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 use of edible coatings has been extensively explored for coating fruits and vegetables to minimize moisture loss and reduce respiration rates, and giving bright and attractive appearance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the mango postharvest quality of 'Tommy Atkins' organic, coated with cassava starch and corn starch enriched with Spirulina platensis. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design in split plot in time, having in the plots biofilms (B), and the subplots, the sampling throughout the storage time. Biofilms (B) were: B1 (without coating); B2 (3% of cassava starch); B3 (3% corn starch); B4 (3% Spirulina powder); B5 (3% starch plus 3% Spirulina powder cassava) and B6 (3% cornstarch plus 3% Spirulina powder). The fruits were stored at 10 °C and 63% RH, where they remained for 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 days, each range, plus a day to 21.2 °C and 51% RH. The B5 coating showed an increase in soluble solids (SS) until the eighth day and subsequent reduction with storage breakthrough. The fresh weight loss variables (PMF) and flesh firmness decreased their values with storage advancement in all treatments. However, it was concluded through research that the treatment was more efficient was the B6, which provided an increase in soluble solids at around 30%, 15 N flesh firmness and loss of weight less than 4% at the end storage and a higher content of vitamin C (25 mg 100 g -1 ) to 11 days of storage.Additional keywords: edible films; Mangifera indica L.; microalgae ; storage. ResumoO uso de películas comestíveis tem sido bastante explorado para revestimento de frutas e hortaliças, visando a minimizar a perda de umidade e a reduzir as taxas de respiração, além de conferir aparência brilhante e atraente. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade pós-colheita de manga 'Tommy Atkins' orgânica, recoberta com fécula de mandioca e amido de milho, enriquecidos com Spirulina platensis marca Tamanduá®. O experimento foi instalado em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, em esquema de parcelas subdivididas no tempo, tendo-se nas parcelas os biofilmes (B), e nas subparcelas, as amostragens ao longo do tempo de armazenamento. Os biofilmes (B) foram: B1 (sem recobrimento); B2 (3% de fécula de mandioca); B3 (3% de amido de milho); B4 (3% de Spirulina em pó); B5 (3% de fécula de mandioca mais 3% de Spirulina em pó), e B6 (3% de amido de milho mais 3% de Spirulina em pó). Os frutos foram armazenados a 10 o C e 63% de UR, permanecendo nestas condições durante 0; 3; 6; 9 e 12 dias, sendo cada intervalo acrescido de um dia a 21,2 °C e 51% de UR. O recobrimento B5 (3% de fécula de mandioca mais 3% de Spirulina platensis em pó) proporcionou aumento nos teores de sólidos solúveis (SS) até o oitavo dia e posterior redução com o avanço do armazenamento. As variáveis de perda de massa fresca (PMF) e firmeza de polpa reduziram seus valores com o avanço do armazenamento, em todos os tratamentos. O biofilme B6 (3% de amido de milho mais 3% de Spirulina platensis em pó) proporcionou aumento nos sólidos solúvei...

It is very challenging to the quality of the papaya culture’s fruits (Carica papaya L.) after the crop, especially due to their significance to the international market, that is, their elevated exportation demands. The purpose of this work was the application of biodegradable coatings composed of Scenedesmus sp. and Chlorella sp. associated or not with pomegranate seed oil in ‘Golden’ papaya and to evaluate their effect in the conservation powder-crop. The installation of the experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design, with a 6 x 6 factorial outline, that is, six concentrations (C: control; SO: 0.5% of Scenedesmus sp. + 0.3% of pomegranate seed oil; S: 0.5% of Scenedesmus sp.; CO: 0.5% of Chlorella sp. + 0.3% of pomegranate seed oil; CH: 0.5% of Chlorella sp.; O: 0.3% of pomegranate seed oil) and six evaluation periods (0, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 days), stored at a temperature of 18±2 °C with 60±5% RH with three repetitions of two fruits per portion. The use of coverings composed of Scenedesmus sp. and Chlorella sp. in association or not with pomegranate seed oil was proven efficient in the reduction of the breathing tax of ‘Golden’ papaya, delaying the ripening process, and therefore representing a promising alternative for these fruits’ powder-crop conservation. The coating composed of 0.5% of Chlorella sp. + 0.3% of pomegranate seed oil (CO) provided a better powder-crop conservation of ‘Golden’ papaya during 15 days of storage.

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.

Spirulina platensis é uma microalga rica em proteínas que apresenta composição apropriada para utilização como complemento alimentar.. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar diferentes concentrações de Spirulina platensis como revestimento biodegradável na conservação pós-colheita de goiaba 'Paluma' sob armazenamento refrigerado e ambiente. O ensaio foi desenvolvido na Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, Centro de Ciências e Tecnologia Agroalimentar e instalado em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 2 x 4 x 5, utilizando dois tipos armazenamento (a 10 ± 2°C, com 85±5%UR e a 24 ± 2°C, com 85±5% UR), quatro concentrações da microalga (0%, 1%, 2% e 3%) e cinco períodos de avaliação (0, 3, 6, 9 e 12 dias). Os resultados mostraram que os revestimentos com Spirulina platensis foram eficientes no retardo da perda de massa nos frutos em ambas as temperaturas de armazenamento, sendo o tratamento T2, que se refere a concentração de 1% a 10±2°C o mais eficiente, proporcionando as menores perdas quando comparado a testemunha. Quanto às demais características de qualidade do fruto não foram observadas influências significativas dos revestimentos.

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The use of edible coating has been an alternative to maintain the quality of vegetables and prolong their post-harvest life. This study aims to evaluate bioactive compounds in Spondias tuberosa submitted to different coating formulations based on Chlorella sp. associated with the pomegranate seed oil, to establish the one that best maintains post-harvest quality. The experiment was set in a completely randomized design, in a 5 × 6 factorial scheme, represented by five coating techniques (T1 = control; T2 = 0.5% Chlorella sp.; T3 = 1% Chlorella sp.; T4 = 1.5% Chlorella sp.; T5 = 2% Chlorella sp.), using 0.3% of pomegranate seed oil in coatings, during five evaluation periods (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 days), stored in BOD incubator at 24 ± 2 °C and 85 ± 5% RH, with three replicates of ten fruits per plot. Chlorella sp. associated with pomegranate seed oil produced a modified atmosphere around the fruit, retarding the ripening process. Coatings preserved the content of ascorbic acid and phenolic compounds. The treatment containing 2.0% of Chlorella sp. associated with pomegranate seed oil provided the best maintenance for fruit quality.

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.