a b s t r a c tEffect of gum arabic (GA) 10% and calcium chloride (CA) 3% on the physiological and biochemical properties of mango (Mangifera indica L. CV. Choke Anan) fruits stored at 6 ± 1 • C and 90 ± 3% relative humidity for 28 days and then transferred to 25 ± 2 • C for 5 days shelf life were investigated. Significant (P ≤ 0.05) differences were observed in fruits treated with GA 10% and CA 3% as compared to control. The combined treatment of CA 3% + GA 10% significantly alleviated the increase in decay incidence. Furthermore, GA 10% alone or combined with CA 3% effectively reduced weight loss, color changes, soluble solid concentration, respiration rate, ethylene production and maintained high firmness, titratable acidity and ascorbic acid. The result of transmission electron microscopy revealed that these treatments also protected the ultrastructure of mitochondria. These results suggest that application of GA 10% coating combined with CA 3% might be a simple and effective technique for preserving mango fruit quality during low temperature storage.

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Rastali banana harvested at weeks 11 and 12 can be considered as commercial harvest period when the fruits have developed good organoleptic and quality attributes during ripening. However, Rastali banana fruit at more mature stage of harvest maturity taste slightly sweeter and softer with higher ethylene production which also means the fruits may undergo senescence faster than fruit harvested at week 11.

The source and quantity of nutrients available to plants can affect the quality of leafy herbs. A study was conducted to compare quality of Cosmos caudatus in response to rates of organic and mineral-based fertilizers. Organic based fertilizer GOBI (8% N:8% P2O5:8% K2O) and inorganic fertilizer (15% N, 15% P2O5, 15% K2O) were evaluated based on N element rates at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120 kg h−1. Application of organic based fertilizer reduced nitrate, improved vitamin C, antioxidant activity as well as nitrogen and calcium nutrients content. Antioxidant activity and chlorophyll content were significantly higher with increased fertilizer application. Fertilization appeared to enhance vitamin C content, however for the maximum ascorbic acid content, regardless of fertilizer sources, plants did not require high amounts of fertilizer.

Tomato Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. is one of the most cultivated and widely consumed vegetables in the world. However, it is very susceptible to the infection initiated by Fusariumoxysporum fruit rot, which shortens post-harvest life and thus reduces market value. This disease can be regulated appropriately by the application of synthetic fungicides. However, chemical fungicides constitute a serious health risk, and have harmful environment effects and increase disease resistance, even when microbes are dead. Hence, to overcome this problem, chitosan and vanillin, which have antimicrobial bioactive properties against the growth of microorganisms, could be an alternative to disease control, while maintaining fruit quality and prolonging shelf life. The aim of this research was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of chitosan and vanillin towards the inoculate pathogen and to investigate the effect of chitosan and vanillin coating in vivo on Fusarium oxysporum fruit rot and defense-related enzymes (PAL, PPO and POD). Chitosan and vanillin in aqueous solutions, i.e., 0.5% chitosan + 10 mM vanillin, 1% chitosan + 10 mM vanillin, 1.5% chitosan + 10 mM vanillin, 0.5% chitosan + 15 mM vanillin, 1% chitosan + 15 mM vanillin and 1.5% chitosan + 15 mM vanillin, were used as edible coatings on tomatoes stored at 26 ± 2 °C and 60 ± 5 relative humidity. The result revealed 1.5% chitosan + 15 mM vanillin was able to control disease incidence by 70.84% and severity by 70%. These combinations of coatings were also able to retain phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), peroxidase activity (POD), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzyme activities as well as prolong shelf life of tomatoes up to 15 days.