Background: Low-grade chronic inflammation has been implicated as a risk factor in prostate-related pathologies including benign hyperplasia and cancer. Sweet cherry containing the bioactive anthocyanin (ACN), has demonstrated tumor inhibitory action in model systems, specifically inhibition of inflammatory molecules and prostaglandin biosynthesis. Objective: To assess the urinary and plasma concentrations of ACN from the daily consumption of 3 cups of sweet cherries for 4 weeks and test the relationship of ACN levels and cherry consumption to inflammatory biomarkers in an at risk population. Results: Prostaglandin E2 Metabolite (PGEM) levels were reduced with cherry consumption in men with elevated baseline values. Conclusion: We conclude that 1c (142g) of sweet cherries 3 times daily for 4 weeks significantly reduced the COX-2 metabolite, PGEM, in men with elevated baseline levels. This was the first study to examine the chronic effects of daily sweet cherries on COX-2 inhibition in an at risk population.

Thesis (M.Tech. - Tourism and PR Management, Dept. of Hospitality)--Vaal University of Technology. / The purpose of this study was to segment the various markets attending the Transvalia Open Air Show (Vaal Region) and the Cherry Festival (Free State). A comparison of the various segments enabled the researcher to identify key success factors with regard to market segmentation for tourism events to be implemented in the Vaal Region. It will also enable organisers to target the correct tourist market segments for both events and provide guidelines for improving the planning and marketing of events in both regions. This study therefore aimed to compare the market segments of two tourism events, the Cherry Festival. held in Ficksburg which is located in the Free State and the Transvalia Open Air Show, held in the Vaal Region. Questionnaires were distributed amongst visitors on the festival grounds as well as in areas surrounding the festival grounds. The study was based on availability sampling since only visitors who were willing to parttcipate in the survey completed the questionnaires. A total of 550 questionnaires was distributed, of which 472 were suitable for use. At the Transvalia Open Air Show 273 questionnaires were completed, of which 260 were usable. Students were trained by the researcher to assist in the survey. The questtonnaires were distributed on the show grounds. The data were used to compile graphs and tables so that a profile of each festival could be designed The variables that were the focal point of this study were gender, occupation, language, visitors' province of ongin, group size, number of days spent at these events and average spend. These results can contribute to better marketing and more targeted markets to create a larger number of attendants. The organisers can determine what type of entertainment, music and activities the attendants favour, so that all the elements of the event can then be marketed as a whole. Feedback also allows the organisers to improve the facilities and services available at the events.

Bibliography: leaves 169-185 / viii, 185 leaves, [1] leaf of plates : ill. (some col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Plant Pathology, 1987

Graduation date: 1995

The main objective of the study was to encapsulate the phenolic compounds from sour cherry pulp in micro size, to investigate the physicochemical properties of capsules and their digestability in simulated gastric and intestinal fluid. The effect of different coating materials, ultrasonication time and core to coating ratio on encapsulation of phenolic compounds from sour cherry pomace was investigated. Maltodextrin and gum Arabic were chosen as coating materials. Coating material was prepared with different maltodextrin:gum Arabic (MD:GA) ratios of 10:0, 8:2, 6:4 to make the total solid content 10%. In addition, two different core to coating ratios of 1:10 and 1:20 were used. Emulsions were prepared by homogenization through ultrasonication at 160 W power and 20 KHz frequency for different time periods (5-30 min). Then, the emulsions were freeze dried for 48 hours to obtain the microcapsules. Encapsulation efficiency, antioxidant activity, surface morphology, particle size, color, digestability and glass transition temperatures of the microcapsules were determined. The microcapsules with a core to coating ratio of 1:20 were found to have higher encapsulation efficiencies (78.80-92.26%) than those with a core to coating ratio of 1:10 (69.38-77.83%). Increasing the gum Arabic ratio in the coating material increased encapsulation efficiency. Optimum conditions for encapsulation with the highest efficiency and the lowest particle size were sonication time of 22.5 min, MD:GA ratio of 8:2 and core to coating ratio of 1:20. Encapsulation was effective in preventing the release of the phenolic compounds in gastric fluid. On the other hand, phenolic compounds were released from the capsules into the intestinal fluid.

GlobalGAP (previously EurepGAP) is a voluntary business-to-business standard for food audit that has recently achieved the greatest acceptance worldwide (Campbell, Lawrence & Smith 2006) boasting implementation numbers of over 80,000 farms in 80 countries. Compliance with the standard is verified by means of the third party certification (TPC) audit, and is designed to (GlobalGAP 2008) assure European retailers that exporting producers have met their criteria for safe and sustainable agriculture (GlobalGAP 2007b). In 2004, cherry growers in the Southern Interior of British Columbia became the first GlobalGAP certified producers in Canada. This novelty afforded a unique opportunity to observe the introduction of the standard in an industrialized country with well-established regulations and where the capacity of producers to undertake the process was relatively high. A qualitative methodology was used in case studies of two communities to inductively study the implementation of ‘safe and sustainable agriculture’ certification and generate relevant research questions for deeper examination. Sensitizing concepts emerging from observations of the TPC audits (n = 20) evolved into two primary research objectives; 1) to understand the practical application and diffusion of a TPC standard and 2) to explore the efficacy of the TPC standard as a mechanism to promote sustainable agriculture within certain pre-existing contexts. Forty-four follow up interviews were conducted with growers that chose to certify (n = 24), those that did not (n = 14), and other key actors (n = 3). This thesis examines the research objectives over three chapters. The introduction provides the local and global context along with a review of GlobalGAP, agri-food governance and the role of private certification and retailer power. Chapter two presents the technological and sociological factors that influenced the stages of the diffusion of GlobalGAP TPC and compares these factors and outcomes to the technological and sociological components of sustainable agriculture. In the conclusion, policy strategies are offered to maximize the potential for this tool to promote sustainable agriculture along with suggestions for future research on the topic.

The objective of this study was to compare microwave assisted extraction (MAE) and conventional extraction methods for the extraction of total phenolic compounds (TPC) from tomato and sour cherry pomace. Antiradical efficiency (AE) of the extracts and also the concentration of phenolic compounds were determined. In MAE, the effects of microwave power (400 and 700 W), solvent type (water, ethanol and ethanol-water mixture at 1:1 v/v), extraction time (8-20 min) and solvent to solid ratio (10, 20 and 30 ml/g) were studied to observe the change of TPC and AE of the extracts. Conventional extraction was conducted for 6 h using different solvent to solid ratios (10, 20 and 30 ml/g) and solvent types (water, ethanol and ethanol-water mixture at 1:1 v/v). When the power increased from 400 W to 700 W, TPC and AE values increased. In MAE, maximum TPC and AE values were obtained at a solvent to solid ratio of 20 ml/g. The highest TPC and AE values were obtained when the ethanol-water mixture was used for both MAE and conventional extraction. The highest TPC and AE of tomato pomace extracts was determined as 3.76 mg gallic acid equivalent, GAE/g sample and 4.84 mg 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH/g sample, respectively in MAE using power level of 700 W, ethanol-water mixture, solvent to solid ratio of 20 ml/g and extraction time of 14 min. The major phenolic acids detected in tomato pomace extract were gentisic acid and vannilic acid. For sour cherry pomace extracts, the highest TPC and AE was found as 14.14 mg GAE/g sample and 28.32 mg DPPH/g sample, respectively in MAE using power level of 700 W, solvent to solid ratio of 20 ml/g, ethanol-water mixture and extraction time of 12 min. Epicatechin was found to be the major phenolic acid in sour cherry pomace. There was no significant difference in different extraction methods in terms of TPC. On the other hand, AE value and concentration of major phenolic acids of tomato and sour cherry pomace increased when MAE was used.

The primary objective of this study was to obtain nano-emulsion containing polyphenolic compounds extracted from sour cherry pomace and to investigate the effect of degritting of polyphenolic concentrates on the encapsulation efficiency and particle size distribution of capsules and emulsions. It was also aimed to study storage and baking stability of the capsules. Extracted polyphenolic concentrate was degritted at 10,000 rpm for 2 min. Purification reduced Sauter mean diameter (D[32]) of concentrated extract from 5.76 &mu / m to 0.41 &mu / m. Unpurified and purified concentrates were freeze dried for 48 h to obtain extracted phenolic powder (EPP) and purified extracted phenolic powder (PEPP), respectively. Powders were entrapped in two types of coating materials which contain 10% maltodextrin (MD) or 8% MD-2% gum arabic (GA). Samples were prepared by ultrasonication (160 W, 50% pulse) for 20 min. Emulsions containing EPP had D[32] of 1.65 and 1.61 &mu / m when they were entrapped in 10% MD and 8% MD-2% GA coating material solutions, respectively. It was possible to obtain nano-emulsions when purification step was performed. Emulsions prepared with PEPP and coated with 10% MD and 8% MD-2% GA had D[32] of 0.396 and 0.334 &mu / m, respectively. Encapsulation efficiency of the capsules increased significantly from 86.07-88.45% to 98.01-98.29% by means of degritting (p&le / 0.001). Loss of total phenolic content during storage at 43% and 85% relative humidities was smaller for encapsulated powders when compared to powders not entrapped in coating material. In addition, encapsulation significantly increased retention of phenolic compounds from 15.1-22.2% to 30.4-30.7% during baking (p&le / 0.05).

The effects of controlled environment strategies on the yield and quality of cherry tomato fruit production were studied between April, 2003 and September, 2004 at The University of Arizona Campus Agriculture Center; Tucson, AZ. Two cultivars of cherry tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. var. cerasiforme) planted at 2.2 plants m-2 were grown hydroponically in coconut coir and drip fertigated with a low EC (2.4 dS m-1), high EC (4.5 dS m-1), mid day relief of high EC (2.4 dS m-1 or 4.5 dS m-1 over a 24 h period) or night time super high EC treatment (12 dS m-1). From April to October, 2003, the effects of mid day relief of high EC on cherry tomato fruit yield and quality were determined. From February through September, 2004 the effects of super high EC treatment, horizontal air flow (HAF) fan operation and/or delayed fertigation on cherry tomato fruit cracking were studied.

GlobalGAP (previously EurepGAP) is a voluntary business-to-business standard for food audit that has recently achieved the greatest acceptance worldwide (Campbell, Lawrence & Smith 2006) boasting implementation numbers of over 80,000 farms in 80 countries. Compliance with the standard is verified by means of the third party certification (TPC) audit, and is designed to (GlobalGAP 2008) assure European retailers that exporting producers have met their criteria for safe and sustainable agriculture (GlobalGAP 2007b). In 2004, cherry growers in the Southern Interior of British Columbia became the first GlobalGAP certified producers in Canada. This novelty afforded a unique opportunity to observe the introduction of the standard in an industrialized country with well-established regulations and where the capacity of producers to undertake the process was relatively high. A qualitative methodology was used in case studies of two communities to inductively study the implementation of ‘safe and sustainable agriculture’ certification and generate relevant research questions for deeper examination. Sensitizing concepts emerging from observations of the TPC audits (n = 20) evolved into two primary research objectives; 1) to understand the practical application and diffusion of a TPC standard and 2) to explore the efficacy of the TPC standard as a mechanism to promote sustainable agriculture within certain pre-existing contexts. Forty-four follow up interviews were conducted with growers that chose to certify (n = 24), those that did not (n = 14), and other key actors (n = 3). This thesis examines the research objectives over three chapters. The introduction provides the local and global context along with a review of GlobalGAP, agri-food governance and the role of private certification and retailer power. Chapter two presents the technological and sociological factors that influenced the stages of the diffusion of GlobalGAP TPC and compares these factors and outcomes to the technological and sociological components of sustainable agriculture. In the conclusion, policy strategies are offered to maximize the potential for this tool to promote sustainable agriculture along with suggestions for future research on the topic.