Shelf-life Assessment on European Cucumber Based on Accelerated Temperature–Humidity Stresses

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

In this paper, the authors exposed the European cucumber (Cucumis sativus) to accelerated temperature and humidity conditions, in order to observe the effect of both factors on the deterioration of the product. Using a degradation analysis and an accelerated life test (ALT), the authors determined the product's shelf life and develop a reliability model to predict storage times for cucumbers under normal storage conditions. However, there were several key questions should be addressed in a detailed response and revised manuscript. This includes the following points:

 

Major points:

1.     Table 1, how did the authors conclude the variables of interest during food storage and processing? Please note the references.

2.     Fig1 shows the detailed steps of the methodology, but the description of the last step is not clear enough to make me understand.

3.     I’m confused about the derivation of the equation. In equation 2, the two sides are not equal, it’s a minus instead of a plus between the bracket.

4.     In equation 7, why is there an extra square root of two in the derivation? Please give more detailed steps.

5.     Table 3, which sampling data is recorded in the table?

6.     Fig 3, the authors explained that the percentage of °Brix grows due to weight loss during the initial days of storage. But it can be found that the weight loss of cucumber with cover did not increase significantly over time in fig 2.

7.     Fig 6, the graph shows that a cucumber's lifespan increases as the relative humidity rises, which is against the conclusion in the article.

8.     Table 5, why choose 5 % weight loss for cucumber with packaging cover and 0.7% for cucumber without packaging cover as standard.

 

Minor points:

1.     Line 19 and line 25, Cucumis sativus must be italic, and the first letter of “sativus” must be lowercase. Because genus and species names are in italics, where the first letter of the species name is not capitalized.

2.     Line 19 and line 25, is the Persian cucumber the same kind of cucumber as the European cucumber?

3.     Line 43 and line 130, European cucumber don’t need to be in the plural.

4.     Line 76-81, in this study, the firmness of vegetables increases as the temperature of the product increases, which is against the normal conclusion. But the explanation is unconvincing.

5.     Line 106-108, how the authors concluded that lack of firmness and weight loss of the cucumber were related to temperature and humidity?

6.     Line 174, here Cucumis sativus L. must be italic.

7.     Line 252, in equation 2, please check that the letters are properly capitalization, what’s the difference between “U” and “u”?

8.     Line 269, please check that the font and format of the title of the same level are correct.

9.     Line 352 and line 411, why there are two headings 3.1 and 3.2?

10.   Line 364, why there are two “Table 2”?

Author Response

• I really thank for all the observations. I consider that after the revisions, there is a better manuscript, clearer and definitely more understandable for the reader.

Please see attachment

 

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

The study titled "Shelf-Life Assessment on European Cucumber based on Accelerated Temperature-Humidity Stresses" is closely connected to the journal's objectives. The study is interesting. However, the manuscript is confusing and presents some information in the wrong sections; it is unclear how the study was made and must be analyzed in depth the why of the behaviors of the cucumber with the package and without the package or argue it with more scientific literature.

I have some recommendations that I will mention below:

Table 1. Please define Tg and Wg

I suggest moving the paragraph (lines 133-136) to line 127 and the paragraph (lines 127-132) to line 144.

In general, I suggest reorganizing the introduction because some information is repeated. It is not very clear this section.

I do not consider it necessary for the manuscript have Figure 1.

The paragraph (line 177- 187) “Temperature above 30…” are background necessary and must be include in the introduction section.

How were measured by authors the total soluble solids, pH, hardness, weight, and other parameters? The material and methods section must include the methodology used for these measurements. How many replicates were made?

Line 215: “The decision was made to eliminate the firmness evaluation during the accelerated life test based on the findings from the European cucumber firmness evaluations, which revealed that this parameter did not exhibit a significant change during the evaluation time (ANOVA).”. The findings were founded in a preview study?

It is unclear how the authors made the accelerated life test.

Author Response

• I am really thankful for all the observations. I consider that after the revisions, there is a better manuscript, clearer and definitely more understandable for the reader.

Please see attachment.

 

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

1. This is a well-written paper, and all experimental results and response measurements are clearly stated.

2. Please check the spelling and format of the manuscripts again, especially the unit of parameter, name of tables and figures, font, and size of characters.

3. Please give the recommendations for further work.

Author Response

Response to Reviewer 3 Comments

 

1. This is a well-written paper, and all experimental results and response measurements are clearly stated.
2. Please check the spelling and format of the manuscripts again, especially the unit of parameter, name of tables and figures, font, and size of characters.

A complete review was made on the manuscript. We reviewed tables, figures and font.

Also, a review on references was done.

3. Please give the recommendations for further work.

We added these paragraphs to the discussion section:

Extensive literature review is performed to determine significant factors for consideration of failure in European cucumber. However, further research may be necessary to determine the exact point of what can be considered complete failure.

Consequently, the design of the accelerated life test could change. This is why new experiments can be performed to determine an optimal accelerated life test design.

Although the design used for collecting data seems to be reliable when the development of ALT is being performed, multivariate accelerated life testing is highly recommended in future studies for more accurate results.

 

Please see attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 4 Report

The researchers who developed this work aimed to evaluate the effects of temperature and air humidity on cucumber shelf life, predicting fresh matter and fruit firmness.

This research is unprecedented and is of great importance for the vegetable exporting countries with global application.

The text is well written and the research objectives were adequately answered by the conclusions. We believe that the research, although simple, is important for the scientific community given the lack of information in the literature. We only have one suggestion in the methodology, but the authors are able to respond to it easily and with that should improve the scientific quality of the research.

It is important for the authors to accurately describe from which region of the fruit (bottom, middle or apical part) the sample was obtained in order to carry out evaluations such as total soluble solids, pH and hardness. Detail whether the samples contained part of the skin and the inner part of the fruit. This all has to be very clear in the manuscript. Detail all the equipment used that helped to obtain the results of these analyzes.

Author Response

Response to Reviewer 4 Comments

Please see attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

1、In equation 2, please check clearly to make sure that both sides of equation are equal.

2、European cucumber don’t need to be in the plural. Please check full text clearly.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

• I am really thankful for all the observations. 
• Please see attached file.

1. In equation 2, please check clearly to make sure that both sides of equation are equal.

We checked the equation; the left side of the equation is an expression of life based on the factors. We added that information to the document; Here is now what is modified in the manuscript.

Equation 2 combination model [18,27] can be used to estimate life L(V, U):

                                                                                             (2)

Where:

• It is one of the three parameters to be estimated.
• It is the second of three parameters to be estimated (also known as the moisture activation energy).
• It is a constant and the third of the three parameters to be determined.
• U is the relative humidity (decimal or percentage).
• V is the temperature (in absolute units).

 

2. European cucumber don’t need to be in the plural. Please check full text clearly.

A complete review of the manuscript was performed by an English native speaker. He modified the mistakes.

 

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

The manuscript, after the adjustments made by the authors, improved significantly. However, some modifications are necessary.

 

1. Line 224 Please adjust pressure units.
2. Please include the standard deviations of the results in table 4.
3. Table 5 Please change to lowercase letters “FIRMNESS”
4. Please adjust Figure 1; the series numbers are very close together and complex to understand.
5. The manuscript has some typos; please check them 

Best regards

Author Response

Response to Reviewer 2 Comments
•    I am really thankful for all the observations. 

Please see attached file.

1.    Line 224 Please adjust pressure units.
It was adjusted on the document; units are now N/cm2

2.    Please include the standard deviations of the results in table 4.
Standard Deviations are included now on table 4.

3.    Table 5 Please change to lowercase letters “FIRMNESS”
The word is in lowercase letter “firmness”

4.    Please adjust Figure 1; the series numbers are very close together and complex to understand.
Plot was modified; Here is the modified plot
 

 

5.    The manuscript has some typos; please check them 
We reviewed the entire document. An extensive review was done to correct all the mistakes.

 

Author Response File: Author Response.docx