged fruit) was evaluated as an alternative carbon source (whole fruit) for kojic acid (KA) production by Aspergillus oryzae (ATCC 10124) under submerged fermentation. The effects of process variables such as pH, temperature, and nitrogen and carbon availability on KA synthesis were analyzed, and biomass growth and product formation were described using logistic and Luedeking–Piret kinetic models. Under optimal conditions (pH 5.5, 36 °C, 2.5 g/L melon dry matter, 2.5 g/L yeast extract, 100 rpm), KA production reached 1.64 g/L at a final time of 120 h. Kinetic analysis showed moderate fungal growth (μ_max = 0.058 h⁻¹; X_max = 0.81 g/L), with KA formation following a mixed growth-associated pattern as described by the Luedeking–Piret model (α = 1.26 g KA/g X; β = 0.024 h⁻¹), indicating sustained production during the stationary phase. The KA-rich fermented extract was subsequently applied as an anti-browning treatment on spineless prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) cladodes. Short immersion times (0.5–1.0 min) in a 2 g/L KA solution significantly preserved luminosity (L*) and limited total color change (ΔE ≤ 5) during 4 days of storage at 28 °C, compared with water-treated controls, which exhibited accelerated darkening (ΔE ≈ 9–15). Prolonged immersion times induced tissue damage and color deterioration, indicating an optimal exposure window. These results demonstrate the feasibility of valorizing melon waste to obtain a KA-rich extract and support its potential application as a natural anti-browning agent in fresh-cut vegetables within a circular agrifood framework. Full article

Background: Traditional high-speed mechanical osteotomes cause substantial thermal and mechanical trauma, impairing bone healing. Erbium-doped yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) lasers, with water-mediated non-contact ablation, offer precise osteotomy potential with minimal collateral damage. This study demonstrated the feasibility of Er:YAG laser use for complex osteotomies and elucidated its multi-scale biological impacts on bone. Methods: A custom Er:YAG laser performed Z/arc-shaped osteotomies on fresh ovine bone (oscillating saw as control); paired rat tibial osteotomies; and compared laser vs. saw resection. Osteotomy surfaces were characterized by SEM/micro-CT; histological staining quantified thermal/mechanical damage. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) adhesion, viability, and infiltration on cut surfaces were evaluated via LSCM. Result: In the ex vivo ovine model, the Er:YAG laser enabled precise execution of complex osteotomies (Z-shaped and arc-shaped), producing significantly narrower gaps than the oscillating saw (1.14 mm vs. 2.70 mm, p < 0.001) with high geometric fidelity and smooth surfaces free of burrs, micro-cracks, or debris. In the in vivo rat model, laser ablation simultaneously minimized both thermal and mechanical damage at the osteotomy interface: it reduced the thermal damage depth (154 vs. 592 µm, p < 0.001) and empty lacunae rate (16.8% vs. 41.8%, p < 0.001) while completely avoiding the mechanical damage zone (297 µm) induced by sawing. Furthermore, the laser-ablated surface established a highly bioactive interface, which significantly enhanced the adhesion (606 vs. 389 cells), viability (86.9% vs. 46.6%), and infiltration depth (196 vs. 75 µm) of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (all p < 0.001). Conclusions: In conclusion, this proof-of-concept study demonstrates that the Er:YAG laser has the potential to enable precise bone resection while preserving microstructure. By establishing a pro-regenerative microenvironment, this technology shows promise as a biologically favorable alternative to conventional sawing, although further technical refinement and long-term validation are essential for its clinical translation. Full article

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen of significant concern. While it typically causes mild, self-limiting gastroenteritis, it poses a much higher threat to immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women, where it may lead to miscarriage. Numerous outbreaks have been linked to ready-to-eat foods. Although heat treatment is commonly used for microbial decontamination, it is unsuitable for fresh produce such as fruits and vegetables. Other physical (e.g., UV, gamma irradiation) and chemical (e.g., NaOCl, ozone) methods can compromise sensory qualities or face limited consumer acceptance. Photodynamic Inactivation (PDI) has emerged as a promising alternative, particularly when using natural photosensitizers. Because PDI efficacy depends on photosensitizer diffusion, there is a need to further explore how different and complex fruit surface structures may influence its performance. Three fruit models were therefore selected to represent distinct surface textures and were evaluated in situ: apples (smooth), strawberries (irregular), and kiwis (fuzzy and hairy surface). The influence of contamination order was also evaluated, as this factor is highly relevant to real-world supply-chain scenarios but has been largely overlooked in prior research. Additionally, the study investigated how the order of contamination affected the decontamination outcome. Sodium-magnesium-chlorophyllin (Na-Mg-Chl), an approved food additive (E140), was used as photosensitizer. Fruits were cut into 1 cm² squares and inoculated with L. monocytogenes. A 100 µM Na-Mg-Chl solution was applied either before or after bacterial inoculation. All samples were then illuminated using a 395 nm LED (radiant exposure 15 J/cm²). When L. monocytogenes was applied first, followed by the addition of Na-Mg-Chl, a 5.96 log reduction was observed in apples, a 5.71 log reduction in strawberries, and a 6.02 log reduction in kiwis. Conversely, when Na-Mg-Chl was applied prior to bacterial deposition, apples showed a 5.61 log reduction, strawberries demonstrated a 6.34 log reduction, and kiwis achieved the highest inactivation, at 6.74 log units. These results indicate that PDI consistently achieved substantial bacterial reductions across all fruit types, regardless of surface characteristics or application order. This supports PDI as a powerful method for fruit surface decontamination, reducing public health risks and economic losses while preserving product quality and consumer confidence. Full article

Functionalized edible coatings represent a promising strategy to mitigate postharvest losses in fresh and fresh-cut fruits. This study developed a novel, ternary active coating by integrating pectin with a cationic antimicrobial polypeptide (ε-polylysine) and a hydrophobic plant flavonoid (luteolin). The resulting composite film demonstrated transformative improvements in hydrophobicity, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities as compared with conventional pectin-based films. Specially, the ternary composite film exhibited enhanced barrier performance, reducing water vapor, oxygen and carbon dioxide permeability by 49.1%, 68.6%, and 26.5%, respectively. When applied to fresh-cut apples, the coating effectively suppressed the browning and microbial proliferation while maintaining the hardness, total phenols and flavonoids, total soluble solids, and titratable acids over a 12-day refrigerated storage period. Comprehensive characterization via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and molecular docking simulations revealed that these superior functionalities originate from synergistic electrostatic interactions and hydrogen-bonding networks within the ternary matrix. This work provides a practical strategy for designing high-performance, plant-based coatings to reduce food waste and improve the quality of fresh-cut produce. Full article

This work investigated the effect of high CO₂/low O₂ conditions in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) packaging on the quality of fresh-cut broccoli raab, focusing on volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Fresh broccoli raab was stored for 16 days at 5 °C in microperforated (MP) and in non-microperforated (NMP) PET packaging. During storage, the NMP atmosphere reached approximately 17% CO₂ and 0% O₂, while MP packaging maintained approximately 2% CO₂ and 19% O₂. NMP samples became unacceptable by day 7 due to loss of firmness and tissue deterioration, while MP samples remained acceptable until day 10, after which yellowing and shrivelling occurred. By day 10, MP VOCs were characterised by ß-caryophyllene, Z-3-hexen-1-ol acetate, and hexen-1-ol, likely generated by enzymatic reactions associated with tissue senescence. NMP packaging showed a high presence of sulphides, isothiocyanates, and nitriles, indicative of severe tissue damage in anaerobic conditions. These alterations in VOCs led to strong, unpleasant sensory notes in NMP samples. This study demonstrated that MP PET packaging can effectively extend the marketable shelf-life of fresh-cut broccoli raab to 10 days, preserving sensory quality and reducing off-odour formation. The findings highlight the potential of microperforated PET as a sustainable solution for enhancing the shelf-life and quality of perishable produce. Full article

Sperm cryopreservation produces a series of physicochemical phenomena that negatively impact the function and structure of spermatozoa, including the mobilization of cholesterol from the plasma membrane. The use of attenuated total reflection–Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) may be useful to measure the cholesterol efflux in goat spermatozoa. Therefore, the objective of this study was to standardize the use of ATR-FTIR to measure the efflux of cholesterol in goat spermatozoa. Standardization of the technique was carried out in three stages: (i) determination of the appropriate sperm concentration to detect cholesterol in the FTIR spectrum; (ii) determination of the minimum percentage of viable spermatozoa required to observe at least five spectral bands in common with pure cholesterol; (iii) assessment of cholesterol removal in frozen–thawed spermatozoa. Possible differences in the areas of the spectral bands were compared by one-way ANOVA. Nineteen spectra were obtained: pure cholesterol, sperm transport medium, five different sperm concentrations, and ten live/dead sperm proportions (heat and cold-killed). The lowest sperm concentration at which spectral bands were clearly identified was 13 × 10⁶ sperm/mL. Regarding viability, the cut-off value was 50%: higher values produced spectral bands clearly detectable, whereas in smaller values, the band’s areas decreased sharply, making it difficult to quantify them. Five areas of the cholesterol bands decreased in thawed samples compared to fresh spermatozoa; an increase in the proportion of frozen–thawed sperm showing Merocyanine brilliant pattern, indicative of high fluidity, as well as an increase in the proportion of CTC AR pattern, indicative of acrosome reaction, support those results. In conclusion, ATR-FTIR is a useful technique for identifying the movement of cholesterol in goat buck spermatozoa. Full article

This study evaluated the genetic diversity of 33 Coffea canephora genotypes through morphophysiological and molecular analyses, aiming to identify promising genotypes for pre-breeding purposes in the southern region of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Cutting-propagated seedlings were evaluated 120 days after planting, considering height, stem and crown diameter, number of leaves, fresh and dry shoot and root weight, chlorophyll content, and root characteristics. Molecular analysis was performed on 32 genotypes; one was excluded due to absent DNA, and 18 ISSR markers were used. Morphological data were analyzed by ANOVA, Scott–Knott’s mean test, principal component analysis, and cluster analysis. The results revealed significant diversity among genotypes. The first two principal components explained 75.5% of the total variability. Genotypes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 32, and 33 stood out as those that produced the most vigorous seedlings. Molecular analysis also revealed genetic diversity among genotypes, with the formation of 16 groups, while the morphophysiological analysis revealed four groups. The Mantel test demonstrated a small but significant positive difference (r = 0.228; p = 0.018) between the genetic and morphophysiological distances of the genotypes. This diversity indicates that the genotypes evaluated are promising for use in C. canephora breeding programs. Full article

In the automated cutting process of pork carcasses, asymmetric cutting path planning is critical. However, various substances on the carcass surface, such as blood stains and fascia, severely interfere with the separation boundaries between fresh meat and bones, significantly reducing the accuracy of asymmetric cutting path planning. To address these issues, this paper proposes a method for generating and fitting optimized cutting paths for pork carcasses (PGF-Net). Specifically, this method comprises a cutting path generation module that integrates multi-scale boundary features and a cutting path fitting optimization module. The cutting path generation module extracts asymmetric boundary information by enhancing attention to boundaries across different regions, identifies key cutting points, and generates a coarse cutting path. The cutting path fitting optimization module then performs fitting optimization on the generated key cutting points to ultimately produce a refined asymmetric cutting path. Experimental results demonstrate that PGF-Net achieves mean root mean square errors of 0.4212 cm, 0.4651 cm, and 0.5313 cm across three cutting paths on six different pork carcass images. Findings confirm that this method enhances the yield of premium meat cuts while reducing tool wear costs. It provides an innovative technological solution for automated meat processing, holding significant industrial application value. Full article