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Preharvest and Postharvest Factors Influencing Biological Active Compounds in Horticultural...
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Preharvest and Postharvest Factors Influencing Biological Active Compounds in Horticultural Commodities

A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Agricultural Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 November 2023) | Viewed by 13922

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Grzegorz Lysiak

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Guest Editor
Department of Ornamental Plants, Dendrology and Pomology, Poznan University of Life Science, Ul. Dąbrowskiego 159, 60-594 Poznań, Poland
Interests: fruit production; fruit storage; engineering horticulture; bioactive compounds; processing; polyphenols; postharvest quality; edible flowers; anthocyanins; frost resistance; harvest date prediction; active temperatures; fruit quality; color development; orchard replantation; fertilization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Fruits and flowers are one of the most important sources of biologically active compounds in the human diet. Although these products have been in the human diet for thousands of years, interest in them was only widespread in the twenty-first century. Many new compounds were discovered during this time and previously known ones were tested to learn about their effects.

There has long been the belief that during storage it is impossible to improve the quality of fruit or other horticultural products. However, many studies indicate that this rule does not apply to biologically active compounds. During storage, substances dissolved in cell juice are concentrated due to water loss. This may mean that, after removing the products from the cold store, they have a greater oxidation reduction potential than immediately after harvesting. The increase in the content of some compounds may be due to natural ripening processes. There are many compounds that are secondary metabolites. Poor storage conditions can also cause the content of these desirable compounds to decrease; however, the greatest influences on the accumulation of beneficial substances were factors of production. Weather conditions during vegetation, plant protection treatments, and other agrotechnical treatments will affect many chemical processes occurring in the plant. It is also not without significance that the harvest date, harvesting technique, and handling of the harvested crop are correctly determined. 

Prof. Dr. Grzegorz Lysiak
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • phenolic compounds
  • organic acids
  • anthocyanins
  • antioxidant capacity
  • vitamins
  • pectin
  • storage condition
  • optimum harvest date

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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25 pages, 2611 KiB  
Article
Effect of Storage Conditions on the Storability and Nutritional Value of New Polish Apples Grown in Central Poland
by Andrii Kistechok, Dariusz Wrona and Tomasz Krupa
Agriculture 2024, 14(1), 59; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14010059 - 28 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1610
Abstract
The aim of this study is to assess the storability and nutritional value of new Polish apple cultivars recommended for cultivation after storage under low-oxygen atmospheric conditions (ULO and DCA). Fruit characteristics of ‘Chopin’ and clone ‘JB’ were evaluated in relation to commonly [...] Read more.
The aim of this study is to assess the storability and nutritional value of new Polish apple cultivars recommended for cultivation after storage under low-oxygen atmospheric conditions (ULO and DCA). Fruit characteristics of ‘Chopin’ and clone ‘JB’ were evaluated in relation to commonly grown apple cultivars. Fruits of six selected apple cultivars were stored for a period of 9 months in conventional (0.04% CO2: 21% O2), Ultra-Low Oxygen (1.5% CO2: 1.5% O2), and Dynamic Controlled Atmosphere (0.6% CO2: 0.6% O2) cold storage. Physicochemical characteristics of the apples (firmness, soluble solids, acidity, and fibre content), nutritional and antioxidant values of the fruit (P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, total polyphenols, total flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity), and safety of consumption (residues of pesticides) were assessed. The new cultivar ‘Chopin’ and clone ‘JB’ were characterised by above-average acidity and clone ‘JB’ stood out in terms of antioxidant properties. Storage in a low-oxygen atmosphere in DCA was more effective in limiting fruit ripening than conventional cold storage, contributing to the preservation of the high potential of biologically active compounds in the apples. Apples after 9 months of storage were characterised by higher firmness (from 3.5 to 14 N), higher total polyphenol content in the flesh (from 8 to 23 mg∙100 g−1 FW) and peel (from 32 to 97 mg∙100 g−1 FW), as well as higher antioxidant capacity in the flesh (from 15 to 37 mg AAE∙100 g−1 FW) and peel (from 28 to 59 mg AAE∙100 g−1 FW) when stored in DCA compared to cold storage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preharvest and Postharvest Factors Influencing Biological Active Compounds in Horticultural Commodities)
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33 pages, 10876 KiB  
Article
Effects of Inoculation with Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria on Chemical Composition of the Substrate and Nutrient Content in Strawberry Plants Growing in Different Water Conditions
by Dominika Paliwoda, Grzegorz Mikiciuk, Justyna Chudecka, Tomasz Tomaszewicz, Tymoteusz Miller, Małgorzata Mikiciuk, Anna Kisiel and Lidia Sas-Paszt
Agriculture 2024, 14(1), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14010046 - 26 Dec 2023
Viewed by 1666
Abstract
Drought presents a critical challenge to global crop production, exacerbated by the effects of global warming. This study explores the role of rhizospheric bacteria (Bacillus, Pantoea, and Pseudomonas) in enhancing the drought resistance and nutrient absorption of strawberry plants. [...] Read more.
Drought presents a critical challenge to global crop production, exacerbated by the effects of global warming. This study explores the role of rhizospheric bacteria (Bacillus, Pantoea, and Pseudomonas) in enhancing the drought resistance and nutrient absorption of strawberry plants. The experimental approach involved inoculating plant roots with various strains of rhizobacteria and assessing their impact under different water potential conditions in two substrates: optimal moisture and water deficit. The results showed significant changes in the nutrient content of strawberry plants, influenced by the type of bacterial strain and moisture conditions. Phosphorus and potassium content in the leaves varied considerably, with the highest levels observed in plants inoculated with specific bacterial strains under both optimal and water-deficit conditions. Similarly, calcium and magnesium content in the leaves also changed notably, depending on the bacterial strain and moisture level. The water deficit cluster, featuring the PJ1.1, DKB63, and DKB65 strains, showed PGPR’s role in maintaining nutrient availability and plant resilience. The study demonstrates that inoculation with PGPR can markedly influence the nutrient profile of strawberry plants. These findings underscore the potential of using rhizobacteria to enhance crop resilience and nutritional status, especially in the context of increasing drought conditions due to climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preharvest and Postharvest Factors Influencing Biological Active Compounds in Horticultural Commodities)
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20 pages, 4491 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Pre-Harvest Treatments with Tanacetum vulgare L. and Satureja montana L. Essential Oils (EOs) on the Yield and Chemical Composition of Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliot Fruit
by Edyta Górska-Drabik, Katarzyna Golan, Izabela Kot, Katarzyna Kmieć, Monika Poniewozik, Katarzyna Dzida and Andrzej Bochniak
Agriculture 2024, 14(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14010012 - 21 Dec 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1243
Abstract
Tanacetum vulgare and Satureja montana essential oils (EOs) on Aronia melanocarpa before the flowering period were used against Acrobasis advenella. We hypothesised that the use of the aforementioned EOs (1.5%, 3% and 4.5%) would simultaneously improve yield and fruit quality. The profile [...] Read more.
Tanacetum vulgare and Satureja montana essential oils (EOs) on Aronia melanocarpa before the flowering period were used against Acrobasis advenella. We hypothesised that the use of the aforementioned EOs (1.5%, 3% and 4.5%) would simultaneously improve yield and fruit quality. The profile of the EO constituents was determined by GC-MS analysis. Thujone (66.62%) was identified as the most abundant component in tansy EO, while thymol (40.04%) was dominant in savory EO. The mean weight of 100 berries ranged from 82.40 g to 88.00 g. A loss in fruit weight was recorded after the addition of 4.5% S. montana EO. A. melanocarpa shrubs treated with 4.5% tansy EO showed the highest content of phenols (848.03 mg per 100 g FW), along with high levels of anthocyanins (310.19 mg/100 g), tannins (1884 mg/100 g) and chlorogenic acid (187.38 mg/100 g) but exerted negative effects on the mineral fruit content (Mg, K). T. vulgare oil, particularly at higher concentrations, has shown promise for increasing the content of valuable compounds with strong antioxidant properties. The application of S. montana EOs positively affected minerals and chlorogenic acid content. However, their phytotoxic effects on A. melanocarpa preclude them from further use, even at low concentrations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preharvest and Postharvest Factors Influencing Biological Active Compounds in Horticultural Commodities)
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20 pages, 1864 KiB  
Article
Physico-Chemical Analysis of the Fruits and Consumer Preferences of New Apple (Malus × domestica Borkh) Hybrids Bred in Poland
by Ewa Szpadzik, Karolina Molska-Kawulok, Tomasz Krupa and Sebastian Przybyłko
Agriculture 2024, 14(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14010001 - 19 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1439
Abstract
Apples are the most important species in Polish fruit production, and their fresh fruit and processing products occupy a very important place in the European and world food economies. A natural process on the apple market is the replacement of older cultivars with [...] Read more.
Apples are the most important species in Polish fruit production, and their fresh fruit and processing products occupy a very important place in the European and world food economies. A natural process on the apple market is the replacement of older cultivars with new ones. Consequently, breeding work is being carried out all over the world to obtain new, attractive apple cultivars. In this work, four new apple hybrids obtained in the Department of Pomology and Horticulture Economics at the University of Life Sciences in Warsaw (WULS—SGGW), i.e., two red-skinned hybrids (‘I’P’ and ‘TL’) and two green-skinned hybrids (‘GL’ and ‘LG’), were tested for their main physico-chemical characteristics after harvest and after storage, as well as for their consumer acceptability in a comparison with three popular cultivars in Poland (‘Šampion’, ‘Golden Delicious’, and ‘Ligol’). The hybrids evaluated were differentiated in terms of the tested features. It was found that the fruits of the ‘GL’ hybrid had the highest firmness—both after harvest and post storage; it was also one of the highest-rated overall impressions by consumers among the cultivars tested (only ‘Ligol’ apples had higher scores). The hybrid with low fruit quality and low health-promoting properties at this stage of the study was ‘TL’, whose overall impression was also rated lowest by consumers. The study also showed that the content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of apples can be higher in green-skinned cultivars compared to red-skinned cultivars. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preharvest and Postharvest Factors Influencing Biological Active Compounds in Horticultural Commodities)
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15 pages, 1113 KiB  
Article
Usefulness of Living Mulch in Rows in a Dwarf Pear, Pyrus communis L., Orchard
by Ireneusz Sosna and Ewa Fudali
Agriculture 2023, 13(11), 2145; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13112145 - 14 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1119
Abstract
The key problem in the cultivation of densely planted dwarf orchards is the removal of weeds—trees’ competitors for habitat resources. There is an urgent need to look for ecological methods of weed control as an alternative to herbicides that are harmful to the [...] Read more.
The key problem in the cultivation of densely planted dwarf orchards is the removal of weeds—trees’ competitors for habitat resources. There is an urgent need to look for ecological methods of weed control as an alternative to herbicides that are harmful to the environment. The use of living mulch (LM) in tree rows additionally improves soil quality but usually weakens tree growth and may reduce yield. The aim of this 11-year experiment was to assess the impact of the use of two different LMs in rows (Trifolium repens—Tr and Agrostis capillaris—Ac) on the growth, yield, and fruit quality of three pear cultivars on Quince S1 rootstock compared to herbicide fallow. The presence of LM did not significantly affect tree growth. There was no significant effect of either mulch on the cumulative yield. However, for the first 4–6 years, the yield was clearly lower than in the control, which changed in the later years of the experiment. When LMs were used, pear trees showed a significantly lower tendency to alternate fruiting. The average fruit weight was significantly lower in Tr, but the other parameters of external fruit quality did not differ significantly. Furthermore, a smaller share of ultra-small fruit was found with LM compared to the control. The LM did not significantly affect such parameters as the content of soluble solids, vitamin C, Ca, Mg, and P. The use of Ac in dwarf pear orchards with sowing in tree rows is recommended in the 2nd or 3rd year after planting at the earliest. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preharvest and Postharvest Factors Influencing Biological Active Compounds in Horticultural Commodities)
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16 pages, 1787 KiB  
Article
Apple Quality during Shelf-Life after Long-Term Storage and Simulated Transport
by Maria Małachowska and Kazimierz Tomala
Agriculture 2023, 13(11), 2045; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13112045 - 24 Oct 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2368
Abstract
With the high production of apples in Poland, the priority actions include increasing their export volume. The main objective of the presented research was to maintain sufficient firmness in the apple cultivar Gala Schniga® SchniCo Red(s) transported to distant markets immediately after [...] Read more.
With the high production of apples in Poland, the priority actions include increasing their export volume. The main objective of the presented research was to maintain sufficient firmness in the apple cultivar Gala Schniga® SchniCo Red(s) transported to distant markets immediately after harvest or after long-term storage under ULO conditions (1.2% CO2 and 1.2% O2). In the study conducted during the 2021/2022 storage season on apples from the experimental orchard of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW-WULS; Warsaw-52°14′ N, 21°1′ E), the effect of the pre- and post-harvest application of 1-MCP, harvest date, and simulated transport duration on the quality of apples in target retail trading conditions was evaluated. Apples collected on a given harvest date were divided into four samples: control (without the use of 1-MCP), Harvista™-sprayed, SmartFresh™-treated, and Harvista™-sprayed + SmartFresh™-treated. Immediately after harvest and after 9 months of storage, the apples were packed in boxes and stored at 1 °C for 6 and 8 weeks (simulated transport conditions). Directly after the simulated transport and after an additional 7 and 14 days at 25 °C (handling conditions in hot countries), the following parameters were determined: firmness, SSC, TA, and ethylene production. The study noted a significant effect of the use of 1-MCP, harvest time, and simulated transport period on all tested parameters. Apples from trees sprayed with Harvista™ maintained a firmness of >55 N for 14 days of shelf-life only if they were harvested at the optimal date and transported immediately after harvest, and if their shipping lasted 6 weeks. Such firmness could be preserved after 8 weeks of the transport of SmartFresh™-treated apples harvested at the optimal date, and of Harvista™-sprayed + SmartFresh™-treated apples harvested at a delayed date. In the latter combination, apples also maintained the desired firmness after 9 months of storage + 6 weeks of transport regardless of the harvest date. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preharvest and Postharvest Factors Influencing Biological Active Compounds in Horticultural Commodities)
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19 pages, 334 KiB  
Article
Estimating the Physicochemical and Antioxidant Properties of Hardy Kiwi (Actinidia arguta) Treated with 1-Methylcyclopropene during Storage
by Tomasz Krupa, Andrii Kistechok and Kazimierz Tomala
Agriculture 2023, 13(9), 1665; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13091665 - 23 Aug 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1303
Abstract
In fruit storage, new methods are being sought to extend the distribution period while maintaining the highest quality parameters of the fruit, i.e., the physical and chemical characteristics of the fruit, but also the health-promoting properties. One method is to treat the fruit [...] Read more.
In fruit storage, new methods are being sought to extend the distribution period while maintaining the highest quality parameters of the fruit, i.e., the physical and chemical characteristics of the fruit, but also the health-promoting properties. One method is to treat the fruit with 1-MCP, which effectively inhibits fruit ripening, since the main reasons for limiting the distribution of minikiwi fruit are rapid ripening and the loss of firmness. It is also highlighted that minikiwi is a source of antioxidants, which, as highly reactive compounds, are quickly degraded during storage. This study evaluates the effectiveness of using 1-MCP to reduce minikiwi softening and maintain the high antioxidant properties of the fruit. In the experiment, minikiwi fruits of the ‘Ananasnaya’ cultivar were used. After harvesting, the fruits were treated with 1-methylcyclopropene at a concentration of 0.65 µL/L. Fruits treated in this way were stored in ordinary cold storage (NA) and under low oxygen concentration (ULO) conditions for a period of 12 weeks. The fruits’ physicochemical properties, sugar and acid contents and antioxidant potential, which consisted of ascorbic acid, polyphenols, phenolic acids, flavonols and flavan-3-ols, were evaluated. The application of 1-MCP is effective in reducing the loss of firmness in the minikiwi during storage, but the blocking of minikiwi ripening by 1-MCP makes the fruit less sweet and more acidic. Fruits treated with 1-MCP had higher antioxidant activity and a higher content of biologically active compounds. The effect of 1-MCP is stronger for flavan-3-ols, but slightly weaker for phenolic acids. Fruits treated with 1-MCP have a higher antioxidant potential than untreated fruit after a long period of storage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preharvest and Postharvest Factors Influencing Biological Active Compounds in Horticultural Commodities)

Review

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24 pages, 3899 KiB  
Review
The Beneficial Effects of Anthocyanins from Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas L.) Fruits and Their Possible Uses: A Review
by Iwona Szot, Grzegorz P. Łysiak and Bożena Sosnowska
Agriculture 2024, 14(1), 52; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14010052 - 27 Dec 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2028
Abstract
Anthocyanins are pigments ubiquitous in plants that are responsible for the red to almost black color, mainly of flowers and fruits. Dark-colored fruits contain the highest amounts of anthocyanins. A potential source of anthocyanins can be cornelian cherry fruit (Cornus mas L.) [...] Read more.
Anthocyanins are pigments ubiquitous in plants that are responsible for the red to almost black color, mainly of flowers and fruits. Dark-colored fruits contain the highest amounts of anthocyanins. A potential source of anthocyanins can be cornelian cherry fruit (Cornus mas L.) from a long-lived tree growing in temperate climate zones. The aim of this review is to summarize the latest research on cornelian cherry anthocyanins and the possibility of their use in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries, without taking into account their use in medicine. The content of anthocyanins in cornelian cherry fruits is high and comparable to fruits considered to be the richest sources of these compounds, so they may be a good source of these natural colorants used in industry. The content of anthocyanins varies due to genetic traits, growing conditions, the ripeness of fruits, and finally, how the fruits are stored and processed. Anthocyanins can be found in various cornelian products, such as juices, jams, powders, and others, so they may be available outside the period of supply of fresh fruit on the market. The lack of experience on the influence of the method of cultivation of cornelian cherries on the anthocyanin content of fruits determines new directions for research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preharvest and Postharvest Factors Influencing Biological Active Compounds in Horticultural Commodities)
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