The major objective of the research was to improve lychee postharvest management, through a greater understanding of mechanical injury and moisture loss. Mechanical injury is a known cause of postharvest loss in lychee, but previously published information has been limited to broad observations. In this study, the symptoms of mechanical damage in lychee were defined, including quantitative measurement of colour changes. Impact injury caused protuberance tip darkening, cracking of the pericarp and significant changes in skin colour. Compression also typically caused tip darkening, and severe loads were capable of puncture, shape distortion and skin cracking. Abrasion and vibration injuries were characterised by strong yellowing of pericarp colour, possibly due to the leakage of cell contents onto the fruit surface. Vibration also caused significant darkening and loss of colour saturation. Vibration has not previously been mentioned as an issue in lychee postharvest management, but appeared to be as important a problem as desiccation browning at the wholesale level, both in incidence and severity. Mechanically damaged fruit consistently showed increased ethylene and carbon dioxide synthesis, and moisture loss was increased by up to 30%. Some significant changes in skin biochemistry and cuticle properties were also detected. The study of damaged tissue by SEM revealed distinctive patterns of surface tissue disruption. Open pericarp cracking was a particularly detrimental injury, causing significantly increased electrolyte leakage and rapid pathogen development. The effects of load characteristics, such as magnitude, method of application, site, repetition and cushioning, on the extent of damage were defined. Fruit characteristics such as cultivar, gross morphology, temperature, hydration and surface wetness were shown to significantly affect damage levels. Small seed size was correlated with increased cracking susceptibility. Fruit surface wetness exacerbated vibration or abrasion damage. Turgid fruit were less susceptible to vibration and abrasion damage, but showed increased susceptibility to impact cracking. Previously neglected aspects of desiccation browning research were studied, including cultivar and maturity effects, sites of moisture loss and the role of air currents. Cultivar effects on moisture loss were obscured by pre-harvest factors, but consistent cultivar differences were detected in desiccation browning, possibly related to skin thickness. In contrast, maturity levels over a marketable range had little effect on weight loss or browning. Moisture was lost fairly evenly over the fruit surface, but poor postharvest handling appeared to massively increase loss from the protuberance tips. Moisture loss was shown to substantially increase ethylene synthesis. The crucial role of air currents in exacerbating lychee moisture loss was emphasised, and the relationship between air speed and weight loss was defined. The research contributed to a greater understanding of the processes of mechanical damage and moisture loss in lychee, leading to improved protocols for the postharvest management of the fruit. Improved management of mechanical damage and moisture loss will ultimately improve fruit quality and reduce postharvest losses, hence increasing returns to industry.

The major objective of the research was to improve lychee postharvest management, through a greater understanding of mechanical injury and moisture loss. Mechanical injury is a known cause of postharvest loss in lychee, but previously published information has been limited to broad observations. In this study, the symptoms of mechanical damage in lychee were defined, including quantitative measurement of colour changes. Impact injury caused protuberance tip darkening, cracking of the pericarp and significant changes in skin colour. Compression also typically caused tip darkening, and severe loads were capable of puncture, shape distortion and skin cracking. Abrasion and vibration injuries were characterised by strong yellowing of pericarp colour, possibly due to the leakage of cell contents onto the fruit surface. Vibration also caused significant darkening and loss of colour saturation. Vibration has not previously been mentioned as an issue in lychee postharvest management, but appeared to be as important a problem as desiccation browning at the wholesale level, both in incidence and severity. Mechanically damaged fruit consistently showed increased ethylene and carbon dioxide synthesis, and moisture loss was increased by up to 30%. Some significant changes in skin biochemistry and cuticle properties were also detected. The study of damaged tissue by SEM revealed distinctive patterns of surface tissue disruption. Open pericarp cracking was a particularly detrimental injury, causing significantly increased electrolyte leakage and rapid pathogen development. The effects of load characteristics, such as magnitude, method of application, site, repetition and cushioning, on the extent of damage were defined. Fruit characteristics such as cultivar, gross morphology, temperature, hydration and surface wetness were shown to significantly affect damage levels. Small seed size was correlated with increased cracking susceptibility. Fruit surface wetness exacerbated vibration or abrasion damage. Turgid fruit were less susceptible to vibration and abrasion damage, but showed increased susceptibility to impact cracking. Previously neglected aspects of desiccation browning research were studied, including cultivar and maturity effects, sites of moisture loss and the role of air currents. Cultivar effects on moisture loss were obscured by pre-harvest factors, but consistent cultivar differences were detected in desiccation browning, possibly related to skin thickness. In contrast, maturity levels over a marketable range had little effect on weight loss or browning. Moisture was lost fairly evenly over the fruit surface, but poor postharvest handling appeared to massively increase loss from the protuberance tips. Moisture loss was shown to substantially increase ethylene synthesis. The crucial role of air currents in exacerbating lychee moisture loss was emphasised, and the relationship between air speed and weight loss was defined. The research contributed to a greater understanding of the processes of mechanical damage and moisture loss in lychee, leading to improved protocols for the postharvest management of the fruit. Improved management of mechanical damage and moisture loss will ultimately improve fruit quality and reduce postharvest losses, hence increasing returns to industry.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:33:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2013-03-20Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:45:36Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 cavallari_ll_dr_jabo.pdf: 960913 bytes, checksum: 1ea879905d95fc2a314dd2cd0f45b40c (MD5) / O raleio consiste na retirada do excesso de frutos e objetiva aumentar o tamanho dos frutos comercializáveis, evitar quebra de ramos, reduzir custos da colheita e promover equilíbrio entre fase vegetativa e reprodutiva da planta. Além disso, este procedimento promove a melhora de coloração, aumento do teor de sólidos solúveis e mantém vigor da planta. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos do raleio de frutos em cinco variedades de lichieira (Bengal, Americana, Mauritius, Sweet Clift e WB4). Em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado (DIC), com 5 tratamentos e 7 repetições, com três plantas por repetição durante dois anos consecutivos. Os tratamentos utilizados foram as intensidades de raleio, caracterizadas pelo número de frutos deixados nas panículas do ramo terminal, sendo T1: 3 frutos/inflorescência; T2: 6 frutos/ inflorescência; T3: 9 frutos/ inflorescência; T4: 12 frutos/ inflorescência; T5: sem raleio (controle). As avaliações foram por colorimetria dos frutos maduros e suas análises físicas e químicas. Em função das características analisadas a ‘Mauritius’ possui qualidades semelhantes a ‘Bengal’, sendo um material promissor para as regiões de cultivo de lichieira. A variedade Mauritius possui características muito semelhantes às da ‘Bengal’. Além de que a ‘Mauritius’ foi a que mais teve influência, do raleio, na qualidade dos frutos. A AT foi a variável que mais foi influenciada pelo raleio de frutos. No entanto o raleio teve pouca influência na qualidade dos frutos / Thinning is the removal of excess fruit and aims to increase the size of marketable fruit, avoid breaking branches, reduce harvesting costs and promote a balance between vegetative and reproductive phases of the plant. Furthermore, this procedure promotes the color improvement, increased soluble solids and maintains plant vigor. This research aimed to evaluate the effects of thinning fruit in five varieties of lychee (Bengal, Americana, Mauritius, Sweet Clift and WB4). In an experiment completely randomized, (CRD) with five treatments and seven replications, with three plants per replication. The treatments were the intensities of thinning characterized by the number of fruit left on the branch terminal panicles, T1: 3 fruits / branch; T2: 6 fruits / branch; T3: 9 fruit / branch; T4: 12 fruits / branch; T5: no thinning (control). The evaluations were colorimetric through the ripe fruits, physical and chemical analysis for each of the varieties. Depending of analyzed characteristics the 'Mauritius' has qualities similar to 'Bengal', being a promising material for lychee growing regions. The Mauritius variety has characteristics closely resembling those of 'Bengal'. Besides that Mauritius was the variety that had more influence, thinning, and fruit quality. Acidity (direct titration) was the variable that was most influenced by the thinning of fruits. However thinning had little influence on fruit quality

Orientador: Antonio Baldo Geraldo Martins / Banca: Carlos Ruggiero / Banca: Renata Aparecida de Andrade / Banca: Simone Rodrigues da Silva / Banca: Aparecida Conceição Boliani / Resumo: O raleio consiste na retirada do excesso de frutos e objetiva aumentar o tamanho dos frutos comercializáveis, evitar quebra de ramos, reduzir custos da colheita e promover equilíbrio entre fase vegetativa e reprodutiva da planta. Além disso, este procedimento promove a melhora de coloração, aumento do teor de sólidos solúveis e mantém vigor da planta. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos do raleio de frutos em cinco variedades de lichieira (Bengal, Americana, Mauritius, Sweet Clift e WB4). Em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado (DIC), com 5 tratamentos e 7 repetições, com três plantas por repetição durante dois anos consecutivos. Os tratamentos utilizados foram as intensidades de raleio, caracterizadas pelo número de frutos deixados nas panículas do ramo terminal, sendo T1: 3 frutos/inflorescência; T2: 6 frutos/ inflorescência; T3: 9 frutos/ inflorescência; T4: 12 frutos/ inflorescência; T5: sem raleio (controle). As avaliações foram por colorimetria dos frutos maduros e suas análises físicas e químicas. Em função das características analisadas a 'Mauritius' possui qualidades semelhantes a 'Bengal', sendo um material promissor para as regiões de cultivo de lichieira. A variedade Mauritius possui características muito semelhantes às da 'Bengal'. Além de que a 'Mauritius' foi a que mais teve influência, do raleio, na qualidade dos frutos. A AT foi a variável que mais foi influenciada pelo raleio de frutos. No entanto o raleio teve pouca influência na qualidade dos frutos / Abstract: Thinning is the removal of excess fruit and aims to increase the size of marketable fruit, avoid breaking branches, reduce harvesting costs and promote a balance between vegetative and reproductive phases of the plant. Furthermore, this procedure promotes the color improvement, increased soluble solids and maintains plant vigor. This research aimed to evaluate the effects of thinning fruit in five varieties of lychee (Bengal, Americana, Mauritius, Sweet Clift and WB4). In an experiment completely randomized, (CRD) with five treatments and seven replications, with three plants per replication. The treatments were the intensities of thinning characterized by the number of fruit left on the branch terminal panicles, T1: 3 fruits / branch; T2: 6 fruits / branch; T3: 9 fruit / branch; T4: 12 fruits / branch; T5: no thinning (control). The evaluations were colorimetric through the ripe fruits, physical and chemical analysis for each of the varieties. Depending of analyzed characteristics the 'Mauritius' has qualities similar to 'Bengal', being a promising material for lychee growing regions. The Mauritius variety has characteristics closely resembling those of 'Bengal'. Besides that Mauritius was the variety that had more influence, thinning, and fruit quality. Acidity (direct titration) was the variable that was most influenced by the thinning of fruits. However thinning had little influence on fruit quality / Doutor

Orientador: Antonio Baldo Geraldo Martins / Banca: José Antônio Alberto da Silva / Banca: Carlos Ruggiero / Banca: Dalmo Lopes de Siqueira / Banca: João Alexio Scarpare Filho / Resumo: O trabalho foi realizado nas Fazendas Santo Antônio e Jurupema, localizadas no Município de Taquaritinga -SP, Brasil, de abril de 2003 a dezembro de 2005, com o objetivo de estudar a influência da temperatura, anelamento e alguns reguladores de crescimento sobre a floração e a produção de lichieiras cultivar Bengal. Foram registrados dados de produção e temperaturas, precipitação e horas acumuladas com temperaturas inferiores a 15,5° C, e correlacionados para entender o grau de interação. Foi realizado anelamento de ramos de diferentes diâmetros, para conhecer o seu efeito sobre a floração e a frutificação. O anelamento não teve efeito sobre a brotação vegetativa após a colheita, mas as maiores concentrações de PBZ reduziram significativamente a brotação vegetativa e o comprimento dos ramos. O uso de ANA provocou queimaduras nas inflorescências e queda de frutos, mas os que permaneceram, não apresentaram alterações nas características físicas e nos sólidos solúveis. Não foi observado efeito significativo da aplicação de GA3, sobre a fixação de frutos. A queda de frutos, a partir de uma massa de 2 g até a colheita, é de 50%. / Abstract: The work was carried through on Santo Antonio and Jurupema farms, located in Taquaritinga, São Paulo State, Brazil, in the period from April 2003 to December 2005, with the objective to study the influence of temperature, girdling and some growth regulators on the flowering, fruiting and production of lychee trees cultivar Bengal. It was registered production data and temperatures, precipitation and accumulated hours with inferior temperatures to 15.5°C, and correlated to understand the interaction degree. Girdling of branches of different diameters was carried through, to know its effect on the flowering and fruiting. The girdling didn't have effect on the vegetative flushes after the harvest, but the biggest concentrations of PBZ reduce the vegetative flushes and the length of shoots significantly. Spray with NAA provoked burns in the panicles and drop of fruits, but the ones that had remained did not have present alterations in the characteristics and in the soluble solids. Beneficial effect of the application of GA3 on the fruit set was not observed. The drop of fruits, starting from a weight of 2 g to the harvest, is of 50%. / Doutor

No description available.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:33:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2006-06-12Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:45:30Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 garciaperez_e_dr_jabo.pdf: 647726 bytes, checksum: eb455af0dd5ba755145b951a0ea137bd (MD5) / Colegio de Postgraduados de Mexico / Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT) / O trabalho foi realizado nas Fazendas Santo Antônio e Jurupema, localizadas no Município de Taquaritinga -SP, Brasil, de abril de 2003 a dezembro de 2005, com o objetivo de estudar a influência da temperatura, anelamento e alguns reguladores de crescimento sobre a floração e a produção de lichieiras cultivar Bengal. Foram registrados dados de produção e temperaturas, precipitação e horas acumuladas com temperaturas inferiores a 15,5° C, e correlacionados para entender o grau de interação. Foi realizado anelamento de ramos de diferentes diâmetros, para conhecer o seu efeito sobre a floração e a frutificação. O anelamento não teve efeito sobre a brotação vegetativa após a colheita, mas as maiores concentrações de PBZ reduziram significativamente a brotação vegetativa e o comprimento dos ramos. O uso de ANA provocou queimaduras nas inflorescências e queda de frutos, mas os que permaneceram, não apresentaram alterações nas características físicas e nos sólidos solúveis. Não foi observado efeito significativo da aplicação de GA3, sobre a fixação de frutos. A queda de frutos, a partir de uma massa de 2 g até a colheita, é de 50%. / The work was carried through on Santo Antonio and Jurupema farms, located in Taquaritinga, São Paulo State, Brazil, in the period from April 2003 to December 2005, with the objective to study the influence of temperature, girdling and some growth regulators on the flowering, fruiting and production of lychee trees cultivar Bengal. It was registered production data and temperatures, precipitation and accumulated hours with inferior temperatures to 15.5°C, and correlated to understand the interaction degree. Girdling of branches of different diameters was carried through, to know its effect on the flowering and fruiting. The girdling didn't have effect on the vegetative flushes after the harvest, but the biggest concentrations of PBZ reduce the vegetative flushes and the length of shoots significantly. Spray with NAA provoked burns in the panicles and drop of fruits, but the ones that had remained did not have present alterations in the characteristics and in the soluble solids. Beneficial effect of the application of GA3 on the fruit set was not observed. The drop of fruits, starting from a weight of 2 g to the harvest, is of 50%.

A oxidação lipídica é uma das principais reações de deterioração em alimentos, provocando perdas em qualidade e valor nutricional. Para evitar este problema a indústria utiliza antioxidantes, substâncias capazes de retardar essas reações. Os compostos fenólicos constituem-se na principal substância antioxidante utilizada e encontrada em alimentos, sendo que estes podem estar presentes em várias matérias primas vegetais e em resíduos agroindustriais, desprezados pela indústria. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi estudar as condições de extração de compostos fenólicos de frutos de acerola (Malpighia emarginata), borra de café (Coffea arabica) e casca de lichia (Litchi chinensis), bem como avaliar sua atividade antioxidante in vitro e sua aplicação em emulsões. Para extração dos compostos fenólicos foi aplicada a metodologia de superfícies resposta, visando a definição da melhor combinação de variáveis (concentração de etanol, temperatura e tempo) para a máxima recuperação de compostos fenólicos. A avaliação da atividade antioxidante se deu pela estabilização do radical DPPH e estudo da cinética da reação em comparação ao antioxidante sintético TBHQ. Além disso, foi avaliada a atividade antioxidante dos extratos adicionados a emulsões em diferentes concentrações (50 a 200 mg.kg-1), submetidas a teste acelerado de oxidação. O estudo das condições de extração evidenciou que os compostos fenólicos de cada matriz devem ser extraídos em condições distintas. Extratos de frutos de acerola apresentaram o maior teor de compostos fenólicos totais quando foi utilizada apenas água como solvente (175,87 mg GAE.g-1), seguido pelos extratos de borra de café e de casca de lichia extraídos com soluções etanólicas (26,37 e 25,87 mg GAE.g-1 respectivamente). O estudo da cinética de estabilização do radical DPPH demonstrou que o extrato de acerola foi o mais eficiente, seguido pelos extratos de casca de lichia e de borra de café (650,53; 43,09 e 38,74 de TEAC, respectivamente). O estudo de aplicação dos extratos em sistema modelo, com acompanhamento da oxidação por meio da determinação de hidroperóxidos formados (mmol.kg-1), indicou que somente o extrato de acerola, em todas as concentrações utilizadas, apresentou efeito comparável ao TBHQ. Os extratos de casca de lichia e de borra de café, em qualquer concentração utilizada, não apresentaram a mesma proteção à oxidação lipídica. Com os resultados obtidos pode-se concluir que cada matriz se comporta de uma forma na extração de compostos fenólicos, e daí vem a necessidade de se realizar estudo das condições de preparo dos extratos para cada amostra. O extrato de acerola se mostrou o mais eficiente, tanto na cinética de estabilização do radical DPPH quanto na inibição da oxidação no sistema lipídico estudado. No entanto mais trabalhos são necessários para avaliar diferentes sistemas de oxidação, bem como estudos toxicológicos para garantir níveis seguros de consumo. / The oxidation is one of major deterioration in food lipids, causing losses in quality and nutritional value. To avoid this, antioxidants are used and the phenolic compounds are the main component of antioxidant applied and presented in foods, and also may be present in agroindustrial residues, usually discarded by the industry. The objective of this study was to identify ideal conditions to extract phenolic compounds from acerola fruits (Malpighia emarginata), coffee grounds (Coffea arabica) and lychee skins (Litchi chinensis) by means of surface response methodology (RSM), evaluation of antioxidant activity of extracts in in vitro essays, application of selected extracts in emulsions systems during accelerated test. The response surface methodology was applied to each material in order to identify the effects of temperature, ethanol concentration and time in extraction processes. Antioxidant activity by DPPH stabilization and its kinectis evaluation were performed and compared to TBHQ. Furthermore, selected extracts (50 to 200 mg.kg-1) were added in emulsion system and subject to accelerated oxidation test. RSM have shown that phenolic compounds of each material are extractable in different conditions. Acerola fruits aqueous extracts present maximum phenolic content (175.87 mg GAE.g-1) and the higher DPPH antioxidant activity, followed by coffee grounds and lychee skins extracts (26.37 and 25.87 mg GAE.g-1). Acerola extracts also presented the best stabilization of DPPH in kinetic study, with results comparable to the TBHQ effect (650.53 TEAC). Acerola extract added to the emulsion showed a good antioxidant effect in all concentrations during accelerated test, resulting in final oxidation levels (mmol hydroperoxides kg-1) comparable to TBHQ in the same concentration. Coffee grounds and lychee skins extracts were not efficient in avoid hydroperoxides increasing. Results showed the importance of studying extractions conditions for each material. Acerola extract showed the most efficient antioxidant activity both in DPPH kinetics DPPH stabilization and inhibition of lipid oxidation in the system studied. However, further work is needed to evaluate different oxidation systems, as well as toxicological studies to ensure safe levels of consumption.

A oxidação lipídica é uma das principais reações de deterioração em alimentos, provocando perdas em qualidade e valor nutricional. Para evitar este problema a indústria utiliza antioxidantes, substâncias capazes de retardar essas reações. Os compostos fenólicos constituem-se na principal substância antioxidante utilizada e encontrada em alimentos, sendo que estes podem estar presentes em várias matérias primas vegetais e em resíduos agroindustriais, desprezados pela indústria. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi estudar as condições de extração de compostos fenólicos de frutos de acerola (Malpighia emarginata), borra de café (Coffea arabica) e casca de lichia (Litchi chinensis), bem como avaliar sua atividade antioxidante in vitro e sua aplicação em emulsões. Para extração dos compostos fenólicos foi aplicada a metodologia de superfícies resposta, visando a definição da melhor combinação de variáveis (concentração de etanol, temperatura e tempo) para a máxima recuperação de compostos fenólicos. A avaliação da atividade antioxidante se deu pela estabilização do radical DPPH e estudo da cinética da reação em comparação ao antioxidante sintético TBHQ. Além disso, foi avaliada a atividade antioxidante dos extratos adicionados a emulsões em diferentes concentrações (50 a 200 mg.kg-1), submetidas a teste acelerado de oxidação. O estudo das condições de extração evidenciou que os compostos fenólicos de cada matriz devem ser extraídos em condições distintas. Extratos de frutos de acerola apresentaram o maior teor de compostos fenólicos totais quando foi utilizada apenas água como solvente (175,87 mg GAE.g-1), seguido pelos extratos de borra de café e de casca de lichia extraídos com soluções etanólicas (26,37 e 25,87 mg GAE.g-1 respectivamente). O estudo da cinética de estabilização do radical DPPH demonstrou que o extrato de acerola foi o mais eficiente, seguido pelos extratos de casca de lichia e de borra de café (650,53; 43,09 e 38,74 de TEAC, respectivamente). O estudo de aplicação dos extratos em sistema modelo, com acompanhamento da oxidação por meio da determinação de hidroperóxidos formados (mmol.kg-1), indicou que somente o extrato de acerola, em todas as concentrações utilizadas, apresentou efeito comparável ao TBHQ. Os extratos de casca de lichia e de borra de café, em qualquer concentração utilizada, não apresentaram a mesma proteção à oxidação lipídica. Com os resultados obtidos pode-se concluir que cada matriz se comporta de uma forma na extração de compostos fenólicos, e daí vem a necessidade de se realizar estudo das condições de preparo dos extratos para cada amostra. O extrato de acerola se mostrou o mais eficiente, tanto na cinética de estabilização do radical DPPH quanto na inibição da oxidação no sistema lipídico estudado. No entanto mais trabalhos são necessários para avaliar diferentes sistemas de oxidação, bem como estudos toxicológicos para garantir níveis seguros de consumo. / The oxidation is one of major deterioration in food lipids, causing losses in quality and nutritional value. To avoid this, antioxidants are used and the phenolic compounds are the main component of antioxidant applied and presented in foods, and also may be present in agroindustrial residues, usually discarded by the industry. The objective of this study was to identify ideal conditions to extract phenolic compounds from acerola fruits (Malpighia emarginata), coffee grounds (Coffea arabica) and lychee skins (Litchi chinensis) by means of surface response methodology (RSM), evaluation of antioxidant activity of extracts in in vitro essays, application of selected extracts in emulsions systems during accelerated test. The response surface methodology was applied to each material in order to identify the effects of temperature, ethanol concentration and time in extraction processes. Antioxidant activity by DPPH stabilization and its kinectis evaluation were performed and compared to TBHQ. Furthermore, selected extracts (50 to 200 mg.kg-1) were added in emulsion system and subject to accelerated oxidation test. RSM have shown that phenolic compounds of each material are extractable in different conditions. Acerola fruits aqueous extracts present maximum phenolic content (175.87 mg GAE.g-1) and the higher DPPH antioxidant activity, followed by coffee grounds and lychee skins extracts (26.37 and 25.87 mg GAE.g-1). Acerola extracts also presented the best stabilization of DPPH in kinetic study, with results comparable to the TBHQ effect (650.53 TEAC). Acerola extract added to the emulsion showed a good antioxidant effect in all concentrations during accelerated test, resulting in final oxidation levels (mmol hydroperoxides kg-1) comparable to TBHQ in the same concentration. Coffee grounds and lychee skins extracts were not efficient in avoid hydroperoxides increasing. Results showed the importance of studying extractions conditions for each material. Acerola extract showed the most efficient antioxidant activity both in DPPH kinetics DPPH stabilization and inhibition of lipid oxidation in the system studied. However, further work is needed to evaluate different oxidation systems, as well as toxicological studies to ensure safe levels of consumption.

Total soluble solids (TSS) is a reliable indicator of melon eating quality, with a minimum standard of 10% recommended. The state of Australian melon production with respect to this quality criterion was considered within seasons, between growing districts and over seasons. It was concluded that improvement in agronomic practice and varietal selection is required to produce sweeter melons. The scientific literature addressing melon physiology and agronomy was summarised, as a background to the work that is required to improve melon production practices in Australia. The effect of source sink manipulation was assessed for commercially grown and glasshouse grown melon plants. The timing of fruit thinning, pollination scheduling, the application of a growth inhibitor and source biomass removal were assessed in relation to fruit growth and sugar accumulation. Results are interpreted against a model in which fruit rapidly increase in weight until about two weeks before harvest, with sugar accumulation continuing as fruit growth ceases. Thus treatment response is very dependant on timing of application. For example, fruit thinning at 25 days before harvest resulted in further fruit set and increased fruit weight but did not impact on fruit TSS (at 9.8%, control 9.3%), while thinning at 5 days before harvest resulted in a significant (Pless than 0.05) increase in fruit TSS (to 10.8%, control 9.3%) and no increase in fruit weight or number. A cost/ benefit analysis is presented, allowing an estimation of the increase in sale price required to sustain the implementation of fruit thinning. The effect of irrigation scheduling was also considered with respect to increasing melon yield and quality. To date, recommended practice has been to cause an irrigation deficit close to fruit harvest, with the intent of 'drying out' or 'stressing' the plant, to 'bring on' maturity and increase sugar accumulation. Irrigation trials showed that keeping plants stress-free close to harvest and during harvest, facilitated the production of sweeter fruit. The maintenance of a TSS grade standard using either batch based (destructive) sampling or (non-invasive) grading of individual fruit is discussed. On-line grading of individual fruit is possible using near infrared spectroscopy (NIR), but the applicability of the technique to melons has received little published attention. Tissue sampling strategy was optimised, in relation to the optical geometry used (in commercial operation in Australia), both in terms of the diameter and depth of sampled tissue. NIR calibration model performance was superior when based on the TSS of outer, rather than inner mesocarp tissue. However the linear relationship between outer and middle tissue TSS was strong (r2 = 0.8) in immature fruit, though less related in maturing fruit (r2 = 0.5). The effect of fruit storage (maturation/senescence) on calibration model performance was assessed. There was a negligible effect of fruit cold storage on calibration performance. Currently, the agronomist lacks a cost-effective tool to rapidly assess fruit TSS in the field. Design parameters for such a tool were established, and several optical front ends compared for rapid, though invasive, analysis. Further, for visualisation of the spatial distribution of tissue TSS within a melon fruit, a two-dimensional, or hyper-spectral NIR imaging system based on a low cost 8-bit charge coupled device (CCD) camera and filter arrangement, was designed and characterised.