Open Access
Effects of modified atmosphere packaging on quality and shelf-life of partially dehydrated red bell pepper
(ISHS, 2015) Horvitz Szoichet, Sandra Susana; Cantalejo Díez, María Jesús; Tecnología de Alimentos; Elikagaien Teknologia; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
Open Access
Appropriate harvest maturity for exploitation of wild black raspberry (Rubus sp.) fruits during shelf life period from Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir
(AIMS Press, 2025) Hayyat, Sana; Maqbool, Mehdi; Hamid, Abdul; Shehzad, Muhammad; Anwar, Raheel; Horvitz Szoichet, Sandra Susana; Zahid, Noosheen; Khan, Muhammad Azam; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura
Black raspberries (Rubus sp.) are abundantly grown and distributed widely in temperate regions of Pakistan which shows rich plant diversity of fruit species. In this study wildly grown black raspberry fruits were harvested from Rawalakot at three different maturity stages and investigated for physical, biochemical and antioxidant properties. Random samples of wild black raspberry fruits from each maturity stage [turning (75% red, 25% green), full red (100% red), black (100% black)] were stored at room temperature (22 ± 2 °C, 46% RH) for maximum 7 days and analysed on alternate days. Results showed that fruit weight, total soluble solids, pH, vitamin C, total flavonoids, total phenols, total antioxidants and total anthocyanins increased whereas fruit firmness and titratable acidity levels decreased as maturity progressed from turning to black stage. During shelf life period, total soluble solids and pH increased, while fruit weight, firmness, total anthocyanins, total flavonoids and total phenols significantly decreased with shelf life period. Moreover, titratable acidity and vitamin C decreased by advancement in shelf life period. It is advisable that wild black raspberry fruits should be harvested at black stage if used for immediate consumption. However, raspberries can be harvested at full red stage to extend storage period without compromising on fruit quality.
Open Access
Efecto del estado de madurez y atmósferas modificadas sobre la calidad de cerezas cv. Sweetheart
(Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, 2004) Horvitz Szoichet, Sandra Susana; Yommi, Alejandra; López Camelo, Andrés; Godoy, Carlos; Tecnología de Alimentos; Elikagaien Teknologia
Se estudió el efecto de cosechar cerezas en dos estados de madurez, así como el uso de atmósferas modificadas empleando PBD y PVC, sobre la calidad de fruta almacenada a 0 °C durante 21 y 42 días, respectivamente. La calidad fue evaluada en base a pérdida de peso (%), color (ángulo hue), firmeza, contenido de sólidos solubles, aspecto de los pedicelos y presencia de podredumbres. La fruta cosechada más madura presentó color, sólidos solubles y firmeza adecuados durante los 21 días a 0 °C, pero el almacenamiento estuvo limitado por la deshidratación de los pedicelos, que mantuvieron aspecto comercial sólo durante una semana. Para ambos estados de madurez, la pérdida de peso fue importante y se registró aumento del contenido de sólidos solubles y firmeza. Sin embargo, la fruta cosechada más inmadura no alcanzó en ningún momento la coloración ni contenido de azúcares de la fruta cosechada en estado de madurez más avanzado. Mediante el uso de las bolsas PBD se logró minimizar la deshidratación y mantener las características organolépticas de la fruta, así como un alto porcentaje de pedicelos con buen aspecto y color durante los 42 días de conservación en frío. El uso de PVC se vio limitado por el deterioro de los pedicelos que afectó alrededor del 50 % de la fruta analizada al término de la primera semana.
Open Access
Mild high hydrostatic pressure processing: effects on techno-functional properties and allergenicity of ovalbumin
(Elsevier, 2024) Horvitz Szoichet, Sandra Susana; Arroqui Vidaurreta, Cristina; Virseda Chamorro, Paloma; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
The effects of mild (250–350 MPa) high hydrostatic pressures (HHP) on the technological properties of ovalbumin were studied. Thermal gels were prepared using HHP-treated ovalbumin. Their characteristics and the efficacy of HHP processing to inhibit allergenicity were evaluated. The samples treated at 250 MPa/15 min, 350 MPa/10 min and 350 MPa/15 min showed the best results for solubility and water and oil absorption capacities, respectively. Regardless of treatment duration, foaming capacity increased with pressure. The foam stability only increased significantly in the samples subjected to 350 MPa for 10 and 15 min. On the contrary, the mildest treatment yielded the highest emulsifying activity index and emulsion stability. Improved gel strength and water holding capacity were observed, particularly under 300 MPa, resulting in a maximum inhibition of allergenicity (46.75%).
Open Access
Influence of organic and inorganic fertilizer regimes on growth patterns and antioxidants capacity of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cv. Chandler
(Hindawi, 2022) Zahid, Noosheen; Maqbool, Mehdi; Tahir, Majid Mahmood; Horvitz Szoichet, Sandra Susana; Hamid, Abdul; Khalid, Muhammad Shafique; Ejaz, Shaghef; Jawad, Rashid; Awan, Shahid Iqbal; Rehman, Abdur; Ali, Asgar; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura
Fertilization, either in the form of organic or inorganic, always affects plant growth, yield, and nutritional quality of fruit crops. Further, the efficacy of fertilizers depends on various factors, including the area, climatic conditions, and cultivars. Rawalakot has ideal climatic conditions for growing strawberries. However, no studies related to the impact of different soil amendments on the growth habit and fruit quality of strawberries have been conducted so far. Therefore, in this study, different combinations of organic (farmyard manure (FYM) and poultry manure (PM)) and inorganic (urea) (N 150 kg/ha) fertilizers were used for comparison of growth pattern and postharvest quality of strawberry cv. Chandler. The organic and inorganic fertilizer regimes showed comparatively better results in terms of all the parameters studied. However, plants grown on soils amended with FYM equivalent to 75 kg N per ha + PM equivalent to 75 kg N per ha and FYM equivalent to 50 kg N per ha + PM equivalent to 50 kg N per ha + urea 50 kg N per ha showed 41% and 28% more survival percentage compared to control. Furthermore, the number of leaves, number of flowers, number of fruits, and yield were significantly high in plants grown on amended soil. Moreover, a significantly high amount of total soluble solids (10.0°Brix), titratable acidity (1.18%), ash (0.84%), fiber (3.03%), total phenols (7.61 μg gallic acid/g fresh weight), total flavonoids (7.93 mmol quercetin/100 g fresh weight), and total antioxidants (0.60 activity of FeSO4 mg/g fresh weight) was noted in comparison with control. Similarly, a combined treatment of FYM, PM, and urea also showed good results in terms of all the growth and fruit quality parameters as compared with other fertilizer regimes as well as control. However, the overall results of this study revealed that strawberries grown on soil amended with a combined dose of FYM equivalent to 75 kg N per ha + PM equivalent to 75 kg N per ha could be a potential dose for maximum yield and better quality fruits of strawberry.
Open Access
Postharvest handling of berries
(IntechOpen, 2017-09-13) Horvitz Szoichet, Sandra Susana; Tecnología de Alimentos; Elikagaien Teknologia
Strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries are highly appreciated fruits due to their unique taste and high content in antioxidant and bioactive compounds. They are rich in phenolic compounds, mostly flavonoids and anthocyanins, which are responsible for fruit color and can exert antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti¿inflammatory, anticancer, and cardioprotective effects. However, berries have a short storage life, as a result of their high respiration and softening rate, and susceptibility to mechanical damages and decay. As berries are considered non¿climacteric fruit, they must be harvested at, or near to full maturity, because they will not continue to ripen normally once detached. At this stage, the fruit presents appropriate organoleptic attributes but may become softer and more sensitive to mechanical damage. Thus, it is crucial to be extremely careful during harvest and postharvest handling and to sort, grade, and pack the berries in the field, avoiding excessive manipulation of the fruit. The most extended methods to maintain quality during the postharvest period are prompt precooling and storage at low temperatures. Modified and controlled atmospheres with up to 20-kPa CO2 and 5-10-kPa O2 reduce microbial growth and delay senescence but can affect bioactive compounds with a cultivar¿dependent response observed for these technologies.
Open Access
Application of gibberellic acid to 'Sweetheart' sweet cherries: Effects on fruit quality at harvest and during cold storage
(ISHS, 2003) Horvitz Szoichet, Sandra Susana; Godoy, Carlos; López Camelo, Andrés; Yommi, Alejandra; Tecnología de Alimentos; Elikagaien Teknologia
Large cherry fruit are preferred by most consumers and gibberellic acid (GA) can be used to increase fruit size and firmness. The effects of a preharvest GA application on quality of 'Sweetheart' cherries at harvest and during cold storage were evaluated. Treated trees were sprayed with 10 and 30 ppm GA when fruit color was straw-yellow (approx. 74 °hue). When fruit reached their commercial color (approx. 21 °hue), samples of 20 fruit/tree were harvested and quality was evaluated in terms of: weight, size, color, firmness, flesh/stone ratio, pedicel aspect, soluble solids content (SSC) and cracking index. Additional samples of 20 units were placed in plastic trays, packed in LDPE bags and stored at 0 °C for 21 days. Fresh weight loss, firmness, color, SSC and pedicel condition were measured on a weekly basis. Treated fruit reached harvest maturity 5 days later than control fruit and were larger, heavier, and firmer compared with controls. 10 ppm GA-treated fruit had the highest flesh/stone ratio, followed by 30 ppm GA and untreated fruit, while no significant differences were found for SSC and cracking index. During cold storage, fruit treated with 30 ppm GA were significantly firmer than those given 10 ppm GA and these, in turn, were firmer than the controls. Fresh weight loss was negligible and firmness increased towards the end of the experiment in all the treatments. GA treatments did not affect color or SSC, but increased the percentage of cherries with commercial pedicels. The 5-day delay in the harvest date, extending the fruit growing period, may be responsible for the increase in size, weight and firmness obtained with GA. These differences were also maintained during the 21 days of cold storage when treated fruit maintained a superior quality to control fruit.
Open Access
Effects of ozone and chlorine postharvest treatments on quality of fresh-cut red bell peppers
(Oxford University Press, 2012-06-20) Horvitz Szoichet, Sandra Susana; Cantalejo Díez, María Jesús; Tecnología de Alimentos; Elikagaien Teknologia; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
The effects of chlorine (200 μL L¯¹), ozonated water (1 μL L¯¹) and gaseous ozone (0.7 μL L¯¹) on physicochemical attributes and microbial quality of minimally processed red bell peppers were studied. In all the experiments, O2 continuously decreased and CO2 concentration increased, the pH augmented and a significant softening was observed in all the fruits. By day 14, L* values decreased in all the fruits, with the greatest changes found in the chlorinated samples (approximately 12 units). Peppers treated with the aqueous solutions showed greater changes in the quality attributes with increasing washing times and especially when chlorine was used. The exposure for three min to gaseous O3 reduced the mesophiles, psychrotrophes and fungal populations of the fresh-cut peppers in 2.5, 3.3 and 1.8 log units, respectively. Combined with modified atmosphere, this could be an appropriate method to maintain the quality and extend the storage period of minimally processed red bell peppers.
Open Access
Recent technology and advances in fresh-cut products
(CRC Press, 2023) Horvitz Szoichet, Sandra Susana; Arroqui Vidaurreta, Cristina; Virseda Chamorro, Paloma; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
Open Access
Low gaseous ozone doses as an elicitor for health-promoting compounds in Andean blackberries (Rubus glaucus Benth)
(Elsevier, 2024-07-01) Horvitz Szoichet, Sandra Susana; Urbano, Miryan; Arroqui Vidaurreta, Cristina; Virseda Chamorro, Paloma; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
Andean blackberries are appreciated for their unique flavor, high nutritional quality, and antioxidant properties. In this study, the effectiveness of low doses (0.4; 0.5; 0.6 and 0.7 µL L-1 for 3 min) of gaseous ozone as an elicitor for health-promoting compounds was evaluated during 10 d of storage at 6 ± 1 °C. The physicochemical and sensory quality of the fruit was also determined. Ozone was used in a single application before storage. Initially, regardless of the dose applied, no negative effects of the O3 treatments were observed in any of the parameters studied. In addition, the firmness, the antioxidant activity and the fructose, vitamin C and polyphenols contents were higher in the O3-treated fruit compared to the control. During storage, these differences were maintained except for the 0.7 µL L-1 dose. This indicates that low concentrations of gaseous O3 could promote the synthesis of biocompounds and be effective in maintaining the postharvest quality of blackberries for at least 4 days of refrigerated storage. However, more research is needed to maintain these advantages during longer storage periods.