Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T16:53:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2014-08-01Bitstream added on 2015-05-14T16:58:45Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000828916.pdf: 953559 bytes, checksum: 8f8a10df63b7d2544c54286f650d6cfe (MD5) / O manejo pós-colheita adequado é fundamental para a manutenção da durabilidade de flores de corte e o uso dos tratamentos contendo reguladores vegetais tem se mostrado positivo para este propósito. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram: testar o efeito da 6-benzilaminopurina na solução de condicionamento e por aspersão na pós-colheita de antúrios (Anthurium andraeanum) cv. Apalai (IAC NK 130), avaliando a durabilidade, a variação do peso fresco, o teor de carboidratos solúveis, o teor de compostos fenólicos totais e a atividade da enzima polifenol oxidase; e avaliar o efeito das soluções de hidratação e condicionamento, do uso de espuma floral, da aplicação de tiossulfato de prata seguida da aplicação de etileno e do produto comercial Fresco® na vida de vaso de quatro variedades de Curcuma alismatifolia. O uso de 6-benzilaminopurina (BAP) na pós-colheita de antúrios foi benéfico quando aplicado por meio de aspersão, quando este regulador de crescimento foi adicionado à solução de condicionamento houve redução da vida de vaso de 17,9 para 13,8 dias, respectivamente; e também proporcionou melhor manutenção do peso fresco inicial, 93 % e 76 % respectivamente. Observou-se maior concentração de carboidratos solúveis na espata de hastes tratadas com menos de 150 mg L-1 de BAP. O teor de compostos fenólicos totais foi maior nas hastes submetidas a solução de condicionamento do que as que receberam BAP por meio de aspersão. Portanto, recomenda-se o uso de BAP por aspersão para aumentar a durabilidade de antúrios cv. Apalai. O experimento com as hastes de cúrcuma mostrou que esta espécie não responde positivamente aos tratamentos pós-colheita mais comuns e assim recomenda-se manter as flores em água deionizada. O uso de espuma floral tem efeito negativo na vida de vaso de hastes de cúrcuma

Orientador: Giuseppina Pace Pereira Lima / Coorientador: John Dole / Banca: Glaucia Moraes Dias / Banca: Luciana Manoel de Oliveira / Banca: Celina Maria Henrique / Banca: Elizabeth Orika Ono / Resumo: O manejo pós-colheita adequado é fundamental para a manutenção da durabilidade de flores de corte e o uso dos tratamentos contendo reguladores vegetais tem se mostrado positivo para este propósito. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram: testar o efeito da 6-benzilaminopurina na solução de condicionamento e por aspersão na pós-colheita de antúrios (Anthurium andraeanum) cv. Apalai (IAC NK 130), avaliando a durabilidade, a variação do peso fresco, o teor de carboidratos solúveis, o teor de compostos fenólicos totais e a atividade da enzima polifenol oxidase; e avaliar o efeito das soluções de hidratação e condicionamento, do uso de espuma floral, da aplicação de tiossulfato de prata seguida da aplicação de etileno e do produto comercial Fresco® na vida de vaso de quatro variedades de Curcuma alismatifolia. O uso de 6-benzilaminopurina (BAP) na pós-colheita de antúrios foi benéfico quando aplicado por meio de aspersão, quando este regulador de crescimento foi adicionado à solução de condicionamento houve redução da vida de vaso de 17,9 para 13,8 dias, respectivamente; e também proporcionou melhor manutenção do peso fresco inicial, 93 % e 76 % respectivamente. Observou-se maior concentração de carboidratos solúveis na espata de hastes tratadas com menos de 150 mg L-1 de BAP. O teor de compostos fenólicos totais foi maior nas hastes submetidas a solução de condicionamento do que as que receberam BAP por meio de aspersão. Portanto, recomenda-se o uso de BAP por aspersão para aumentar a durabilidade de antúrios cv. Apalai. O experimento com as hastes de cúrcuma mostrou que esta espécie não responde positivamente aos tratamentos pós-colheita mais comuns e assim recomenda-se manter as flores em água deionizada. O uso de espuma floral tem efeito negativo na vida de vaso de hastes de cúrcuma / Abstract: Not available / Doutor

Orientador: Antônio Carlos de Oliveira Ferraz / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Agrícola / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-16T16:42:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dantas_TiagoBassaniHellmeister_M.pdf: 2695137 bytes, checksum: f8c305498cb92341a0829a0bc97f874e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Resumo: Estima-se que as perdas pós-colheita de frutas e hortaliças variam de 15 a 40% em relação ao total da produção brasileira. Uma das etapas em que ocorrem tais perdas é o transporte, envolvendo o meio de transporte, condições das rodovias brasileiras e embalagens, dentre outros fatores. Dentre as principais dificuldades encontradas no acondicionamento de frutas e hortaliças, destacam-se os parâmetros do ensaio de vibração, utilizado como ferramenta no desenvolvimento de embalagens, e a forma de avaliação do desempenho físico-mecânico do conjunto produto-embalagem. Os parâmetros de vibração sugeridos em normas de ensaio como ABNT e ASTM não se aplicam à realidade de frutas e hortaliças, sendo excessivamente severos a tais produtos. Além disso, grande parte dos estudos nessa área é baseada em avaliações visuais de danos mecânicos e índices fisiológicos tradicionais, apresentando assim resultados pobres quanto ao conhecimento das reais alterações ocasionadas no produto. Assim, o presente trabalho teve por objetivo estudar as respostas bioquímicas do tecido vegetal em função de solicitações mecânicas por vibração e impacto, estabelecendo-se a seguinte hipótese: As alterações bioquímicas no tecido vegetal dependem dos níveis dos esforços vibracionais e por impacto. Amostras de pêssego 'Douradão' foram submetidas aos dois tipos de solicitação mecânica, em dois níveis de severidade para cada tipo, e avaliadas quanto à polifenoloxidase (PPO), cuja atividade está correlacionada ao nível de danos no tecido. Além dos tipos de solicitação mecânica, fez-se também a variação do tempo póscolheita (4 épocas) e do tempo de repouso após a solicitação mecânica (3 períodos). A atividade de PPO foi determinada para cada pêssego pela variação de atividade na região danificada em relação à atividade na região sem dano. A metodologia utilizada para a determinação da atividade de polifenoloxidase consistiu na extração da enzima e avaliação de sua atividade por espectrofotometria. O trabalho foi dividido em duas etapas, sendo a primeira composta por ensaios exploratórios, para definição dos parâmetros dos ensaios utilizados para aplicação dos danos nas frutas e adequação da metodologia, e a segunda, pelos ensaios finais. Com base nos ensaios exploratórios, fez-se a adequação da metodologia de PPO e a definição dos parâmetros de vibração e impacto. Os resultados dos ensaios finais mostraram a ocorrência de variações na atividade da polifenoloxidase em função das solicitações mecânicas aplicadas aos frutos. Porém, para vibração, considerando-se os mesmos tempos pós-colheita e tempos de repouso, 2 de 12 tratamentos confirmaram a hipótese; para impacto, isso ocorreu em 5 dos 12 tratamentos. Além disso, em 40% dos tratamentos, a atividade média de PFO foi maior nos corpos-de-prova sem danos. Assim, não foi possível o estabelecimento de uma correlação entre a atividade de PPO e os diferentes níveis das solicitações para a metodologia utilizada / Abstract: It is estimated that post-harvest losses of fruits and vegetables in Brazil range from 15% to 40% of Brazilian production. Losses are significant during transportation, especially regarding transportation vehicles conditions, road conditions and inadequate packages, among other factors. Regarding packaging for fruits and vegetables, one may consider the problem associated with the lack of knowledge concerning vibration test parameters, used as a tool for packaging development, and evaluation of package-product performance. The vibration parameters suggested in test standards such as ABNT and ASTM do not apply to fruits and vegetables, since they are excessively severe for such products. Besides, most of studies in this field are based on mechanical damage visual evaluation and traditional physiological indexes, which present poor information regarding the causes of such damage. From this point of view, this work aimed to study the biochemical responses of the vegetal tissue under vibrational and impact stresses; the following hypothesis was established: The biochemical changes in the vegetal tissue depend on vibrational and impact stress levels. 'Douradão' peach samples were submitted to such stresses, in two different levels, and their polyphenoloxidase (PPO) activity response was measured. The activity of this enzyme is related to the level of damages in the tissue. Besides these mechanical stresses, post-harvest times (4 periods) and resting times after mechanical stress (3 periods) were defined. PPO activity was determined for each peach by the activity change in injuried area related to activity in non-injuried area. The methodology for the determination of polyphenoloxidase activity comprised enzyme extraction and activity evaluation by spectrophotometry. The work was accomplished in two steps; the first one composed by exploratory tests, in order to define test parameters used in fruits injurying and for methodology adjustment, and the second one was composed by the final tests. Based on exploratory tests, PPO methodology was adjusted and vibration and impact parameters were defined. Final tests results showed PPO activity variations due to the mechanical stresses applied to the fruits. However, for vibration, considering the same postharvest periods and resting times, 2 from 12 treatments confirmed the hypothesis; regarding impact, 5 from 12 treatments confirmed the hypothesis. Thus, it was not possible to establish a correlation between PPO activity and the several levels of stress for the applied methodology / Mestrado / Tecnologia Pós-Colheita / Mestre em Engenharia Agrícola

Orientador: Marcos David Ferreira / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Agrícola / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-18T02:09:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Spricigo_PolianaCristina_M.pdf: 1670459 bytes, checksum: a93fd04b87a2e895813ed5e1bb330237 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Resumo: Em flores de corte, como crisântemos, a manutenção da turgescência é um dos principais fatores a serem controlados na pós-colheita. A perda de água, e consequentemente da qualidade, acarretam prejuízos tanto a produtores e consumidores e pode ocorrer em diversas etapas desde a colheita até a comercialização. O transporte ou armazenamento a seco, além de não permitir reidratação imediata, compromete a resposta à absorção posterior da água. Hastes que permanecem fora da água após o corte apresentam bloqueio vascular, levando ao entupimento dos vasos xilemáticos. Além desses fatores, a qualidade da água utilizada também influência na conservação pós-colheita. A perda de água está ligada à aceleração de processos que levam a senescência da haste, como aumento na atividade respiratória e na transpiração. Para a avaliação da turgescência em tecidos florais, é utilizado com frequência o teor relativo de água. No teor relativo de água, dentre outras características, é necessário que se faça a destruição da amostra para chegar a um valor estimado em porcentagem de água nos tecidos. Para suprir a necessidade de avaliar a turgescência em tecidos florais sem a necessidade de destruí-la, foi criado o equipamento Wiltmeter®. Por meio da pressão de turgescência ele oferece valores instantâneos da condição hídrica dos tecidos, sem que para isso haja necessidade de destruir a amostra. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a turgescência de hastes de crisântemos ao longo do manejo pós-colheita, pelos métodos do teor relativo de água (%) e pressão de turgescência (kPa) correlacioná-los e avaliar a mudança de parâmetros de qualidade em decorrência da perda de água. Foram realizadas análises físicas e químicas como: variação da massa fresca, teor relativo de água, pressão de turgescência, taxa de absorção, taxa de transpiração, coloração, carboidratos solúveis e número de botões, flores entreabertas e abertas. Para avaliar as hastes, estas foram submetidas a tratamentos com água destilada e potável, e neste experimento a água potável obteve melhor desempenho na manutenção da turgescência das hastes. Diferentes períodos de armazenamento a seco e posterior reidratação foram avaliados, onde o tratamento testemunha que não foi submetido a seca manteve melhor a hidratação de flores e folhas. Diferentes alturas de corte da base da haste foram testadas, onde o maior corte inicial obteve melhor resultado. Avaliou-se a turgescência em flores de corte ao longo do manejo pós-colheita, evidenciando a eficiência e sensibilidade do Wiltmeter®, sendo possível correlacionar os resultados obtidos com os métodos de teor relativo de água, e também verificar alteração da qualidade das hastes em decorrência da perda de água / Abstract: In cut flowers such as chrysanthemums, maintenance of turgor is one of the main factors to be controlled in postharvest. The loss of water, and consequently the quality, is detrimental to producers and consumers and can occur at various stages from harvesting to marketing. The transportation or dry storage did not allow immediate rehydration, compromising the subsequent response to absorption of water. Stems that remain outside the water after cutting show vascular blockage, leading to clogging of the xylem. Besides these factors, the quality of water used also influence the postharvest conservation. Water loss is linked to the acceleration of processes leading to senescence of the stem, such as increased respiratory activity and transpiration. For the evaluation of turgidity in floral tissues, is often used the relative water content. In relative water content, among other characteristics, it is necessary to make the destruction of the sample to reach an estimated percentage of water in tissues. To meet the need to evaluate the turgidity in floral tissues without the need to destroy it, was created the equipment Wiltmeter ®. By means of turgor pressure values it offers the water status of tissues, without this being necessary to destroy the sample. The aim of this study was to evaluate the turgidity of stems of chrysanthemums during the postharvest management, by the methods of relative water content (%) and turgor pressure (kPa) and correlate them to evaluate the change in quality parameters due water loss. Were performed physical and chemical analysis: variation of fresh mass, relative water content, turgor pressure, absorption rate, transpiration rate, color, soluble carbohydrates and number of buds, flowers and open ajar. To evaluate the stems, they were subjected to treatment with distilled water and tap water, and tap water in this experiment showed the best performance in maintaining the turgidity of the stems. Was also executed various periods of dry storage and rehydration, where the control treatment that was not subjected to drought maintained better hydration of petals and leaves. Also tested were cut at different heights from the base of the stem, where the largest initial cut had the best results. Evaluation of turgidity in cut flowers throughout the postharvest management, demonstrated the efficiency and sensitivity of Wiltmeter®, was possible correlate their results with the methods of relative water content, and also check the deterioration of the stems due water loss / Mestrado / Tecnologia Pós-Colheita / Mestre em Engenharia Agrícola

Orientadores: Sylvio Luís Honório, Antônio Carlos de Oliveira Ferraz / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Agrícola / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-16T02:32:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Valentini_SilviaReginadeToledo_D.pdf: 477662 bytes, checksum: d91d150ba4084b613e36f647d7cf600c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Resumo: Este trabalho teve como objetivos: quantificar a taxa respiratória, a produção de etileno e a atividade enzimática de toletes de palmito Pupunha; determinar a temperatura adequada para a conservação da qualidade e avaliar sistemas de embalagem com atmosfera modificada. O primeiro experimento teve por objetivo quantificar a taxa respiratória e a produção de etileno em toletes de palmito Pupunha armazenados nas temperaturas de 1,5±1oC, 5±1oC, 10±1oC e 25±1oC e 85±5% de umidade relativa. As análises da concentração de oxigênio (O2), dióxido de carbono (CO2) e etileno (C2H4) foram feitas por cromatografia gasosa.Também foi determinada a perda de massa dos toletes armazenados nas quatro temperaturas. A atividade respiratória, a biossíntese de C2H4 e a perda de massa de toletes de palmito Pupunha são influenciadas pelas temperaturas de armazenamento. No segundo experimento foi feita a caracterização físico-química de toletes de palmito Pupunha do verão e do inverno. Os toletes foram armazenados a 10,0±1oC, 5,0±1oC e 1,5±1oC com umidade relativa de 85±5%. O rendimento de toletes por haste cortada foi 30% menor no inverno e seus valores de firmeza foram maiores que os do verão. A perda de massa foi maior nos toletes colhidos no verão. A condição climática não exerceu efeito sobre o pH e acidez dos toletes. No terceiro experimento os toletes foram embalados em PELBD e PVC esticáveis e em filme poliolefínico (CT301) e armazenados a 5oC. Verificou-se que a menor concentração de O2 no interior das embalagens com PVC não reduziu a concentração de C2H4 e também não afetou a atividade da peroxidase nos toletes de palmito Pupunha. A maior concentração de CO2 no interior das embalagens PVC não exerceu efeito inibidor sobre a ação do C2H4 nos toletes. Os toletes de palmito Pupunha embalados em PVC e armazenados a 5,0oC apresentaram-se microbiologicamente seguros para o consumo até o 15o dia pós-colheita, enquanto os acondicionados em PELBD e CT301 até o 6º dia. A baixa concentração de O2 no interior das embalagens de PVC reduziu o crescimento de microrganismos deteriorantes / Abstract: This study aimed to quantify the respiratory rate, ethylene production and enzymatic activity of Pupunha hearts of palm and to determine the temperature for preserving the product, and to evaluate modified atmosphere packaging systems for product conservation. The first test aimed to quantify the respiratory rate and ethylene production of Pupunha hearts of palm stored at 25.0oC, 10.0oC, 5.0oC and 1.5oC and 85 ± 5% RH. The analysis of the concentration of oxygen (O2), carbon dioxide (CO2) and ethylene (C2H4) were made by gas chromatography. The weight loss was also determined. The storage temperatures effected the respiratory rate and C2H4 concentration of Pupunha hearts of palm. In the second experiment, Pupunha hearts of palm were harvested during the summer and winter. The hearts of palm were stored at 10.0 ± 1oC, 5.0 ± 1oC and 1.5 ± 1oC at relative humidity of 85 ± 5%. The yield of the stems cut in the winter was 30% lower and the hearts of palms were tougher. Weight loss was higher for hearts of palm harvested in the summer. Tritatable acidity and pH were not affected by the harvesting season. In the third assay, Pupunha hearts of palm were packed with stretchable PVC and LDPE films and with a polyolefinic film (CT301) and stored at 5oC. The low O2 concentration in the PVC packagings did not affect C2H4 concentration and the peroxidase activity. Hearts of palm packed in PVC and stored at 5.0oC were microbiologically safe up to the 15th postharvest day, and those packed in LDPE and CT301 up to the 6th day. The low O2 concentration in the PVC packaging reduced microbial deterioration / Doutorado / Tecnologia Pós-Colheita / Doutor em Engenharia Agrícola

South African ‘Eureka’ lemon fruit must be exposed to chilling temperatures (± 0.6°C) as a mandatory quarantine treatment against insect pests for all its overseas markets. Chilling lemon fruit at such temperatures may develop chilling injury (CI) symptoms on the flavedo. This negative effect on fruit quality reduces fruit marketability. This study evaluated postharvest factors influencing physiological, biochemical and ultra-structural mechanisms involved in alleviating CI in lemon fruit. It was hypothesised that treatment with methyl jasmonate (MJ) and salicylic acid (SA) may enhance chilling tolerance in lemon fruit by maintaining cellular integrity and inducing synthesis of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. Furthermore, fruit susceptibility to CI was associated with the source of fruit. Lemon fruit were harvested from three locations representative of moderate subtropical, warm temperate and cool subtropical environments. Harvested fruit were treated either with 10 μM MJ, 2 mM SA or 10 μM MJ plus 2 mM SA, stored either at -0.5, 2 or 4.5°C for 0, 7, 14, 21, or 28 days and afterwards transferred to 23°C for a week as shelf-life simulation. Thereafter, fruit were evaluated for alterations in physiological, biochemical and ultra-structural features involved in the manifestation of CI symptoms. Chilling damage was more severe in untreated lemon fruit than in treated lemon fruit. Storing lemon fruit at 4.5°C accelerated the manifestation of CI symptoms more so than at 2°C while storage at -0.5°C delayed the manifestation of CI symptoms. Lemon fruit of moderate subtropical origin were more chilling-tolerant than lemon fruit of warm temperate and cool subtropical origin. Treatment with 10 μM MJ plus 2 mM SA significantly (P < 0.05) improved chilling tolerance in lemon fruit. This treatment effectively maintained membrane integrity, thereby retarding electrolyte leakage and membrane lipid peroxidation as well as mass loss and respiration rate. Treatment with 10 μM MJ plus 2 mM SA was also effective in enhancing the antioxidant concentrations of vitamin E and carotenoids. The production of these antioxidants could have been part of a defence system against chilling damage, reducing CI and maintaining fruit quality. Treatment with 10 μM MJ plus 2 mM SA enhanced the concentration of compounds involved in chilling resistance, such as proline, soluble sugars, ascorbic acid and total phenolics as well as the enzyme phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL). The enhancement of the defence mechanisms may have played a role in enhancing chilling tolerance in lemon fruit. The treatment also inhibited certain enzymes involved in tissue browning, such as peroxidase (POD) which might have contributed to delaying manifestation of symptoms. Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was found to not be a good biochemical marker of the occurrence of CI. Treatment with 10 μM MJ plus 2 mM SA appeared to be able to enhance chilling tolerance in lemon fruit by maintaining the ultra-structure of the cuticle, cell wall integrity, cell membrane of parenchyma cells of the flavedo. This treatment also preserved the mineral nutrients of the flavedo (carbon, oxygen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulphur, sodium, silicon and aluminium) during cold storage. This could have played a role in protecting the fruit against chilling stress and maintaining fruit quality. Treatment with 10 μM MJ plus 2 mM SA reduced ROS production, while the activity of enzymatic antioxidants such as catalyse (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR), and accumulation of essential proteins was enhanced. This increase in activity of enzymatic antioxidants and the presence of stress-responsive proteins in the lemon flavedo could have been directly involved in enhancing chilling tolerance. The CI symptoms were accompanied by an increase in membrane permeability, membrane lipid peroxidation as well as phospholipase D (PLD) and lipoxygenase (LOX) activity; however, treatment with 10 μM MJ plus 2 mM SA effectively reduced the membrane permeability, membrane lipid peroxidation, and PLD and LOX activity induced by the cold treatment. This could have contributed to the efficacy of 10 μM MJ plus 2 mM SA in inhibiting the manifestation of CI symptoms. Treatment with 10 μM MJ plus 2 mM SA enhanced flavedo total antioxidant capacity measured by ferric reducing ability of plasma; 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl; 2,2-azinobis (3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and the oxygen radical absorption capacity assays. The enhancement of antioxidant capacity in lemon flavedo could have contributed to the fruit’s chilling tolerance. Therefore, the effect of 10 μM MJ plus 2 mM SA treatment, enhancing chilling tolerance, may be attributed to its ability to enhance enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants; activate essential proteins and mitigate the effect of ROS accumulation. With the use of 10 μM MJ plus 2 mM SA treatments, the South African citrus industry will be able to meet the quarantine temperature requirements for exportation of lemon fruit whilst reducing economic losses, depending on the preharvest conditions experienced by the fruit in each shipment. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2013.

O presente trabalho objetivou estudar como o ponto de colheita, o bloqueio da ação do etileno e o armazenamento refrigerado interferem no amadurecimento e na qualidade do mamão ‘Golden’. No primeiro experimento, foram colhidos mamões ‘Golden’ em 4 estádios de maturação (Estádio 0: totalmente verde; Estádio 1: até 15% da casca amarela; Estádio 2: 16-25% da casca amarela; Estádio 3: 26-50% da casca amarela) e analisados, durante o amadurecimento a 23ºC, quanto às características físicas e químicas (cor da casca, firmeza da polpa, sólidos solúveis, acidez titulável e ácido ascórbico), fisiológicas (respiração e produção de etileno) e sensoriais (sabor, odor, firmeza e aparência). A partir do 2º dia de armazenamento a 23ºC, os frutos apresentaram respiração constante ao redor de 31 mL CO2 kg-1 h-1 para os estádios 0, 1 e 2 e de 37 mL CO2 kg-1 h-1 para o estádio 3. Não foi observado típico comportamento climatérico para nenhum dos estádios. Somente frutos colhidos nos estádios 0 e 1 apresentaram pico na produção de etileno de 2,1 µL C2H4 kg-1 h-1 aos 7 dias e 1,3 µL C2H4 kg-1 h-1 aos 6 dias de armazenamento a 23ºC, respectivamente. Frutos colhidos nos estádios 2 e 3 tiveram notas superiores na avaliação sensorial, principalmente quanto ao sabor e aparência. Frutos de todos os estádios de maturação receberam notas iguais ou superiores a regular. A colheita em diferentes estádios de maturação alterou a fisiologia pós-colheita dos frutos, sendo que quando efetuada em estádios menos avançados, diminuiu a qualidade do fruto, mas não impossibilitou seu consumo. No segundo experimento foram utilizados mamões colhidos no estádio 1 de maturação. Metade dos frutos tratados e não tratados com 100 nL L-1 de 1-metilciclopropeno (1-MCP) foi mantida a 23ºC, sendo que a outra metade permaneceu por 20 dias a 11ºC, antes da transferência para 23ºC. Durante o amadurecimento, os frutos foram analisados quanto às mesmas características físicas, químicas e fisiológicas realizadas no primeiro experimento, além da atividade da enzima pectinametilesterase (PME). Frutos que receberam aplicação de 1-MCP e não foram refrigerados, tiveram redução na respiração, produção de etileno, desenvolvimento da cor da casca e atividade da PME, mantendo a firmeza alta durante o armazenamento a 23ºC. Mesmo com o aumento gradual da produção do etileno a 23ºC, frutos tratados com 1-MCP mantiveram a firmeza alta, mas, apresentaram perda da coloração verde. O armazenamento refrigerado prejudicou a produção do etileno nos frutos não tratados e tratados com 1-MCP quando os mesmos foram transferidos para 23ºC. Mesmo assim, a firmeza nesses frutos decresceu, sendo essa diminuição sempre menor nos frutos tratados com 1-MCP. Esses resultados nos levam a considerar que o amolecimento da polpa é mais dependente do etileno quando comparado ao desenvolvimento da cor da casca, e que existem processos independentes do etileno responsáveis pela perda de firmeza. A inibição prolongada do etileno, ou a inibição dos sítios receptores nos frutos colhidos em estádio de maturação precoce, reflete em lenta capacidade de recuperação da ação e produção do etileno, fazendo com que o uso de bloqueadores da ação do etileno nesses frutos deva ser feito com cautela. / The present work had as objective the study of how the harvest time, ethylene action blockade and cold storage influence the ripening and the quality of ‘Golden’ papaya fruit. In the first experiment ‘Golden’ papayas were harvested at 4 maturity stages (Stage 0: totally green; Stage 1: up to 15% of yellow skin; Stage 2: 16-25% of yellow skin; Stage 3: 26-50% of yellow skin) and analyzed during ripening at 23ºC in relation to physical and chemical (skin color, pulp firmness, soluble solids, titratable acidity and ascorbic acid), physiological (respiration and ethylene production) and sensorial (flavor, odor, firmness and appearance) characteristics. From the 2nd day of storage at 23ºC, fruits presented stable respiratory activity around 31 mL CO2 kg-1 h-1 for stages 0, 1 e 2 and 37 mL CO2 kg-1 h-1 for stage 3. It was not observed typical climacteric behavior in any maturity stage. Only fruits harvested in stage 0 and 1 showed ethylene production peak of 2.1 µL C2H4 kg-1 h-1 at the 7th day and 1.3 µL C2H4 kg-1 h-1 at the 6th day of storage at 23ºC, respectively. Fruits harvested at stages 2 and 3 had superior scores in sensorial evaluation, mainly for flavor and appearance. Sensorial characteristics of fruits from all maturity stages were scored as regular or superior. Harvest at different maturity stages altered the fruit postharvest physiology and when effectuated at early stages reduced the fruit quality but did not make the fruit consume impossible. In the second experiment papayas harvested at maturity stage 1 were evaluated. Half of the fruit treated and non-treated with 100 nL L-1 of 1-methylcyclopropene (1- MCP) were exposed to 23ºC, while the other half was stored at 11ºC for 20 days, prior to transference to 23ºC. During the ripening, fruits were analyzed for the same physical, chemical and physiological characteristics as done in the first experiment, besides the activity of the pectinmethylesterase (PME) enzyme. Fruits that received 1-MCP, and were not refrigerated, presented reduction in respiratory activity, ethylene production, skin color development and PME activity, maintaining high pulp firmness during the storage at 23ºC. Even with gradual increase in ethylene production at 23ºC, fruits treated with 1-MCP maintained high firmness, but presented loss of green skin color. The cold storage harmed the ethylene production in non-treated and 1- MCP-treated fruits when they were transferred to 23ºC. Even so, the firmness in those fruits decreased, being this decrease always lower in 1-MCP treated fruits. The results suggest that pulp softening is more dependent on ethylene when compared to skin color development and that there are processes responsible for firmness loss that are independent on ethylene. It is also possible to assume that prolonged ethylene inhibition or the inhibition of receptor sites in fruits that were harvested at early maturity stages, reflects in slow recovery capacity of ethylene action and production, suggesting that the use of ethylene action blockers in these fruits must be done with caution.

Thesis (M.S.)--Pennsylvania State University, 1981. / Includes bibliographical references.

Avocados are an important horticultural crop in South Africa, especially in the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo. The distance to traditional export markets, phytosanitary restrictions to lucrative markets such as China, the USA and Japan and increased competition in the European market have challenged the South African avocado industry. The industry has responded with improved logistics and shipping, a co-ordinated market access program and a global system to co-ordinate exports of avocados to the European market. To remain competitive on the global market, further improvements and innovations are required to improve the efficiency of postharvest operations. These improvements and innovations should be guided by a greater understanding of postharvest physiology. Avocados are a relatively new export crop, so there is still much to be learnt about avocado postharvest physiology and the optimisation of postharvest management. In this regard, reduced temperature storage (1°C) and modified humidity packaging (MHP) were investigated for their effect on fruit physiology and quality, the effect of a water- and ABA-infusion on ripening was examined and the effect of a cold chain break on fruit physiology and quality determined; near-infrared spectroscopy was also examined for its potential for its use in the avocado industry. As an initial study, the relationships between individual sugars, protein and oil were studied to understand the changes in avocado fruit during ripening. It was found that mannoheptulose and perseitol were the predominant sugars at harvest, but declined to very low levels during the first 10 days postharvest. The concentrations of glucose and fructose increased, while sucrose declined slightly during ripening. The concentration of protein increased sigmoidally during ripening, reflecting the increase in the ripening enzymes, particularly cellulase and polygalacturonase. The oil content fluctuated slightly during ripening. It is suggested that mannoheptulose and perseitol are important carbon and energy sources during ripening. Glucose concentration was also found to increase earlier in fast ripening fruit compared to slow ripening fruit, which is related to increased cellulase activity and may be related to the ABA functioning. Thereafter, storage and ripening trials in two consecutive seasons showed that 1°C storage and the use of MHP for 28 days reduced mass loss, water loss, ethylene production, respiration, softening and heptose consumption, without appreciably affecting fungal rots, physiological disorders or external chilling injury, compared to fruit stored at 5.5°C and regular atmosphere respectively. Also, the storage of fruit in MHP delayed the rise in the activity of cellulase during ripening, compared to fruit not stored in MHP, but there was no significant difference in the peak activity of cellulase, polygalacturonase or pectin methylesterase. In a separate experiment, fruit ripening was significantly affected by the infusion of ABA in an aqueous solution. Water slightly reduced the variation in ripening while ABA reduced the time to ripening and the variation; it is suggested that water stress and ABA are intrinsically involved in the ripening processes and may act as a ripening trigger. The water concentration in fruit was measured non-destructively using reflectance NIR; this model was used to determine the maturity of fruit and the loss of water during cold storage. In the cold chain break experiment, it was found that although fruit recovered after a cold chain break, in terms of ethylene production and respiration, there was a loss in quality because of severe shrivelling as a result of increased water loss. Fruit that were stored at 1°C were generally of a better quality at ripeness, if the cold chain was broken, compared to fruit stored at 5.5°C. In a follow-up experiment, it was found that significant changes occurred in avocado physiology over a 6h period. The respiration rate of fruit significantly increased after 4h at room temperature and mannoheptulose declined by 32% in control fruit and by 16% in ethephon-treated fruit after 6h. This demonstrates the potential for quality loss in a short amount of time. Furthermore, a model of avocado ripening is proposed, outlining the role of water, ABA, ethylene, respiration, ripening enzymes and individual sugars. This study has contributed to the understanding of avocado postharvest physiology and should aid in better management of avocados for improved fruit quality and consumer satisfaction. / Thesis (Ph.D.Agric.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2011.

The South African avocado industry is export-orientated with forty percent of total production sold overseas. The avocado fruit is a highly perishable product with a relatively high rate of respiration which results in the quick deterioration of fruit quality. Good phytosanitary procedures are a necessity in ensuring good product quality. Due to the threat of pests and diseases becoming resistant to the conventional chemicals currently used to control them, there has been a great need to diversify from their usage. Silicon (Si), being the second most abundant element (28%) in the earth’s crust after oxygen, is a major constituent of many soils and has been associated with disease resistance in plants for a long time. It has been used in a number of crop species to provide resistance against pathogenic agents. In some horticultural crops Si has been found to offer protection against fungal infections by strengthening cell walls, thus making it more difficult for the fungi to penetrate and colonize the plant. The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of postharvest silicon application on the quality of ‘Hass’ avocado fruit. The specific objectives included investigating the effect of silicon on the ripening pattern as well as the metabolic physiology of the avocado fruit. Avocado fruit were obtained from two locations in the KZN Midlands (Everdon Estate in Howick and Cooling Estate in Wartburg). Fruit were treated with different forms of Si (potassium silicate (KSil), calcium silicate (CaSil), sodium silicate (NaSil) and Nontox-silica® (NTS)) at concentrations ranging from 160 ppm to 2940 ppm. After dipping for 30 minutes in the silicon treatments, the fruit were stored at -0.5°C, 1°C, 5°C or at room temperature (25°C). Energy dispersive x-ray (EDAX) analysis was then conducted on the exocarp and mesocarp tissues to determine the extent of silicon infiltration within each treatment. Firmness measurements, ethylene evolution and CO2 production were recorded as fruit approached ripening. The CO2 production of fruit that were stored at room temperature was analysed daily until they had fully ripened, while fruit from cold storage were removed weekly to measure respiration. Mesocarp tissue from each fruit was extracted using a cork borer and subsequently freeze-dried and stored for physiological analysis. The freeze-dried mesocarp tissue was then finely ground and later analysed for sugar content, total anti-oxidant capacity (TAOC), total phenolic (TP) content and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity using their respective assays. Statistical analyses were carried out using GenStat® version 11 ANOVA. Treatment and storage temperature means were separated using least significant differences (LSD) at 5% (P = 0.05). The experimental design in this study was a split-plot design with the main effect being storage temperature and the sub-effect being treatments. Each replication was represented by a single fruit. EDAX analysis revealed that Si passed through the exocarp into the mesocarp tissue in fruit treated with high concentrations of silicon, i.e., KSil 2940 ppm. Significant differences (P < 0.001) were observed in temperature means with regards to firmness. Fruit treated with KSil and NTS only and stored at 5°C were firmer than fruit stored at other temperatures. Fruits treated with Si in the form of KSil 2940 produced the least amount of CO2, while non-treated fruits (Air) had the highest respiration rate. Fruit stored at room temperature (25°C) produced significantly higher amounts of CO2 and peaked much earlier than fruit stored at other temperatures. Ethylene results showed that there were differences (P < 0.05) between temperature means with the highest net ethylene being produced by fruit stored at 25°C. There were also significant differences amongst treatment means (P < 0.001), with fruits treated with KSil 2940 ppm producing the least ethylene. There were significant differences (P < 0.001) in temperature means with regards to the total phenolic concentration with fruits stored at 1°C having the highest TP concentration (26.4 mg L-1 gallic acid). Fruit treated with KSil 2940 ppm had the highest total phenolic concentration whilst the control fruit (Air and Water) had the lowest. There were also differences (P < 0.05) in storage temperature means with respect to the total antioxidant capacity. Fruit stored at -0.5°C had the highest TAOC (52.53 μmol FeSO4.7H2O g-1 DW). There were no significant differences in TAOC (P > 0.05) with regards to treatment means although fruit treated with KSil 2940 ppm and stored at -0.5°C showed the highest TAOC of 57.58 μmol FeSO4.7H2O g-1 DW. With regards to the concentration of major sugars in avocado, mannoheptulose and perseitol (mg g-1), no significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed in temperature means. However, fruit stored at -0.5°C had the highest concentration of these C7 sugars compared with fruit stored at other temperatures. There were significant differences in treatment means (P < 0.001) showing that fruit treated with KSil 2940 ppm had the highest concentration of both mannoheptulose (18.92 mg g-1) and perseitol (15.93 mg g-1) in the mesocarp tissue. Biochemical analyses showed differences (P < 0.05) in storage temperature means with respect to PAL enzymatic activity. Fruit stored at 5°C had the highest PAL activity (18.61 mmol cinnamic acid g-1 DW h-1) in the mesocarp tissue compared with fruit stored at other temperatures. There were significant differences in treatment means (P < 0.001) with regard to PAL activity. Fruit treated with KSil 2940 ppm had the highest PAL activity (23.34 mmol cinnamic acid g-1 DW h-1). This research has demonstrated the beneficial effects, particularly applications of 2940 ppm Si in the form of KSil. This treatment successfully suppressed the respiration rate of avocado fruit. Biochemical analyses of total antioxidants, total phenolics and PAL activity in the mesocarp tissue have shown the usefulness of Si in improving the fruit’s metabolic processes. The C7 sugars (D-mannoheptulose and perseitol) also seem to be more prevalent in avocado fruit treated with Si (particularly KSil 2940 ppm) than in non-treated fruit. This suggests that an application of Si to avocado fruit can aid in the retention of vital antioxidants (C7 sugars). / Thesis (M.Sc.Agric.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2010.