Durante o amadurecimento ocorrem profundas alterações na composição química dos frutos e a expressão gênica desempenha papel fundamental no controle desse processo. Apesar da importância comercial do mamão, as informações a respeito da expressão gênica durante o amadurecimento são limitadas. Assim, nessa tese, técnicas de estabelecimento de perfis de RNA mensageiro, como Differential Display-PCR, cDNA-AFLP e Cross-Species Microarray, foram aplicadas para a identificação de genes com expressão alterada. Alguns genes ligados ao metabolismo e transporte de açúcares, de lipídeos e carotenóides, à degradação de parede celular e stress, e fatores de transcrição dependentes e independentes de hormônios vegetais pareceram apresentar diferenças de expressão durante o amadurecimento do mamão papaia. O isolamento dos genes diferencialmente expressos permitiu traçar um panorama da expressão gênica do fruto e, dessa maneira, a relação das funções dos genes com o amadurecimento do mamão contribuiu para o aumento do entendimento acerca da qualidade pós-colheita do fruto. / Ripening affects the quality of fleshy fruits by changing the chemical composition, and gene expression regulates most part of these transformations. Although papaya fruit is an important Brazilian crop, there are restricted studies concerning its ripening and gene expression. In this work, it is described the use of some RNA profiling techniques, such as Differential Display-PCR, cDNA-AFLP and Cross-Species Microarray, to identify ripening-related genes in papaya fruit. Using these techniques, some differentially expressed genes during papaya fruit ripening were isolated. Their functions were associated with metabolism and transport of sugars, lipids and carotenoids, cell wall disassembly, stress and transcription factors dependent and independent of plant hormones. In this way, it was proposed a pattern of gene expression during papaya fruit ripening, at least for those isolated genes, and the assemblage of these data with other authors data can locate fruit handling to a better level, minimizing postharvest losses and increasing papaya fruit shelf-life.

Os objetivos deste trabalho foram determinar o efeito do processamento mínimo e da temperatura de armazenamento na fisiologia do tangor ‘Murcott’ minimamente processado e determinar os recobrimentos comestíveis que promovam a manutenção da qualidade microbiológica, sensorial e físicoquímica de tangor ‘Murcott’ minimamente processado. No primeira etapa foram testados dois níveis de processamento (tangores inteiros sem a casca e tangores em gomos) e cinco temperaturas de armazenamento (1º, 6º, 11º, 21º e 31ºC). Frutos intactos foram utilizados como controle. No segundo experimento os tangores em gomos foram tratados com diversos recobrimentos comestíveis e armazenados sob duas temperaturas (6º e 12ºC). Os recobrimentos utilizados foram: gelatina a 4% p/p, gelatina a 8% p/p, concentrado protéico de soro de leite a 8% p/p e emulsão a base de parafina. Tangores sem recobrimentos foram utilizados como controle. No primeiro experimento foram determinadas as taxas respiratórias e de produção de etileno a cada hora durante as 10 primeiras horas após o processamento e, em seguida, a cada 24 horas por sete dias. Determinaram-se também os quocientes de temperatura (Q10). No segundo experimento determinaram-se: as características físico-químicas a cada dois dias por um período de seis dias; a taxa respiratória diariamente por oito dias; as características microbiológicas no quarto e sétimo dias após o processamento e as características sensoriais no quarto dia após o processamento. Os níveis de etileno foram baixos e inconstantes ao longo do tempo de avaliação. O aumento da temperatura de armazenamento e o nível de processamento mínimo influenciaram a taxa respiratória. Os recobrimentos comestíveis foram pouco efetivos na redução da taxa respiratória e na manutenção das características físico-químicas, microbiológicas e sensoriais de gomos de tangor ‘Murcott’. / The objectives of this work were to determine the effect of minimally processing and the storage temperature on the physiology of fresh-cut tangor ‘Murcott’ and to determine the edible coatings that maintain the microbiological, sensorial and physico-chemical qualities of fresh-cut tangor ‘Murcott’. In the first experiment two processing levels (peeled fruits and segments) and five storage temperatures (1º, 6º, 11º, 21º and 31ºC) were tested. Whole fruits were used as control. In the second experiment the segments were treated with several edible coatings and stored under two temperatures (6º and 12ºC). The edible coatings were: gelatin 4% w/w, gelatin 8% w/w, whey protein 8% w/w and paraffin wax emulsion. Segments without recovering were used as control. In the first experiment the respiratory rate and the ethylene production were determined every hour for 10 hours and then, every day for 7 days. The temperature quotients (Q10) were also determined. In the second experiment were determined: the physico-chemical properties every two day for six days; the respiratory rate daily for eight days; the microbiological analysis on the fourth and seventh days of storage; and the sensorial analysis on the fourth day of storage. The storage temperature and the processing level did influence the respiratory rate. The ethylene levels were low and inconstant during the study. The edible coatings were little effective on reducing the respiratory rate and on maintaining the physico-chemical, microbiological and sensorial properties of fresh-cut tangor ‘Murcott’.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo determinar as respostas fisiológicas, físicoquímicas e microbiológicas associadas ao processamento mínimo do rabanete, sendo que para isso foram realizados 5 experimentos. No primeiro experimento, foram avaliadas taxa respiratória e produção de etileno de raízes em retalhos, mantidas a 5ºC (±1ºC) e 90% (±5%) UR por 10 dias. No 10º dia, os rabanetes em retalhos apresentaram uma taxa de respiração 149% superior à verificada nas raízes inteiras (70,35 e 28,23 mL CO2 kg-1 h-1, respectivamente). Não foi detectada produção de etileno. No segundo, foram avaliados os aspectos microbiológicos após o corte e no 10º dia, de dois tratamentos (uma e duas sanitizações), em rabanete minimamente processado mantido a 5ºC (±1ºC) e 90% (±5%) UR. As contagens de bactérias psicrotróficas no tratamento com duas sanitizações mantiveram-se abaixo do limite aceitável; no tratamento com uma sanitização obteve-se, no 10º dia de armazenamento, 5,8 x 106 UFC/g, limite máximo recomendado. Não foi detectada presença de coliformes totais e Salmonella. No terceiro experimento, estudaram-se dois tipos de corte (rodelas e retalhos) e três temperaturas de armazenamento (1, 5 e 10ºC), por 10 dias, analisando-se taxa respiratória, produção de etileno e parâmetros físico-químicos. Após 12 horas do processamento obteve-se, nas raízes em retalhos, 0,14, 0,38 e 0,70 µL C2H4 kg-1 h-1 a 1, 5 e 10ºC, respectivamente. No 10º dia, as raízes inteiras a 1ºC apresentaram a menor taxa respiratória (5,72 mL CO2 kg- 1 h-1) e as raízes em retalhos a 10ºC, a maior taxa (26,71 mL CO2 kg-1h-1). Essas, também, apresentaram um decréscimo no teor de vitamina C. No quarto experimento, avaliaram-se embalagens de filme de PVC (14 e 17 µm de espessura) envolvendo bandejas de poliestireno expandido; filmes plásticos de polietileno de baixa densidade (PEBD) com 20 µm; e embalagens de tereftalato de polietileno (PET), mantidas a 5ºC (±1ºC) e 90% (±5%) UR por 10 dias, sendo realizadas análises de O2, CO2 e físicoquímicas. O teor de equilíbrio de O2 nas embalagens de PVC foi de 12 e 11% para as espessuras 14 e 17 µm, respectivamente. O PEBD apresentou concentrações muito baixas de O2 (0,08% no 8º dia), tendo como conseqüência processos fermentativos. Entre o 2º e 10º dia, o nível de CO2 no interior da embalagem de PVC com 14 µm variou de 3,43 a 2,43%; na PET de 1,78 a 4% e no PEBD de 12 a 15,2%. Os valores de luminosidade (L*), decresceram no decorrer do experimento, indicando escurecimento do produto. No quinto experimento foram estudados antioxidantes (ácido cítrico e ascórbico) em rabanete minimamente processado mantido a 5ºC (±1ºC) e 90% (±5%) UR por 10 dias, avaliando-se taxa respiratória e análises físico-químicas. O tratamento com ácido ascórbico apresentou a maior taxa respiratória nas 4 primeiras horas após o processamento. No 10º dia, obteve-se 34,18; 30,54; 21,31 e 2,22 mL CO2 kg-1 h-1 nos tratamentos com ácido ascórbico, ácido cítrico + ácido ascórbico, controle e ácido cítrico, respectivamente. Os valores de L*, de maneira geral, foram decrescendo ao longo do armazenamento. Os valores de a* mostraram que os tratamentos com ácido cítrico conferiram uma coloração fortemente avermelhada às raízes. Nenhum dos tratamentos evitou o escurecimento do rabanete minimamente processado. / This research was carried out with the objective to determine the physicochemical, physiological and microbiological alterations associated to the fresh cutting of radish. Five experiments were evaluated. In the first, respiratory rate and ethylene production were evaluated in radishes shredded, and stored at 5ºC (±1ºC) and 90% (±5%) RH during 10 days. In the 10th day, the fresh cut radishes showed respiratory rate 149% higher if compared to the whole radishes (70.35 and 28.23 mL CO2 kg-1 h-1, respectively). Ethylene production was not detected. In the second experiment, microbiological evaluations after the cut and in the 10th day, were carried out in fresh cut radishes submitted to one or two sanitation and stored at 5ºC (±1ºC) and 90% (±5%) RH. The numbers of psychotropic bacteria in the treatment with two sanitations stayed on the acceptable limits. In the treatment with one sanitation it was obtained 5.8 x 106 CFU/g in the 10th of storage that is the maximum limit recommended. It was not detected the presence of total coliform and Salmonella. In the third experiment, it was studied two types of cut (slices and shredded) and three storage temperatures (1, 5 and 10ºC). Respiratory rate, ethylene production and physicochemical parameters were evaluated during 10 days. After 12 hours of the processing, it was obtained 0.14, 0.38 and 0.70 mL CO2 kg-1 h-1 to 1, 5 and 10ºC, respectively, in the shredded radishes. In the 10th day, the whole radishes at 1ºC showed the lower smallest respiratory rate (5.72 mL CO2 kg-1 h-1), while whole radishes showed the higher rate at 10ºC (26.71 mL CO2 kg-1 h-1). Also, in the last treatment it was verified a decrease in the contents of vitamin C. In the fourth experiment were evaluated different types of packages in fresh cut radishes stored at 5ºC and 90% RH during 10 days. The packages used were: PVC films with 14 and 17 µm thickness overwrapping expanded polystyrene trays, low density polyethylene film (LDPE) with 20 µm thickness, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Concentrations of O2 and CO2 within package and physicochemical analysis were evaluated. The equilibrium concentration of O2 in the package of PVC was 12 and 11% for the 14 and 17 µm thickness, respectively. The LDPE presented very low concentrations of O2 (0.08% on the 8th day), having as consequence fermentative processes. From 2nd to 10th day, the level of CO2 inside the packing of PVC film with 14 µm changed from 3.43 to 2.43%, in PET from 1.78 to 4% and in LDPE from 12 to 15.2%. The values of lightness (L*) decreased in all treatments during storage. In the fifth experiment, it were studied the use of antioxidants (citric and ascorbic acid) in fresh cut radishes, stored at 5ºC and 90% RH during 10 days. Respiratory rate and physicochemical analysis were evaluated. The treatment with ascorbic acid presented the higher respiratory rate in the first 4 hours after the processing. In the 10th day, it was obtained 34.18; 30.54; 21.31 and 2.22 mL CO2 kg-1h-1 in the treatments with ascorbic acid, citric acid + ascorbic acid, control and citric acid, respectively. The treatments with ascorbic acid showed an increment in TSS content on the 2nd day of storage. The values of L* decreased during cold storage. The values of the a* showed that treatments with citric acid presented a strongly red coloration in the roots minimally processed. None of the treatments have avoided the browning of the shredded fresh cut radishes cold stored.

The susceptibility of the 'Pinkerton' avocado cultivar to mesocarp discolouration, after storage, has seriously threatened its export from South Africa. This disorder has proven to be complex, requiring a better understanding of the fruit's physiology. The purposes of this study were to identify the role of pre- and postharvest factors, or their interactions, in the development of the problem. This was done by obtaining fruit from several production areas of varying mesocarp discolouration histories (referred to as "high", "medium" or "Iow risk" areas) during the 2000 and 2001 seasons. Fruit were stored at 8, 5.5 and 2°C for 30 days, as well as ambient (20°C). Evaluations of fruit quality were made before and after storage, as well as after softening. Once removed from storage the weight loss (during storage) was determined, and fruit firmness and carbon dioxide (C02) production rates monitored daily. It was found that temperatures below the recommended shipping temperature of 5.5°C, i.e. 2°C, produced the best internal fruit quality. This was supported by the membrane integrity studies that showed less membrane stability at the warmer storage temperature of 8°C. Furthermore, remained hard during storage and subsequently had an extended shelf life. Fruit origin was also found to play a major role in browning potential, with discolouration being consistently more severe in fruit from "high risk" areas and increasing in severity as the season progressed. The rate of CO2 production was found to follow a similar trend, with rates increasing as the season progressed, and also being slightly higher in fruit from "high risk" areas. The higher CO2 production rates were thought to be related to a decrease in membrane integrity as the season progressed. While storage temperature was not found to have a significant effect on the rate of CO2 production after storage, it did affect the time taken to reach the maximum rate, with fruit stored at 2°C taking longer. Biochemical analyses to determine the concentration of total phenolics and the activity of the enzyme polyphenol oxidase (PPO) also showed that the potential for browning was initiated by preharvest conditions. While no significant differences were found between growers with regards to total phenol concentrations, the PPO activity was found to be higher in fruit from poor quality areas, and subsequently browning potential was expected to be higher in these fruit. It was, however, found that the potential for browning could be reduced by storing fruit at 2°C, as this decreased the total phenolics concentration. This evidence further emphasized the idea that storage at 2°C could be highly advantageous. Fruit mineral analysis showed that certain key elements played a significant role in the severity of mesocarp discolouration, with excessive fruit nitrogen and decreasing copper and manganese concentrations appearing to play major roles. The high fruit nitrogen concentrations were suspected to reflect fruit grown on very vigorous trees, resulting in shoots competing with fruit for available reserves. It is suggested that 'Pinkerton' of a quality acceptable to the market, can be produced by manipulating source:sink relationships, particularly through decreasing the availability of nitrogen, followed by low temperature (24° C) shipping. Future work should concentrate on manipulation of source:sink relationships, to take account of both climatic conditions and leaf to fruit ratios. The evaluation of chlorophyll fluorescence as a tool for predicting mesocarp discolouration potential in 'Pinkerton' proved to be unsuccessful in this study and future studies may require modifications to the current technique. It is suspected that differences in chlorophyll content, for example, between fruit from different origins, will have to be taken into account when interpreting results. The success of using 2°C storage to improve the internal quality on 'Pinkerton' fruit prompted further studies, during 2004, to ensure that the development of external chilling injury would not decrease the marketability of the cultivar. Low temperature conditioning treatments, prior to storage, proved to be highly successful in reducing the development of external chilling injury, thus further improving fruit quality as a whole. Preconditioning treatments consisted of fruit that were kept at either 10°C, 15°C or 20°C for 1 or 2 days before being placed into storage for 30 days at 2°C or 5.5°C. All preconditioning treatments were compared to fruit that were placed directly into storage. The effect of fruit packaging on moisture loss (as determined by weight loss) and chilling injury was also investigated using unwaxed fruit, commercially waxed and unwaxed fruit individually sealed in micro-perforated polypropylene bags with an anti-mist coating on the inside (polybags). Holding 'Pinkerton' fruit, regardless of packaging treatment, at 10°C for 2 days prior to storage at 2°C or 5.5°C significantly decreased the severity of external chilling injury. The use of polybags during preconditioning and storage showed potential in further reducing the development of external chilling injury, although the higher incidence of fungal infections in these fruit needs to be addressed. The determination of proline concentrations in fruit exocarp tissue after storage was helpful in determining the level of stress experienced by fruit that were subjected to different packaging and preconditioning treatments. In this study waxed fruit subjected to 1 d preconditioning at 10°C, 15°C or 20°C or placed directly into storage at 2°C showed very high proline concentrations and also displayed more severe external chilling injury, despite unwaxed fruit losing more weight during these treatments. The role of moisture loss thus needs further investigation. The thickness and method of wax application was thought to play an important role in the higher external chilling injury ratings in this study as waxed fruit often developed chilling injury symptoms around the lenticels and it was suspected that either the lenticels were damaged by the brushes used to apply the wax or that the lenticels became clogged thus resulting in reduced gaseous exchange. Nevertheless, the success of low temperature conditioning in reducing external chilling injury, while maintaining sound internal quality, may enable storage temperatures to be dropped even further, thus enabling South Africa to export avocados to countries that require a cold disinfestation period prior to entry to eliminate quarantine pests (e.g. fruit fly). / Thesis (Ph.D.Agric.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

New emerging markets such as Japan and the United States require cold sterilisation of South African citrus fruit as a phytosanitary standard against fruit fly. However, citrus fruit are chilling susceptible, with lemons being the second-most chilling susceptible after grapefruit. Chilling injury is a physiological rind disorder; the occurrence of which is despite its prevalence in horticultural commodities, not well understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate physiological compounds regulating chilling susceptibility or resistance in citrus fruit, with special emphasis on lemons. Furthermore, the potential of hot water dips or “molybdenum soaks” to maintain a certain level of physiological compounds which determine manifestation of chilling injury symptoms in citrus fruit was investigated. Moreover, it was attempted to create an understanding of the order in which physiological compounds mitigate chilling injury. Lemon fruit from different farms known to be chilling susceptible or resistant were obtained during the 2007 and 2008 harvest season. Thereafter, fruit were treated by soaking for 30 min in 1μM NaMo04.2H20 solution followed by a 2 min HWD 47 or 53°C. Treated fruit were waxed, weighed and stored at -0.5°C for up to 28 days and sampled for chilling injury evaluation 7, 14, 21, or 28 days into cold storage. A second evaluation was carried out five days after withdrawal from cold storage to allow development of chilling injury symptoms as a shelf-life simulation. After the second evaluation fruit were peeled, peel freeze-dried, milled using mortar and pestle and stored at -21°C for further physiological analysis. Freeze-dried peel was analysed for soluble sugars (glucose, fructose, sucrose), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E (α-tocopherol), β-carotene, polyamines (putrescine, spermine, spermidine), specific flavanones (naringin and hesperidin) using HPLC-UV-Vis detector and proline, total antioxidant assays (FRAP, ABTS, DPPH), total phenolics, total flavonoids, lipid peroxidation using spectrophotometry, as well as for the heat shock protein (HSP70) using electrophoresis and silver-staining. Chilling susceptibility of lemon fruit varied with fruit source; those sourced from Ukulinga and Eston Estates were chilling resistant, while fruit from Sun Valley Estates showed chilling injury symptoms after 28 days of cold storage plus five days shelf-life. Furthermore, hot water dips (HW) 53°C, 1 μM Molybdenum (Mo) and 10 μM Mo plus HW 53°C significantly reduced chilling injury symptoms compared with the control and HW 47°C. In addition, Sun Valley Estates fruit also showed higher fruit weight loss compared with non-chilling resistant lemons. The alignment of higher fruit weight loss during storage with chilling susceptibility ascertains the use of weight loss as a non-destructive parameter for chilling susceptibility. With respect to flavedo sugars, glucose was found to be the dominant soluble sugar with multi-functional roles during cold storage. This plays a significant role in mitigating cellular stress. Chilling susceptible lemons from Sun Valley Estates had low flavedo glucose concentrations and, therefore, little conversion of glucose to ascorbic acid was possible resulting in a low antioxidant capacity. However, treatments with HW 53°C and Mo soaks seemed to enhance the enzymatic conversion of glucose to ascorbic acid leading to a higher antioxidant capacity in the flavedo of such treated fruit. Furthermore, glucose also feeds into the pentose phosphate pathway which is coupled with the shikimate pathway synthesizing secondary metabolites, especially of the phenolics group. The decrease in glucose was aligned to the levels of total phenolics, but not to that of β-carotene, naringin and hesperidin through 28 days into cold storage period. Moreover, as glucose also feeds into shikimate pathway, simultaneously an increase in proline flavedo concentration was observed. Proline is an antioxidant synthesized from glutamate; as cellular glucose decreases so does the total antioxidant capacity during cold storage. Ascorbic acid is a dominant and potent antioxidant in lemon flavedo as proven with the FRAP, ABTS and DPPH assays. Chilling resistant fruit have significantly higher ascorbic acid conversion. Furthermore, ascorbic acid also acts to generate the α-tocopheroxy radical to further important membrane-bound antioxidant, vitamin E (α-tocopherol equivalent). Furthermore, the DPPH assay was found to be effective in quantifying total antioxidants in lemon flavedo since it detects both lipophilic and hydrophilic antioxidants compared with the ABTS and FRAP assays which are bias to the estimation of liphophilic or hydrophilic antioxidants, respectively. The hot water and molybdenum treatments increased total antioxidants (DPPH assay) with reduced lipid peroxidation 7 days into cold storage and therefore, reduced chilling symptoms in fruit from Sun Valley Estates. The capacity of antioxidant to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) was increased during cold storage and membrane stability significantly improved. Furthermore, putrescine as low valency polyamine was reduced as such compound acted as precursor to the synthesis of the high valency polyamines, spermine and spermidine. Chilling susceptible lemons from Sun Valley Estates showed increased soluble-conjugated polyamines as a response to stress. Furthermore, HW 53°C, 1 μM Mo and 10 μM Mo plus HW 53°C significantly increased the protein concentration and, therefore, likely also the occurrence of proteins with 70kDa (as estimator of HSP70). Additionally, the concentration of conjugated high valency polyamines was also increased, resulting in reduced chilling injury symptoms. The effect of ROS has only been viewed as damaging, while recently their role has also been viewed as stress acclamatory signalling compounds when produced concentrations below critical damaging threshold. Therefore, hot water dips seems to signals synthesis of total protein which include HSPs which then act throughout cold stress to protect other protein and channel other damaged proteins towards proteolysis. While molybdenum increased ROS production below damaging critical threshold, with ROS signalling stress acclimation by further signalling production of bioactive compound with antioxidant properties. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

The South African Citrus Industry is the second largest exporter of citrus, after Spain. The industry is under pressure to supply high quality fruit as well as to expand into new, high paying markets. However, high paying markets such as Japan and the USA require cold sterilised fruit as obligatory quarantine treatments against Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) in order to reduce any possible spread of the pest. Citrus fruit originated from tropical climates and hence are chilling susceptible. Chilling injury symptoms appear as dark brown spots, pitting and/or decay when fruit are transferred to shelf temperatures; thus reducing the marketability of citrus fruit. Therefore, there is need for methods to mitigate chilling injury. Previous studies have shown silicon to mitigate many forms of stress without any hazardous effect on human health. Thus, the aim of the study was to investigate the potential of post-harvest silicon dips in mitigating chilling symptoms in citrus fruit. Briefly, fruit from two sources (Ukulinga Research Farm and Ithala Farm) were dipped in different silicon concentrations (0, 50, 150, and 250 mg ℓ-1) for 30 minutes and thereafter stored at -0.5 or 2⁰C for up to 28 days with weekly evaluation for chilling injury symptoms. Total antioxidants were determined using FRAP, ABTS, and DPPH assays under spectrophotometer. In addition, sugars, ascorbic acid, phenolics and flavonoids were analysed using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Fruit from Ukulinga Research Farm showed significantly higher total antioxidants (ascorbic acid total phenolics and specific flavonoids hesperidin and naringin) and sugars relative to fruit from Ithala Farm. Low concentrations of silicon dips significantly reduced the appearance of chilling injury symptoms by inducing an enzymatic conversion of glucose to ascorbic acid, thereby increasing the antioxidant capacity of chilling susceptible fruit. Moreover, silicon increased the concentration of total antioxidants, total phenolics and total flavonoids. High silicon concentrations had a negative effect on post-harvest quality of lemons by increasing fruit weight loss and electrolyte leakage, resulting in appearance of chilling symptoms. In conclusion, the study showed that silicon had potential to reduce chilling injury. However, high silicon concentrations raised concern, in particularly, on fruit appearance. / Thesis (M.Sc.Agric.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-08T16:44:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PGPV06MA009.pdf: 340845 bytes, checksum: 79bbbd016507fa5d580762107ff032fc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-02-16 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The jelly palm tree ( butiazeiro ) belongs to the Arecaceae (=Palmae) family and produces fruits of small size, round shape, succulents and with yellow color at the maturity. However, the information about forms of fruit utilization and conservation for in natura consumption is scarce. This work was carried out to assess the effects of maturity stage at harvest, storage temperature, cooling delay, and modified atmosphere conditions on postharvest physiology and quality preservation of jelly palm fruits. The fruits were harvested at three maturity stages (green, yellow-green, and yellow) and stored at 0 and 20oC. Fruits stored at 0oC showed better retention of firmness, green color of the skin, total titratable acidity (TTA), and total soluble solids (TSS) than fruits stored at 20ºC. Fruits harvested at the green maturity stage showed the best benefit from cold storage, despite of its poorest sensorial quality, characterized by the higher values of TTA and lower values of TSS than fruits harvested at yellow-green and yellow maturity stages. Along the entire storage period, the fruits did not produce detectable levels of ethylene and they did not exhibit a climacteric respiratory pattern. Fruits harvested at different maturity stages did not show significant difference in terms of respiration rates. The respiration rates increased from 890 to 11,650 nmol of CO2 kg-1 s-1 with the increase of temperature from 0 to 30oC. This respiratory increase followed a sigmoid model, with a rapid increase between 0 and 10oC, and a more modest increase towards the temperature of 30oC. There was a positive effect of immediate cooling after harvest on fruit retention of firmness, skin green color, and TTA, but not on TSS. The results showed that jelly palm fruits are highly perishable, characterized by very high respiration rates. Therefore, fruit should be harvested at the yellow-green maturity stage and then immediately stored at 0oC to preserve its postharvest quality. Jelly palm fruits were harvested at the green (> 75% of skin surface with green color) and yellowgreen (with 25 to 75% of skin surface with green color) maturity stages and then stored at 0, 5, 10, 20, and 30oC. These fruits were subjectivelly assessed in terms of rot incidence, skin browning, shrinkage and total losses during the storage. The largest losses were recorded in fruits stored at 20 and 30oC, at both maturity stages. There was no significant difference in terms of fruit visual quality between the storage temperatures of 0, 5, and 10oC. Fruits harvested at the green maturity stage showed higher levels of skin browning and shrinkage, and lower levels rotting, than fruits harvested at the yellow-green maturity stage, specially when stored at 20 and 30oC. At the temperatures of 0 to 10oC, the fruits remained viable for consumption even at 31 days storage, showing the importance of fruit refrigeration. Jelly palm fruits harvested at the yellow-green maturity stage (with 25 to 75% of skin surface with green color) were packed under modified atmosphere condition with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), and polyethylene sealed with vacuum (PE+vacuum), in addition to the control treatment (without film), and stored at 0-2ºC. Fruits packed in PE (with or without vacuum) showed the smallest fresh mass loss and the best postharvest quality preservation during cold storage, followed by fruits packed in PVC. The results show that jelly palm fruits should be harvested at the yellow-green maturity stage, and then cold stored (at about 0oC), under modified atmosphere conditions, by using PE films, to achieve the best preservation its postharvest quality / O butiazeiro pertence à família Arecaceae (=Palmae), se caracteriza por apresentar frutos de tamanho reduzido, globosos, suculentos e epicarpo amarelado na maturidade. No entanto, pouco se conhece sobre as formas de utilização e conservação dos frutos de butiá para consumo in natura. O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar os efeitos do estádio de maturação, da temperatura de armazenamento, do tempo para o resfriamento e das condições de atmosfera modificada sobre a fisiologia e preservação da qualidade pós-colheita de frutos de butiá. Os frutos foram colhidos em três estádios de maturação (verde, verde-amarelo e amarelo) e armazenados a 0 e 20oC. Frutos armazenados a 0oC apresentaram melhor retenção de firmeza, de cor verde da epiderme, de acidez titulável total (ATT) e de sólidos solúveis totais (SST), em relação a frutos armazenados a 20oC. Os benefícios da refrigeração foram maiores para frutos colhidos em estádio verde, apesar da sua qualidade inferior, caracterizada pelos altos valores de ATT e baixos valores de SST em relação a frutos colhidos nos estádios verde-amarelo e amarelo. Durante todo o período de armazenamento não foi possível detectar etileno e observar a ocorrência de climatério respiratório. Não houve diferença significativa nas taxas respiratórias em pós-colheita entre os estádios de maturação dos frutos na colheita. Houve um aumento nas taxas respiratórias de 890 a 11.650 nmol de CO2 kg-1 s-1, com o incremento da temperatura de 0 a 30oC, segundo um modelo sigmoidal, ou seja, um rápido incremento nas temperaturas entre 0 a 10oC, seguido de um aumento gradual tendendo a um equilíbrio na temperatura de 30oC. Houve efeito positivo da redução do tempo para refrigeração na preservação da firmeza, da cor verde da epiderme e da ATT, mas não dos teores de SST. Os resultados obtidos mostram que frutos de butiá apresentam alta perecibilidade, caracterizada pelas elevadas taxas respiratórias, sendo necessário o imediato resfriamento a 0oC, de frutos colhidos no estádio de maturação verde-amarelo, visando preservar a sua qualidade pós-colheita. Butiás colhidos nos estádios de maturação verde (> 75% de cor verde da epiderme) e verde-amarelo (com 25 a 75% de cor verde da epiderme) foram armazenados a 0, 5, 10, 20 e 30oC e avaliados de maneira subjetiva quanto a incidência de podridões, escurecimento da epiderme, frutos desidratados e perdas totais durante o armazenamento. As maiores perdas ocorreram em frutos armazenados a 20 e 30oC, para os dois estádios de maturação, não sendo observadas diferenças significativas entre as temperaturas de 0, 5 e 10oC. Frutos colhidos no estádio de maturação verde apresentaram maior escurecimento e desidratação, porém menores níveis de podridões, em relação a frutos colhidos no estádio verde-amarelo, especialmente quando armazenados nas temperaturas de 20 e 30oC. Nas temperaturas de 0 a 10oC, os frutos permaneceram viáveis por até 31 dias, demonstrando a importância da refrigeração. Butiás colhidos no estádio de maturação verde-amarelo (com 25 a 75% de cor verde da epiderme) foram acondicionados em condições de atmosfera modificada, com embalagens de policloreto de vinila (PVC), de polietileno (PE) e de PE selado a vácuo (PE+vácuo), além do tratamento controle (sem embalagem), e armazenados a 0-2ºC. A menor perda de massa fresca e a maior preservação da qualidade pós-colheita de butiá durante o armazenamento refrigerado foi observada com a utilização de PE, com ou sem vácuo, seguido do PVC. Os resultados obtidos demonstram a importância da colheita dos frutos no estádio de maturação verde-amarelo, e do seu armazenamento refrigerado (a temperaturas próximas de 0oC), em condições de atmosfera modificada, através da utilização de filmes de PE, na preservação da qualidade pós-colheita de butiás

Durante o amadurecimento ocorrem profundas alterações na composição química dos frutos e a expressão gênica desempenha papel fundamental no controle desse processo. Apesar da importância comercial do mamão, as informações a respeito da expressão gênica durante o amadurecimento são limitadas. Assim, nessa tese, técnicas de estabelecimento de perfis de RNA mensageiro, como Differential Display-PCR, cDNA-AFLP e Cross-Species Microarray, foram aplicadas para a identificação de genes com expressão alterada. Alguns genes ligados ao metabolismo e transporte de açúcares, de lipídeos e carotenóides, à degradação de parede celular e stress, e fatores de transcrição dependentes e independentes de hormônios vegetais pareceram apresentar diferenças de expressão durante o amadurecimento do mamão papaia. O isolamento dos genes diferencialmente expressos permitiu traçar um panorama da expressão gênica do fruto e, dessa maneira, a relação das funções dos genes com o amadurecimento do mamão contribuiu para o aumento do entendimento acerca da qualidade pós-colheita do fruto. / Ripening affects the quality of fleshy fruits by changing the chemical composition, and gene expression regulates most part of these transformations. Although papaya fruit is an important Brazilian crop, there are restricted studies concerning its ripening and gene expression. In this work, it is described the use of some RNA profiling techniques, such as Differential Display-PCR, cDNA-AFLP and Cross-Species Microarray, to identify ripening-related genes in papaya fruit. Using these techniques, some differentially expressed genes during papaya fruit ripening were isolated. Their functions were associated with metabolism and transport of sugars, lipids and carotenoids, cell wall disassembly, stress and transcription factors dependent and independent of plant hormones. In this way, it was proposed a pattern of gene expression during papaya fruit ripening, at least for those isolated genes, and the assemblage of these data with other authors data can locate fruit handling to a better level, minimizing postharvest losses and increasing papaya fruit shelf-life.

There is at present a growing concern and awareness of the endangered status of many indigenous South African plants in the wild, a number of which have potential for commercial production. One such example is Gladiolus scabridus, a vulnerable species endemic to the mountains of northern KwaZulu-Natal and southern Swaziland. It has considerable potential due to its floral characteristics. However, little is known about its horticultural requirements. Thus propagation and cultural practices were investigated with the aim of both conservation and commercialisation of the species. The ideal conditions for G. scabridus seed germination were determined. The presence or absence of light had no significant effect. Optimum germination was achieved at 20 QC of both winged and dewinged seeds. Higher temperatures appear to have a negative effect on germination and none of the winged seeds germinated at 30 QC. Under ideal conditions, fresh seed showed significantly higher vigour and viability than stored seed although the germination of stored seed was hampered by a higher internal fungal content. Successful tissue culture protocol was established for G. scabridus axillary bud and cormel halve explants. During the initial shoot initiation and proliferation stages (stage I and 11), the significantly higher shoot numbers occurred in the absence of growth regulators in both explant types. However, shoots with 1.0 mg 1 -1 6-benzyl-amino-purine (BAP) and 0.5 mg 1 -1 1-naphthalene-acetic-acid (NAA) were healthier in appearance. Higher levels of 5.0 mg 1 -1 NAA inhibited shoot production and encouraged root development in cormel halve explants. During stage 11, axillary bud explants showed root and cormlet development. More roots were initiated without growth regulators, whilst 5.0 mg 1 -1 NAA resulted in significantly better cormlet development. Shoot and cormlet growth of cormel halve explants during stage II was not significantly affected by the presence or absence of NAA and BAP. Significantly more roots were produced with 5.0 mg 1 -1 NAA. During stage III (rooting), the presence of activated charcoal (AC) was essential for the initiation and development of roots in vitro. Root and cormlet development in all explant types was significantly affected by the interaction between the previous treatments from stages I and 11 and the new treatments. During stage IV (hardening off) , most explants died down in the hardening off media leaving resting cormlets. There was a significant interaction between 1.0 mg 1 -1 NAA and 0.3 % AC from stage III, resulting in significantly more cormlets in both axillary bud and cormel halve explants. There was successful cormlet growth after cold storage which is advantageous in reducing the need for acclimatization. G. scabridus corms were successfully forced out of their normal flowering period. Temperatures of 10,5.5 and 2 QC showed successful corm initiation although the corms need to be stored for longer at warmer temperatures. It is suggested that a treatment of 2 QC for 6 weeks is the optimal condition for forcing G. scabridus corms. Although originating from a stressful environment, G. scabridus appears to show capacities for improved growth under controlled conditions. Fertilizer applications enhanced growth and reduced the time to flowering. Nitrogen (N) was found to be important for vegetative growth, flowering and daughter corm development, whereas potassium (K) influenced cormel production. Fertilizer with higher N and lower K is appropriate for the beginning and middle of the growing season and then adjusted to a lower N and higher K fertilizer to promote cormel formation. G. scabridus was found to produce prolific numbers of cormels which is an important source of plant material. Mineral leaf analysis showed that optimum levels for wild species are lower than those for hybrid gladioli with the optimum levels affected by physiological corm maturity and subsequent plant growth. Norms for postharvest handling of cut G. scabridus spikes have been developed. Spikes held in 2 % sucrose had a longer vase life and better floret opening and quality than those kept in distilled water, Prolong, Chrysal, 2 % sucrose and 2 % ethanol, 1 % sucrose, 4 % sucrose, 1 % sucrose and 0.5 % JIK, 2 % sucrose and 0.5 % JIK and 4 % sucrose and 0.5 % JIK, 2 % fructose and 2 % glucose. The use of commercially available solutions should be used with caution. Florets produced a climacteric-like CO2 peak, but levels of ethylene were unmeasurable. Cold storage and the use of polypropylene sleeves delays senescence. G. scabridus spikes secrete droplets of a sticky substance which was confirmed to be extra floral nectar through HPLC analysis. Market research revealed a positive response to the species from consumers and retailers alike with potential for cultivation as a cut flower and bedding plant. However, the cost will determine supply and demand. A field study conducted at Bivane Dam, northern KwaZulu-Natal, confirmed that G. scabridus colonies prevail in rocky, quartzite outcrops where they become wedged between the rocks. Plants were found at different stages of development with populations of not more than 108 plants per colony. Soil data of G. scabridus sites was compared to that of two sites nearby. It was found that G. scabridus soils are higher in phosphorus (P), zinc (Zn) and organic carbon. Leaf analysis confirmed that they have adapted their growth to low nutrient levels. The G. scabridus studies have clearly shown that the species can be successfully moved from a wild plant to a commercially viable one and in so doing its conservation status can also be improved. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.