BACKGROUND: The marketability of bananas over long distances has been limited due to their highly perishable nature and sensitivity to ethylene. To increase the shelf-life several alternatives have been tested in attempts to maintain quality characteristics. We evaluated the effects of 1-methylcyclopropene (SmartFresh SM , 1-MCP) and a chitosan-based edible coating (FreshSeal  , EC), applied alone or combined, on bananas at ripeness stage 3. All fruits were stored for 8 days at 22• C, 85% RH. Color development, weight loss, firmness, physiological, sensory and chemical variables were evaluated.

The nutrimental composition and main nutraceutical components were determined in Chinese, Philippine, American, Hindu and Thai eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) types grown in Sinaloa, Mexico. Thai type showed the highest amount of protein (0.90%), crude (1.54%) and dietary (3.93%) fibre and the highest concentrations of total soluble phenolics (2049 mgCAE 100g -1 ) and chlorogenic acid (1700 mg 100g -1 ). Hindu type obtained the highest content of the minerals potassium (191.19 mg 100g -1 ), calcium (59.63 mg 100g -1 ), phosphorus (33.52 mg 100g -1 ), magnesium (28.96 mg 100g -1 ), manganese (0.44 mg 100g -1 ), zinc (0.78 mg 100g -1 ), in addition this eggplant type showed the highest levels of ascorbic acid (22 mg 100g -1 ). Philippine type showed the highest concentration in anthocyanins (161.10 mgC 3 GE 100g -1 ) and the highest levels of radical scavenging activity in DPPH (92.50% of inhibition) and ORAC (538.90 μmolTE g -1 ). Nutrient components with functional properties like biologically essential minerals, dietary fibre, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and soluble phenols were found in higher amounts in the five eggplant types analyzed, as compared with reports from other parts in the world available in the literature.

To evaluate the impact of harvesting and packinghouse operation on the contamination of green bell pepper (GBP) with viruses and enteric bacteria. Hands of 97 workers plus 40 GBP were sampled from field and packinghouse areas. RT-nested PCR were used for the identification of Noroviruses (NV) and Chromogenic agar for the quantification of coliforms and Escherichia coli. NV was found in 30.9 and 23.7% of workers' hands, before and after 3 h of work, respectively, while 45 and 30% of field and packed GBP was positive for NV. Fecal coliforms and Escherichia coli were present in 68 and 57.3% and 12.4 and 11.1% of workers' hands before and after 3 h of work, respectively. Fecal coliforms were detected in 85 and 15% of field and packed GBP, respectively, while E. coli was absent. There was no significant correlation between bacterial indicator and NV in the analyzed samples (P [ 0.05). Handling of fresh produce by workers during harvesting and packing operations has negative impacts on fresh produce safety.

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The nutrimental composition and main nutraceutical components were determined in Chinese, Philippine, American, Hindu and Thai eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) types grown in Sinaloa, Mexico. Thai type showed the highest amount of protein (0.90%), crude (1.54%) and dietary (3.93%) fibre and the highest concentrations of total soluble phenolics (2049 mgCAE 100g-1) and chlorogenic acid (1700 mg 100g-1). Hindu type obtained the highest content of the minerals potassium (191.19 mg 100g-1), calcium (59.63 mg 100g-1), phosphorus (33.52 mg 100g-1), magnesium (28.96 mg 100g-1), manganese (0.44 mg 100g-1), zinc (0.78 mg 100g-1), in addition this eggplant type showed the highest levels of ascorbic acid (22 mg 100g-1). Philippine type showed the highest concentration in anthocyanins (161.10 mgC3GE 100g-1) and the highest levels of radical scavenging activity in DPPH (92.50% of inhibition) and ORAC (538.90 μmolTE g-1). Nutrient components with functional properties like biologically essential minerals, dietary fibre, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and soluble phenols were found in higher amounts in the five eggplant types analyzed, as compared with reports from other parts in the world available in the literature.