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Applied Sciences
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Functional Properties in Preharvest and Postharvest Fruit and Vegetables
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Functional Properties in Preharvest and Postharvest Fruit and Vegetables

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Food Science and Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2022) | Viewed by 54681

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Gang Ma

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Bioresource Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan
Interests: plant physiology; plant molecular biology; postharvest biotechnology; fruit and vegetables; carotenoid; ascorbate; flavonoid; LED light
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Masaya Kato

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Bioresource Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan
Interests: horticulture crops; plant secondary metabolites; plant physiology; plant biotechnology; abiotic stress; transcriptomics; food chemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Pongphen Jitareerat

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Postharvest Technology Program, School of Bioresources and Technology, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, 126 Bangmod, Thungkru, Bangkok 10140, Thailand
Interests: tropical fruit; postharvest physiology; postharvest technology; phytopathology; integrated pest management; functional food; postharvest quality

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Fruit and vegetables, which represent an important part of our daily diet, are rich sources of bioactive compounds. Consumption of fruit and vegetables not only provides basic nutrition for humans but also has potential health-promoting effects in reducing inflammation and preventing chronic diseases. Due to the health benefits, the accumulation of bioactive compounds and functional properties of fruit and vegetables have attracted more and more attention of researchers in the horticulture field. In recent years, it has been well recognized that the accumulation of bioactive compounds is subject to complicated regulation with dynamic changes in the composition in response to developmental and postharvest stimuli. To date, although progress has been made in understanding the accumulation of bioactive compounds in plants, the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms and key regulators involved in biosynthesis in bioactive compounds is still challenging. In-depth research into the biosynthesis of bioactive compounds and the development of novel preharvest and postharvest technologies are of great importance, which will contribute to improving the accumulation of bioactive compounds and enhancing the nutritional and commercial values of fruit and vegetables.

This Special Issue, Functional Properties in Preharvest and Postharvest Fruit and Vegetables, is aimed at elucidating the molecular mechanisms on the accumulation of bioactive compounds in fruit and vegetables. We warmly welcome submissions, including original papers and reviews, on (but not limited to) the following topics:

  1. Isolation and identification of novel bioactive compounds from fruit and vegetables.
  2. Biosynthesis of bioactive compounds in fruit and vegetables.
  3. Accumulation of bioactive compounds in preharvest and postharvest fruit and vegetables.
  4. Bioactivity and health benefits of bioactive compounds.
  5. Development of novel preharvest and postharvest technologies for improving bioactive compounds accumulation in fruit and vegetables.

Prof. Dr. Gang Ma
Prof. Dr. Masaya Kato
Prof. Dr. Pongphen Jitareerat
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Carotenoid
  • Ascorbic acid
  • Flavonoid
  • Plant hormones
  • Environmental conditions
  • LED lights
  • Pathogens
  • Postharvest storage
  • Quality of fruit and vegetables
  • Plant tissue culture in vitro
  • Transcriptional factors
  • Genomics analysis
  • Transcriptomics analysis
  • Gene expression
  • Gene functional analysis

Published Papers (15 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

3 pages, 186 KiB  
Editorial
Special Issue on Functional Properties in Preharvest and Postharvest Fruit and Vegetables
by Gang Ma, Masaya Kato and Pongphen Jitareerat
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(15), 7652; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app12157652 - 29 Jul 2022
Viewed by 709
Abstract
Fruit and vegetables, which represent an important part of our daily diet, are rich sources of bioactive compounds [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Properties in Preharvest and Postharvest Fruit and Vegetables)

Research

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12 pages, 1231 KiB  
Article
Inter-Varietal Variation in Phenolic Profile, Sugar Contents, Antioxidant, Anti-Proliferative and Antibacterial Activities of Selected Brassica Species
by Irsa Zafar, Abdullah Ijaz Hussain, Tabinda Fatima, Sulaiman Mohammed Abdullah Alnasser and Ashfaq Ahmad
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(12), 5811; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app12125811 - 08 Jun 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1725
Abstract
The main objective of this research work was to evaluate the variation in nutritional profile, antioxidant, anti-proliferative and antibacterial activities of selected species of Brassica. Five locally grown Brassica species (cauliflower, broccoli, red cabbage, white cabbage and Chinese cabbage) were collected from [...] Read more.
The main objective of this research work was to evaluate the variation in nutritional profile, antioxidant, anti-proliferative and antibacterial activities of selected species of Brassica. Five locally grown Brassica species (cauliflower, broccoli, red cabbage, white cabbage and Chinese cabbage) were collected from Ayub Agriculture Research Institute (AARI), Faisalabad, Pakistan. Polyphenolic rich extracts of these Brassicaceae species were prepared by Soxhlet extraction technique using ethanol. Phenolic acids, flavonoids and sugar contents of the investigated species were determined and quantified by RP-HPLC. Antioxidant activity was carried out by measurement of total phenolic contents (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC), reducing potential and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity. Anti-proliferative activity of all the extracts was determined by MTT assay on lung cancer cell line A549. Antibacterial activity was tested against the two bacterial strains, i.e., Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). HPLC analysis revealed the presence of gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, chlorogenic acid and benzoic acid as the major phenolic acids, whereas catechine was the major flavonoid in most of the extracts. The TPC ranged from 9.7 to 32.8 mg/g of dry plant material, measured GAE and TFC ranged from 7.7 to 23.7 mg/g of dry plant material, measured as CE. Higher TPC and TFC were found in red cabbage extract followed by cauliflower, broccoli, white cabbage and Chinese cabbage. Red cabbage extract also showed higher DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 2.3 µg/mL) followed by cauliflower, broccoli, white cabbage and Chinese cabbage. Maltodextrose was the major sugar followed by fructose in all species of Brassica. Promising anti-proliferative and antibacterial activities were also recorded by the selected Brassica extracts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Properties in Preharvest and Postharvest Fruit and Vegetables)
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22 pages, 1981 KiB  
Article
Effect of Selected Physical Parameters of Lignite Substrate on Morphological Attributes, Yield and Quality of Cucumber Fruits Fertigated with High EC Nutrient Solution in Hydroponic Cultivation
by Radosław Łaźny, Jacek S. Nowak, Małgorzata Mirgos, Jarosław L. Przybył, Monika Niedzińska, Małgorzata Kunka, Janina Gajc-Wolska, Waldemar Kowalczyk and Katarzyna Kowalczyk
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(9), 4480; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app12094480 - 28 Apr 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1911
Abstract
Environmentally friendly substrates that are biodegradable may provide an alternative to mineral wool, which is commonly used in hydroponic growing technology. Little is known about the relationship between the physical characteristics of lignite substrate and cucumber yield. The study analyzed the effect of [...] Read more.
Environmentally friendly substrates that are biodegradable may provide an alternative to mineral wool, which is commonly used in hydroponic growing technology. Little is known about the relationship between the physical characteristics of lignite substrate and cucumber yield. The study analyzed the effect of bulk density and water holding capacity of lignite substrate in comparison to mineral wool and EC of nutrient solution on plant morphological parameters, yield and fruit quality of greenhouse cucumber. A positive relation was found between the bulk density of lignite mats and the increase in the number of leaves per week, shoot diameter as well as leaf length and leaf area (calculated as the product of leaf length × width) in cucumbers grown in this medium. Bulk density of lignite growing mats also affected the macro- and micro-nutrient content of cucumber leaves. The physical properties of the substrate and the high EC of the medium had a significant effect on the hardness, color and lutein content of cucumber fruits. The content of biologically active compounds in cucumber fruits depended on the water holding capacity of the medium and the water readily available to plants; these parameters were lower in the lignite medium compared to mineral wool. However, when the lignite substrate was used in hydroponic cucumber cultivation, for a period of 51 days after planting (DAP) there was an increase of more than 23% in the bulk density of the substrate and an increase of nearly 55% in the water readily available compared to the new lignite mats. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Properties in Preharvest and Postharvest Fruit and Vegetables)
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18 pages, 2610 KiB  
Article
Application of Artificial Neural Networks, Support Vector, Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference Systems for the Moisture Ratio of Parboiled Hulls
by Vali Rasooli Sharabiani, Mohammad Kaveh, Ebrahim Taghinezhad, Rouzbeh Abbaszadeh, Esmail Khalife, Mariusz Szymanek and Agata Dziwulska-Hunek
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(4), 1771; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app12041771 - 09 Feb 2022
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 1962
Abstract
Drying as an effective method for preservation of crop products is affected by various conditions and to obtain optimum drying conditions it is needed to be evaluated using modeling techniques. In this study, an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), artificial neural network (ANN), [...] Read more.
Drying as an effective method for preservation of crop products is affected by various conditions and to obtain optimum drying conditions it is needed to be evaluated using modeling techniques. In this study, an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), artificial neural network (ANN), and support vector regression (SVR) was used for modeling the infrared-hot air (IR-HA) drying kinetics of parboiled hull. The ANFIS, ANN, and SVR were fed with 3 inputs of drying time (0–80 min), drying temperature (40, 50, and 60 °C), and two levels of IR power (0.32 and 0.49 W/cm2) for the prediction of moisture ratio (MR). After applying different models, several performance prediction indices, i.e., correlation coefficient (R2), mean square error index (MSE), and mean absolute error (MAE) were examined to select the best prediction and evaluation model. The results disclosed that higher inlet air temperature and IR power reduced the drying time. MSE values for the ANN, ANFIS tests, and SVR training were 0.0059, 0.0036, and 0.0004, respectively. These results indicate the high-performance capacity of machine learning methods and artificial intelligence to predict the MR in the drying process. According to the results obtained from the comparison of the three models, the SVR method showed better performance than the ANN and ANFIS methods due to its higher R2 and lower MSE. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Properties in Preharvest and Postharvest Fruit and Vegetables)
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15 pages, 2298 KiB  
Article
Effect of Vacuum Impregnation with Sucrose and Plant Growth Hormones to Mitigate the Chilling Injury in Spinach Leaves
by Nazatul Umira Karim and Noor Liyana Yusof
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(21), 10410; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app112110410 - 05 Nov 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1930
Abstract
Vacuum impregnation (VI) has been immensely used in modifying the physicochemical properties, nutritional values and sensory attributes of fruits and vegetables. However, the metabolic consequences of the plant tissue upon impregnation have not been profoundly explored although shelf life is strongly dependent on [...] Read more.
Vacuum impregnation (VI) has been immensely used in modifying the physicochemical properties, nutritional values and sensory attributes of fruits and vegetables. However, the metabolic consequences of the plant tissue upon impregnation have not been profoundly explored although shelf life is strongly dependent on this factor. In this study, spinach leaves were impregnated with salicylic acid (SA), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and sucrose to improve its quality and storage ability by reducing the chilling injury through the improvement of proline content. The spinach leaves were stored at 4 °C for 7 days and were analyzed at 12 h interval. Upon 1 day of impregnation, the proline content in GABA, sucrose and SA impregnated leaves was increased by 240%, 153% and 103%, respectively, while in non-impregnated leaves, the proline content was decreased by 23.8%. The chlorophyll content of GABA impregnated leaves exhibited the lowest reduction (49%) followed by sucrose (55%) and SA (57%); meanwhile, non-impregnated leaves reduced 80% of chlorophyll content at the end of storage. Sensory evaluation showed that GABA, sucrose and SA impregnated leaves respectively, obtained higher score in terms of freshness, color, texture and overall appearance as compared to non-impregnated leaves. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Properties in Preharvest and Postharvest Fruit and Vegetables)
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16 pages, 1574 KiB  
Article
Phytochemical Constituents and Biological Activities of the Unexplored Plant Rhinanthus angustifolius subsp. grandiflorus
by Leilei Zhang, Gokhan Zengin, Gabriele Rocchetti, Ismail Senkardes, Jugreet B. Sharmeen, Mohamad Fawzi Mahomoodally, Tapan Behl, Youssef Rouphael and Luigi Lucini
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(19), 9162; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11199162 - 01 Oct 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2212
Abstract
In the present study, a total of 12 extracts of Rhinanthus angustifolius subsp. grandiflorus, an understudied hemiparasitic species, were obtained using different extraction techniques, namely, homogenizer-assisted extraction (HAE), maceration (MAC), soxhlet (SOX), infusion, and solvents (ethyl acetate, methanol, ethanol, and water), and [...] Read more.
In the present study, a total of 12 extracts of Rhinanthus angustifolius subsp. grandiflorus, an understudied hemiparasitic species, were obtained using different extraction techniques, namely, homogenizer-assisted extraction (HAE), maceration (MAC), soxhlet (SOX), infusion, and solvents (ethyl acetate, methanol, ethanol, and water), and were evaluated for their in vitro antioxidant and enzyme-inhibiting properties. Additionally, untargeted profiling based on high-resolution mass spectrometry targeted different phytochemical classes, namely, polyphenols, terpenoids, and alkaloids. The highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents were detected using methanol as the extraction solvent. Multivariate statistics following the untargeted profiling revealed that the extraction solvent had a hierarchically higher impact than the extraction method when considering the recovery of bioactive compounds. The methanolic extracts displayed the highest radical-scavenging antioxidant capacity, as provided by CUPRAC and FRAP assays. On the other hand, the water extracts (MAC and HAE) and the infusion extract showed the highest activity as metal chelators (25.66–27.51 mg EDTAE/g). Similarly, the water extract obtained by HAE and the infusion extract revealed the highest phosphomolybdenum activity (3.92 ± 0.14 and 3.71 ± 0.01 mmol TE/g, respectively). The different extracts also exhibited different enzyme inhibition potentials. For instance, HAE and MAC ethanolic extracts inhibited only α-amylase (0.69 ± 0.01 and 0.70 ± 0.01 mmol ACAE/g), while all the other extracts showed a dual inhibition against both carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes tested (i.e., α-amylase: 0.07–0.69 mmol ACAE/g; α-glucosidase: 0.03–1.30 mmol ACAE/g). Nevertheless, the other extracts inhibited acetyl-, butyryl-cholinesterases, or both; MAC–water extract displayed no inhibition against the enzymes. Additionally, all the studied extracts were found to inhibit tyrosinase, ranging from 10.62 to 52.80 mg KAE/g. In general, the water extracts showed weaker inhibition towards the enzymes than the other extracts. This study demonstrated that R. angustifolius is an excellent source of natural antioxidants and enzyme inhibitors that could be further investigated and exploited for pharmaceutical purposes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Properties in Preharvest and Postharvest Fruit and Vegetables)
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10 pages, 1047 KiB  
Communication
Effects of Wounding Stress and Storage Temperature on the Accumulation of Chlorogenic Acid Isomers in Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum)
by Ana M. Torres-Contreras and Daniel A. Jacobo-Velázquez
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(19), 8891; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11198891 - 24 Sep 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1772
Abstract
Wounding stress is an effective strategy to increase the content of bioactive compounds in horticultural crops. Potato tubers subjected to wounding stress accumulate chlorogenic acid (CGA) and CGA isomers (neo-CGA and crypto-CGA), which are phenolics that prevent and treat different chronic and degenerative [...] Read more.
Wounding stress is an effective strategy to increase the content of bioactive compounds in horticultural crops. Potato tubers subjected to wounding stress accumulate chlorogenic acid (CGA) and CGA isomers (neo-CGA and crypto-CGA), which are phenolics that prevent and treat different chronic and degenerative diseases. In this study, the effects of wounding stress and storage temperature (10 °C and 20 °C for 168 h) on the accumulation of CGA isomers in potatoes were evaluated. Results indicated that CGA accumulation was favored when wounded potatoes were stored at 20 °C for 120 h, obtaining a 1923.1% higher concentration when compared with samples before storage. Furthermore, wounded potatoes stored at 10 °C for 120 h showed the highest neo-CGA increase in concentration (712.2%). Likewise, the highest crypto-CGA concentration (84.9% higher than control samples) was quantified in wounded potatoes stored at 20 °C for 144 h. Based on the results from both the present study and previous reports, a strategy that summarizes effective postharvest stress conditions that induce the accumulation of specific CGA isomers in potatoes is presented. The tissue with an increased content of bioactive compounds could be used as raw material to produce functional foods or could be subjected to downstream processing to produce dietary supplements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Properties in Preharvest and Postharvest Fruit and Vegetables)
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17 pages, 4311 KiB  
Article
Cashew Gum (Anacardium occidentale) as a Potential Source for the Production of Tocopherol-Loaded Nanoparticles: Formulation, Release Profile and Cytotoxicity
by Kahynna C. Loureiro, Alessandro Jäger, Ewa Pavlova, Isabel B. Lima-Verde, Petr Štěpánek, Leandro S. Sangenito, André L. S. Santos, Marco V. Chaud, Hernane S. Barud, Mônica F. La R. Soares, Ricardo L. C. de Albuquerque-Júnior, Juliana C. Cardoso, Eliana B. Souto, Marcelo da Costa Mendonça and Patrícia Severino
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(18), 8467; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11188467 - 12 Sep 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3543
Abstract
Every year, more than thirty thousand tons of Cashew gum (Anacardium occidentale, family: Anacardiaceae) are produced in Brazil; however, only a small amount is used for different applications in foodstuff and in pharmaceutical industries. As a raw material for the [...] Read more.
Every year, more than thirty thousand tons of Cashew gum (Anacardium occidentale, family: Anacardiaceae) are produced in Brazil; however, only a small amount is used for different applications in foodstuff and in pharmaceutical industries. As a raw material for the production of drug delivery systems, cashew gum is still regarded as an innovative compound worth to be exploited. In this work, cashew gum was extracted from the crude exudate of cashew tree employing four methodologies resulting in a light brown powder in different yields (40.61% to 58.40%). The total ashes (0.34% to 1.05%) and moisture (12.90% to 14.81%) were also dependent on the purification approach. FTIR spectra showed the typical bands of purified cashew gum samples, confirming their suitability for the development of a pharmaceutical product. Cashew gum nanoparticles were produced by nanoprecipitation resulting in particles of low polydispersity (<0.2) and an average size depending on the percentage of the oil. The zeta potential of nanoparticles was found to be below 20 mV, which promotes electrostatic stability. Encapsulation efficiencies were above 99.9%, while loading capacity increased with the increase of the percentage of the oil content of particles. The release of the oil from the nanoparticles followed the Korsmeyer–Peppas kinetics model, while particles did not show any signs of toxicity when tested in three distinct cell lines (LLC-MK2, HepG2, and THP-1). Our study highlights the potential added value of using a protein-, lignans-, and nucleic acids-enriched resin obtained from crude extract as a new raw material for the production of drug delivery systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Properties in Preharvest and Postharvest Fruit and Vegetables)
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9 pages, 245 KiB  
Article
Bioactive Composition and Nutritional Profile of Microgreens Cultivated in Thailand
by Laddawan Kowitcharoen, Surisa Phornvillay, Pornpan Lekkham, Nutthachai Pongprasert and Varit Srilaong
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(17), 7981; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11177981 - 28 Aug 2021
Cited by 28 | Viewed by 5512
Abstract
Microgreens are young and tender leafy vegetables that have gained wider consumer acceptance. This is attributed to their low caloric composition and rich micronutrient and antioxidant composition. The present study investigated the bioactive composition and proximate analysis of fourteen microgreens belonging to Brassicaceae, [...] Read more.
Microgreens are young and tender leafy vegetables that have gained wider consumer acceptance. This is attributed to their low caloric composition and rich micronutrient and antioxidant composition. The present study investigated the bioactive composition and proximate analysis of fourteen microgreens belonging to Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, Pedaliaceae, Polygonaceae, Convolvulaceae, and Malvaceae. All the microgreens showed low calories (20.22 to 53.43 kcal 100 g−1) and fat (0.15 to 0.66 g 100 g−1), whilst mung bean and lentil microgreens showed considerable amounts of carbohydrate (7.16 g 100 g−1) and protein (6.47 g 100 g−1), respectively. Lentil microgreens had the highest total chlorophyll (112.62 mg 100 g−1) and carotenoid (28.37 mg 100 g−1) contents, whilst buckwheat microgreens showed the highest total phenolic content (268.99 mg GAE 100 g−1) and DPPH• scavenging activity (90.83 mM TEAC g−1). The lentil microgreens also presented high ascorbic acid content (128.70 mg 100 g−1) along with broccoli, Chinese kale, purple radish, and red cabbage microgreens (79.11, 81.33, 82.58, and 89.49 mg 100 g−1, respectively). Anthocyanin content was only detected in purple radish (0.148 mg CGE 100 g−1) and red cabbage (0.246 mg CGE 100 g−1). The results provide basic information and highlight the benefits of utilizing genetic biodiversity to obtain microgreens with the desired nutrients and antioxidants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Properties in Preharvest and Postharvest Fruit and Vegetables)
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22 pages, 2115 KiB  
Article
Heat Treatment and Wounding as Abiotic Stresses to Enhance the Bioactive Composition of Pineapple By-Products
by Diana I. Santos, Diana L. Faria, Sofia C. Lourenço, Vitor D. Alves, Jorge A. Saraiva, António A. Vicente and Margarida Moldão-Martins
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(9), 4313; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11094313 - 10 May 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2027
Abstract
Abiotic stress, like heat treatment and wounding, applied to pineapple by-products induce the accumulation of new compounds and add value. In this work the effect of the individual or combined application of wounding and heat treatment stresses on total phenolic content, antioxidant activity [...] Read more.
Abiotic stress, like heat treatment and wounding, applied to pineapple by-products induce the accumulation of new compounds and add value. In this work the effect of the individual or combined application of wounding and heat treatment stresses on total phenolic content, antioxidant activity through complementary methods (DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS) and enzymatic activity (bromelain, phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and polyphenol oxidase) were evaluated. Whole and wounded pineapple shell and core were dipped in a hot water bath at 30 ± 1 °C or 40 ± 1 °C for 10 min and stored under refrigeration conditions (4 ± 1 °C) for 24 h or 48 h. Results allowed that pineapple by-products reacted differently to the tested stresses. For the core, the application of wounding and heat treatment (40 °C) before storage (24 h) induced a synergistic effect on the accumulation of phenols (increased 17%) and antioxidant activity (4–22%). For the shell samples, the treatment that most increased the content of phenols (14%) and antioxidant activity (38–45%) was heat treatment at 30 °C and storage for 48 h. Treatments that positively influenced the content of phenols and antioxidant activity of the samples did not affect the activity of bromelain or PAL. This study showed that proper abiotic stresses could increase the functional value of by-products. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Properties in Preharvest and Postharvest Fruit and Vegetables)
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15 pages, 47857 KiB  
Article
Carotenoid Accumulation and the Expression of Carotenoid Metabolic Genes in Mango during Fruit Development and Ripening
by Witchulada Yungyuen, Thi Thuong Vo, Apiradee Uthairatanakij, Gang Ma, Lancui Zhang, Nopparat Tatmala, Samak Kaewsuksaeng, Pongphen Jitareerat and Masaya Kato
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(9), 4249; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11094249 - 07 May 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2589
Abstract
Carotenoids are considered to be important components in mango fruits. However, there is a lack of understanding about the regulation of carotenoids in mango. To gain an insight into the carotenoid metabolism pathway, carotenoid content and the expression of carotenoid metabolic genes were [...] Read more.
Carotenoids are considered to be important components in mango fruits. However, there is a lack of understanding about the regulation of carotenoids in mango. To gain an insight into the carotenoid metabolism pathway, carotenoid content and the expression of carotenoid metabolic genes were investigated in the peel and pulp of mango during fruit development and ripening in three cultivars, ‘Kaituk’, ‘Nam Dok Mai No.4′, and ‘Nam Dok Mai Sithong’, which are different in color. The highest carotenoid content was observed in ‘Kaituk’, followed by ‘Nam Dok Mai No.4′ and ‘Nam Dok Mai Sithong’, with the major carotenoid being β-carotene. The gene expression analysis found that carotenoid metabolism in mango fruit was primarily regulated at the transcriptional level. The changing patterns of carotenoid biosynthetic gene expression (MiPSY, MiPDS, MiZDS, MiCRTISO, MiLCYb, MiLCYe, MiHYb, and MiZEP) were similar to carotenoid accumulation, and ‘Kaituk’ exhibited a higher expression level than the other two cultivars. In addition, the differential regulation of carotenoid catabolic genes was found to be a mechanism responsible for variability in carotenoid content among the three mango cultivars. The expression of carotenoid catabolic genes (MiCCD1, MiNCED2, and MiNCED3) more rapidly decreased in ‘Kaituk’, resulting in a larger amount of carotenoids in ‘Kaituk’ than the other two cultivars. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Properties in Preharvest and Postharvest Fruit and Vegetables)
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Review

Jump to: Editorial, Research

14 pages, 589 KiB  
Review
Effect of Temperatures on Polyphenols during Extraction
by Anila Antony and Mohammed Farid
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(4), 2107; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app12042107 - 17 Feb 2022
Cited by 113 | Viewed by 13944
Abstract
Background: Polyphenols are a set of bioactive compounds commonly found in plants. These compounds are of great interest, as they have shown high antioxidant power and are correlated to many health benefits. Hence, traditional methods of extraction such as solvent extraction, Soxhlet extraction [...] Read more.
Background: Polyphenols are a set of bioactive compounds commonly found in plants. These compounds are of great interest, as they have shown high antioxidant power and are correlated to many health benefits. Hence, traditional methods of extraction such as solvent extraction, Soxhlet extraction and novel extraction technologies such as ultrasound-assisted extraction and subcritical water extraction (SWE) have been investigated for the extraction of polyphenols. Scope and Approach: Generally, for traditional extractions, the total phenolic content (TPC) is highest at an extraction temperature of 60–80 °C. For this reason, polyphenols are regularly regarded as heat-labile compounds. However, in many studies that investigated the optimal temperature for subcritical water extraction (SWE), temperatures as high as 100–200 °C have been reported. These SWE extractions showed extremely high yields and antioxidant capacities at these temperatures. This paper aimed to examine the relevant literature to identify and understand the mechanisms behind this discrepancy. Results: Thermal degradation is the most common explanation for the degradation of polyphenols. This may be the case for specific or sub-groups of phenolic acids. The different extraction temperatures may have also impacted the types of polyphenols extracted. At high extraction temperatures, the formation of new compounds known as Maillard reaction products may also influence the extracted polyphenols. The selection of source material for extraction, i.e., the plant matrix, and the effect of extraction conditions, i.e., oxidation and light exposure, are also discussed. The overestimation of total phenolic content by the Folin–Ciocâlteu assay is also discussed. There is also a lack of consensus in TPC’s correlation to antioxidant activity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Properties in Preharvest and Postharvest Fruit and Vegetables)
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23 pages, 1060 KiB  
Review
Prunus avium L. (Sweet Cherry) By-Products: A Source of Phenolic Compounds with Antioxidant and Anti-Hyperglycemic Properties—A Review
by Ana R. Nunes, Ana C. Gonçalves, Amílcar Falcão, Gilberto Alves and Luís R. Silva
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(18), 8516; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11188516 - 14 Sep 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4457
Abstract
Prunus avium L. (sweet cherry) is one of the most appreciated fruit due to its organoleptic and nutritional value. Interestingly, cherry leaves, stems, and flowers are agri-food by-products rich in bioactive compounds that are mostly still unexploited. Stems and leaves have been used [...] Read more.
Prunus avium L. (sweet cherry) is one of the most appreciated fruit due to its organoleptic and nutritional value. Interestingly, cherry leaves, stems, and flowers are agri-food by-products rich in bioactive compounds that are mostly still unexploited. Stems and leaves have been used in folk medicine since ancient times. Recently, cherry flowers have also proved to be an interesting source of compounds with therapeutic properties. Phenolic compounds, namely hydroxycinnamic acids and flavonoids, are the most present phytochemicals in P. avium fruits and their by-products. These compounds have shown a good antioxidant potential to prevent oxidative stress-related diseases and glycemic control, fundamental in preventing and controlling diabetes mellitus. The present review summarizes the main phenolics found in P. avium stems, leaves, and flowers as compared to their fruits and describes their antioxidant and anti-hyperglycemic properties. Thus, these by-products are an accessible and low-cost source of bioactive constituents with interesting health-promoting properties, making their use promising in diabetes therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Properties in Preharvest and Postharvest Fruit and Vegetables)
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13 pages, 2117 KiB  
Review
Phytochemicals and Their Possible Mechanisms in Managing COVID-19 and Diabetes
by Eli Mireya Sandoval-Gallegos, Esther Ramírez-Moreno, Nancy Vargas-Mendoza, José Arias-Rico, Diego Estrada-Luna, José Javier Cuevas-Cancino, Reyna Cristina Jiménez-Sánchez, Olga Rocío Flores-Chávez, Rosa María Baltazar-Téllez and José A. Morales-González
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(17), 8163; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11178163 - 02 Sep 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1963
Abstract
For the writing of this manuscript, we searched information published from 2000 to 2021, through PubMed, Web of Science, Springer, and Science Direct. Focusing on the effects related to respiratory diseases, in addition to possible direct effects towards SARS-CoV-2, coupled with diabetes. Diabetes [...] Read more.
For the writing of this manuscript, we searched information published from 2000 to 2021, through PubMed, Web of Science, Springer, and Science Direct. Focusing on the effects related to respiratory diseases, in addition to possible direct effects towards SARS-CoV-2, coupled with diabetes. Diabetes is a metabolic disease that is characterized by affecting the function of glucose, in addition to insulin insufficiency. This leads to patients with such pathologies as being at greater risk for developing multiple complications and increase exposure to viruses infections. This is the case of severe acute respiratory disease coronavirus 19 (SARS-CoV-2), which gave rise to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), declared an international public health emergency in March of 2020 Currently, several strategies have been applied in order to prevent the majority of the consequences of COVID-19, especially in patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes. Among the possible treatment options, we found that the use of phytochemical compounds has exhibited beneficial effects for the prevention and inhibition of infection by SARS-CoV-2, as well as for the improvement of the manifestations of diabetes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Properties in Preharvest and Postharvest Fruit and Vegetables)
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24 pages, 1806 KiB  
Review
Role of Quercetin in Depressive-Like Behaviors: Findings from Animal Models
by Serena Silvestro, Placido Bramanti and Emanuela Mazzon
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(15), 7116; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11157116 - 31 Jul 2021
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 6430
Abstract
Depressive-like behavior is a highly prevalent worldwide neuropsychiatric disorder that owns a complex pathophysiologic mechanism. The available pharmacotherapy is ineffective for most patients and shown several adverse effects. Therefore, it is important to find efficacy and safe antidepressive compounds. Some phytochemicals compounds regulate [...] Read more.
Depressive-like behavior is a highly prevalent worldwide neuropsychiatric disorder that owns a complex pathophysiologic mechanism. The available pharmacotherapy is ineffective for most patients and shown several adverse effects. Therefore, it is important to find efficacy and safe antidepressive compounds. Some phytochemicals compounds regulate the same genes and pathways targeted by drugs; therefore, diets rich in fruits and vegetables could be considered novel treatment approaches. Currently, the functional properties of quercetin acquired great interest, due to its beneficial effects on health. Quercetin is a flavonoid ubiquitously present in vegetables and fruits, interestingly for its strong antioxidant properties. The purpose of this review is to summarize the preclinical studies present in the literature, in the last ten years, aimed at illustrating the effects of quercetin pre-treatment in depressive-like behaviors. Quercetin resulted in antidepressant-like actions due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. This pointed out the usefulness of this flavonoid as a nutraceutical compound against the development of psychological stress-induced behavioral perturbation. Therefore, quercetin or a diet containing it may become a prospective supplementation or an efficient adjuvant therapy for preventing stress-mediated depressive-like behavior. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Properties in Preharvest and Postharvest Fruit and Vegetables)
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