This study evaluated the growth, yield, and postharvest quality of eggplant grown under different foliar fertilizer treatments with Spirufert® (Spirulina platensis). The treatments consisted of four fertilizer concentrations applied at four phenological stages: M1 (10, 15, 25, and 35 g L -1 ), M2 (15, 20, 30, and 40 g L -1 ), M3 (20, 25, 35, and 45 g L -1 ), and M4 (control plants, water spraying only). For Postharvest experiments were conducted in a 4 x 5 factorial design corresponding to the four treatments in the field experiment and five storage times. Spirufert® applied at lower concentrations (M1) resulted in greater fruit yield without affecting the foliar concentrations of N, P, K, and Na. Higher fertilizer concentrations (M3) increased vegetative growth but reduced eggplant yield. Fruit color parameters and soluble solids contents were not affected by fertilizer application, but pulp firmness was more stable in M1 fruits stored for up to six days. Key words: Solanum melongena. Microalgae. Biofertilizer. Postharvest conservation. ResumoObjetivou-se avaliar o crescimento, a produção e a qualidade pós-colheita da berinjela em função de manejos (M) de aplicação foliar com Spirufert® (Spirulina platensis). Os manejos foram constituídos por quatro concentrações do produto, aplicadas em quatro fases fenológicas da cultura, sendo o M1 constituído por pulverizações nas concentrações de 10, 15, 25 e 35 g L -1 ; o M2 correspondeu às concentrações de 15, 20, 30 e 40 g L -1 ; o M3 por 20, 25, 35 e 45 e g L -1 e o M4 correspondeu à testemunha. Para o ensaio de pós-colheita, os tratamentos corresponderam a um esquema fatorial 4 x 5, correspondente aos quatro tratamentos originados do experimento de campo e cinco períodos de armazenamento. O Spirufert® aplicado em concentrações mais baixas (M1) proporciona maior produção de frutos, sem influenciar os teores foliares de N, P, K e Na da cultura. Concentrações mais elevadas do produto (M3) favorecem o desenvolvimento vegetativo da berinjela em detrimento da produção. O produto não afeta a cor do fruto nem seus sólidos solúveis, porém o manejo M1 proporciona maior estabilidade na firmeza dos frutos durante o seu armazenamento de até seis dias. Palavras-chave: Solanum melongena. Microalga. Biofertilizante. Conservação pós-colheita.

The number of studies on edible coatings that are used for extending the shelf life of fruits has steadily increased. For this purpose, it is necessary to choose raw materials with characteristics that maintain product quality. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of coatings of Chlorella sp. on the post-harvest conservation of ‘Tommy Atkins’ mango fruits. The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design, and spray treatments (T) with 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, or 4% of Chlorella sp. were applied to the fruits. After the treatments, the fruits were stored for 28 days (21 days at 10 °C and 42% relative humidity and 7 days at 25 °C and 42% relative humidity), and were analyzed on day 28. There was higher pulp firmness in fruits as the concentration of Chlorella sp. was increased, and the concentration of ascorbic acid was comparatively higher (22.17%) in fruits treated with 3% Chlorella sp. The percentage of soluble solids and the soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio were decreased as the coating concentrations were decreased. The use of Chlorella sp. at 1% and 2% allowed fruit maturation without compromising fruit quality attributes during the 28-day storage period.

Aims: This study evaluates the influence of Spirulina platensis concentrations on the growth and quality of papaya (Formosa Group) 'Tainung-1'. Study Design: The experimental design was completely randomised, with plots subdivided over time.

Use of biomass extracted from microalgae has been increasing, with Spirulina platensis among them, which has been used for several purposes. In agriculture, it can be used as a biofertilizer or biostimulant, serving as a nutrients source and contributing to increase yield and food quality. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of successive Spirulina platensis applications on lettuce cv. Elba post-harvest quality. The experiment was conducted in a laboratory, using a completely randomized design in plots subdivided in time, with six repetitions. Plots referred to organic fertilizer concentrations (Spirufert®) and subplots referred to evaluation periods (harvest and 24h after harvest). Soluble solids (SS), pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio, ascorbic acid, total chlorophyll a and b and protein were evaluated. Data were submitted to analysis of variance using Tukey's test at 5% probability level. There was significant effect between fertilizer concentrations and evaluation periods for most of the analyzed variables. Use of 7.5% Spirufert® promotes quality characteristics maintenance for lettuce storage evaluated 24 hours after harvesting, preserving soluble solids content, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, total chlorophyll and chlorophyll a.

The use of natural products as coatings to preserve the fruit quality during storage is an important step to maintain food safety for consumer health. The use of microalgae in coatings, therefore, may be promising in the preservation of mango. The present work had the objective to evaluate the effect of coatings based on Chlorella sp. on the postharvest preservation of 'Tommy Atkins' mango during storage at room temperature (23 °C). We carried out a completely randomized design experiment consisting of 0%, 1%, 2%, 3% and 4% of Chlorella sp., using 10 fruits per treatment (n = 10). Analyzing the L*, a* and, b* indices, in the peel and the pulp of the mango fruit, we observed a delay in the ripening with the increase of the biofilm concentration. The firmness of the pulp and maintenance of the organic acids of the fruits were higher in the treatments with a large amount of Chlorella sp. The use of biofilm with Chlorella sp. at 2% preserved the quality of 'Tommy Atkins' mango until ten days of storage, at 23 °C and 42% RH.