Utilization of essential oils alone or incorporation with edible films is an appropriate technique to conserve the quality attributes and reduce post-harvest deterioration in fresh vegetables and fruits. Strawberries, being perishable fruits have a short shelf life, and using essential oils is considered one of the most suitable methods to prolong their shelf life during storage. The current study assessed the impact of different essential oils, including lemon oil (L), orange oil (O) and mandarin oil (M) on the physicochemical and microbial load of strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa cv. Festival) stored at 2 ± 1 °C and 95% relative humidity (RH) for 18 days. The differences in the physicochemical and microbial properties of strawberries were assessed by determining the following parameter changes: weight loss, decay percentage, firmness, soluble solids content, titratable acidity, color, anthocyanins, vitamin C, total phenol, total antioxidant, catalase activity, polyphenol oxidase activity, sensory evaluation, microbial content, total coliforms, molds, and yeasts. The results of this study indicated that the fruits treated with all essential oils treatments (L, O and M) had higher total antioxidant content and physicochemical properties than untreated fruits, due to protection against the microbial growth of molds, and yeasts. At the end of the storage period, the treated fruits showed a greater acceptance and sensory attributes than the untreated fruits. Furthermore, the correlation study showed a significant and negative relationship between the total antioxidant of treated fruits and following quality attributes including, weight loss, decay percentage, respiration rate soluble solids content, polyphenol oxidase activity, molds, and yeasts. It is noteworthy that all the essential oil treatments extended the shelf-life of strawberries and delayed their deterioration up to 18 days.

BACKGROUND: Strawberry is one of the most highly consumed fruits worldwide. However, it is highly perishable fruit postharvest. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of dipping strawberry fruits after harvest in plant growth regulators to maintain postharvest quality. METHODS: Treatments tested were: 2 and 4 mM salicylic acid (SA), 0.25 and 0.50 mM abscisic acid (ABA) and methyl jasmonate at 0.25 and 0.50 mM (MeJA). Bioactive compounds and fungal growth were assessed over 12 days of storage at 4 °C. RESULTS: Both concentrations of SA and MeJA significantly suppressed weight loss, decay and respiration rate and 0.50 mM ABA also reduced decay. Both concentrations of SA retarded color development, and total soluble solids content was enhanced by 0.50 mM ABA and MeJA treatments. The most effective treatments for preserving firmness were 0.25 mM MeJA and 4 mM SA. Reduction in loss of ascorbic acid and bioactive compounds during storage was achieved using the highest concentrations of SA, ABA, and MeJA. Fungal growth was suppressed by all treatments but the best treatment was MeJA at both concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: All three plant growth regulators reduce postharvest changes in strawberry but effects differ amongst the treatments.

This study aimed to prolong the shelf life of fresh-cut artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) bottoms under refrigerated conditions (2 °C and 95 % RH) for a period of 9 d. Fresh artichoke bottoms were subjected to an edible coating of Cordia myxa gum (Cg) supplemented with or without calcium dichloride (CaCl2) 1 %, or ascorbic acid (AsA) 1 %. The key postharvest quality parameters which were investigated were weight loss, browning, polyphenol oxidase activity (PPO), firmness, vitamin C, and total phenolic compounds (TPC). Moreover, the microbial load of artichoke bottoms during the storage was also measured which comprised of total aerobic mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacteria, fungi, and E. coli.Results indicated that edible coating with Cg, when supplemented with CaCl2 or AsA, had a significant positive effect on weight loss, vitamin C, and TPC. Browning and PPO activities were significantly inhibited by Cg supplemented with AsA. The mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacterial count was significantly reduced in the presence of CaCl2 with or without Cg. For moulds and E. coli control, again Cg in combination with CaCl2 seems to be the most effective treatment. Hence, based on these findings, it can be recommended that postharvest coating Cg supplemented with CaCl2 could be a new application for delaying browning and extending the shelf-life of artichoke bottoms during refrigerated storage. Further research and development are required in commercial settings to test and scale the application of Cg in fresh-cut artichoke bottom industry.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess the existing facilities maintenance management practices and processes in public hospitals, in accordance with the concession agreement (CA), in order to identify the current performance status.Design/methodology/approachA case study is conducted in one district hospital in Malaysia to assess five key elements: leadership; policies, plans and procedures; training and orientation; monitoring and supervision; and service performance. Data are collected through questionnaires, guided interviews, documentation review and retrieval, archival records review, and direct observations.FindingsThe status of facilities maintenance management in the hospital is categorised as “maturing”, which implies that there has been a good planning and management with all essential requirements and compliance with regulations. Nevertheless, analyses of findings indicate that the maintenance organisations in the hospital still do not realise the importance and benefits of effective facilities maintenance management.Research limitations/implicationsFindings reveal that continuous involvement of all organisations is rudimentary to provide guidance and direction to the maintenance function.Practical implicationsThis research has gained an insight into the management practices and processes exhibited by a maintenance organisation in executing contractual and regulatory requirements of privatised facilities maintenance services in a public hospital. It has also gained an insight into the practice of a maintenance management audit, which was conducted with a view to identifying areas of weakness such that recommendations can be derived to improve the maintenance performance.Originality/valueThis research has introduced a set of key ingredients and effectiveness measures for successful facilities maintenance management. It also explores opportunities for improving facilities maintenance management in public hospitals.

Green beans are a perishable crop, which deteriorate rapidly after harvest, particularly when minimally processed into ready-to-eat fresh-cut green beans. This study investigated the effectiveness of ethanol, ascorbic acid (AsA), tea tree essential oil (TTO), and peppermint essential oil (PMO) on the quality and storability of fresh-cut green bean pods samples stored at 5 °C for 15 days. Our results indicated that samples treated with ethanol, AsA, TTO, and PMO preserved appearance, firmness (except ethanol), chlorophyll content, and moisture compared with the samples without any treatment (control). Additionally, higher vitamin C, total soluble solids (TSS), total sugars, and total phenolic compounds (TPC) were observed in samples treated with ethanol, AsA, TTO, and PMO compared with the control. The most effective treatments for controlling microbial growth were ethanol followed by either TTO or PMO. All the treatments had positive effects on shelf life, maintained quality, and reducing microbial growth during 15 days of cold storage. A particular treatment can be selected based on the economic feasibility and critical control point in the value chain.

Jelly candies have a poor nutritional value due to their primary ingredients, which include gelling agents and sugar. In comparison to commercial jelly candy, the aim of this study is developing a natural and healthy jelly candy using fresh fruit comparing with commercials. Three types of jelly candies were prepared (T1: 75% strawberry + 25% beetroot; T2: 50% strawberry + 50% beetroot; T3: 25% strawberry + 75% beetroot). Physico-chemical, phytochemical, microbial, and sensorial profiles of jelly candy were evaluated. The results showed the superior recipe was T1, which recorded the highest values of bioactive compound content. Therefore, it also had the highest antioxidant activity 52.55%. Otherwise, T2 was considered the most favorable recipe for sensory evaluation, which recorded the highest value of overall acceptability and other sensory properties. Decreasing moisture content in all treatments compared with control had a great effect of preventing microbial growth in all samples except control. Therefore, this study creates a new healthier alternative product with the same sensory parameters of commercial jelly candy for all consumer types, especially children. ACKNOWLEDGMENT: All authors are thankful to the Food Science Department and Food Processing Technology Program at the Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Egypt for helping them for conducting a few practical experiments in their laboratories.

The main factors affecting the spoilage of mayonnaise are lipid oxidation and microbial contamination. Therefore, the investigation was carried out to estimate the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of the aqueous extract of the Arabic gum (AG). The effect of the addition of AG powder on physical–chemical and sensory properties has been evaluated in different percentages of 25, 50, 75, and 100 into mayonnaise. At the highest concentration of AG 20 mg/ml, the DPPH result represented high antioxidant activity at 92.13%. AG had inhibitory effects on gram‐negative and gram‐positive bacteria, with Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis being the most susceptible bacteria. The use of AG as an egg substitute in mayonnaise has been shown to have a great effect on physical–chemical properties. All mayonnaise samples were sensory acceptable, particularly vegan mayonnaise (100% AG) and still acceptable for consumption at 5°C for 5 months of storage. AG could be considered an additive with significant emulsifier properties, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities. Therefore, AG is a good choice to produce new vegetarian products for consumers who are unable to eat egg‐based foods.

Date fruit is the ancient discovered and consumed fruit. Worldwide, Egypt is the largest producer of date. Besides its health benefits, many recent studies have proved its antioxidant, anticancer and anti-inflammatory effect. Currently, probiotic fermented fruit juices have a great attention especially for lactose intolerance patients. This study assessed the survival of two probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus and L. sakei) in the date juice. Phenolics characterization was performed by HPLC. Anti-proliferative activity of fermented juice against Caco-2 and Hep-2 cell lines was also evaluated. Under cold storage, L. sakei was still live for 2 weeks at 1.8 x 10 7 CFU/mL. In contrast, L. acidophilus reduced from 5.2 x 10 6 CFU/mL to below the minimum value of probiotic products just after 1 week. L. sakie significantly multiplied the total phenols and antioxidant activity in the juice compared to the unfermented juice. Interestingly, probiotic date juice exhibited an antitumor activity against larynx cell lines (Hep-2) with no activity against Caco-2. Date juice was proved to be suitable for probiotic and as potential larynx anticancer juice. Therefore, the developed juice is recommended to contribute to the available probiotic foodstuffs.