Search Results (486)

Background: Food-based delivery systems are essential for the practical application of probiotics. A key challenge in translating this technology is determining whether the bacteria remain viable and biologically active after being incorporated into a real food matrix and undergoing prolonged processing. This study evaluated whether Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Lp1 retains its immunomodulatory activity when incorporated into a ripened, semi-hard cheese matrix. Methods: Female BALB/c mice were assigned to three groups: Ovalbumin-induced pneumonia (OVA); OVA plus control cheese; and OVA plus Lp1 cheese. The cheese was ripened at a low temperature for 120 days and administered at a dose of 2 g per day for four weeks. Allergic airway inflammation was induced by OVA sensitization and intranasal challenge. The following were evaluated: viable Lp1 counts after ripening, cytokine gene expression in bronchoalveolar lavage cells and spleen, total IgE levels, and lung histopathology. Results: The number of viable Lp1 decreased during ripening but remained detectable in the final cheese product at 8.7 × 10⁶ CFU/g, which corresponds to an estimated daily intake of 1.7 × 10⁷ CFU/mouse. Bronchoalveolar lavage cells from the OVA plus Lp1 cheese group showed lower expression of selected inflammatory cytokine genes, including Il1b, Il13, and Tnf, as well as higher Il10 expression, compared to the OVA plus control cheese group. Lung histopathology suggested attenuation of OVA-induced airway inflammation. Serum total IgE levels did not differ significantly among groups. Conclusions: In this mouse model, cheese containing Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Lp1 retained the potential to modulate selected inflammation-related markers after 120 days of ripening. Although total serum IgE levels were unchanged, the findings should be interpreted together with other inflammatory outcomes. These results suggest that aged cheese may preserve the biological activity of functional lactic acid bacteria, although further studies are required to establish the translational relevance of these findings. Full article

We evaluated moderate cluster-zone warming in field-grown Monastrell grafted onto 110R and 140Ru over two seasons (2020–2021) in a semi-arid vineyard in south-eastern Spain. From pea-size to harvest, an open warming system increased cluster-zone air temperature by 1.15 °C on average. Warming increased cluster-zone mean and maximum temperatures, but berry temperature responses depended on year and rootstock because berry–air temperature differences and also time above thresholds changed. Berry weight increased in harvest in both years, and technological ripening advanced, with higher total soluble solids and maturity index, especially during ripening. Acid composition responded differently between rootstocks: under warming, 140Ru maintained higher malic acid and lower tartaric acid than 110R, resulting in a lower tartaric/malic ratio. Phenolic and colour responses were clearest at mid-ripening. Warming reduced must total phenolic index (TPI), skin-related phenolics, anthocyanins, and must colour more strongly in 140Ru, while 110R retained a more stable phenolic and colour profile. Exposure–response analyses showed that time in the 25–35 °C range and berry thermal time were more closely related to technological and phenolic variation than time above 35 °C. These results suggest that, under the warming conditions imposed in this study, 110R offered a better compromise than 140Ru between ripening advancement and the preservation of phenolic and colour-related traits. Full article

To investigate the microstructural evolution and mechanical property changes in an as-extruded AE45-Gd magnesium alloy subjected to different aging treatments, an alloy containing multi-scale second phases was prepared by extrusion and subsequently subjected to artificial aging and aging under pressure. The microstructural evolution, age-hardening behavior, and mechanical properties of the alloy under different aging treatments were investigated. It was found that conventional isothermal aging can improve the mechanical properties to a certain extent. As the aging temperature increases, the peak-aged hardness decreases slightly, while the time to reach peak aging is progressively shortened. Aging under pressure also significantly shortens the time to peak aging, though the peak-aged hardness changes little. The multi-scale second phases in the alloy, consisting of coarse blocky Al₂RE (La, Ce, Gd) and fine granular Al₁₁RE₃ (La, Ce, Gd), exhibit typical Ostwald ripening during aging, and aging under pressure accelerates this process. The optimum aging parameters are determined to be 200 °C for 16 h. After this treatment, the alloy achieves a yield strength of 183.95 MPa, a tensile strength of 322.50MPa, and an elongation of 4.32%. Microcracks predominantly initiate at the large Al₂RE (La, Ce, Gd) compounds. The small granular Al₁₁RE₃ (La, Ce, Gd) particles show little evidence of self-cracking, and cracking mainly occurs at the phase boundaries between these particles and the magnesium matrix. Full article

Climate change poses an increasing threat to viticulture sustainability, particularly in traditional wine regions, where varietal regulations restrict the adoption of new cultivars. Elevated temperature and water deficit may alter anthocyanin accumulation and the broader phenolic profile of ripening berries, directly affecting wine colour, structure, and quality. In this context, exploring intra-varietal diversity may help to identify clones with a favourable phenolic profile that could contribute to adaptation strategies within existing varietal regulations. We report the first comprehensive monomeric phenolic profiling, by UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS, of grape berries from eleven Vitis vinifera L. ‘Tempranillo Tinto’ clones (two seasons) and seven ‘Graciano’ clones (three seasons), from old vineyards in La Rioja (Spain). Six phenolic classes were quantified: hydroxycinnamic acids, hydroxybenzoic acids, flavonols, flavanols, stilbenes, and anthocyanins. Multivariate analysis of variance, linear mixed-effects models, principal component analysis, and hierarchical cluster analysis were used to characterize clonal diversity. Significant clone effects were detected for all six phenolic classes in ‘Graciano’ and four in ‘Tempranillo Tinto’. In ‘Graciano’, clone GR_1250 was distinguished by elevated flavonol and anthocyanin levels, whereas GR_1265 showed the highest flavanol and hydroxybenzoic acid content. In ‘Tempranillo Tinto’, clone TT_1041 stood out for its higher flavanol and hydroxybenzoic acid concentrations, whereas TT_767 had elevated anthocyanin levels. Two to four distinct phenotypic clusters were identified within each variety. These results confirm substantial intra-varietal phenolic diversity in both cultivars and identify clonal selections with differential phenolic profiles that may be useful for quality-oriented clonal selection, particularly when integrated with agronomic, phenological, sanitary and wine-level information. Full article

Background: Foliar fertilization is a crucial practice in modern viticulture to enhance grape yield and fruit quality. Micronized calcite is a fine-particle mineral fertilizer that potentially improves vine performance; however, its treatment timing and optimal dosage require further scientific validation under field conditions. Methods: This study investigated the effects of the use of micronized calcite as a foliar biostimulant on the Red Globe grape variety. Control and three treatments were compared: a control (no treatment), a single treatment (pre-bloom, 0.5%), two treatments (pre- and post-bloom, 0.5% + 0.5%), and three treatments (pre-bloom, post-bloom, and véraison, 0.5% + 0.5% + 0.5%). The evaluation encompassed phenological stages, total effective temperature, yield components, cluster and berry characteristics, and must composition. This was a single-season trial (2022) conducted at a single location with three replicates per treatment (n = 3); multi-year, multi-location validation is therefore required before the findings can be generalized. Results: All micronized calcite treatments slightly shortened the vegetation period compared to the control. Under the conditions of this single-season trial, the single pre-bloom treatment was associated with the highest yield parameters, with the average number of clusters per vine, cluster weight, and total grape yield per vine being higher than the control by 48.67%, 51.16%, and 121%, respectively. For must composition, only must yield differed significantly (between the 1st and 3rd treatments; p < 0.05); soluble solids content (+5.64%) and ripening index (+16.99%) were numerically higher but not statistically significant (p ≥ 0.05) and are therefore reported as trends rather than improvements. By contrast, the two-treatment (pre- and post-bloom) showed the highest values for physical berry traits, with cluster width and 100-berry weight exceeding the control by 35.03% and 11.11%, respectively. Conclusion: Under the semi-arid conditions of this single-season trial, foliar treatments of micronized calcite, particularly a single pre-bloom application, were associated with notable improvements in yield and must quality of Red Globe grapevines. These preliminary findings suggest that finely milled calcite may serve as a promising supplementary foliar fertilizer in viticulture; however, the results are context-specific, and multi-year, multi-location trials are required before broader recommendations can be made. Full article

‘Jinyan’ is an interspecific hybrid kiwifruit (Actinidia eriantha × A. chinensis). It is a large, yellow-fleshed fruit with good taste and long storage potential. It is commonly referenced that storage potential is linked to the harvest maturity of the fruit and the subsequent temperature management. Hence, the findings from research covering the maturation, storage temperatures, ripening, and quality of ‘Jinyan’ fruit from the same orchard across three seasons have been evaluated with an overall objective of defining harvest and storage criteria for ‘Jinyan’ fruit. Good postharvest performance includes fruit not becoming too soft too soon in storage and retaining firmness at shelf temperatures. It was confirmed that harvest maturity is critical to the good storage performance of ‘Jinyan’ kiwifruit. Harvest time significantly affected fruit softening during cold storage, and treatment with the ethylene action inhibitor 1-methylcyclopropene slightly delayed fruit softening. Harvesting much before 180 days after full bloom, or at <9% soluble solids content (SSC), resulted in high incidences of chilling injury (41.8–52.0% after 24 weeks of cold storage at 1 °C + 7 d at 20 °C). These chill-damaged, early-harvested fruits also had a high incidence of rot. Leaving the fruit on the vine much after this threshold reduced chilling injury, but increased the risk of rot on otherwise sound fruit (total rot incidence ranging from 25.9% to 89.0% depending on maturity at harvest). As well as chilling risk, early-harvested fruit may reduce the consumer’s liking of the fruit because of a reduced ripe fruit SSC (rSSC). Consumer liking may also be reduced for long-stored fruit in years of low fruit dry matter content. The impact of low rSSC on consumer liking and the presence of any threshold values requires confirmation. These findings define a clear indication of when fruit should be harvested for long storage, whilst minimizing the risk of disorders. Full article

Fruit color is a key quality indicator for apples and directly influences their market value. The process of fruit ripening encompasses various physiological and biochemical changes, such as the breakdown of chlorophyll and the buildup of anthocyanins and carotenoids. This study investigated the mechanism of chlorophyll degradation in apple peels using ‘Granny Smith’ varieties. The experiments involving the treatment with methyl jasmonate (MeJA) indicated that a concentration of 10 µM MeJA led to a reduction in chlorophyll degradation, while a higher concentration of 1500 µM MeJA enhanced this degradation, which aligned with the variations observed in the expression of genes associated with chlorophyll degradation. The key chlorophyll degradation gene MdSGR1 was cloned and found to be induced by methyl jasmonate. MdSGR1 encodes a 283-amino-acid protein belonging to the stay-green superfamily. The promoter possesses inducible cis-acting elements that respond to methyl jasmonate, low temperature and light, while the protein is localized to chloroplasts. Overexpression and silencing vectors were constructed. Overexpression of MdSGR1 induced chlorosis in tobacco leaves and ‘Granny Smith’ apple peels, decreased chlorophyll content, and upregulated related gene expression. Conversely, silencing MdSGR1 produced opposite effects. Arabidopsis thaliana plants overexpressing MdSGR1 exhibited low chlorophyll content, reduced photosynthetic rate, upregulated expression of genes associated with chlorophyll degradation. The results of yeast one-hybrid and dual-luciferase reporter assays indicated that the MdMYC2 transcription factor interacts with the promoter region of MdSGR1. In conclusion, MdSGR1 is crucial for the degradation of chlorophyll in apple peel, and it is regulated both by the MdMYC2 transcription factor and different concentrations of MeJA. This study preliminarily elucidated the regulatory mechanism of methyl jasmonate on chlorophyll degradation in fruit peel, and these findings provide an important theoretical basis for controlling degreening and color quality in apple fruit. Full article

Chilling injury is a major problem limiting the postharvest storage and marketability of mango fruit at low temperature. The present study investigated the individual and combined effects of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), L-arginine (Arg) and salicylic acid (SA) on chilling tolerance, regulation of oxidative stress and the postharvest quality of ‘Keitt’ mango fruit stored at 5 ± 1 °C for 28 days followed by 4 days of shelf life at 23 °C. Fruits were pre-treated with 1 mM SNP, 1 mM Arg, 2 mM SA or their binary combinations before storage. The chilling injury, membrane damage, lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and fruit softening were greatly enhanced by cold storage in untreated fruits. In contrast, all the treatments significantly ameliorated these deteriorative changes, and the combined treatments were superiorly effective. Among these, SNP + Arg was the most effective treatment, which reduced the chilling injury index from 4.05 in control fruits to 1.00 after shelf life, completely inhibiting the incidence of decay and reducing electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde accumulation by 47.4 and 48.2%, respectively. The same treatment also maintained higher firmness, titratable acidity, visual appearance and ascorbic acid content than untreated fruits. The enhanced chilling tolerance was accompanied by increased antioxidant defense, as SNP + Arg significantly stimulated the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase, but suppressed the activity of pectin methylesterase. Multivariate analyses, such as PCA, clustered heatmap and integrated stress index, demonstrated a strong negative relationship between oxidative stress markers and antioxidant metabolism. The results showed that combined SNP and Arg treatments enhanced chilling tolerance through increasing antioxidant capacity, preserving membrane integrity, and retarding ripening-related metabolism, which provides an effective way to maintain the postharvest quality of cold-stored mango fruit. Full article

Red raspberry fruit is highly perishable, and raspberry plants are sensitive to drought and low-temperature stress because of their shallow root system, which limits production and postharvest utilization in cold regions. In this study, RiACO1 was cloned from red raspberry (‘Polka’) and analyzed by bioinformatics, subcellular localization, tissue-specific expression, heterologous overexpression in Arabidopsis thaliana, and transient overexpression in white-stage raspberry fruit. The full-length RiACO1 coding sequence was 963 bp and encoded a 320-amino-acid protein that localized to the cytoplasm and nucleus. RiACO1-overexpressing Arabidopsis lines showed higher survival rates under drought and low-temperature stress, accompanied by increased proline content, chlorophyll retention, and antioxidant enzyme activities, as well as reduced Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) accumulation. In raspberry fruit, transient RiACO1 overexpression increased RiACO1 transcript levels, ACO activity, and ethylene production and was associated with accelerated softening, anthocyanin accumulation, and chlorophyll degradation. These results indicate that RiACO1 is involved in ethylene-associated fruit ripening and may contribute to abiotic-stress responses; however, its direct breeding value in raspberry requires further validation through stable raspberry transformation or targeted loss-of-function approaches. Full article

Recent foodborne outbreaks by Salmonella Typhimurium associated with the consumption of ‘Maradol’ papaya have prompted an assessment of the pathogen’s behavior with regard to the fruit. The objective of this research was to assess the survival and possible internalization of S. Typhimurium in inoculated ‘Maradol’ papaya harvested at two maturity stages and stored for various days at 11 °C and 24 °C. The physicochemical analysis on fruit included firmness (N), total soluble solids (%), and pH. The location of S. Typhimurium in fruit exocarp and mesocarp tissues was observed using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Results indicated that the high temperature (24 °C) was the most important factor for the survival of S. Typhimurium. At this same temperature, it was the variable firmness that was the most affected, regardless of storage days, whether inoculated or not. The principal component analysis (PCA) separated the data into two components that explained 57% of the variance. PC1 linked higher S. Typhimurium populations with declining firmness, TSS, and exocarp pH were found in fruit stored at 24 °C, whereas PC2 was associated with moderate physicochemical changes at 11 °C. The CLSM observations confirmed superficial colonization of the bacteria on papaya fruit rather than an internalization but only at 24 °C, regardless of ripening stage throughout the 7 days sampling period. Maintaining the cold chain is essential to mitigate the risk of salmonellosis in papaya. Full article

Polygalacturonase (PG) is a key enzyme in cell wall metabolism and fruit ripening. Atemoya (Annona cherimola Mill. × A. squamosa L.) is a high-value tropical fruit that undergoes rapid postharvest softening at room temperature. However, the role of the atemoya PG gene family in this process remains unknown. This study determined that storing atemoya at 28 °C significantly reduced fruit firmness and the total pectin content but increased water-soluble pectin (WSP) and PG activity compared to storage at 15 °C. Genome-wide identification of the AaPG gene family in atemoya revealed that 40 AaPG genes were unevenly distributed across seven chromosomes. Nineteen genes were located within six tandem duplication clusters. AaPG proteins exhibited clade-specific differences: Clades B-E contained the polysaccharide lyase family 6 (PL-6) superfamily domain, while Clade A harbored the Aspergillus niger polygalacturonase 1 (Pgu1) domain and lacked several conserved motifs. Expression profiling and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) showed that AaPG19, AaPG21, AaPG23 and AaPG24 were specifically induced at 28 °C. Subcellular localization confirmed that these four proteins were located on the plasma membrane. These findings provide insights into the evolution and temperature-dependent regulation of the AaPG family, identifying candidate genes responsible for the rapid softening of atemoya fruit. Full article

This study investigates the growth and evolution of SiO₂-based inclusions in Si-killed steel under stagnant conditions and varying oxygen levels. Deoxidation experiments were conducted in a high-temperature furnace using commercial FeSi, with systematic variations in holding time and total oxygen content. Automated SEM–EDS analysis was employed to quantify inclusion size, number density, and chemical composition. Under stagnant conditions, SiO₂ inclusions were observed to grow and coarsen in the absence of melt agitation, following a t^1/3 scaling law. In high-oxygen melts, rapid inclusion growth was dominated by Stokes collision mechanisms, resulting in the formation of inclusions in the size range of 1–5 μm, which were subsequently removed by flotation. In contrast, low-oxygen melts exhibited slower growth kinetics governed primarily by Brownian motion and Ostwald ripening, producing smaller inclusions with characteristic sizes of 1–2 μm. These results demonstrate that the initial oxygen content plays a decisive role in controlling the dominant growth mechanisms and the extent of inclusion coarsening in non-agitated steel. Full article

Fruit coloration is a key determinant of tomato quality, yet how light and temperature interact to regulate pigmentation during ripening remains unclear. Using a semi-in-fruit experimental system, we demonstrate that while high light accelerates chlorophyll degradation and lycopene accumulation at 25 °C, supra-optimal temperature (40 °C) completely abolishes lycopene biosynthesis irrespective of light conditions, primarily through transcriptional suppression of SlPSY1 and SlGGPS2. Elevated postharvest temperatures (≥30 °C) not only change the carotenoid composition but also reduce the antioxidant capacity and vitamin C content in fruit. Temperature-switch experiments revealed a critical developmental window, days 2–4 after ethylene treatment, during which temperature exerts dominant control over carotenoid metabolism. Exposure to high temperature within this window irreversibly shifts pigment accumulation from lycopene to yellow/orange carotenoids. These findings identify a temporally precise regulatory nexus integrating environmental signals with the ripening program, offering a framework for targeted temperature management to optimize tomato color and nutritional quality. Full article

Seriguela (Spondias purpurea L.) is a tropical climacteric fruit characterized by high metabolic activity and rapid postharvest deterioration, which limits its shelf life and commercial distribution. Non-thermal technologies such as ultraviolet-C (UV-C) irradiation have been explored to delay ripening and improve the quality of fresh produce; however, information on the response of S. purpurea to UV-C treatment remains limited. This study evaluated the effects of different UV-C doses (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 kJ·m⁻²) on the postharvest quality and antioxidant properties of seriguela fruits stored at ambient temperature for eight days. Physical, physicochemical, and functional parameters were analyzed, including mass loss, firmness, color attributes (L*, chroma, and hue angle), soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, vitamin C, total phenolics, and antioxidant activity (DPPH and ABTS). UV-C treatment significantly affected most quality attributes during storage. Intermediate doses (1–4 kJ·m⁻²) reduced mass loss, delayed softening, and improved color stability compared with untreated fruits. In addition, UV-C irradiation promoted the accumulation of bioactive compounds, with higher vitamin C levels at 1 kJ·m⁻² and increased phenolic content and antioxidant activity at 2–4 kJ·m⁻². Multivariate analysis confirmed that intermediate UV-C doses were associated with better preservation of overall fruit quality. Full article

Climate warming in Mediterranean vineyards accelerates grape ripening and increases the incidence of sunburn and berry shriveling, leading to imbalances in grape composition and wine quality. This study evaluated the combined effects of a non-positioned training system (asymmetric sprawl) and foliar application of kaolin particle film on vine microclimate, agronomic performance and wine aroma profile in a Syrah cv. vineyard under warm conditions. Vine canopy temperature was monitored by UAV thermography at veraison and harvest, while grape damage, yield components and vegetative balance were assessed at harvest. Wines obtained from each treatment were analysed for chemical composition, volatile compounds and sensory attributes. Kaolin application significantly reduced canopy temperature, particularly under water-limited conditions at veraison (up to 1.9 °C), and the combination with sprawl training decreased the proportion of sunburnt and shrivelled clusters. These microclimatic modifications were associated with higher ethanol content, improved colour intensity and increased total polyphenol index in wines. The combined strategy also enhanced the concentration of key aroma compounds, especially terpenes and fruity esters, resulting in higher values of citrus, floral and fruity aromatic series. Sensory evaluation confirmed a better overall appreciation of wines produced from vines managed with both practices. Overall, the integration of canopy architecture modification and reflective particle film represents an effective strategy to mitigate heat stress effects in warm viticultural regions, improving grape physiological performance and contributing to the preservation of wine aromatic quality under climate change scenarios. Full article