Starch is the major constituent of matured wheat grain. The details of subtle localized differences in the evolution of the structure of starch are important for an understanding of starch biosynthesis. However, the distinct stages involved in the formation and transformation of the molecular structure of starch during starch biosynthesis are still not fully understood. In this study, starches extracted from wheat grains harvested at 3, 7, 14, 28, and 49 days after anthesis (DAA) were used as a means of examining the molecular structure of starch from developing wheat grain. Gel-permeation chromatography and high-performance anion-exchange chromatography were employed for the analysis of the structure of both whole starch and its isolated amylopectin (AP) component. Scanning electron microscopy of 3 DAA wheat grain cross-sections revealed the absence of endosperm but the presence of spherical transitory-type small starch granules in the pericarp. Endosperm was present at 7 DAA and contained lenticular-shaped developing large granules. From 14 DAA onward, spherical-shaped small granules coexisted with large granules in the endosperm. The structure of transitory pericarp starch (PS) was compared with that of matured endosperm storage starch (ES). The composition of PS and ES differed: PS granules contained 14 % apparent amylose (AAM), whereas ES granules contained 33 % AAM. The AAM fractions of PS showed characteristics similar to those of intermediate-type materials with short branches, whereas ES contained both linear and branched amylose (AM). Differences in the amylopectin component of PS and ES were also apparent, especially in their internal structures. PS amylopectin had longer chains and fewer A-chains, resulting in a structure less branched than that of ES amylopectin. Starches isolated from 7 DAA to 49 DAA were studied with respect to endosperm development. The AAM of both large and small granules increased with increasing maturity. The AAM fraction of starch granules at early maturity (7 DAA and 14 DAA) consisted of intermediate-type materials in addition to linear AM, whereas starch at later maturity stages (28 and 49 DAA) contained linear and branched AM. During granule development, the fine structure of AP varied with the maturity level as well as with the size of the granule. During the post-physiological maturity stage, when the net accumulation of sugars ceases, the grain dries out; however, structural changes occurred in AP at this stage, possibly due to the action of starch branching and debranching enzymes. In both large and small granules, the external AP structure was more organized at post-physiological maturity (49 DAA) than at pre-physiological maturity (7 DAA to 28 DAA). Compared to their characteristics at post-physiological maturity, at the pre-physiological maturity stage, isolated clusters of AP were larger with more branches and building blocks. In addition to the time-dependent discrepancies in the AP structure of developing starch, differences were also evident between large and small granules with regard to glucan trimming and the type of new chains produced. The clusters isolated from small starch granules were more tightly branched than those isolated from large granules

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:23:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-02-19Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:49:55Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 iwazaki_mc_me_botib.pdf: 1084974 bytes, checksum: fe5369f9a1f74a9fd163e3e8822d12a8 (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Mimosa Linnaeus é o gênero com maior número de representantes de Mimosoideae no cerrado, com 189 espécies registradas. É um gênero que exibe características morfoanatômicas, hábito e tipos de frutos variados. Mimosa daleoides Benth., M. dolens Vell. var. anisitsii (Lindm.) Barneby e M. orthacantha Benth. são arbustivas e de ocorrência comum em remanescentes do cerrado paulista, observadas como invasoras, e foram selecionadas para o presente trabalho. Os objetivos foram descrever morfologia, anatomia e ontogênese dos frutos e sementes; detalhar a morfologia das plântulas e a anatomia e venação de cotilédones e eofilos; e comparar as espécies entre si e com a literatura. O material coletado foi processado segundo técnicas usuais em microscopia óptica, utilizando inclusão em metacrilato, cortes em micrótomo de rotação e coloração com azul de toluidina; também foram confeccionadas lâminas semipermanentes para análise de maceração, diafanização e cortes a mão livre. O ovário das três espécies é curto-estipitado, com 3-5 óvulos anátropos, tendendo a campilótropos apenas em M. daleoides. Emergências se formam ao longo do desenvolvimento do fruto no pericarpo; o mesocarpo é parenquimático, com hipoderme externa e interna de M. dolens var. anisitsii e somente a interna de M. daleoides com células fenólicas. Um meristema adaxial se desenvolve, do qual deriva o endocarpo externo, lignificado no final da maturação, e endocarpo interno, parenquimático. Mimosa orthacantha exibe fibras e esclereídes de orientações opostas no endocarpo externo, diferenciando-se das demais. A partir da análise anatômica, pode-se concluir que os frutos formados são craspédios em M. daleoides e M. orthacantha, ligados ao eixo da inflorescência do tipo racemo na primeira e glomérulo na segunda, e legumes de deiscência passiva em M. dolens var. anisitsii,... / Mimosa Linnaeus is the genus of Mimosoideae most represented in the cerrado, with 189 recorded species. The genus exhibits varied morphological and anatomical characteristics, habits, and fruit types. Mimosa daleoides Benth., M. dolens Vell. var. anisitsii (Lindm.) Barneby, and M. orthacantha Benth. are shrubs that commonly occur in remnant areas of cerrado vegetation in São Paulo State and are often considered invasive plants. The present work describes the morphology, anatomy, and ontogeny of the fruits and seeds of this species, examines the morphology of the seedlings, the anatomy and venation of the cotyledons and eophylls, and compares the three species and information concerning them in the published literature. The plant material was processed according to traditional techniques in light microscopy, including embedding in methacrylate, sectioning in a rotary microtome, and staining with toluidine blue. Additionally, semi-permanent slides were prepared for maceration analyses, clearing leaves, and free-hand sections. The ovary of the three species is short-stipitate, with 3-5 anatropous ovules, tending towards a campylotropous only in M. daleoides. Emergences form in the pericarp during fruit development; the mesocarp is parenchymal, with an outer and inner hypoderm in M. dolens var. anisitsii but only an inner hypoderm with phenolic cells in M. daleoides. An adaxial meristem develops, from which the outer and inner endocarp are derived; the outer is lignified at maturation, and an inner is parenchymatous. Mimosa orthacantha demonstrates fibers and sclerids oriented in opposite directions in the outer endocarp, a characteristic that differentiates this species from the others. Anatomical analyses indicate that the fruits of M. daleoides and M. orthacantha are craspedia and are fixed to the inflorescence axis of the raceme ...(Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Master of Science / Food Science Institute - Food, Nutrition, Dietetics and Health / Weiqun Wang / Sorghum is a staple crop consumed in certain regions of Africa and Asia, where vitamin A deficiency is prevalent. However, the correlation of sorghum intake and vitamin A deficiency is inconsistent. The objective of this study was to identify and quantify the carotenoids and pro-vitamin A in the selected sorghum accessions with various pericarp pigments by using LC-MS. Among of total five carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and β-cryptoxanthin) that were identified and quantitated, three (α-carotene, β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin) are precursors of vitamin A. The highest content of total carotenoids was detected in the sorghum accessions with yellow pericarp (PI656096, PI585374, PI563448, PI585351), while the highest β-carotene content was found in the accessions with brown or yellow pericarp (PI655996, PI656096, PI585374, PI563448, PI585351). The lowest carotenoids were found in the accessions with white pericarp (PI533943, PI656112, PI565121, PI560493). The pro-vitamin A was 584.9 ± 38.9 ng/g DW in yellow pericarp, 250.6 ± 28.9 ng/g DW in brown pericarp, and 89.0 ± 12.3 ng/g DW in white pericarp, respectively. It appeared the phenotypic diversity of sorghum pericarp colors was strongly associated with the contents of carotenoids and pro-vitamin A, indicating a different impact of various sorghum varieties on vitamin A deficiency and suggesting a possible prevention of vitamin A deficiency by breeding certain sorghum varieties with pericarp pigments.

The developmental programs of maturing seed and fruit in pea (Pisum sativum L.) are tightly controlled by the interactions of several phytohormones, including gibberellins (GAs), auxins, and abscisic acid (ABA). To more fully understand these hormone networks and their roles in controlling development, transcription profiles of GA metabolism genes and metabolite profiles of key GAs, auxins, and ABA were determined in developing seeds, and histological studies were employed to correlate physiology and hormone metabolism. Data suggest that bioactive GA stimulates several aspects of seed growth, and ABA appears to promote bioactive GA1 synthesis in rapidly growing seed coats, and inhibit GA biosynthesis in the embryo axes of maturing embryos. Two putative auxin receptor genes were cloned, and their transcription profiles examined in developing seed and pericarp tissues. Pericarp PsAFB6A transcription was responsive to auxin and seed signals, indicating a potential role for the modulation of auxin sensitivity in fruit development.

No description available.

Orientador: Denise Maria Trombert de Oliveira / Banca: Luiz Antonio de souza / Banca: Silvia Rodrigues Machado / Resumo: Mimosa Linnaeus é o gênero com maior número de representantes de Mimosoideae no cerrado, com 189 espécies registradas. É um gênero que exibe características morfoanatômicas, hábito e tipos de frutos variados. Mimosa daleoides Benth., M. dolens Vell. var. anisitsii (Lindm.) Barneby e M. orthacantha Benth. são arbustivas e de ocorrência comum em remanescentes do cerrado paulista, observadas como invasoras, e foram selecionadas para o presente trabalho. Os objetivos foram descrever morfologia, anatomia e ontogênese dos frutos e sementes; detalhar a morfologia das plântulas e a anatomia e venação de cotilédones e eofilos; e comparar as espécies entre si e com a literatura. O material coletado foi processado segundo técnicas usuais em microscopia óptica, utilizando inclusão em metacrilato, cortes em micrótomo de rotação e coloração com azul de toluidina; também foram confeccionadas lâminas semipermanentes para análise de maceração, diafanização e cortes a mão livre. O ovário das três espécies é curto-estipitado, com 3-5 óvulos anátropos, tendendo a campilótropos apenas em M. daleoides. Emergências se formam ao longo do desenvolvimento do fruto no pericarpo; o mesocarpo é parenquimático, com hipoderme externa e interna de M. dolens var. anisitsii e somente a interna de M. daleoides com células fenólicas. Um meristema adaxial se desenvolve, do qual deriva o endocarpo externo, lignificado no final da maturação, e endocarpo interno, parenquimático. Mimosa orthacantha exibe fibras e esclereídes de orientações opostas no endocarpo externo, diferenciando-se das demais. A partir da análise anatômica, pode-se concluir que os frutos formados são craspédios em M. daleoides e M. orthacantha, ligados ao eixo da inflorescência do tipo racemo na primeira e glomérulo na segunda, e legumes de deiscência passiva em M. dolens var. anisitsii,...(Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Mimosa Linnaeus is the genus of Mimosoideae most represented in the cerrado, with 189 recorded species. The genus exhibits varied morphological and anatomical characteristics, habits, and fruit types. Mimosa daleoides Benth., M. dolens Vell. var. anisitsii (Lindm.) Barneby, and M. orthacantha Benth. are shrubs that commonly occur in remnant areas of cerrado vegetation in São Paulo State and are often considered invasive plants. The present work describes the morphology, anatomy, and ontogeny of the fruits and seeds of this species, examines the morphology of the seedlings, the anatomy and venation of the cotyledons and eophylls, and compares the three species and information concerning them in the published literature. The plant material was processed according to traditional techniques in light microscopy, including embedding in methacrylate, sectioning in a rotary microtome, and staining with toluidine blue. Additionally, semi-permanent slides were prepared for maceration analyses, clearing leaves, and free-hand sections. The ovary of the three species is short-stipitate, with 3-5 anatropous ovules, tending towards a campylotropous only in M. daleoides. Emergences form in the pericarp during fruit development; the mesocarp is parenchymal, with an outer and inner hypoderm in M. dolens var. anisitsii but only an inner hypoderm with phenolic cells in M. daleoides. An adaxial meristem develops, from which the outer and inner endocarp are derived; the outer is lignified at maturation, and an inner is parenchymatous. Mimosa orthacantha demonstrates fibers and sclerids oriented in opposite directions in the outer endocarp, a characteristic that differentiates this species from the others. Anatomical analyses indicate that the fruits of M. daleoides and M. orthacantha are craspedia and are fixed to the inflorescence axis of the raceme ...(Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Orientadores: Sandra Maria Carmello Guerreiro, Silvia Rodrigues Machado / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-23T04:49:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tolke_ElisabethEmiliaAugustaDantas_M.pdf: 15837739 bytes, checksum: 8d91bccef86d47cf61ace6595cbf206b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: Tapirira guianensis Aubl. (Anacardiaceae) conhecida popularmente como pau-pombo é uma espécie importante para uso madeireiro, medicinal e pode ser empregada na recuperação de áreas degradadas e de matas ciliares. Diversas substâncias são produzidas em estruturas secretoras específicas, sendo a presença de canais e cavidades secretoras característica universal da família. Na literatura é relatada a presença de disco nectarífero intraestaminal nas flores de muitas Anacardiaceae. No entanto, estudos anatômicos e histoquímicos recentes não comprovaram a secreção de néctar por esta estrutura. Além disso, nestes trabalhos foi verificada a persistência do disco intraestaminal no fruto maduro de T. guianensis, bem como a presença de um endocarpo secretor em frutos não maduros. Aliado a estes fatores, a ontogenia de frutos e sementes também é um tema pouco explorado frente ao grande número de espécies da família. A anatomia dos frutos de Anacardiaceae tem-se mostrado de grande valor sistemático. Assim, o presente trabalho consistiu em verificar a estrutura e ultraestrutura do disco glandular de flores e frutos de T. guianensis, bem como examinar a natureza da secreção produzida e estudar a ontogenia do fruto e da semente. Com os resultados alcançados foi possível determinar que a glândula floral das flores hermafroditas de T. guianensis é uma glândula de secreção mista, produzindo néctar com predominância de sacarose, lipídios e substâncias fenólicas. Ultraestruturalmente esta glândula passa por mudanças profundas ao longo do desenvolvimento da flor, inicialmente rica em amiloplastos e posteriormente plastídios desprovidos de amido e mitocôndrias repletas de gotículas de óleo, indicando a mudança da secreção antes predominantemente hidrofílica para lipofílica. No que diz respeito à anatomia do fruto, observou-se que o mesmo possui características típicas da tribo Spondieae, porém algumas delas indicam uma condição menos derivada da espécie, como ausência de opérculo e endocarpo relativamente fino quando comparado com outras espécies da mesma tribo. O pericarpo possui grande quantidade de canais resiníferos na região do mesocarpo, epicarpo produzindo substâncias fenólicas e lipídios, e por meio de microscopia eletrônica de transmissão pôde-se observar o modo de secreção, as organelas envolvidas do processo, bem como a estrutura celular. A semente provém de um óvulo único, anátropo, bitegumentado, crassinucelado de funículo longo. A semente não possui camada mecânica, tem a exotesta e endotégmen ricos em substâncias fenólicas, cristais no mesotégmen, desenvolvimento de paquicalaza parcial, hipóstase fenólica e lipídica, permanência de funículo aderido ao envoltório da semente, formando um arilo vestigial. O embrião armazena grande quantidade de proteínas e amido, indicando uma condição de transição da espécie, pois em Anacardiaceae as reservas são constituídas principalmente por proteínas e lipídios. O fruto e semente apresentaram algumas características anatômicas possivelmente relacionadas à dispersão como, formação de aerênquima no mesocarpo interno e na mesotesta, acúmulo de amido no mesocarpo. O trabalho traz contribuições no estudo de glândulas florais em Anacardiaceae e na área de ontogenia de frutos e sementes / Abstract: Tapirira guianensis Aubl. (Anacardiaceae) well-known as "pau-pombo" is an important species with uses as timber, in medicine and can be employed recovering degraded areas and riparian forests. Several substances are produced in specific secretory structures and the presence of cavities and ducts are universal features in the family. In literature is reported the presence of an intrastaminal receptacular nectary in the flowers of many Anacardiaceae, however anatomical and histochemical recent studies did not support the nectar secretion by this structure. Furthermore, in other studies were found the persistence of intrastaminal receptacular gland in T. guianensis ripe fruits and the presence of a secretory endocarp in unripe fruits. Allied these factors, the ontogeny of fruits and seeds is also a relatively unexplored subject, in contrast with the large number of species from this family. The fruit anatomy of Anacardiaceae has proved great systematic value. Thus, the present study verified T. guianensis structure and ultrastructure of flowers and fruits intrastaminal gland and examined the nature of substances produced as well the fruit and seed development. With the results obtained it was possible provide that the T. guianensis floral gland of hermaphrodite flowers is a mixed secretion gland, producing nectar with sucrose predominance, lipids and fenolic substances. Ultrastructurally, this gland undergoes deep changes during the development of the flower, originally rich in amyloplasts and subsequently chloroplasts devoids of starch and mitochondria replete with oil droplets, indicating the change in the secretion predominantly hydrophilic to lipophilic. With respect to the fruit anatomy, it was observed characteristics typical of the tribe Spodieae, but some of them indicate a condition less derived of this species, such as lack of operculum and endocarp relatively thin compared to other species of the same tribe. Pericarp has a large number of resiniferous ducts in mesocarp region, and epicarp produces phenolic substances and lipids. By transmission electron microscopy it was possible to observe the way of secretion, the organelles involved in process and the cell structure. Seed comes from a single ovule, anatropous, bitegmic, crassinucelate with longe funicle. Seed does not have mechanical layer, has exotest and endotegmen rich in phenolic substances, crystals in mesotegmen, development of partial pachycalaza, phenolic and lipid hypostasis, permanence of the funicle attached to the seed-coat, forming a vestigial aril. The embryo stores large amounts of protein and starch, indicating a transitional condition in the species, because Anacardiaceae reserves comprehend mainly protein and lipids. Fruit and seed showed anatomical characteristics possibly related to dispersion, like formation of aerenchyma in the inner mesocarp and mesotest, starch accumulations in mesocarp. The work brings contributions in the study of Anacardiaceae floral glands and in the area of fruit and seeds ontogeny / Mestrado / Biologia Vegetal / Mestra em Biologia Vegetal

Thesis (MSc. (Horticulture)) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / After harvesting litchi fruit, the red pericarp colour is rapidly lost resulting in discolouration and browning during storage and marketing. To mitigate this challenge, the South African litchi industry uses sulfur dioxide fumigation to retain litchi fruit red pericarp colour during extended storage and shelf-life. However, there are health concerns regarding the commercially used (SO2) fumigation for litchi pericarp colour retention due to high levels of SO2 residues in fruit aril. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the possibility of Uvasys slow release SO2 sheets to retain ‘Mauritius’ litchi fruit red pericarp colour when packaged in plastic-punnets and bags. Treatment factors were two packaging materials (plastic-punnets and bags), six SO2 treatments (control; SO2 fumigation and four SO2 sheets viz. Uva-Uno-29% Na2S2O5; Dual-Release-Blue35.85% Na2S2O5; Slow-Release-36.5% Na2S2O5 and Dual-Release-Green-37.55% Na2S2O5) and four shelf-life periods (day 0, 1, 3 and 5). ‘Mauritius’ fruit were assessed for pericarp Browning Index (BI), Hue angle (ho), Chroma (C*) and Lightness (L*). In this study, an interactive significant effect (P < 0.05) between packaging type and SO2 treatments was observed on ‘Mauritius’ fruit pericarp L*, C* and ho during shelf-life. Fruit stored in plastic-bags and treated with SO2 fumigation showed higher pericarp C* and L*, while SO2 fumigated fruit in plastic-punnets had higher pericarp ho. Lower pericarp BI was observed in SO2 fumigated fruit stored in plastic-bags, which showed less pericarp browning than fruit in other treatments. In general, commercial SO2 fumigation resulted in lower pericarp BI, and higher pericarp L*, C* and ho throughout the storage and shelf-life. Our correlation analyses results further showed that litchi fruit red pericarp colour was better preserved as SO2 treatment levels increased, especially in plastic-bags. In retaining ‘Mauritius’ litchi fruit red pericarp colour, Uvasys SO2 sheets were not effective when compared with commercial SO2 fumigation. However, commercially SO2 fumigated fruit were bleached throughout the storage and shelf-life. Furthermore, fruit from all treatments were spoiled due to decay and mould growth after day 5 of shelf-life. Inclusion of pathogen protectants is important in future research to demonstrate whether Uvasys SO2 sheet-packaging technology can retain ‘Mauritius’ litchi fruit pericarp colour. / Agricultural Research Council and National Research Foundation (NRF)

Bioethanol is a promising renewable biofuel and wheat is currently the main candidate asthe feedstock for its production in the UK context. The quality of the numerous varieties ofwheat developed in the past by plant breeders has been well examined in terms of bread, biscuitand pasta producing industries. In general, the end-use quality determination of wheat in termsof alcohol yield is less investigated. This work focused on understanding and predicting thealcohol yield from wheat according to its physical, physicochemical and chemicalcharacteristics. The research ran alongside the GREEN Grain project and utilised its wheatsamples, which consist of a range of wheat varieties, agronomic regimes and growing sitesfrom four harvests years 2005-2008. The combined dataset consists of a diverse range ofchemical, physicochemical and physical characteristics of the GREEN Grain wheats. An initial multivariate analysis (PCA) indicated that the first principal component, whichexplains most of the variability of the wheat characteristics, is related with the classification ofwheat as hard or soft. High alcohol yielding wheats typically have high starch, mealiness andalbumin+globulin fraction, and also low protein, gliadin fraction and hardness. They also havelarger and more spherical kernels. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was applied in order to identify differences between thevarieties, the sites and the application or not of N fertiliser. The ANOVA showed that theapplication of N fertiliser increases all the protein components, although it increases the Gliadinand the LMW glutenins more. N fertiliser also yields smaller (TGW, width, depth) and moreelongated kernels. High alcohol yielding varieties tend to be softer with lower protein andlarger and more spherical kernels. This consistent variability allowed prediction of the alcoholyield based on easily measured parameters. The following model, based on the SKCS reportedvalues plus protein, could predict the alcohol yield with an R2 of about 78%:Alcohol yield = 466.62 - 5.07 × Protein - 0.21 × hardness + 11.6 × diameter ±6.94 l/dry tonIt is frequently hypothesised that larger and more rounded kernels produce more alcoholbecause they have a smaller relative amount of the unfermentable outer layers. In an effort totest this hypothesis, the pericarp thicknesses and the crease characteristics of the wheat sampleswere measured. It was found that pericarp thickness and crease dimensions vary with kernelsize, with significant differences between varieties. A physical model was developed thatconsiders these differences and calculates the endosperm to non-endosperm ratio. None of thevariables obtained by the physical model could be related to alcohol yield. The SKCS fundamental data were further analysed in an effort to improve the alcoholyield predictability. It was found that the averaged Crush Response Profiles are morereproducible than the hardness index itself. It was shown that the initial peak does not occurbecause of the "shell" (i.e. the bran layers) as suggested in the literature, but because of thecrease. Examination of the effects of moisture content on the aCRPs showed that their 1stquarter is equivalent to the stress-strain plots of dedicated rheological tests. The remaining partsof the curve relate to the post-failure behaviour of the kernels and with hardness as used incereal science. The aCRP parameters could improve the alcohol yield predictability of theGREEN Grain wheats to an R2 of about 82.3% and a standard error of the regression of6.3 l/dry ton. Further standardisation and calibration with respect to the moisture content and tothe size of the kernels could improve the predictions even further. Textural testing of cereals is constrained by the complexity of the wheat kernel structureand exacerbated by the between-kernel variation. The current work has demonstrated howSKCS data can be interpreted more insightfully in order to improve end-use quality predictions. The aCRP parameters clearly contain rheological information about wheats. Further research toestablish their examination by more standardised methodologies will allow effectiveinvestigation of connections between the rheological properties, chemical characteristics,processing behaviour and end-use quality prediction of wheat.

Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is a commercially valued fruit mainly for its attractively red pericarp and exotic taste. However, the market value of the fruit is affected by pericarp browning, desiccation and postharvest decay. Current control measures include sulphur dioxide (SO2) fumigation, low temperature storage and high relative humidity (RH). Sulphur residues on fruit, moisture loss, altered taste and decay caused by Penicillium spp., limit the use of SO2 fumigation. Technology that can provide a potential alternative method to retain the quality of fruit is modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). In this study (Chapter 3), the effect of active and passive modified atmospheres on quality retention of litchi cultivars ‘Mauritius’ and ‘McLean’s Red’ was investigated. Results indicated that ‘McLean’s Red’ is more suitable for MAP technology than ‘Mauritius’. Lidding film–4 holes significantly reduced activity of oxidation enzymes, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD), and retained higher pericarp colour. Lidding film–10 holes retained soluble solids concentration to titratable acidity ratio (SSC/TA) (~65), thereby preventing the loss of taste and litchi fruit flavour. In order to enhance the MAP technology further (Chapter 4), chitosan coating of fruit was also assessed. Chitosan (1.0 g L-1) combined with MAP effectively prevented decay, browning and pericarp colour loss in ‘McLean’s Red’. Chitosan (1.0 g L-1) integrated with MAP reduced PPO and POD activity, retained membrane integrity, anthocyanin content and pericarp colour. ‘McLean’s Red’ was found to be more suitable for the chitosan (1.0 g L-1) and MAP integrated treatment than ‘Mauritius’ in retaining overall quality. In addition, the effect of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) in combination with MAP was determined for both cultivars (Chapter 5). In this case 1-MCP (300 nL L-1) was most effective in preventing browning and retaining colour in both cultivars after 14 and 21 days of cold storage. The effect of 1-MCP (300 nL L-1) showed more potential on ‘McLean’s Red’ than ‘Mauritius’. At higher concentrations (500 and 1000 nL L-1), 1-MCP showed negative effects on membrane integrity, pericarp browning, PPO and POD activity in both cultivars. The effect of integrated postharvest treatments i.e. modified atmosphere packaging combined with chitosan and integrated MAP and 1-MCP as well as MAP and chitosan coating on foodborne bacterial pathogens (Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Staphylococcus aureus) spike-inoculated on litchi fruit surfaces, and Penicillium spp. decay were also investigated (Chapter 6). Results showed integrated MAP and chitosan (0.1 g L-1 and 1.0 g L-1) treatments significantly reduced high and low inoculums load of E. coli O157:H7 and S. aureus on litchi fruit after 21 days of cold storage. Integrated MAP and 1000 nL L-1 1-MCP resulted in higher disease severity. Integrated MAP and chitosan (0.1 g L-1 and 1.0 g L-1) treatments showed very good decay control. The total microbial population of the litchi fruit surface was also determined. Integrated MAP and 1.0 g L-1 significantly reduced the total microbial flora after 21 days of cold storage. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Microbiology and Plant Pathology / unrestricted