Yellowing is one of the main problems of quality deterioration in the storage, transportation, and sales of post-harvested broccoli, which seriously affects the commodity value of broccoli. Therefore, it is of significance to understand the mechanism of the process and develop effective regulation technology. In this review, we expounded the changes in the appearance of the flower ball, bud morphology, and calyx cell structure, as well as endogenous pigment metabolism, accompanying the yellowing process of broccoli. In addition, recent research on the molecular mechanism of yellowing was summarized from the aspects of transcriptome analysis and transcription regulation. Finally, the progress on the control technology of broccoli yellowing was reviewed.

Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles that are found in most eukaryotic organisms. It is broadly accepted that mitochondria originally evolved from prokaryotic bacteria, e.g. proteobacteria. The mitochondrion has its independent genome that encodes 37 genes, including 13 genes for oxidative phosphorylation. Accumulative evidence demonstrates that mitochondria are not only the powerhouse of the cells by supplying adenosine triphosphate, but also exert roles as signalling organelles in the cell fate and function. Numerous factors can affect mitochondria structurally and functionally. Carotenoids are a large group of fat-soluble pigments commonly found in our diets. Recently, much attention has been paid in carotenoids as dietary bioactives in mitochondrial structure and function in human health and disease, though the mechanistic research is limited. Here, we update the recent progress in mitochondrial functioning as signalling organelles in human health and disease, summarize the potential roles of carotenoids in regulation of mitochondrial redox homeostasis, biogenesis, and mitophagy, and discuss the possible approaches for future research in carotenoid regulation of mitochondrial function.

Bacteria have been employed widely in the food and beverage industry, with evolving dimensions in recent years. Proteases derived from lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are useful in the production of fermented functional beverages and are of particular use in conditioning their shelf life, nutritional content, flavour, and texture quality, thus making fermented foods and beverages functional and therapeutic. This review focuses on bacteria, especially protease-producing LAB used in food processing, and their usefulness in the production of functional foods and beverages. A case study of oat beverages was briefly explored due to its popularity. The safety and quality importance of the food products were also considered with a few recommendations.

Consumption of less phytonutrient foods has shown to cause different chronic diseases, despite over 50,000 edible plant breed available in various countries around the globe. These edible plants consist of seeds that can be consumed which possessed high health benefits. Moreover, nutritive values such as phytochemicals of edible seeds increased after germination. Therefore, germination has been reported to enhance various bioactive compounds such as γ-amino butyric acid, polyphenols, and vitamins which lead to greater bioactivity such as anti-diabetic, anti-bacteria, and anti-cancer effects when these seeds are consumed. Consequently, germination can be regarded as a cheap and effective way to enhance the nutritional value of edible seeds.

Button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) is sold well for its unique flavour and nutritional benefits. However, the mushroom flavour deteriorates quickly during storage because of its delicate structure and high moisture. In this study, the effects of nitric oxide (NO) application on flavour compounds and antioxidant enzyme activities of stored button mushrooms were investigated. The button mushrooms were immersed in the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (15 μmol/L) for 3 min and then stored under the condition of 4 °C, 90% relative humidity for 12 days. Results showed that the treated mushrooms have reduced weight loss rate, uniform white colour, and higher firmness during storage. Compared to the control, the ketones, alcohols, esters, and aldehydes in the NO-treated button mushroom increased sharply at 3 days of storage and then showed a continuing decline trend, except ester compounds which reached the peak value at 6 days of storage. In addition, NO treatment increased the total phenolics and catalase activity and inhibited the polyphenol oxidase activity in the stored button mushroom. These results indicated that NO treatment is an alternative storage technology to enhance antioxidant capacity and maintain flavour and consumer acceptance of stored button mushroom.

Objectives

The aim of this work was to analyse the effects of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment on the metabolisms of membrane lipids in postharvest Anxi persimmons during storage.

Materials and methods

Anxi persimmon (Diospyros kaki L. f. cv. Anxi) fruits were treated by paper containing 1-MCP with a concentration of 1.35 μl/l. The cellular membrane permeability was analysed by the electric conductivity meter. The activities of lipoxygenase (LOX), phospholipase (PLD) and lipase were determined by spectrophotometry. The component and relative amounts of membrane fatty acids were determined using gas chromatograph (GC).

Results

The 1-MCP-treated Anxi persimmons manifested a lower electrolyte leakage rate, lower LOX, PLD and lipase activities, higher levels of unsaturated fatty acids (USFAs), higher ratio of USFAs to saturated fatty acids (SFAs) (U/S), higher index of USFAs (IUFA), but lower levels of SFAs.

Conclusions

The degradation and the metabolisms of membrane lipids could be suppressed by 1-MCP treatment, which might be accountable for the delaying softening of postharvest Anxi persimmons during storage.

Objectives

Tomato is a popular fruit that makes significant contributions to human nutrition for its content of sugars, acids, vitamins, minerals, lycopene, and other constituents. The fruit, however, has a short shelf life due to its climacteric nature. In view of this, an experiment was conducted to determine the effect of postharvest treatment on the physicochemical properties of fresh tomato fruits.

Materials and Methods

Freshly harvested tomato fruits were subjected to 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 kGy gamma radiation and stored at 10 ± 1°C and 28 ± 1°C. Parameters analysed during the study include pH, total titratable acidity, weight loss, total solids, and moisture content of the sample.

Results

At both storage temperatures, results of the analyses were in the range of 2.80%–38.67% for weight loss, 0.23%–0.51% for total titratable acidity, 3.5%–5.0% for total soluble solids, 94.43%–96.53% for moisture content, and pH was generally low in the samples stored at 10 ± 1°C. Generally, gamma irradiation had an effect on the total soluble solids, total titratable acids, pH values, and moisture content and physiological weight loss at both storage temperatures.

Conclusion

From the study, storing Burkina variety at a low temperature preserves the tomato fruits better than storing them at ambient temperature.