International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation http://www.inderscience.com/browse/index.php?journalID=157&year=2011&vol=2&issue=3 Inderscience Publishers Ltd en-uk International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation 1744-7550 1744-7569 © 2011 Inderscience Publishers Ltd editor@inderscience.com https://www.inderscience.com/images/files/coverImgs/ijpti_scoverijpti.jpg http://www.inderscience.com/browse/index.php?journalID=157&year=2011&vol=2&issue=3 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=43327 The effect of time of harvest and drying method on nutritional composition of Spider flower (Cleome gynandra L) was studied. Spider flower was harvested at six weeks and seven weeks after planting. Drying was done using oven and sun drying methods. The results showed that crude protein (28.85 g/100 g), ash (10.75 g/100 g) and carbohydrate (32.13 g/100 g) contents were significantly higher in the seventh week harvest than the sixth week harvest. With respect to drying method, crude protein (28.50 g/100 g), crude fibre (14.71 g/100 g) and ash content (10.75 g/100 g) of the seventh week oven-dried samples were significantly higher than the sun-dried. There were significant interactions between time of harvest and drying method with respect to the proximate composition. With the exception of phosphorus, there were no significant differences between drying methods as well as time of harvest with respect to the mineral composition. However, the interaction between harvesting at the seventh week and drying in the oven resulted in better preservation of proteins. The effect of time of harvest and drying method on the nutritional composition of spider flower (Cleome gynandra L)
Clement Abugre; Francis Appiah; Patrick Kumah
International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, Vol. 2, No. 3 (2011) pp. 221 - 232
The effect of time of harvest and drying method on nutritional composition of Spider flower (Cleome gynandra L) was studied. Spider flower was harvested at six weeks and seven weeks after planting. Drying was done using oven and sun drying methods. The results showed that crude protein (28.85 g/100 g), ash (10.75 g/100 g) and carbohydrate (32.13 g/100 g) contents were significantly higher in the seventh week harvest than the sixth week harvest. With respect to drying method, crude protein (28.50 g/100 g), crude fibre (14.71 g/100 g) and ash content (10.75 g/100 g) of the seventh week oven-dried samples were significantly higher than the sun-dried. There were significant interactions between time of harvest and drying method with respect to the proximate composition. With the exception of phosphorus, there were no significant differences between drying methods as well as time of harvest with respect to the mineral composition. However, the interaction between harvesting at the seventh week and drying in the oven resulted in better preservation of proteins.

]]> 10.1504/IJPTI.2011.043327 International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, Vol. 2, No. 3 (2011) pp. 221 - 232 Clement Abugre; Francis Appiah; Patrick Kumah Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Renewable Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Private Mail Bag, Kumasi, Ghana. ' Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Renewable Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Private Mail Bag, Kumasi, Ghana. ' Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Renewable Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Private Mail Bag, Kumasi, Ghana Cleome gynandra nutritional composition harvest time drying methods spider flower ash carbohydrates proteins fibres phosphorous. 2011-10-25T23:20:50-05:00 2 3 221 232 2011-10-25T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=43329 Minimal processing of vegetables has some undesirable physiological consequences. The shelf life of peeled raw potatoes is limited by the onset of enzymatic browning at the cut surfaces. It is generally accepted that polyphenol oxidase (PPO) is the enzyme mainly responsible for this type of browning. This work aimed to study the effect of vacuum storage at 4°C on the colour, which is the main parameter limiting the shelf life of potato (cv. Monalisa). PPO activity was evaluated as well with the aim to investigate the relation with colour changes. Polyphenol oxidase activity and colour changes of peeled potato (cv. Monalisa) in vacuum
Diedrik Snoeck; Maria Filomena De Jesus Raposo; Alcina Maria Miranda Bernardo De Morais
International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, Vol. 2, No. 3 (2011) pp. 233 - 242
Minimal processing of vegetables has some undesirable physiological consequences. The shelf life of peeled raw potatoes is limited by the onset of enzymatic browning at the cut surfaces. It is generally accepted that polyphenol oxidase (PPO) is the enzyme mainly responsible for this type of browning. This work aimed to study the effect of vacuum storage at 4°C on the colour, which is the main parameter limiting the shelf life of potato (cv. Monalisa). PPO activity was evaluated as well with the aim to investigate the relation with colour changes.

]]> 10.1504/IJPTI.2011.043329 International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, Vol. 2, No. 3 (2011) pp. 233 - 242 Diedrik Snoeck; Maria Filomena De Jesus Raposo; Alcina Maria Miranda Bernardo De Morais CBQF/Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal. ' CBQF/Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal. ' CBQF/Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal peeled potatoes raw potatoes minimal processing colour changes polyphenol oxidase PPO vacuum storage refrigerated storage postharvest technology enzymatic browning shelf life. 2011-10-25T23:20:50-05:00 2 3 233 242 2011-10-25T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=43324 The objectives of this study were to analyse the effectiveness of native microflora of lettuce and carrot in controlling Escherichia coli O157:H7 and to evaluate the technological application of oregano and rosemary to control E. coli in vegetables stored at 8°C and 20°C. The interaction between the background microflora of lettuce and carrot with E. coli O157:H7 was observed at 20°C. In samples stored at 8°C, the temperature factor masked any bacteriostatic effects exerted by native microflora on E. coli. For oregano and rosemary, the highest concentrations were needed to restrict E. coli in lettuce and carrot. However, low sensory acceptability was obtained. Pathogen inhibition was more important at high temperature. The effectiveness of oleoresins was the result of factor associations such as concentrations and storage temperatures. Biocontrol of Escherichia coli O157:H7 exerted by endogenous microflora and oleoresins in minimally processed lettuce and carrot
María del Rosario Moreira; Alejandra Ponce; Rocio Avalo; Sara Inés Roura
International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, Vol. 2, No. 3 (2011) pp. 243 - 259
The objectives of this study were to analyse the effectiveness of native microflora of lettuce and carrot in controlling Escherichia coli O157:H7 and to evaluate the technological application of oregano and rosemary to control E. coli in vegetables stored at 8°C and 20°C. The interaction between the background microflora of lettuce and carrot with E. coli O157:H7 was observed at 20°C. In samples stored at 8°C, the temperature factor masked any bacteriostatic effects exerted by native microflora on E. coli. For oregano and rosemary, the highest concentrations were needed to restrict E. coli in lettuce and carrot. However, low sensory acceptability was obtained. Pathogen inhibition was more important at high temperature. The effectiveness of oleoresins was the result of factor associations such as concentrations and storage temperatures.

]]> 10.1504/IJPTI.2011.043324 International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, Vol. 2, No. 3 (2011) pp. 243 - 259 María del Rosario Moreira; Alejandra Ponce; Rocio Avalo; Sara Inés Roura Food Engineering Research Group, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Mar del Plata, Juan B. Justo 4302, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina; CONICET, National University of Mar del Plata, Juan B. Justo 4302, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina ' Food Engineering Research Group, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Mar del Plata, Juan B. Justo 4302, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina; CONICET, National University of Mar del Plata, Juan B. Justo 4302, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina. ' Food Engineering Research Group, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Mar del Plata, Juan B. Justo 4302, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina. ' Food Engineering Research Group, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Mar del Plata, Juan B. Justo 4302, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina; CONICET, National University of Mar del Plata, Juan B. Justo 4302, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina. biopreservatives native microflora oreganum pathogen control rosemary oregano vegetables lettuce carrots Escherichia coli E. coli oleoresins storage temperature. 2011-10-25T23:20:50-05:00 2 3 243 259 2011-10-25T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=43326 With the objective of evaluating the effect of ionising radiation on the main characteristics of postharvest quality of mangoes (Mangifera indica L), fruit of Tommy Atkins cultivar have been irradiated with gamma rays from a cobalt-60 source. Doses of 200, 400 and 600 Gy were applied, and non-irradiated fruit served as control. After being stored for 15 days at 11.5°C, to simulate transport conditions, the fruit remained stored at 21°C for up to nine days. During this period, sensory and physicochemical analyses were performed after three, six and nine days. Control fruits had higher maturation index and a higher acceptability in the external and internal appearance. Physicochemical analyses disclosed that fruit that had received doses from 400 and to 600 Gy showed better postharvest characteristics after storage. Study of visual, sensorial and physicochemical characteristics of Tommy Atkins mangoes submitted to ionising radiation as a method of postharvest conservation
Josenilda Maria Da Silva; Lídia Cristina Dos Santos Alencar Correia; Naira Paes De Moura; Patrícia L. Salgado; Maria Inês Sucupira Maciel; Heldio Pereira Villar
International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, Vol. 2, No. 3 (2011) pp. 260 - 273
With the objective of evaluating the effect of ionising radiation on the main characteristics of postharvest quality of mangoes (Mangifera indica L), fruit of Tommy Atkins cultivar have been irradiated with gamma rays from a cobalt-60 source. Doses of 200, 400 and 600 Gy were applied, and non-irradiated fruit served as control. After being stored for 15 days at 11.5°C, to simulate transport conditions, the fruit remained stored at 21°C for up to nine days. During this period, sensory and physicochemical analyses were performed after three, six and nine days. Control fruits had higher maturation index and a higher acceptability in the external and internal appearance. Physicochemical analyses disclosed that fruit that had received doses from 400 and to 600 Gy showed better postharvest characteristics after storage.

]]> 10.1504/IJPTI.2011.043326 International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, Vol. 2, No. 3 (2011) pp. 260 - 273 Josenilda Maria Da Silva; Lídia Cristina Dos Santos Alencar Correia; Naira Paes De Moura; Patrícia L. Salgado; Maria Inês Sucupira Maciel; Heldio Pereira Villar Regional Center of Nuclear Sciences-CRCN/NE-CNEN, Av. Prof. Luiz Freire, 200, Cid. Universitária, 50.740-540, Recife-PE, Brazil. ' Department of Domestic Economy, University Federal Agriculture of Pernambuco, Street Dom Manuel of Medeiros, s/n, Dois irmãos, 52171-900, Recife-PE, Brazil. ' Department of Domestic Economy, University Federal Agriculture of Pernambuco, Street Dom Manuel of Medeiros, s/n, Dois irmãos, 52171-900, Recife-PE, Brazil. ' Department of Domestic Economy, University Federal Agriculture of Pernambuco, Street Dom Manuel of Medeiros, s/n, Dois irmãos, 52171-900, Recife-PE, Brazil. ' Department of Domestic Economy, University Federal Agriculture of Pernambuco, Street Dom Manuel of Medeiros, s/n, Dois irmãos, 52171-900, Recife-PE, Brazil. ' Regional Center of Nuclear Sciences-CRCN/NE-CNEN, Av. Prof. Luiz Freire, 200, Cid. Universitária, 50.740-540, Recife-PE, Brazil; Polytechnic School of Pernambuco, Praça do Internacional, 455, Madalena 50720-615 Recife-PE, Brazil Mangifera indica L maturation gamma radiation storage mangoes ionising radiation postharvest conservation postharvest quality food quality low radiation. 2011-10-25T23:20:50-05:00 2 3 260 273 2011-10-25T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=43325 Gerbera vase life is most often terminated by stem bending and breaking or petal wilting. Effects of vase solutions containing 1 mg L<SUP align=right>?1</SUP> silver nanoparticles with or without 6% sucrose on gerbera 'deep purple' vase life, relative fresh weight, relative solution uptake, stem bending or breaking, stem end discolouration and ethylene production by petals, stem ends and stem necks were evaluated. The combination of SNP plus 6% sucrose increased vase life by 8 days compared with the deionised water control. Petal wilting and stem break were decreased by SNP plus 6% sucrose compared to the control. SNP plus 6% sucrose treatment enhanced ethylene production by petals, stem ends and stem necks during vase life. However, there were no obvious adverse effects of this increased ethylene on vase life parameters. Overall, results suggest that 1 mg L<SUP align=right>?1</SUP> SNP plus 6% sucrose has commercial potential as a vase solution for cut gerbera flowers. Effects of silver nanoparticles (SNP) on Gerbera jamesonii cut flowers
Mousa Solgi; Mohsen Kafi; Toktam Sadat Taghavi; Roohangiz Naderi; Joseph X. Eyre; Daryl C. Joyce
International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, Vol. 2, No. 3 (2011) pp. 274 - 285
Gerbera vase life is most often terminated by stem bending and breaking or petal wilting. Effects of vase solutions containing 1 mg L<SUP align=right>?1</SUP> silver nanoparticles with or without 6% sucrose on gerbera 'deep purple' vase life, relative fresh weight, relative solution uptake, stem bending or breaking, stem end discolouration and ethylene production by petals, stem ends and stem necks were evaluated. The combination of SNP plus 6% sucrose increased vase life by 8 days compared with the deionised water control. Petal wilting and stem break were decreased by SNP plus 6% sucrose compared to the control. SNP plus 6% sucrose treatment enhanced ethylene production by petals, stem ends and stem necks during vase life. However, there were no obvious adverse effects of this increased ethylene on vase life parameters. Overall, results suggest that 1 mg L<SUP align=right>?1</SUP> SNP plus 6% sucrose has commercial potential as a vase solution for cut gerbera flowers.

]]> 10.1504/IJPTI.2011.043325 International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, Vol. 2, No. 3 (2011) pp. 274 - 285 Mousa Solgi; Mohsen Kafi; Toktam Sadat Taghavi; Roohangiz Naderi; Joseph X. Eyre; Daryl C. Joyce Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Arak University, Arak 38156-8-8349, Iran. ' Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Engineering, University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran. ' Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Engineering, University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran. ' Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Engineering, University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran. ' The University of Queensland, Centre for Native Floriculture, School of Land, Crop and Food Sciences, Gatton, Queensland, 4343, Australia. ' The University of Queensland, Centre for Native Floriculture, School of Land, Crop and Food Sciences, Gatton, Queensland, 4343, Australia; Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, P.O. Box 5083, SCMS, Nambour QLD, 4560, Australia antimicrobial ethylene petal discolouration petal wilting silver nanoparticles SNP stem bending stem breakage vase life vase solution Gerbera jamesonii cut flowers sucrosee. 2011-10-25T23:20:50-05:00 2 3 274 285 2011-10-25T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=43321 A solar tunnel dryer was designed and fabricated with locally available materials having the cross sectional area of the entire tunnel 5400 × 1700 mm. The half of the nearly air tight tunnel base was used as the flat plate air heating solar collector and the remaining half as a dryer. The drying air temperature could be easily raised by some 6-10°C above the ambient temperature at an air velocity of approximately 1.5 m/sec. The moisture content of 12.5 kg freshly harvested mushroom was reduced to 10% (wet-basis) within two days from the initial moisture content of 91.7% (wet-basis). The energy utilisation efficiency of the dryer was about 32.0%. It was possible to reach the moisture content level for safe storage within less than two days with solar tunnel dryer and 3-4 days in open air natural sun drying. The improvement in the quality of ear-lobe mushroom in terms of colour, flavour, and taste and food value was distinctly recognised. Design, development and experimental investigation of a solar tunnel dryer for drying mushroom
M.A. Basunia; M.A. Rabbani
International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, Vol. 2, No. 3 (2011) pp. 286 - 300
A solar tunnel dryer was designed and fabricated with locally available materials having the cross sectional area of the entire tunnel 5400 × 1700 mm. The half of the nearly air tight tunnel base was used as the flat plate air heating solar collector and the remaining half as a dryer. The drying air temperature could be easily raised by some 6-10°C above the ambient temperature at an air velocity of approximately 1.5 m/sec. The moisture content of 12.5 kg freshly harvested mushroom was reduced to 10% (wet-basis) within two days from the initial moisture content of 91.7% (wet-basis). The energy utilisation efficiency of the dryer was about 32.0%. It was possible to reach the moisture content level for safe storage within less than two days with solar tunnel dryer and 3-4 days in open air natural sun drying. The improvement in the quality of ear-lobe mushroom in terms of colour, flavour, and taste and food value was distinctly recognised.

]]> 10.1504/IJPTI.2011.043321 International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, Vol. 2, No. 3 (2011) pp. 286 - 300 M.A. Basunia; M.A. Rabbani Department of Soils, Water and Agricultural Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 34, Al-Khod 123, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. ' Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensing - 2202, Bangladesh solar drying ear-lobe mushrooms solar tunnel dryers moisture content energy efficiency safe storage food quality. 2011-10-25T23:20:50-05:00 2 3 286 300 2011-10-25T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=43328 High post-harvest losses, poor quality and lack of value addition at the farm level constrain maize production in Uganda. Concern over these issues prompted the government to introduce improved post-harvest technologies to reduce losses. However, there remain a huge number of farmers still using local post-harvest methods. Farmers are unlikely to accept new technologies unless the perceived benefits can be shown to exceed the likely costs involved. This paper combines cost-benefit analysis (CBA) with a socio-economic model of the factors that influence utilisation of improved post-harvest technologies. Results indicate that the use of improved maize sheller and crib reduced post-harvest losses and labour, and improved grain quality, which commanded a better market price. The CBA returned a benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of between 4.3 and 5.5 for the improved sheller and crib, respectively, indicating that the benefits of technology use far exceed the costs involved. This indicates that adopting both the improved sheller and crib represents a good investment for the farmers compared to non-adoption. Using a censored Tobit model and controlling for technology adoption through grants, we found that availability of household resources, farm size, education, training and extension, credit and accessibility of markets significantly influenced technology utilisation. Adoption, utilisation and economic impacts of improved post-harvest technologies in maize production in Kapchorwa District, Uganda
Paul Mwebaze; Johnny Mugisha
International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, Vol. 2, No. 3 (2011) pp. 301 - 327
High post-harvest losses, poor quality and lack of value addition at the farm level constrain maize production in Uganda. Concern over these issues prompted the government to introduce improved post-harvest technologies to reduce losses. However, there remain a huge number of farmers still using local post-harvest methods. Farmers are unlikely to accept new technologies unless the perceived benefits can be shown to exceed the likely costs involved. This paper combines cost-benefit analysis (CBA) with a socio-economic model of the factors that influence utilisation of improved post-harvest technologies. Results indicate that the use of improved maize sheller and crib reduced post-harvest losses and labour, and improved grain quality, which commanded a better market price. The CBA returned a benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of between 4.3 and 5.5 for the improved sheller and crib, respectively, indicating that the benefits of technology use far exceed the costs involved. This indicates that adopting both the improved sheller and crib represents a good investment for the farmers compared to non-adoption. Using a censored Tobit model and controlling for technology adoption through grants, we found that availability of household resources, farm size, education, training and extension, credit and accessibility of markets significantly influenced technology utilisation.

]]> 10.1504/IJPTI.2011.043328 International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, Vol. 2, No. 3 (2011) pp. 301 - 327 Paul Mwebaze; Johnny Mugisha Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda; Department of Primary Industries, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia. ' Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda postharvest technology losses labour cost-benefit analysis CBA smallholders technology impacts Uganda maize production new technologies socio-economic modelling grain quality technology utilisation technology adoption. 2011-10-25T23:20:50-05:00 2 3 301 327 2011-10-25T23:20:50-05:00