Search Results (427)

This study investigated the effects of three irrigation regimes (120, 90, and 75 L plant⁻¹ day⁻¹) on the postharvest morphometric, physicochemical, colorimetric, and nutraceutical attributes of Actinidia chinensis (Planch.) ‘Gold3’ grown under Mediterranean conditions. Fruit morphometry was not influenced by irrigation level, as fresh weight, polar and equatorial diameters, and weight loss showed no significant differences among treatments. In contrast, several qualitative traits responded sensitively to water availability after cold storage. Reduced irrigation increased flesh firmness by 33–37%, enhanced total soluble solids by 4–6%, and elevated titratable acidity by 4–7%, resulting in a slightly lower TSS/TA ratio. The lowest water supply yielded DMC values approximately 8.6% higher than the fully irrigated control, while the intermediate treatment showed a 4.4% increase. Colorimetric parameters were modulated by irrigation level, with reduced water availability decreasing L*, b, Chroma, and Hue (2–9%) and increasing a* (20–35%), indicating a shift toward less bright and less yellow pulp coloration. From a nutraceutical perspective, total antioxidant capacity increased by approximately 14–17% under reduced irrigation, whereas total phenolic content remained unchanged. Principal Component Analysis revealed a dominant quality-related axis integrating compositional, structural, and colorimetric traits, while morphological variables contributed minimally to overall variance. Considering the combined effects on water saving and fruit quality, particularly the higher dry matter content and antioxidant capacity observed under the lowest irrigation level, the 75 L plant⁻¹ day⁻¹ regime can be recommended as the most effective treatment, as it maximizes qualitative improvements without compromising fruit morphology. These findings demonstrate that moderate irrigation reduction enhances several desirable postharvest attributes without compromising fruit size or commercial morphology, supporting the adoption of controlled deficit irrigation as a sustainable strategy to improve kiwifruit quality in Mediterranean environments. Full article

Optimizing orchard mulching regimes is a pivotal strategy for mitigating the detrimental effects of water scarcity and soil degradation on kiwifruit productivity in the Guanzhong Plain, China. To characterize the integrated effects of varying mulching patterns, a two-year field study was conducted in a kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) orchard, evaluating four treatments: (1) FG: intra-row fabric with inter-row grass (multiple mulch); (2) FN: intra-row fabric with inter-row bare soil; (3) NG: intra-row bare soil with inter-row grass; and (4) NN: intra-row bare soil with inter-row bare soil. Understanding the impacts of these regimes on the edaphic environment, photosynthetic performance, and sugar metabolism is essential for improving kiwifruit production under semi-arid conditions. The results demonstrated that the FG treatment significantly improved soil water storage (SWS), with an increase of 1.83–55.16 mm, and enhanced the soil nutrient content (NH₄⁺-N, NO₃⁻-N, and soil organic matter), thereby optimizing the rhizosphere environment. During the critical phenological stages, the FG treatment increased the leaf photosynthetic parameters, such as the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (Tr), and stomatal conductance (Gs), while reducing the intercellular CO₂ concentration (Ci). Specifically, grass mulching (FG and NG) elevated the chlorophyll a content during early growth and carotenoids levels throughout reproduction, whereas fabric mulching (FG and FN) enhanced the chlorophyll b content throughout the entire reproductive period. Collectively, these improvements bolstered photosynthetic efficiency and may have contributed to improved carbon allocation and sugar accumulation. All three mulching treatments (FG, FN, and NG) significantly improved the fruit yield-related parameters, including the total fruit number per plant (PFN), single fruit weight (SFW), and yield (Y), as well as the fruit sugar-related indices, such as soluble solids content (TSS), total soluble sugar content (TS), reducing sugar (TRS), and the sugar–acid ratio (SAR). The partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) revealed that these improvements were primarily driven by the synergistic optimization of SWS and photosynthetic productivity. Notably, the model identified a physiological trade-off between yield formation and sugar accumulation, while the overall fruit quality exerted a strong positive influence on sugar metabolism. The correlation analysis indicated that the higher fruit sucrose accumulation under the FG and FN treatments were associated with increased sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) and sucrose synthase (SS) activities, suggesting a potential link between mulching-induced improvements in plant physiological status and sucrose metabolism. These findings suggest that the combined use of intra-row fabric and inter-row grass mulching (FG) provides a sustainable strategy for enhancing soil conditions and fruit quality in water-limited kiwifruit orchards. Full article

Blueberries (Vaccinium sp.) are rich in phenolic and anthocyanin compounds that contribute to strong antioxidant activity; however, limited information exists on the biochemical characteristics of Southern United States cultivars. This study evaluated the antioxidant capacity and selected physicochemical properties of four blueberry cultivars (Premier’, ‘Powder Blue’, ‘Brightwell’, and a highbush cultivar) grown in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, USA, except focusing on cultivar-dependent differences. Significant differences were observed among the four blueberry cultivars. Physicochemical analysis showed that ‘Premier’ had the lowest moisture content (78.7%) and the highest pH (3.94), whereas the highbush cultivar showed the highest moisture content (82.20%) and the lowest pH (3.43). ‘Brightwell’ had the highest total soluble solids (TSS) (13 °Brix), while the highbush cultivar showed the lowest TSS (7 °Brix). In terms of antioxidant activity, ‘Powder Blue’ exhibited the strongest activity (IC₅₀ = 20.85 µg/mL), whereas the highbush cultivar showed the weakest activity (42.47 µg/mL). Total phenolics varied markedly among cultivars, with ‘Brightwell’ (3.96 ± 0.08 mg TAE/g DW) and ‘Powder Blue’ (3.56 ± 0.00 mg TAE/g DW) showing the highest levels and the highbush cultivar the lowest (1.81 ± 0.14 mg TAE/g DW). Anthocyanin content was relatively consistent across varieties, ranging from 6.71 to 6.85 A/g fresh weight. Protein quantification using the Lowry method revealed higher protein content in ‘Powder Blue’ (0.080 g/g) compared with the highbush cultivar (0.047 g/g). Sensory evaluation indicated that ‘Premier’ received the highest overall acceptability score (9.5 ± 0.3). This study provides baseline data on antioxidant capacity and key physicochemical properties for these four Southern-adapted blueberry cultivars, supporting their use in the development of functional foods and informing future breeding and production strategies in the region. Full article

Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum sp. isolate XCC1, is a major postharvest disease causing significant quality deterioration and economic losses in ‘Cat Chu’ mango during storage. This study evaluated the effectiveness of sodium alginate–carboxymethyl cellulose (SA-CMC) coating with natamycin for controlling anthracnose and maintaining postharvest fruit quality. Mango fruits were treated with the SA-CMC-Natamycin coating and stored under controlled conditions (25 ± 2 °C; RH = 60 ± 5%) to assess disease development, plant defense enzyme activities, and fruit quality attributes. Natamycin inhibited spore germination of Colletotrichum sp. isolate XCC1 with a Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 6.25 µg mL⁻¹. The SA-CMC-Natamycin coating significantly reduced anthracnose development, resulting in a three-fold decrease in disease incidence and a 3.86-fold reduction in disease severity compared with the control on day 9 of storage. However, the persistence of the treatment was limited since no significant disease incidence reduction was observed after 15 days. The treatment also enhanced chitinase (CHI) and β-1,3-glucanase (GLU) activities and increased phenolic compound accumulation. In addition, the coating delayed fruit ripening by maintaining firmness, titratable acidity (TA), vitamin C, and chlorophyll while suppressing increases in color change and total soluble solids (TSS). These results demonstrate that SA-CMC-Natamycin coating is a promising eco-friendly strategy for controlling anthracnose and preserving postharvest quality of ‘Cat Chu’ mango. Full article

Jicama (Pachyrhizus erosus L.) is a tropical tuber crop that has potential not only as a food source but also as a natural active ingredient in the cosmetics industry. This study aims to evaluate the phenology of tuber development and the content of primary and secondary metabolites of two jicama accessions (Bogor and Kebumen) at three tuber ages (3, 4, and 5 months). The parameters observed included tuber weight, starch yield, total soluble solids (TSS), total titratable acidity (TTA), vitamin C, total phenols, total flavonoids, and antioxidant activity (% inhibition). For data analysis, we used the T-test to compare differences between accessions. The results showed that tuber weight and starch yield increased significantly up to 5 months of age, while secondary metabolite content (phenols, flavonoids, antioxidant activity) was higher in young tubers (3–4 months). This study shows a trade-off between productivity (starch and vitamin C) and bioactive metabolite content (phenols, flavonoids, antioxidants) as the tubers age. The Bogor accession has a more stable vitamin C content, phenol levels, and antioxidant activity, while the Kebumen accession shows higher flavonoid levels in young tubers. The optimal tuber age and accession recommended to obtain a balance between productivity and secondary metabolite content is the Bogor accession at 4 months of age. This supports the potential use of jicama in the cosmetics industry as a brightening agent (vitamin C), humectant (sugar), anti-aging agent (phenols, flavonoids), and base ingredient for natural starch-based formulations. This study provides the first integrated evaluation of tuber phenology, primary metabolites, and secondary metabolite dynamics of two Indonesian jicama accessions in relation to cosmetic functionality. The results highlight a clear trade-off between productivity and bioactive compound accumulation, offering a scientific basis for selecting optimal harvest age and accession for cosmetic raw materials This study provides the first integrated evaluation of tuber phenology, primary metabolites, and secondary metabolite dynamics of two Indonesian jicama accessions in relation to cosmetic functionality. The results highlight a clear trade-off between productivity and bioactive compound accumulation, offering a scientific basis for selecting the optimal harvest age and accession for cosmetic raw materials. Full article

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a globally important vegetable crop, with fruit quality being a major focus of research. Starch serves as the primary carbohydrate reserve during early fruit development and functions as a key carbon precursor for flavor compound biosynthesis in later stages. To elucidate the role of starch accumulation in determining ripe fruit quality, we analyzed the relationship between starch content in mature green fruits and flavor-related traits across eight tomato cultivars. The results demonstrated that starch content at the mature green stage showed a significantly positive correlation with total soluble solids (TSS) content (r = 0.922) and a significantly positive correlation with total acidity content (r = 0.783) in red-ripe fruits. Furthermore, the expression levels of starch synthesis gene AGPS1 and degradation gene PWD at the mature green stage were both significantly positively correlated with the final fruit TSS levels. These findings highlight the important role of starch accumulation during the mature green stage in shaping final fruit quality, providing a theoretical basis for breeding high-quality tomato varieties. Full article

Rootstock strongly influences citrus tree performance, but information remains limited for some regionally important cultivars. ‘IAPAR 73’, an early-season sweet orange commonly grown in Paraná, Brazil, has not been previously evaluated for rootstock responses. This study assessed the long-term effects of nine rootstocks, including ‘Rangpur’ lime, ‘Swingle’ citrumelo, ‘Volkamer’ lemon, ‘Caipira DAC’ and ‘Trifoliate’ oranges, ‘Cleopatra’ and ‘Sunki’ mandarins, ‘Carrizo’ and ‘Fepagro C-13’ citranges, on vegetative growth, yield, production stability, and fruit quality under Brazilian subtropical conditions. Tree growth was monitored annually for 10 years (2003–2013) and analyzed at establishment (5 years) and full production (10 years) phases of the orchard. Yield and fruit quality were evaluated across multiple harvests, and total soluble solids (TSS) stability was quantified using the coefficient of variation. Rootstock effects were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models in a randomized complete block design, considering rootstock and year as fixed effects and blocks as random effects. Rootstock significantly influenced all evaluated traits. ‘Carrizo’, ‘Cleopatra’, ‘Sunki’, and ‘Caipira DAC’ induced vigorous canopy growth and higher cumulative yields to the scion, while ‘Volkamer’ showed high yield efficiency and production stability. ‘Swingle’ and ‘Trifoliate’ enhanced TSS, TSS/TA ratios, and juice quality stability but induced lower vigor and yield, similar to ‘Rangpur’. This study provides the first evidence-based guidance for ‘IAPAR 73’ production, demonstrating that rootstock diversification can maximize productivity, stability, and sustainability in citrus orchards. Full article

This study compared the physicochemical properties, nutritional composition, and flavor characteristics of broccoli stalk and floret juices fermented with Limosilactobacillus reuteri 18 (Lr18) to enhance the valorization of broccoli processing by-products. Four sample groups were analyzed: non-fermented stalks, fermented stalks, non-fermented florets, and fermented florets. After 48 h of fermentation, total viable counts and total phenolic content were slightly higher in florets than in stalks. Total titratable acids, total sugars, total soluble solids (TSS), total flavonoids, and vitamin C were initially higher in florets but decreased after fermentation in both groups. Organic acid analysis revealed that fermentation increased citric acid, reduced oxalic acid, and promoted the conversion of malic acid to lactic acid. Stalks contained higher levels of lactic and malic acids but lower citric acid than florets. Tryptophan content was higher in florets and was partially converted to indole derivatives after fermentation. Volatile compound analysis and sensory evaluation indicated that fermentation reduced fruity notes in florets while increasing acidic and sulfurous notes. In contrast, fermentation enhanced fruity and rounded notes in stalks while reducing pungency. These findings provide a scientific basis for developing fermented vegetable products with improved functional and sensory properties, particularly using broccoli stalks as a valuable by-product. Full article

The increasing popularity of fermented beverages, such as kombucha, has prompted the search of alternative ingredients with distinct functional and sensory properties. Orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) peel, an abundant by-product of the citrus industry, represents a valuable natural source of flavanones associated with multiple health benefits, offering a suitable substrate for fermentation. In this context, the present study proposes the valorisation of this by-product through the development of a new fermented beverage analogous to kombucha, rich in bioactive flavanones. During the fermentation process, variations were observed in physicochemical quality parameters (pH (4.86–2.91), titratable acidity (maximum 0.45% as acetic acid), and total soluble solids (TSS) (6.90–7.05 °Brix), as well as in the fermentation metabolites and substrates: sucrose (73.99–45.75 g/L), fructose (0.98–6.87 g/L), glucose (1.60–1.35 g/L), ethanol (0.06–0.24 g/L), and acetic acid (0.45–3.00 g/L). On the other hand, the initial total flavanone content (11.85 mg/100 mL), of which 70% corresponded to hesperidin, decreased during fermentation but then remained stable, reaching a final concentration of 5.72 mg/100 mL. Overall, these results highlight the potential of orange peel by-products for the development of innovative fermented beverages with a high content of bioactive flavanones, which are distinct from conventional tea-based kombucha. Moreover, this strategy represents a potential approach for this citrus waste valorisation, contributing to improved resource efficiency and supporting the transition towards a circular economy. Full article

The field production of tomato faces challenges regarding abiotic stress factors, which unfavorably impact fruit quality traits. Hedgerows, a form of agroforestry, offer a climate-resilient strategy to buffer temperatures and reduce the impact of direct wind stress on crop production. This study assessed the impact of hedgerow microclimate modulation effects on open-field tomato fruit quality, employing three genotypes (Roma, Ace55, and Szentlőrinckáta). Key quality traits (Total Soluble Solids (TSS), Titratable Acidity (TA), Sugar–Acid Ratio (SAR), Ferric-Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), Total Phenolic Content (TPC), Chroma (C*), and Hue (h^o)) were measured over two harvests per season, in two consecutive years (2023–2024). Plots were positioned at five distances (3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 m from the hedge) on both windy and protected sides (W1–W5 and P1–P5, respectively, with 1 showing the closest position). We observed that the microclimate of the protected side was consistently warmer, with an average deviation from the reference temperature of +3.54 °C at mid-distances and +0.38 °C higher overall across both growing seasons. Results show that mid-distance zones (P3–P4, W3–W4) consistently exhibited the highest C* (up to 39.44) at W4 and TSS values at W1 (7.00 °Bx). Protected sides favored higher TA at P3 (0.70%) and Hue (h^o) values at P3 with (53.06 ± 0.30) with Ace55 and SAR at P3 (16.35) with Szentlőrinckáta. Windy sides significantly enhanced FRAP and TPC, with the Szentlőrinckáta genotype exhibiting the highest antioxidant capacity at W1 (23.67 mg AAE 100 g⁻¹, FRAP) and TPC (244.17 mg GAE 100 g⁻¹). At W4, Roma showed a 9.4% increase in TPC in the second harvest, while Ace55 showed the highest FRAP values during late-season sampling, highlighting genotype-specific antioxidant resilience under contrasting microclimates. These findings suggest that mid-distance zones and microclimatic variation between windy and protected sides remarkably influence fruit quality traits and antioxidant profiles. Full article

Deposit-feeding aquatic oligochaete worms are abundant and widely distributed benthic animals in lakes that affect the nutrient cycling between sediments and the water and thus the water quality. This effect can be density-dependent and affected by the presence of filter-feeding bivalves, which can modulate the worms’ impact. We conducted a mesocosm experiment with high, medium, and low densities of the tubificid worms Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri (Oligocheata, Tubificida, and Naididae) in the presence of the filter-feeding bivalve Hyriopsis cumingii. In the low-density treatment, the concentrations of nitrate nitrogen (NO₃⁻-N), ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N), and organic suspended solids (OSSs) increased moderately compared with the control. In the medium- and high-density treatments, there were also increases in total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), total suspended solid (TSS) and inorganic suspended solid (ISS) concentrations. Moreover, the biomass of phytoplankton (Chl a), the light attenuation coefficients, and the abundance of both cladoceran and rotifer zooplankton rose with increasing worm densities. Water quality deteriorated in both the medium and high worm density treatments, likely due to increased nutrient leading to an increase in the biomass of phytoplankton in our mesocosms, even though plankton-consuming bivalves were present. Thus, during the restoration of eutrophic shallow lakes with a high density of worms, more bivalves are needed to compensate for the negative impact of worms on water quality. Full article

Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill., also named Cactus pear, is a crop widespread in many countries with Mediterranean and subtropical climates, where it represents a valuable source of food. However, in southern Europe, this fruit market is limited to a few months, from summer to autumn. The possibility to extend the ripening period of fruit is represented by the special pruning of the first bloom flush and consequent new development of late flowers and fruits. Extending the cultivation period would allow farmers to maximize the crop’s potential, thereby extending the Cactus pear market season throughout much of the year. In this study, conducted in southern Sardinia (Italy), progressive pruning was applied with the aim of evaluating the fruit characteristics in relation to this type of cultivation, also considering the weather conditions during the experimental period. Morphological traits and physicochemical compositions of fruit picked in four harvests during two sampling seasons from August 2022 to March 2023, and from August 2023 to March 2024 were compared. According to principal component analysis (PCA), most of the observed characters showed significant differences among harvest periods but also between the two seasons of cultivation (year of cultivation: r = 0.722 on PC1), suggesting that the meteorological trend strongly modulated fruit traits. Some fruit qualities were partially lost during the winter months, such as juice acidity and total soluble solids (TSS). October was the month with the highest TSS levels (13.5 ± 0.25), followed by August, January and March. On the other hand, juiciness and fresh weight remained unchanged or even improved in fruit harvested out-of-season. As observed in the redundancy analysis (RDA) a contribution of 54% due to weather variability emerged. In Particular, TSS levels, pH and juice dry matter were associated with high temperatures, solar radiation, and wind intensity. Wind speed was also moderately linked with betalain content. Moreover, high relative humidity was associated with lower pH values, higher water content, and higher fruit fresh weight. A significant difference was found between the two years in betalains content (80.0 ± 3.7 µg·mL⁻¹ in 2022–2023 and 28.2 ± 2.5 µg·mL⁻¹ in 2023–2024). The breakdown in the 2023–2024 season was likely due to the strong heat wave of July 2023 (up to 47 °C), which caused their partial degradation. In light of seasonal variability, this work provides some useful insights for future management of Cactus pear, also considering the possibility of usefully extending the period of cultivation and harvesting. Full article

Salinity is a major constraint for lettuce production, affecting plant growth, physiological status, and market quality. This study evaluated the combined effects of increasing salinity levels (S₀: non-saline control; S₃₀, S₆₀, and S₁₂₀ mM NaCl) and Trichoderma harzianum inoculation on morphological, physiological, and quality-related traits of lettuce. Increasing salinity levels resulted in significant reductions in growth-related parameters, particularly leaf area, shoot biomass, root volume, and cutting resistance (CR), with the most pronounced decreases observed at S₁₂₀. In contrast, several physiological and quality-related parameters showed different response patterns. Membrane stability index (MSI) and chlorophyll index remained relatively stable across salinity treatments, while total soluble solids (C) increased with increasing salinity, indicating osmotic adjustment under stress conditions. Leaf color parameters showed reductions in lightness and chroma at higher salinity levels, suggesting structural and optical changes in leaves rather than severe pigment degradation. The effects of Trichoderma on plant growth were limited and did not consistently mitigate growth reductions under salinity. However, inoculation influenced several physiological and quality-related traits, including MSI and TSS, indicating a role in physiological regulation and stress adaptation rather than direct growth promotion. Multivariate analyses indicated that salinity was the main factor contributing to treatment separation, whereas Trichoderma application influenced the overall trait profile without consistently increasing growth parameters. Overall, the results suggest that under saline conditions, Trichoderma may contribute to stress tolerance and physiological stability rather than directly increasing plant growth, and its effectiveness depends on stress severity. Full article

Industrial food processing generates substantial byproducts, resulting in environmental challenges and economic losses. This study explores the biovalorization of sugar-rich barbecue sauce waste streams through fermentation to create value-added ingredients for sauce production and promote circular economy practices. The barbecue stream was diluted with water at 25 and 50% incorporation levels and fermented at room temperature for 12 days using a microbial consortium comprising three lactic acid bacteria (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, and Weissella confusa) and one yeast (Saccharomyces boulardii). Laboratory-scale fermentation was monitored by measuring pH, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, sugar consumption, and metabolite production. The consortium demonstrated effective performance, reducing pH and TSS and increasing titratable acidity for both incorporation levels over 12 days. The fermented samples were characterized by their antioxidant capacity, color, protein content, humidity, and viscosity. The total phenolic content and antioxidant activity (DPPH) increased significantly (p < 0.05), and the viscosity increased by 254.3% and 48.3% for the fermented streams with 25% and 50% incorporation, respectively. Antimicrobial assays revealed that the fermented samples inhibited typical spoilage bacteria and yeast. This work highlights the potential of fermentation to upcycle barbecue waste, with antimicrobial characteristics contributing to extended shelf life, sustainable food production, and circular economic practices. Full article

‘Barhi’ dates (Phoenix dactylifera L.) are highly prized and widely consumed at the khalal stage, but they are only available for a short time, which highlights the importance of extending their storage life. This study examined the effectiveness of edible coatings in delaying ripening and maintaining fruit quality during cold storage (2 °C). The treatments tested were gelatin alone or gelatin combined with chitosan, Aloe vera gel (AVG), or gum arabic, and applied in a layer-by-layer (LbL) approach. A fifth treatment consisting of deionized water was used as a reference untreated control. The fruit parameters measured included weight loss, decay, moisture content, ripening (rutab transformation), firmness, color (lightness and hue angle), total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), TSS/TA ratio, total sugars, total polyphenols, and enzymatic activity. Results indicated that the LbL edible coating was more effective in preserving postharvest quality. Regarding weight loss and decay rate, the results showed that the control treatment consistently had 1.5–5-fold higher deterioration indicators than the coated fruits. Among the tested treatments, the gum arabic and gelatin coating was the most effective compared to the untreated control, reducing weight loss by over 40%, lowering decay by approximately 80%, and maintaining significantly higher moisture content throughout storage. Concerning carotenoid levels, the untreated fruits exhibited approximately 1.2–1.4-fold higher carotenoid content than the coated fruits. Fruits treated with gum arabic and gelatin exhibited the best preservation effect Sby limiting TSS increase and maintaining higher TA compared with the control. This treatment best maintained antioxidant capacity and phenolic content while significantly suppressing the activities of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase. Overall, the LbL coating strategy successfully maintained the quality of ’Barhi’ dates by mitigating oxidative and enzymatic degradation throughout storage. Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis demonstrated that treatments gum arabic and gelatin exhibited superior effectiveness in extending the date storage life in terms of physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity, followed by chitosan and gelatin, and Aloe vera and gelatin, compared to the control fruits over a 60-day storage period. Full article