Search Results (1,374)

Conventional grain monitoring systems often rely on isolated data points (e.g., point-based temperature measurements), limiting holistic condition assessment. This study proposes a novel Mechanism and Data Driven (MDD) framework that integrates physical mechanisms with real-time sensor data. The framework quantitatively analyzes solar radiation and external air temperature effects on silo boundaries and introduces a novel interpolation-optimized model parameter initialization technique to enable comprehensive grain condition perception. Rigorous multidimensional validation confirms the method’s accuracy: The novel initialization technique achieved high precision, demonstrating only 1.89% error in Day-2 low-temperature zone predictions (27.02 m² measured vs. 26.52 m² simulated). Temperature fields were accurately reconstructed (≤0.5 °C deviation in YOZ planes), capturing spatiotemporal dynamics with ≤0.45 m² maximum low-temperature zone deviation. Cloud map comparisons showed superior simulation fidelity (SSIM > 0.97). Further analysis revealed a 22.97% reduction in total low-temperature zone area (XOZ plane), with Zone 1 (near south exterior wall) declining 27.64%, Zone 2 (center) 25.30%, and Zone 3 20.35%. For dynamic evolution patterns, high-temperature zones exhibit low moisture (<14%), while low-temperature zones retain elevated moisture (>14%). A strong positive correlation between temperature and relative humidity fields; temperature homogenization drives humidity uniformity. The framework enables holistic monitoring, providing actionable insights for smart ventilation control, condensation risk warnings, and mold prevention. It establishes a robust foundation for intelligent grain storage management, ultimately reducing post-harvest losses. Full article

Postharvest shiitake mushrooms (Lentinus edodes) often undergo browning under low-temperature, high-humidity storage conditions, which significantly reduces their commercial value and constrains industry development. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating this process remain unclear. In this study, we used ‘Nongxiang No. 1’ as the experimental material and observed that during storage, the L* value of caps and stipes decreased continuously, shifting from light brown to dark brown-black. Concurrently, the relative electrical conductivity increased by approximately 3.07-fold, and the membrane lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) content increased by approximately 7.9-fold. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity initially increased then declined, indicating that elevated membrane permeability accelerates senescence. Peroxidase (POD) activity exhibited a significant upward then downward trend and improved 75.83% at day 22 of postharvest storage, with LEHP1, LEHP2, and LEHP3 gene expression patterns closely aligning with these changes. Specifically, LEHP2 and LEHP3 expression was upregulated by 23.8-fold and 2.35-fold on day 22 than day 0. Cis-element analysis identified MYB binding sites in all three LEHP genes. Genome-wide screening combined with qRT-PCR revealed two MYB transcription factors, LeMYB2 and LeMYB5, whose expression synchronized with LEHP genes. Transient expression assays in tobacco leaves confirmed their nuclear localization, consistent with transcription factor characteristics. Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA) and Dual-Luciferase Reporter Assay (DLR) experiments further demonstrated that LeMYB2 and LeMYB5 directly activate LEHP2 and LEHP3 promoters, highlighting their key regulatory roles in postharvest browning of shiitake mushrooms. Full article

Melon is a global crop with a value of USD 31 billion. However, up to 30% of yield is lost due to phytopathogens. Essential oils are a sustainable approach to crop protection and storage, enhancing food security and reducing agricultural losses. We evaluated the antifungal potential of clove essential oil and pure eugenol against Alternaria alternata, Curvularia hawaiiensis, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL), Fusarium solani f. sp. cucurbitae (FSC), Rhizoctonia solani, and Verticillium dahliae in vitro. We also evaluated the resistance of melons, including eugenol-poor Cucumis melo cv. vedrantais (CMV) and eugenol-rich C. melo cv. makuwa (CMM), to infection caused by FOL and FSC. Chemical analysis of clove oil reveals that eugenol was the main compound, at 89.28%. Clove oil and eugenol at 300 μg/mL reduced the growth of all fungal species. Pure eugenol exhibited the strongest antifungal activity, with 95–100% growth inhibition. Eugenol-rich melons did not show necrosis or internal rot when inoculated with FSC, and had minimal lesions, while eugenol-poor melons revealed more advanced rot symptoms. Clove oil and eugenol are antifungal alternatives that may improve food safety. These findings demonstrate the high potential of eugenol to reduce postharvest losses in melon and contribute to future breeding programmes aimed at developing contamination-resistant cultivars. Full article

During prolonged storage of garlic scapes (Allium sativum L.), the proliferation of microorganisms, particularly fungi, frequently results in postharvest rot, which negatively impacts both product quality and market value. Carvacrol, a promising natural food preservative, exhibits broad-spectrum bioactivity against various microorganisms. In this study, a specific pathogenic fungal strain causing postharvest rot in garlic scapes, designated as HQ, was initially isolated from symptomatic garlic scapes. Based on a combination of physiological characteristics and molecular identification techniques, the HQ strain was identified as Aspergillus niger. Our findings further demonstrated that carvacrol exhibits significant in vitro inhibitory effects against Aspergillus niger with an EC₅₀ value of 75.99 μg/L. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations revealed that carvacrol induces irreversible morphological and structural changes in the hyphae, resulting in deformation and rupture. Additionally, integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analyses indicated that carvacrol primarily targets the cell wall integrity (CWI) signaling pathway within the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway in Aspergillus niger, thereby compromising cell membrane integrity and stability, which ultimately suppresses fungal growth and proliferation. Full article

Postharvest Hupingzao jujubes are prone to softening and reddening during storage. To investigate the influence of glycine betaine on the fruit quality of cold-stored jujubes, the jujubes were immersed in a 15 mmol L⁻¹ glycine betaine solution for 10 min, then stored at 0 ± 1 °C for 100 days. The relevant physical and chemical quality indicators were determined every 20 days. The results indicated that glycine betaine treatment effectively maintained fruit firmness, reduced weight loss, slowed down the respiration rate, and lessened the redness of the fruit peel. Compared with the control group, the malondialdehyde and H₂O₂ contents in glycine betaine-treated fruit decreased by 26.65% and 9.04%, respectively. In addition, glycine betaine treatment elevated the contents of non-enzymatic antioxidants, including ascorbic acid, total flavonoids, total phenols, and proanthocyanidins. Meanwhile, the activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase in the jujube fruit were enhanced after glycine betaine treatment. In conclusion, glycine betaine treatment preserved the quality of the jujube fruits by enhancing the antioxidant metabolism. The results establish a scientific basis for the potential application of glycine betaine in postharvest fruit preservation, providing a strategy to mitigate storage-related quality deterioration. Full article

Postharvest blue mold in apples, caused by Penicillium expansum, leads to fruit decay and patulin (PAT) contamination, incurring major economic and health risks. This study developed a composite biocontrol agent (BCA) by co-cultivating three antagonistic yeasts (Meyerozyma caribbica, Metschnikowia zizyphicola, and Pichia rarassimilans). Mixed-culture conditions and protective additives formulation were optimized via response surface methodology. Optimal biomass production was achieved with a 1:2:3 (v/v/v) yeast ratio in medium containing sucrose (12.49 g/L), yeast extract powder (13.3 g/L), K₂HPO₄ (0.88 g/L), and NaCl (0.95 g/L) under pH 7.0, 1% total inoculum concentration, 24 °C, and a 60 h incubation. The liquid BCA formulation, stabilized with 0.27% gum arabic, 0.49% Tween-80, and 0.079% ascorbic acid, maintained high viability (9.15 log10 CFU/mL after 7 days). In vivo/in vitro trials all demonstrated that the composite BCA rapidly colonized, suppressed P. expansum infection, and significantly delayed pathogen spore germination and hyphal growth. Furthermore, the BCA effectively degraded 10 μg/mL PAT within 24–42 h in various fruit juices with minimal adverse effects on juice quality parameters. Storage at −20 °C preserved the highest bioactivity (7.93 × 10⁸ CFU/mL after 5 months). This optimized composite yeast formulation provides an efficient, eco-friendly strategy for integrated apple postharvest blue mold and PAT detoxification. Full article

Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) is a nutritionally rich and economically significant fruit, highly valuable for its flavor, bioactive compounds, and therapeutic properties. However, it is highly perishable and has a short postharvest lifespan. This review aims to provide knowledge for preserving quality and improving postharvest storage by integrative strategies aimed at extending the shelf life of jujube. The literature was collected from recent peer-reviewed studies on postharvest physiology and handling technologies of jujube fruit. Key physiological factors, influencing postharvest deterioration such as water loss, softening, browning, and decay, are discussed, along with the underlying biochemical and enzymatic mechanisms driving quality decline. Conventional strategies such as cold storage, MAP, and CA effectively slow respiration, delay reddening, and extend storage up to 2–4 months, while emerging approaches such as ozone and cold plasma treatments reduce microbial decay and maintain antioxidant activity. Edible coatings like chitosan, aloe vera, and composites cut weight loss by 20–40%, and chemical regulators such as 1-MCP and calcium dips further delay ripening, preserve firmness, and enhance postharvest quality. Emphasis is placed on integrating innovative technologies with physiological insights to optimize storage conditions, control microbial contamination, and maintain nutritional integrity. The significance of this review lies in integrating physiological insights with innovative preservation methods, offering practical guidance for researchers, growers, and industry stakeholders to achieve sustainable, safe, and market-oriented solutions for jujube storage. Full article

Apple black rot, a destructive postharvest disease caused by Alternaria alternata, poses significant economic threats during fruit storage and transportation. However, effective biocontrol bacteria to manage this disease remain limited. In this study, Leuconostoc mesenteroides strain GY-2, isolated from healthy apple fruit surfaces, had a remarkable biocontrol ability on apple black rot. While GY-2 exhibited no direct inhibitory effects in confrontation assays, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by the strain suppressed colony diameter of A. alternata by 70.8% in dual plate assays, indicating potent fungistatic activity. Notably, these VOCs produced by L. mesenteroides displayed broad-spectrum antifungal properties against multiple apple fungal pathogens. Microscopic analysis revealed that VOC exposure induced structural anomalies in A. alternata hyphae, including surface perforations and protoplast leakage, suggesting membrane integrity disruption. The VOCs produced by strain GY-2 were identified; four compounds had antifungal activities, among them, isoamylol exhibited the highest antifungal activity. Applying bacterial suspensions of strain GY-2 on apple fruit significantly reduced 91.4% of lesion areas of black rot. The strain exhibited robust colonization capacity on fruit surfaces, maintaining viable populations for over 15 days post-application, guaranteeing a sustained disease prevention. Furthermore, GY-2 treatment enhanced systemic resistance in apple fruit, as evidenced by upregulated antioxidant enzymes and defense-related enzymes. Importantly, application of GY-2 did not adversely affect key parameters of fruit quality, including firmness, soluble solids content, or acidity. These findings showed that the bacterial L. mesenteroides GY-2 was a promising biocontrol agent for managing postharvest black rot of apple fruit. Full article

Postharvest studies on Cerrado fruits remain scarce, and the use of LED light during storage is a recent and promising strategy. Cagaita (Eugenia dysenterica DC.), a native Cerrado fruit with high nutritional and economic value, is also highly perishable, which limits its marketability. This study evaluated the postharvest quality of cagaita fruits stored under LED light of different wavelengths. Fruits were exposed to red, green, blue, or white LEDs, or kept in the dark (control), under continuous illumination (24 h per day) for 5 days at room temperature (25.7 ± 2 °C). Green LED light significantly (p < 0.05) increased lightness, chroma, vitamin C, and antioxidant activity (DPPH assay), while maintaining a more stable pH compared with the control and, in some cases, other LED treatments. Overall, green LED was the most effective treatment for preserving the physicochemical and bioactive quality of cagaita fruits during storage. These findings provide evidence that LED light can help extend shelf life and enhance the market potential of this native Cerrado fruit. Full article

Chronic metabolic disorders have increased recently due to changes in dietary habits and lifestyle. Red-coloured fruits, such as sweet cherries, are rich in anthocyanins and other (poly)phenolic compounds with health-promoting properties, which has garnered growing scientific interest. Melatonin elicitation has emerged as a promising strategy to improve the functional quality of these fruits. This research investigates, for the first time, the combined effect of pre- and postharvest melatonin treatments, followed by a cold storage (2 °C) of 21 days, on the endogenous melatonin and phenolic compound levels of 90 sweet cherries (n = 3) from the ‘Sunburst’ cultivar and harvested from 9 trees per treatment. Single preharvest or postharvest melatonin treatments increased the endogenous melatonin content via direct absorption and activation of key biosynthetic genes, while they reduced anthocyanin, hydroxycinnamic acid, and flavonol levels, likely due to a ripening-delaying effect at harvest. Nevertheless, the combined treatment increased endogenous melatonin levels 5-fold compared to harvest and increased all measured polyphenolic compound levels, including a 29% rise in total anthocyanins reverting the delay in the ripening process. These effects suggest upregulation of genes in the phenylpropanoid pathway and could improve fruit’s functional quality. The response to melatonin is cultivar- and dose-dependent. Future research should investigate genetic and transcriptomic validation to confirm these potential effects and assess whether increased bioactive compound content would translate into measurable human health benefits. Full article

Storage quality and texture properties determine the processing quality of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas Lam.). Prohexadione calcium (Pro-Ca) and uniconazole (UCZ) are plant growth regulators that inhibit gibberellin biosynthesis, reducing excessive sweet potato growth and improving stress resistance. This study evaluated the impact of foliar applications—applied at 37.5 g·hm⁻² for both treatments—on the postharvest texture characteristics and storage performance of sweet potato storage roots. The experiments were conducted over two years (2023 and 2024) using two sweet potato cultivars, Zheshu13 (Z13) and Wanshu10 (W10). The results showed that Pro-Ca significantly improved the textural properties of sweet potatoes, including firmness, chewiness, and maximum adhesion force, especially in Z13 (p < 0.05). Pro-Ca also reduced the percentage of rotting and weight loss during storage (p < 0.05), offering a more sustainable option for sweet potato postharvest management compared to UCZ. Additionally, Pro-Ca treatment increased the soluble sugar content of Z13-2023 and W10-2024, as well as the amylose content, except for W10 (p < 0.05), which could enhance both the sweetness and texture of sweet potatoes. This study highlights the potential of Pro-Ca as an effective growth regulator for improving sweet potato storage and processing quality. Further research is needed to investigate the long-term effects and the molecular mechanisms underlying these benefits, particularly in relation to gibberellin inhibition, carbohydrate metabolism, and cell wall integrity during storage. Full article

The Mugilidae family comprises several euryhaline species of significant ecological and economic value in global fisheries and aquaculture. Despite close taxonomic relationships, Chelon auratus, Chelon ramada and Mugil cephalus differ notably in physiological traits, seasonal energy allocation and tissue composition, influencing both ecological roles and commercial value. This study investigates the effect of seasonality on the fish flesh quality and metabolic gene expression of these three commercially important mullet species, collected from their natural habitat in Klisova Lagoon, Greece, by analyzing proximate composition (moisture, ash, protein, lipid), hepatosomatic index (HSI) and expression of lipid metabolism genes. M. cephalus showed lower protein and lipid content than C. ramada and C. auratus. In this context, expression of key lipid metabolism genes (fabp, pparg, cpt) reflected these differences not only between species but also revealed patterns which differed between examined tissues and seasons. Notably, this study provides the first characterization of these genes in the species examined. HSI data further indicated species-specific and seasonal strategies for energy storage. The results contribute to refining harvest timing strategies, enhancing post-harvest handling practices, in an effort to promote market differentiation and eventually to improve the economic viability of the mullet fishery sector. Full article

The ‘Akizuki’ pear has become increasingly popular in China in recent years. However, the ‘Akizuki’ pear often suffers from severe rot diseases during the postharvest storage period. Those during storage have not been thoroughly elucidated In this study, fungal pathogens causing postharvest decay of ‘Akizuki’ pear were identified through multi-gene phylogenetic analysis, followed by assessment of the antifungal efficacy of chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) at varying concentrations. A total of 18 strains were isolated and identified as pathogens by Koch postulates. The isolated pathogens were taxonomically identified by combining morphological characterization of hyphae/spores with multi-gene phylogeny (ITS, β-tub, tef1). The results revealed that isolates A1-A11 were identified as Alternaria alternata, D1-D3 as Diaporthe eres, P1 as Penicillium citrinum, and P2-P4 as Penicillium expansum. The strain with the strongest pathogenicity in each genus was selected as the representative strain for subsequent control experiments. ClO₂ significantly inhibited the development of the D. eres, A. alternata, and P. expansum by suppressing mycelial growth and disrupting cell membrane structure of pathogens, in which the EC50 values were 35.56 mg/L, 24.71 mg/L, and 41.98 mg/L, respectively, showing comparable antifungal activity to conventional fungicides. This has clarified the occurrence and control of postharvest decay diseases of ‘Akizuki’ pear fruit and provided more options for the practical applications in postharvest disease control of pear fruits. Full article

Mechanical damage like bruises produced during postharvest handling can lower market value, affect nutritional value, and pose food safety risks. The study evaluated bruises on apples using image processing. This research focuses on using computer vision for apple fruit damage detection. The fruits were subjected to three levels of impact using three ball weights (66, 98, and 110 g) dropped from 50 cm height and stored at 22 °C. The overall impact energies generated were 0.323 J (low), 0.480 J (medium), and 0.539 J (high). The bruise area and susceptibility of the damage, surface area of the fruit, and color were measured manually (colorimeter) and by image processing. The study found that the bruise area was significantly affected by impact force, where 110 g (0.539 J) damaged apples showed a bruise area of 4.24 cm² after 21 days of storage at 22 °C. The images showed a significant change in the RGB values (Red, Green, Blue) over 21 days of storage when impacted at 0.539 J. The study showed that the greater the impact energy effect, the higher the weight loss under constant conditions of storage. After 21 days of storage, the 110 g mechanically damaged apples recorded the highest percentage of weight loss (6.362%). The study found a significant decrease in the surface area of 110 g bruised apples, with a smaller decrease in surface area for 66 g bruised fruit. The use of computer vision to detect bruise damage and other quality attributes of Granny Smith apples can be highly recommended to detect their losses. Full article

Enzymatic browning (EB) is a physiological alteration that compromises the sensory and commercial quality of tree nuts, significantly reducing their market value and functional compound content. Due to its complexity and economic impact, this review compiles updated information on mechanisms and factors driving EB in tree nut species, as well as strategies for its prevention. The EB in tree nuts results from the oxidation of phenolic compounds (PCs) to brown pigments. This process is driven by enzymatic activity such as polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD), and phenylalanine ammonium lyase (PAL) and strongly enhanced by cellular stress and associated regulation of gene expression. The EB has been documented in several tree nut species, including almonds, betel nuts, chestnuts, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pistachios, and walnuts. This alteration developed both pre-harvest and post-harvest and was influenced by agronomic factors (such as cultivar, nutritional status, climatic conditions, and altitude) and handling (including shelling, storage, and processing). Mitigation strategies include the use of synthetic inhibitors, physical treatments, and the use of plant extracts rich in natural antioxidants, the latter perceived as more sustainable and safer alternatives. Full article