Original Article
Medicinal Plants
Amin Nameni; Ghodsieh Bagherzade; Maryam Moudi; Pouya Ghamari Kargar
Abstract
Purpose: The main purpose of this study is to investigate the chemical, physicochemical, and antibacterial properties of Agaricus bisporus collected from the Zarnagh region (province of East Azerbaijan, northwestern Iran), to enhance health quality, and economic exploitation in pharmaceutics, food, and ...
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Purpose: The main purpose of this study is to investigate the chemical, physicochemical, and antibacterial properties of Agaricus bisporus collected from the Zarnagh region (province of East Azerbaijan, northwestern Iran), to enhance health quality, and economic exploitation in pharmaceutics, food, and agriculture industries. The methanol extracts of Agaricus bisporus mushroom (maceration extraction method), was screened for chemicals properties. Research Method: All chemicals were purchased from Merck (Darmstadt, Germany). Fruiting bodies of wild edible mushrooms (A. bisporus) were collected from the Z. region. The methanolic extracts were evaluated by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and High-performance liquid chromatography coupled to the ultraviolet detector analysis. The antibacterial activities were carried out by using three bacteria. Findings: The results of chemical and nutritional factors include crude protein (46.62 ± 0.19 g/100g), crude fat (10.59 ± 0.13 g/100g), fiber (17.76 ± 0.32 g/100g), carbohydrate (1.56 ± 0.27 g/100g) and total energy (288.3 ± 2.61 Kcal). Potassium, iron, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, and copper in considerable quantities were found in the wild edible mushroom from the Z. region. The eight compounds were identified in the crude methanolic extract by GC-MS analysis. Rutin, myricetin, quercetin, and kaempferol identified by HPLC-UV analysis. The highest inhibitory activity was noticed against E. coli (PTCC 1399) with 22±0.2 mm (diameter of inhibition zone) for methanol extract. Limitations: There was no significant limitation to the report. Originality/Value: Briefly, there is no much information about the chemical profile of wild mushrooms of Iran, and this work is the first study on the chemical and antibacterial properties of Agaricus bisporus mushrooms.
Short Communication Article
Pomology
Ahmad Ahmadpoor; Meysam Salari; Seied Mehdi Miri
Abstract
Purpose: This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of pruning and girdling on yield, fruit size and quality of ‘Kinnow’ mandarin (Citrus reticulate Blanco) trees during two seasons. Research method: The treatments included: control (unpruned and ungirdled trees), light pruning ...
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Purpose: This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of pruning and girdling on yield, fruit size and quality of ‘Kinnow’ mandarin (Citrus reticulate Blanco) trees during two seasons. Research method: The treatments included: control (unpruned and ungirdled trees), light pruning (removal 10% of 15-20 cm branches), intense pruning (removal 20% of 15-20 cm branches), girdling (removal 5 mm trunk bark), light pruning + girdling, and intense pruning + girdling. The treatments were applied in on-years (2016 and 2018) and traits were measured in following season. Findings: Light pruning increased yield and fruit number by 170.4% and 191.5%, respectively, while fruit weight and volume slightly decreased by 7.2% and 12.4%%, respectively, compared to control. Fruit dimensions and, TSS and TA of fruit juice were not affected by treatments. However, TSS/TA ratio was significantly declined in both pruning treatments. In addition, vitamin C content of fruits decreased in pruned trees and light pruned + girdled trees compare to control. The yield was positively correlated with fruit number and negatively with fruit weight, fruit volume and vitamin C content. Limitations: Despite these findings, more research is needed to identify mechanisms of pruning and girdling on alternative bearing in citrus. Originality/Value: These results suggested that pruning alone or plus girdling of ‘Kinnow’ mandarin trees reduce competition for nutrients and induce accumulation of carbohydrates in branches, which enhanced yield of the next season.
Original Article
Plant Breeding and Biotechnology
Zakiye Mir; Masoud Ahmadi-Afzadi; Saeid Mirzaei; Mahmoud Maleki; Mehdi Rahimi
Abstract
Purpose: Apple fruit widely suffers from different damages every year including post-harvest diseases such as blue mold (caused by Penicillium expansum). Recent studies have shown the role of hormones in different signaling pathways after a pathogen attack. Hormones may trigger different the expression ...
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Purpose: Apple fruit widely suffers from different damages every year including post-harvest diseases such as blue mold (caused by Penicillium expansum). Recent studies have shown the role of hormones in different signaling pathways after a pathogen attack. Hormones may trigger different the expression of genes involved in the resistance mechanism and thus activating the immune system in plants. Findings: qRT-PCR results showed an increase in the expression of PR5, ERF1 and CHIB genes after treatment with BABA in both Golden Delicious and Fuji cultivars. ACC treatment also significantly increased the expression of ERF1 and CHIB genes after challenged with fungal spores. The expression of PR5 and ERF1 was relatively very similar in both cultivars after treatment with BABA and ACC, respectively. In contrast, the expression of CHIB was different in two cultivars, thus showing a 4 times higher expression in Golden delicious in compared to Fuji. Originality/Value: Using of new insecticides with new and widespread mode of action can be recommended against postharvest pest in the practical entomology. Research limitations: No limitations were found. Originality/value: The results of this study can be important in breeding studies and to select genes involved in the resistance mechanism. In addition, hormones with a positive impact to provide resistance to fungal diseases can be considered as a possible alternative to fungicides.
Original Article
Postharvest Biology and Technology
Shailendra Khatri; Shreemat Shrestha; Keshab Prasad Pokharel
Abstract
Purpose: With an increasing interest in closing the mechanized harvesting loop in citrus farming, harvesting tools could be reliable options for citrus harvesting. However, from performance investigation and post-harvest storability perspectives, not much has been reported in the area of manual harvesting ...
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Purpose: With an increasing interest in closing the mechanized harvesting loop in citrus farming, harvesting tools could be reliable options for citrus harvesting. However, from performance investigation and post-harvest storability perspectives, not much has been reported in the area of manual harvesting tools for mandarin picking in Nepal. This study assessed the performance of different available models of manual fruit harvester based on harvesting output, operational features, post-harvest physio-chemical attributes and shelf life assessment of the mandarin fruits stored under ordinary room condition for 26 days. Research method: Six harvesting treatments were investigated as follows: a) Farmer practice-hand picking (FPground), b) Ladder climbing (FPladder), c) Secateur + ladder climb (SEladder), d) Cut and hold type picking shears (CH), e) Long reach finger type fruit picker (LRF), f) Fruit picker with basket and cushion (PHB). Findings: The harvesting capacity of FPground, FPladder, SEladder, LRF, CH and PHB treatments were 60.6±2.26, 33.43±3.13, 24.25±2.25, 43.85±6.34, 61.30±9.28 and 49.13±2.61 kg/hr, respectively. The harvesting output of CH, LRF and PHB type harvester was 39.15% (779 nos/hr), 15.78% (648 nos/hr) and 30.21% (729 nos/hr) higher than FPladder practice (560 nos/hr) and that of SEladder method was 15.62% (442 nos/hr) lower than FPladder. Based on storability characteristics, SE and CH found effective in prolonging the average shelf life and maintaining the quality of mandarin compared to FP and PHB. The short pedicle on the fruit in SE, CH and LRF treatment help to control and retard the sap oozing, weight loss and lateral infection that retain the fruit firmness, and minimize the fruit damage and decay loss. Research limitations: Further investigation on storability behavior in controlled storage condition is suggested. Originality/Value: Hand held secateur and cut and hold type harvester are suitable tools for picking fruit and abating post-harvest loss of mandarin fruit along the horticultural value chain.
Original Article
Food Science and Technology
Seyed Jafar Hashemi; Azadeh Ranjbar Nedamani
Abstract
Purpose: Selecting the most effective factors and their combination during food processing, is critical to reduce the energy consumption, the time of process and also maintaining the final product properties. Research method: A definitive screen design of response surface methodology was designed by ...
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Purpose: Selecting the most effective factors and their combination during food processing, is critical to reduce the energy consumption, the time of process and also maintaining the final product properties. Research method: A definitive screen design of response surface methodology was designed by Design Expert software. Factors such as drying time (A: 20-60 ℃), air velocity (B: 0.5-2.5 m/s), sample thickness (C: 3-7 mm), sample diameter (D: 4-6 cm), and drying time (E: 6000-10000s) were investigated. The treatments from response surface methodology were simulated in COMSOL software 5.3a. The simulated data such as moisture content, moisture ratio, central temperature of sample, and total shrinkage were used as surface responses in Design-Expert in order to find the effective process factors on orange drying. Findings: Orange drying simulations show the air temperature and its interaction with other process factors is effective on central temperature of samples. The moisture rate and moisture content depends on sample thickness and drying time, the shrinkage was a linear model as a function of thickness and process time. In orange samples, at thickness of 0.5mm, diameter of 4.8 cm, and drying time of 7379s the least shrinkage will occur according to prediction models. Research limitations: Calculating the experimental shrinkage, moisture ratio, and moisture rate were the research limitation for further simulation. Originality/Value: Combination the response surface methodology and COMSOL simulation in order to reducing the number of studied treatments. Finding the effective factors and their interactions and also the prediction model for final dried orange characteristics. Finding the shrinkage model of orange fruit with respect to the studied drying process factors.
Original Article
Plant Nutrition
Farhad Azarmi-Atajan; Mohammad Hassan Sayyari-Zohan
Abstract
Purpose: Considering the role of nutrient supply in plant growth, the effect of single and simultaneous application of triple superphosphate (TSP) and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) on the growth and phosphorus uptake of pistachio seedlings were investigated. Research method: A study was conducted ...
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Purpose: Considering the role of nutrient supply in plant growth, the effect of single and simultaneous application of triple superphosphate (TSP) and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) on the growth and phosphorus uptake of pistachio seedlings were investigated. Research method: A study was conducted as a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with three replications under greenhouse conditions. The treatments include three levels of PSB [Control (PSB0), Pseudomonsa sp. (PSB1) and Pseudomonas fluoresens (PSB2)] and three levels of P [Control (P0), 15 mg P kg-1 soil (P1) and 30 mg P kg-1 soil (P2) as triple superphosphate]. Findings: the results indicated that application of TSP and PSB increased dry weight, plant height, total chlorophyll and carotenoids content and uptake of P in pistachio seedlings. Inoculation with PSB increased shoot dry weight (36%), root dry weight (44%), total chlorophyll (31%), carotenoids (30%), shoot P uptake (62%) and root P uptake (84%) in pistachio seedlings. Research limitations: By measuring other traits such as nutrient concentration, the response of pistachio seedlings to microbial inoculation can be more clearly interpreted. Originality/Value: Using of new insecticides with new and widespread mode of action can be recommended against postharvest pest in the practical entomology.
Original Article
Postharvest Biology and Technology
Alex Guimarães Sanches; Ricardo Patrese Jorge Repolho
Abstract
Purpose: This work aimed to evaluate whether salicylic acid (4.0 mM) is able to preserve the quality and antioxidant metabolism of avocado fruit 'Quintal' cultivar. Research method: 'Quintal' avocados harvested at physiological maturity were immersed in salicylic acid (SA) solution (0 and 4.0 mM) for ...
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Purpose: This work aimed to evaluate whether salicylic acid (4.0 mM) is able to preserve the quality and antioxidant metabolism of avocado fruit 'Quintal' cultivar. Research method: 'Quintal' avocados harvested at physiological maturity were immersed in salicylic acid (SA) solution (0 and 4.0 mM) for 15 minutes at 25 ºC and stored at 15 ºC and 85 % RH for 16 days. The physical-chemical and biochemical quality parameters of the fruits were evaluated every four days. Findings: The treatment with SA (4.0 mM) reduced/delayed respiratory activity by up to two days compared to untreated fruits (control). There was also less loss of fresh mass, firmness, sugar synthesis (soluble solids), and degradation of organic acids (titratable acidity). In antioxidant metabolism, SA preserved the activity of phenylalanine ammonia lyase resulting in higher phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and lower polyphenoloxidase activity at the end of 16 days. Research limitations: One of the main limitations of this research is that ethylene production (a key player for climacteric fruit) was not measured in Avocado fruits during storage. Originality/Value: In addition to being the first report on the application of SA in postharvest avocados, our results demonstrate that SA (4.0 mM) is an effective and low-cost alternative to preserve the quality and antioxidant potential of avocados ‘Quintal’.
Original Article
Postharvest Biology and Technology
Maryam Tatari; Hamid Reza Bahrami; Iran Mohammadpour
Abstract
Purpose: The type of pre-storage treatments has a significant effect on the fruit quality at postharvest storage. In this study, the effects of some physical and chemical treatments on the quality and storage properties of 'Siaverz' local orange in the cold storage were investigated. Research method: ...
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Purpose: The type of pre-storage treatments has a significant effect on the fruit quality at postharvest storage. In this study, the effects of some physical and chemical treatments on the quality and storage properties of 'Siaverz' local orange in the cold storage were investigated. Research method: This research was conducted as a factorial experiment with factors of different treatments and storage time. Treatments were wax paper, Rovral-TS fungicide, wax, hot salty solution, Rovral-TS fungicide+wax paper, hot salty solution+wax paper, Rovral-TS fungicide+wax, hot salty solution+wax, and control. The fruits were stored at 8°C and examined monthly. Findings: Increasing the storage period for 90 days in control, wax paper, fungicide, fungicide+wax, and hot salty solution+wax treatments resulted in an increase in the soluble solids compared to the 30-day treatment. The increase in the storage period was accompanied by a decrease in titratable acidity. As the storage period progressed, the percentage of weight loss increased constantly. Hot salty solution+wax and wax paper treatments showed the lowest weight loss. The highest taste index was related to the control treatment and then the wax paper. The firmness of fruit tissue was reduced after 90 days of storage. Research limitations: No limitations were found. Originality/Value: The wax paper treatment and the combination treatment of hot salty solution+wax can be recommended to maintain the quality of 'Siaverz' local orange during the storage period for 90 days.
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