No abstract

In the work reported here, gas chromatography was used to study production of volatiles related to variety, fruit maturity, ripening, and storage of apples. Varieties differed in the kind and amount of volatiles produced, although closely related varieties sometimes produced similar patterns of volatiles. Mature apples produced appreciable amounts of volatiles sooner after harvest and attained maximum rates of production more quickly than did immature apples. Maximum rates of production of volatiles attained by apples following storage at 32°P for 2 to 6 months were usually lower than those from freshly harvested apples. Comparison of relative retention times of known alcohols and esters with those for the apple volatiles, as determined on two different chromatographic columns, provided some evidence for identification of the apple volatiles.

International audience* The status of marine biodiversity in the Eastern Central Atlantic (ECA), especially of coastal and pelagic fishes, is of concern owing to a number of threats including overharvesting, habitat loss, pollution, and climate change combined with inadequate policy responses, legislation, and enforcement.ăă* This study provides the first comprehensive documentation of the presence, status, and level of extinction risk, based on IUCN Red List assessment methodology, for more than 1800 marine species, including all taxonomically described marine vertebrates (marine mammals, sea turtles, seabirds, fishes); complete clades of selected marine invertebrates (sea cucumbers, cone snails, cephalopods, lobsters, reef-building corals); and marine plants (mangroves, seagrasses).ăă* Approximately 8% of all marine species assessed in the ECA are in threatened categories, while 4% are listed as Near Threatened, 73% are Least Concern, and 15% are Data Deficient. Fisheries and overharvesting are the biggest threats to living marine resources in the ECA, with 87% of threatened species across all taxonomic groups affected by both large- and small-scale targeted fisheries, excessive capture as by-catch, or unsustainable harvest.ăă* The results of this study will transform the current state of knowledge and increase capacity for regional stakeholders to identify and enact marine conservation and research priorities, as a number of species are identified as having high conservation and/or research priorities in the region.ăă* Through the process of marine species data collection and risk assessments conducted over the past 5 years, several key conservation actions and research needs are identified to enable more effective conservation of marine biodiversity in the ECA, including increased governance, multilateral collaboration, taxonomic training, and improved reporting of fisheries catch and effort

No abstract

Twenty-seven isolates of Penicillium expansum Lk. ex Thom obtained from Europe, Australia, and North America from seven different fruit hosts all produced patulin in culture. Six isolates were essentially nonpathogenic in apple fruits. In culture, patulin generally accumulated to much higher levels than in apple fruits. At all temperatures permitting fungus growth, patulin was produced. However, only small amounts were observed near the maximal temperature for growth (30 C). At 0 C, patulin accumulated but slowly in culture. Modified atmospheres suppressed both fungus growth and patulin accumulation in apples. After varying incubation periods to obtain similar total growth, the patulin concentration was low in modified atmospheres and high in air.

No abstract

Aspergillus flavus and A. versicolor were both shown to be weak pathogens of developing pistachio fruits, producing aflatoxin and sterigmatocystin, respectively. Aflatoxin concentrations approached those reported in cereal and legume seeds. Fungus lesions on the fruit hulls were followed by invasion of seeds despite the sclerified shell. Infections and mycotoxins present before harvest would presumably lead to further build-up after harvest if drying was slow or storage was under high humidity.

Immature fig fruits did not support colonization and aflatoxin production by Aspergillus flavus Lk. but became susceptible when ripe. While sun-drying on the tree, fruits were particularly vulnerable to fungal infection and colonization. Aflatoxin accumulation equaled levels frequently reported for such seeds as peanuts and cereal grains.