ABSTRACT. Although acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC.) is a tropical fruit of high interest due to its high ascorbic acid content and attractive sensory attributes, fruit production is characterized by high genetic variability. Additionally, the use of new biometric tools for acerola breeding is scarce. This study aimed to estimate genetic parameters and the coefficient of repeatability, as well as determine the optimal number of fruits for quality trait analyses in different acerola genotypes, using different approaches. Twenty-three (Experiment I) and thirty-five (Experiment II) genotypes were evaluated in a randomized block design with four replicates and three plants per plot. Twenty fruits per plant were harvested and evaluated for the following quality traits: diameter, mass, skin color (lightness, chroma and hue), firmness, soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (TA), SS/TA ratio, and ascorbic acid content. The genetic parameters and the coefficient of repeatability were estimated for each experiment using classical and Bayesian methods. Both approaches achieved similar results on estimating variance components, genetic parameters and the coefficient of repeatability. Genetic parameters showed favorable conditions for acerola selection. The coefficient of repeatability was high for all acerola quality traits. A total of 17 fruits are required for the effective selection of acerola genotypes with an accuracy of 95%. ABSTRACT Malpighia DC. DC attributes variability Additionally scarce Twentythree Experiment I thirtyfive thirty five II plot traits diameter mass lightness, lightness (lightness hue, hue , hue) firmness SS, SS (SS) TA, TA (TA) SSTA ratio methods components 1 95 95% (SS (TA 9

Abstract This study aimed to analyze the effect of harvest date on ‘Fuji Suprema’ apple quality, productivity, and economic profitability at harvest and after storage. Apples were harvested at the beginning of the commercial harvest window (H1), ten days after H1 (H2), and 22 days after H1 (H3) in the 2008 and 2009 growing seasons. A total of six samples with ~400 kg of fruit (~2,900 apples) each were picked at each growing season and harvest date, which were assessed at harvest (six subsamples of 100 fruit) and after 250 days of controlled atmosphere storage at 0.8 °C. The economic analysis considered fixed and variable production costs in the orchard and postharvest practices and the productivity of packaged apples (pack-out). Early harvested (H1) apples had greater flesh firmness, acidity, and lower soluble solids content than late-harvested apples (H3), both at harvest and after storage. Delaying harvest by 22 days increased the production by 10.2% due to increased fruit size but reduced the production by 3.6% due to severe sunburn and pre-harvest decay incidence. Late harvest also increased production losses due to decay by 4.4% and 10.9% during storage and shelf, respectively, but reduced production losses due to superficial scald by 17.1 to 22.7%. The net revenue (R$ ha-1) is higher for apples harvested late (H3, flesh firmness of 15.6 lb and starch index of 7.1) than for apples harvested early (H1 and H2) when the fruit is marketed soon after harvest (between April and May). However, for apples marketed after long-term storage, economic profitability is maximum when harvested at an intermediate maturity stage (H2, flesh firmness of 16.4 lb and starch index of 6). Fuji Suprema quality H1, H , H2, H2 (H2) 2 H3 (H3 200 seasons 400 ~40 ~2,900 2900 900 (~2,90 10 25 08 0 8 0. C °C packout. packout pack out . (pack-out) acidity lateharvested H3, 102 10.2 36 3 6 3.6 preharvest pre incidence 44 4 4.4 109 9 10.9 shelf respectively 171 17 1 17. 227 7 22.7% R$ R (R ha1 ha ha-1 156 15 15. 7.1 71 (H between May. May May) However longterm long term (H2 164 16 16. 6. 6) 20 40 ~4 ~2,90 290 90 (~2,9 (pack-out 10. 3. 4. 22.7 ha- 7. ~ ~2,9 29 (~2, 22. ~2, (~2 ~2 (~ (

Resumo Este estudo foi conduzido para analisar o impacto da época de colheita (C) de maçãs‘Fuji Suprema’ sobre sua qualidade, produtividade e rentabilidade econômica nacolheita e após a armazenagem. Os frutos foram colhidos no início do período decolheita comercial(H1), após 10 dias (C2) e após 22 dias (C3) da primeira colheita, em 2008 e2009. Em cada ano e data de colheita, foram colhidas seis amostras de ~400 kg (~2.900maçãs), as quais foram analisadas na colheita (6 subamostras de 100 maçãs) e após 250 dias de armazenagem a 0,8 oC, sob atmosfera controlada. A análise econômica considerou custos fixos e variáveis de produção no pomar e das práticas pós-colheita e a produtividadede maçãs empacotadas. As maçãs colhidas precocemente apresentaram, na colheita e após aarmazenagem, maior firmeza da polpa, maior acidez e menor teor de açúcares que as colhidas tardiamente. O atraso da colheita em 22 dias aumentou a produção em 10,2% pelo aumento do tamanho dos frutos, mas reduziu a produção em 3,6% por queimadura de solsevera e podridões pré-colheita. Adicionalmente, a colheita tardia resultou em aumentodas perdas de produção por podridões em 4,4% e 10,9% durante armazenagem e prateleira,respectivamente,e reduziu as perdas de produção por escaldadura superficial em 17,1 a 22,7%. A análise econômica mostrou que a receita líquida (R$ ha-1) é maior para maçãs colhidas tardiamente (C3, firmeza da polpa de 15,6 lb e índice de amido 7,1) que paramaçãs colhidas precocemente (H1 e C2), quando comercializadas logo após a colheita.Entretanto, para maçãs comercializadas após longos períodos de armazenagem, a rentabilidade econômica é máxima quando colhidas em estádio de maturação intermediário (C2, firmeza dapolpa de 16,4 lb e índice de amido 6). C (C maçãsFuji Fuji Suprema qualidade comercialH1, comercialH1 comercialH comercial H1 , H comercial(H1) 1 C2 (C2 2 C3 (C3 200 e2009 400 ~40 ~2.900maçãs, 2900maçãs ~2.900maçãs 900maçãs (~2.900maçãs) 6 ( 25 08 0 8 0, oC controlada póscolheita pós empacotadas apresentaram aarmazenagem 102 10,2 36 3 3,6 précolheita. précolheita pré colheita. pré-colheita Adicionalmente 44 4 4,4 109 9 10,9 prateleirarespectivamentee prateleira respectivamente 171 17 17, 227 7 22,7% R$ R (R ha1 ha ha-1 C3, 156 15 15, 7,1 71 (H C2, C2) colheitaEntretanto Entretanto colheita.Entretanto 164 16 16, 6. . 6) comercial(H1 20 e200 40 ~4 (~2.900maçãs 10, 3, 4, 22,7 ha- 7, comercial(H e20 ~ 22, e2

Abstract Acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC.) is a super-fruit with high ascorbic acid content and its quality can be highly affected by the genetic and environmental conditions. This systematic review aims to provide an overview of the influence of genetic variability on acerola quality traits. It was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) recommendations. PubMed, Scopus and SciELO electronic databases were searched using terms acerola, selection, and genotypes. 29 studies were selected after assessing articles for eligibility criteria, which reported data on 22 quality parameters. A high genetic diversity was observed for all quality traits. Soluble solids and ascorbic acid contents are the main parameters determined in studies with acerola. Titratable acidity, SS/TA ratio and pH are also evaluated in most studies. Different studies have already identified possible genotypes for use in acerola breeding programs based on fruit quality, both for launching new cultivars and for use as parents in crosses. Our review is a useful basis for acerola breeding programs and germplasm conservation. Future studies are required to further identify and quantify bioactive compounds in acerolas of different genotypes. Malpighia DC. DC superfruit super conditions traits MetaAnalysis Meta Analysis PRISMA (PRISMA recommendations PubMed selection 2 criteria acidity SSTA SS TA crosses conservation

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of a handheld NIR spectrometer for non-destructive quality analysis of apples and pears produced in the Brazilian Semi-arid region. NIR spectra were acquired with a portable spectrometer in the wavelength range of 750–1065 nm and reference analyses of dry matter content (DMC) and soluble solids content (SSC) were measured weekly during 10 weeks of storage at 0.5 °C. Spectra were pre-processed with standard normal variate and used to develop DMC and SSC models using partial least squares regression with full cross-validation. The models were validated using data not included in the calibration. Satisfactory prediction results were obtained for SSC in apples (R² = 0.58) and pears (R² = 0.55), and for DMC in apples (R² = 0.55) and pears (R² = 0.65). All prediction models showed a relative root mean square error of prediction lower than 8%. These findings indicate that the NIR spectrometer is a promising tool to be used for a rapid and non-destructive determination of internal quality traits in apples and pears. nondestructive non destructive Semiarid Semi arid region 7501065 750 1065 750–106 (DMC (SSC 1 05 0 5 0. C °C preprocessed pre processed crossvalidation. crossvalidation cross validation. validation cross-validation calibration R² R (R 0.58 058 58 0.55, 055 0.55 , 55 0.65. 065 0.65 . 65 0.65) 8 8% 750106 75 106 750–10 06 0.6 6 75010 7 750–1 7501 750–

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o desempenho de um espectrômetro portátil NIR na análise não destrutiva da qualidade de maçãs e peras produzidas na região semiárida brasileira. Os espectros NIR foram coletados com um espectrômetro portátil na faixa de comprimentos de onda de 750–1.065 nm, e as análises de referência de conteúdo de matéria seca (CMS) e conteúdo de sólidos solúveis (CSS) foram mensurados semanalmente durante 10 semanas de armazenamento a 0,5 °C. Os espectros foram pré-processados com a variação normal padrão e utilizados para desenvolver modelos de CMS e CSS usando a regressão dos quadrados mínimos parciais com validação cruzada completa. Os modelos foram validados externamente usando dados não incluídos na calibração. Resultados de predição satisfatórios foram obtidos para CSS em maçãs (R² = 0.58) e peras (R² = 0.55), e para CMS em maçãs (R² = 0.55) e peras (R² = 0.65). Todos os modelos de predição apresentaram raiz quadrada do erro médio quadrático de predição relativo menor que 8%. Estes resultados indicam que o espectrômetro NIR é uma ferramenta promissora para uma determinação rápida e não destrutiva dos atributos de qualidade interna de maçãs e peras. brasileira 7501065 750 1 065 750–1.06 nm (CMS (CSS 05 0 5 0, C °C préprocessados pré processados completa calibração R² R (R 0.58 058 58 0.55, 055 0.55 , 55 0.65. 0.65 . 65 0.65) 8 8% 750106 75 06 750–1.0 0.5 0.6 6 75010 7 750–1. 0. 7501 750–1 750–

Abstract Visible and near infrared (VIS-NIR) spectroscopy is a non-destructive, fast, practical and reliable technique to determine maturity and quality attributes in apple fruit. However, the effects of cultivar and growing conditions on the predictive performance of the equipment must be determined before its commercial application in the apple industry. This study was carried out to evaluate the efficiency of a VIS-NIR portable spectrometer for fast and non-destructive determination of quality attributes in apples of the ‘Gala’ group (‘Maxi Gala’, ‘Royal Gala’, ‘Imperial Gala’ and ‘Galaxy’) harvested in three commercial orchards (corresponding to the production sites: Vacaria, Fraiburgo and São Joaquim) in Southern Brazil. At the commercial harvest and after three months of cold storage (1.5 ± 0.3 ºC and relative humidity of 92 ± 2%), fruit were assessed in terms of spectral data in the wavelength range between 310 and 1100 nm with a VIS-NIR portable spectrometer. After collecting the spectral data, fruit were submitted to physicochemical analysis of dry matter (DM), soluble solids content (SSC), flesh firmness and texture. The calibration models were developed using three sets of spectral and physicochemical data: (1) without separating by cultivar and orchard; (2): separating by cultivar, regardless of orchard; (3): separating by cultivar and by orchard. The calibration models were obtained by the partial least squares (PLS) regression technique. The accuracy of the calibration models for each dataset was evaluated in the validation step considering the values of the relative root mean square error of cross-validation (RMSECVr = 10%). Models developed for each cultivar in each orchard (location) were more accurate and efficient to assess DM, SSC and flesh firmness, compared to the models developed for each cultivar, regardless of orchard, or without separating by cultivar and by orchard. Therefore, VIS-NIR spectrometer is a promising tool for the rapid and non-destructive analysis of quality attributes in ‘Gala’ apples. However, the equipment must be calibrated for each cultivar (‘Maxi Gala’, ‘Royal Gala’, ‘Imperial Gala’ and ‘Galaxy’) and growing condition (orchard) in order to obtain more precise analyses of DM, SSC and flesh firmness in the fruit. VISNIR VIS NIR (VIS-NIR nondestructive, nondestructive non destructive, destructive However industry ‘Gala Gala ‘Maxi Maxi Gala, , Royal Imperial ‘Galaxy Galaxy ‘Galaxy’ corresponding sites Vacaria Joaquim Brazil 1.5 15 1 5 (1. 03 0 3 0. 9 2%, 2 2% 2%) 31 110 DM (DM) SSC, (SSC) texture (1 (2) (3) PLS (PLS crossvalidation cross RMSECVr 10%. 10 10% . 10%) location (location Therefore (orchard 1. 11 (DM (SSC ( (2 (3

Resumo A espectroscopia, na região do visível e do infravermelho próximo (VIS-NIR) é uma técnica não destrutiva, rápida, prática e precisa para determinar atributos dematuração e qualidade de maçãs. Contudo, o estudo sobre os efeitos de cultivares e doambiente de cultivo no desempenho preditivo do equipamento é fundamental para a introdução destatecnologia na cadeia produtiva de maçãs. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar aeficiência de um espectrômetro VIS-NIR portátil para a determinação rápida e não destrutivade atributos de qualidade de maçãs do grupo ’Gala’ (‘Maxi Gala’, ‘Royal Gala’, ‘ImperialGala’ e ‘Galaxy’) colhidas em três pomares comerciais (localizados nos municípios de Vacaria, Fraiburgo e São Joaquim) no Sul do Brasil. Na colheita comercial e após três meses dearmazenamento refrigerado (1,5 °C ±0,3 ºC e umidade relativa do ar de 92% ± 2%), os frutosforam utilizados para a coleta de dados espectrais em comprimentos de onda entre 310 e 1.100nm, com o auxílio de um espectrômetro VIS-NIR portátil. Após a coleta dos dadosespectrais, os frutos foram submetidos às análises físico-químicas de massa seca (MS), sólidossolúveis (SS), firmeza de polpa e textura. Os modelos de calibração foram desenvolvidos utilizando três conjuntos de dados espectrais e de atributos físico-químicos: (1) semseparação de cultivar e pomar; (2) por cultivar, independentemente do pomar; (3) por cultivar e porpomar. Os modelos de calibração foram obtidos através da técnica de regressão por mínimoquadrado parcial (MQP). A precisão dos modelos de calibração obtidos para cada conjuntode dados foi avaliada na etapa de validação, considerando os valores relativos da raizdo erro quadrático médio de validação cruzada (REQMVCr = 10%). Os modelos desenvolvidos, para cada cultivar e pomar resultaram em maior precisão e eficiência na determinação dos valores de MS, SS e firmeza de polpa, comparados com modelos obtidos com dados porcultivar, independentemente do pomar, e sem separação da cultivar e pomar. O espectrômetro VIS-NIR é uma ferramenta promissora para a análise rápida e não destrutiva deatributos de qualidade em maçãs ‘Gala’. No entanto, o espectrômetro deve ser calibrado para cadacultivar(‘Maxi Gala’, ‘Royal Gala’, ‘Imperial Gala’ e ‘Galaxy’) e para cada pomar deprodução, para uma determinação mais precisa de MS, SS e firmeza de polpa dos frutos. espectroscopia VISNIR VIS NIR (VIS-NIR Contudo Gala ’Gala ‘Maxi Maxi Gala, , Royal ‘ImperialGala ImperialGala ‘Galaxy Galaxy ‘Galaxy’ localizados Vacaria Joaquim Brasil 1,5 15 1 5 (1, C 03 0 3 ±0, 92 2%, 2 2% 2%) 31 1100nm nm 100nm 1.100nm dadosespectrais físicoquímicas físico químicas MS (MS) SS, (SS) textura físicoquímicos químicos físico-químicos (1 (2 (3 porpomar MQP. MQP . (MQP) REQMVCr 10%. 10 10% 10%) porcultivar ‘Gala. ‘Gala ‘Gala’ entanto cadacultivar‘Maxi cadacultivarMaxi cadacultivar Imperial deprodução 1, ±0 9 (MS (SS ( (MQP

Abstract The objective of this work was to determine the storability of 'SCS417 Monalisa' apple fruit in response to harvest maturity, 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment, and storage atmospheres. Fruit quality was evaluated after two, four, six, and eight months plus one day or seven days in shelf life at 22°C. The controlled atmosphere (CA) and 1-MCP (1.0 μL L-1) treatments reduce fruit ethylene production and respiration, prevent rapid softening, and inhibit the incidence of scald-like symptoms, flesh browning, cracking, and fungal decay, in comparison with air storage . The combination of 1-MCP and CA provides additive benefits in firmness retention and in the reduction of the incidence of physiological disorders. CA and/or 1-MCP increase the risk of fruit developing wrinkly skin disorder. The loss of flesh firmness and acidity and the development of all physiological disorders and decay are higher in late-harvested fruit. The storage life of 'SCS417 Monalisa' apple is about two months in cold air and from six to eight months in cold CA, considering the time necessary to reach a flesh firmness of 53 N. The limiting factor for the long-term storage of 'SCS417 Monalisa' apple fruit under CA without 1-MCP is the development of physiological disorders and fungal decay. SCS417 SCS 'SCS41 Monalisa maturity 1methylcyclopropene methylcyclopropene 1 1MCP MCP (1-MCP treatment atmospheres four 22C C 22 22°C (CA 1.0 10 0 (1. L1 L L-1 respiration softening scaldlike scald like symptoms browning cracking andor disorder lateharvested late harvested 5 N longterm long term SCS41 'SCS4 2 1. (1 L- SCS4 'SCS (

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a armazenabilidade de maçãs 'SCS417 Monalisa' em resposta à maturação na colheita, ao tratamento com 1-metilciclopropeno (1-MCP) e às atmosferas de armazenamento. A qualidade dos frutos foi avaliada após dois, quatro, seis e oito meses mais um dia ou sete dias de vida de prateleira a 22°C. Os tratamentos atmosfera controlada (AC) e 1-MCP (1,0 μL L-1) reduzem a produção de etileno e a respiração dos frutos, previnem o amolecimento rápido da polpa, e inibem a incidência de escaldadura, escurecimento da polpa, rachaduras e podridões fúngicas, em comparação ao armazenamento ao ar. A combinação de 1-MCP e AC proporciona benefícios aditivos na retenção da firmeza da polpa e na redução da incidência de distúrbios fisiológicos. A AC e/ou 1-MCP aumentam o risco de os frutos desenvolverem o distúrbio superfície rugosa. A perda de firmeza e acidez dos frutos e o desenvolvimento de todos os distúrbios fisiológicos e a podridão são maiores em frutos colhidos tardiamente. O potencial de armazenamento das maçãs 'SCS417 Monalisa' é de cerca de dois meses em ar refrigerado e de seis a oito meses em AC refrigerada, considerando o tempo necessário para atingir a firmeza de polpa de 53 N. O fator limitante para o armazenamento a longo prazo da maçã 'SCS417 Monalisa' sob AC sem 1-MCP é o desenvolvimento de distúrbios fisiológicos e podridões fúngicas. SCS417 SCS 'SCS41 Monalisa colheita 1metilciclopropeno metilciclopropeno 1 1MCP MCP (1-MCP quatro 22C C 22 22°C (AC 1,0 10 0 (1, L1 L L-1 escaldadura fúngicas eou rugosa tardiamente refrigerada 5 N SCS41 'SCS4 2 1, (1 L- SCS4 'SCS (

ABSTRACT Although acerola (Malpighia emarginata D.C.) has been suggested to be a climacteric fruit, little is known about its sensitivity to exogenous ethylene. The objective of the study was to evaluate the quality changes of acerola fruit at two harvest maturity stages in response to external ethylene application. ‘Flor Branca’ and ‘Junko’ acerolas were harvested at the maturity stages 1 (green fruit with density>1 g cm-3) and 2(green fruit with density <1 g cm-3) and were treated with 0 or 1,000 µL L-1 of ethylene for 24 hours at 12 ºC.The fruit were stored at 12 ºC with relative humidity of 90-95% for 14 days. Both cultivars harvested at the maturity stage 2 showed skin color change from green to red during storage, which was not observed in fruit harvested at the maturity stage 1.External ethylene had no effect on 'Flor Branca' and 'Junko' acerolas respiration rate, flesh firmness, skin color, weight loss, soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (AT), SS/AT ratio, and ascorbic acid contents. The classification of green acerolas by density was an effective approach to determine fruit harvest maturity for fresh consumption. Malpighia D.C. DC D C application Flor Branca ‘Junko Junko density1 density> cm3 cm 3 cm-3 2green < 1000 000 1,00 L1 L L- ºCThe 9095% 9095 90 95% 95 90-95 days storage 1External External 'Junko rate firmness loss SS, SS , (SS) AT, AT (AT) SSAT ratio contents consumption D.C cm- 100 00 1,0 909 9 90-9 (SS (AT 10 1, 90-

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar o tamanho da amostra mais eficiente necessário para estimar a média dos caracteres de qualidade pós-colheita de mangas ‘Palmer’ colhidas em duas estações. Cinquenta mangas foram coletadas no estágio de maturação 2, no inverno (junho de 2020) e na primavera (outubro de 2020), e avaliadas quanto à massa, comprimento, diâmetros ventral e transversal, L*, C* e hº de casca e de polpa, matéria seca, firmeza, sólidos solúveis (SS), acidez titulável (AT) e relação SS/AT. De acordo com os resultados, o coeficiente de variação (CV) dos caracteres de qualidade dos frutos variou de 2,1 a 18,1%. O maior CV, em ambas as safras, foi observado para a relação SS/AT, enquanto o menor foi reportado para hº da polpa. Para estimar a média dos caracteres físico-químicos de mangas ‘Palmer’, são necessários 12 frutos na colheita de inverno e 14 da primavera, considerando um erro de estimativa de 10% e um intervalo de confiança de 95%. A AT e a relação SS/AT exigiram o maior tamanho de amostra, enquanto L* e hº exigiram o menor tamanho de amostra. Conclui-se que a variabilidade foi diferente entre os caracteres físico-químicas e as estações, implicando que diferentes tamanhos de amostra são necessários para estimar a média de diferentes caracteres de qualidade em diferentes estações.

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the most efficient sample size required to estimate the mean of postharvest quality traits of ‘Palmer’ mangoes harvested in two growing seasons. A total of 50 mangoes were harvested at maturity stage 2, in winter (June 2020) and spring (October 2020), and evaluated for weight, length, ventral and transverse diameter, skin and pulp L*, C* and hº, dry matter, firmness, soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (TA) and the SS/TA ratio. According to the results, the coefficient of variation (CV) of fruit quality traits ranged from 2.1% to 18.1%. The highest CV in both harvests was observed for the SS/TA ratio, while the lowest was reported for pulp hº. In order to estimate the mean of physicochemical traits of ‘Palmer’ mangoes, 12 fruits are needed in the winter and 14 in the spring, considering an estimation error of 10% and a confidence interval of 95%. TA and the SS/TA ratio required the highest sample size, while L* and hº required the lowest sample size. In conclusion, the variability was different among physicochemical traits and seasons, implying that different sample sizes are required to estimate the mean of different quality traits in different growing seasons.

ABSTRACT. Calcium (Ca2+) is a nutrient in tomato plants, of which deficiency usually causes several problems including a physiological disorder known as blossom-end rot (BER) in the fruit. The objective of this study was to evaluate and identify morphological and physiological characteristics related to the susceptibility of tomato varieties to BER. The varieties studied were ‘Amalia’, ‘IPA-6’, ‘M-82’, ‘Mara’, and ‘Nagcarlan’, presenting different fruit formats. Physiological parameters that negatively correlated with BER were plant water potential, leaf area, plant dry mass, relationship between proximal/distal Ca2+, K+ content in the proximal and distal portions of the fruit, and proximal Ca2+ content. Physiological parameters that positively correlated with BER were number of trichomes in the abaxial and adaxial leaf portions, leaf stomatal conductance, distal Ca2+ content bound to the cell wall, leaf transpiration, and fruit length. Our results showed that ‘Mara’ and ‘Nagcarlan’, ‘Amalia’ and ‘IPA-6’, and ‘M-82’ presented low, medium, and high susceptibility to BER, respectively. We also found that total fruit Ca2+ concentration, particularly in the distal fruit tissue, was not the only factor responsible for the development of BER; rather, the balance between factors that increase and decrease the susceptibility of each variety affected development of this disorder.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar a melhor temperatura de desidratação para a produção de farinha de acerola de alta qualidade de consumo e estabilidade de parâmetros físico-químicos durante a conservação. Frutos de acerola ‘Flor Branca’ foram colhidos no estádio de maturação maduro em um pomar comercial do Vale do São Francisco, Petrolina, PE. Frutos com ou sem sementes foram sanitizados e desidratados nas temperaturas de 60 °C, 70 °C e 80 °C em estufa de circulação de ar forçado e, em seguida, foram triturados para a obtenção da farinha, a qual foi armazenada em temperatura ambiente em embalagens de polietileno herméticas. A polpa dos frutos foi utilizada para a determinação do pH, sólidos solúveis (SS), acidez titulável (AT), ácido ascórbico (AA) e umidade. A farinha de acerola foi avaliada a cada 15 dias, por um período de 75 dias, quanto ao pH, SS, AT, AA e cor. Para todas as temperaturas de desidratação, os valores de pH e SS foram semelhantes, variando entre 3,5-4,2 e 6,3-11,7, respectivamente. Os SS apresentaram menor variação ao final do armazenamento. A AT aumentou em todas as amostras variando de 5% a 10%. As perdas de ácido ascórbico foram de 76,2% e 80%, 23,9% e 55%, ou 37,9% e 65% para as farinhas com e sem sementes desidratadas a 60 °C, 70 °C e 80 °C, respectivamente. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, a melhor temperatura de desidratação é 70 °C, pois resultou em farinha com alta qualidade de consumo e estabilidade de parâmetros físico-químicos durante 75 dias de conservação.

Abstract The objective of this work was to identify the best dehydration temperature for the production of high quality acerola flour and to provide stability of the physicochemical parameters during storage. ‘Flor Branca’ acerolas were harvested at the red ripe stage in a commercial orchard in the São Francisco Valley, Petrolina, PE, Brazil. Fruits with or without seeds were dried at 60, 70 and 80°C in a forced air circulating oven. The dried fruits were then ground to obtain the flour, which was stored at room temperature in hermetically sealed polyethylene bags. The fresh fruit pulp was evaluated for its pH value, soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (TA), ascorbic acid (AA) and moisture contents. The acerola flour was analysed every 15 days for 75 days for pH, SS, AT, AA and colour. For all the drying temperatures, the pH and SS showed similar levels, ranging from 3.5 to 4.2 and 6.3 to 11.7, respectively. The TA increased during storage for all the drying temperatures, ranging from 5 to 10%. The AA losses were 76.2 and 80%, 23.9 and 55%, and 37.9 and 65% for flours obtained from fruits with and without seeds, dehydrated at 60, 70 and 80°C, respectively. According to the results, the best drying temperature was 70°C, which resulted in high flour quality and physicochemical stability during the 75 days of storage.

Pitaya (Hylocereus undatus) is an exotic non-climacteric fruit that reaches its best eating quality when harvested ripe, decreasing thereafter during storage. Our objectives were to determine the best combination of storage temperature and use of perforated plastic bags to maintain the postharvest quality of the fruit. Fruits were stored at 5, 7, or 10 ºC with and without a perforated plastic bag for 20 days, followed by five days at 20 ºC without the bag for shelf-life determination. Storage at 5 ºC, followed by 7 ºC maintained better visual appearance of the pitaya fruit after 20 days, by reducing decay incidence and severity, and maintaining greener bracts compared with fruit stored at 10 ºC. Pitaya fruit stored at 5 ºC without a perforated plastic bag showed no decay after storage and shelf-life. In general, higher temperatures and the use of a perforated plastic bag increased decay incidence, as well as decay severity after storage and shelf-life conditions. At all temperatures, fruit stored in a perforated plastic bag had lower weight loss during storage. After shelf-life, weight loss was highest in fruit stored at higher temperatures. Storage of fruits at 5 ºC resulted in minor chilling injury symptoms in the outer flesh tissue, close to the peel. Storage at 5 ºC without a perforated plastic bag was the best condition to maintain the postharvest quality of the pitaya fruit.

Os tubérculos de batata destinados ao processamento devem apresentar coloração clara após a fritura, o que é condicionado pelos baixos teores de açúcares redutores, glicose e frutose. Para auxiliar os programas de melhoramento na seleção de clones com baixos teores destes açúcares, o objetivo deste trabalho foi adaptar e validar uma metodologia simples, econômica e eficiente para quantificar o teor de glicose em tubérculos de batata utilizando um kit laboratorial enzimático desenvolvido para uso em amostras de sangue e urina. Os procedimentos de validação seguiram as recomendações do INMETRO dispostas no documento DOQ-CGCRE-008 de 2003. O método mostrou-se linear entre 1,25 e 40µg de glicose presente na amostra, sendo que o limite de quantificação foi 0,319mg g-1 de massa fresca de batata. A faixa linear de trabalho do método foi desde o limite de quantificação até 1,32mg g-1 de massa fresca de batata. A recuperação média da extração foi de 99,0%. O método proposto foi aplicado para determinar o teor de glicose em amostras de batata "Macaca", que variou de 1,4 a 2,9mg g-1 massa fresca de batata.

The processing industry requires potato tubers with low levels of reduced sugars, glucose and fructose, which is responsible for the whiteness of the chip color. The objective of this research was to optimize and validate a simple, inexpensive, and precise enzymatic method to quantify glucose in potato tubers. This method will be useful in breeding programs to select clones for processing purposes with low levels of glucose. The validation procedure followed the recommendations described in INMETRO document DOQ-CGCRE-008 in 2003. The method was linear between 1.25 to 40µg of glucose in the sample. The quantification limit was 0.319mg g-1 of potato fresh weight. The linear working interval of the method started at the quantification limit and ended at 1.32mg g-1 of potato fresh weight. The average recovery in the extraction was 99.0%. The proposed method was used to determine glucose level in samples of ‘Macaca’ tubers, which ranged from 1.4 to 2.9mg g-1 potato fresh weight.

Many studies have shown that fruits and vegetables are not only source of energy and nutrients, but also source of important components as phytochemicals which help preventing cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. The increasing apple production has a direct effect on the production of apple processed products. Therefore, the knowledge about healthy substances as polyphenols and anthocyanins is important in order to determine the potential use of apple fruits for processing industry. The objective of this work was to physicochemically characterize three apple cultivars, Fuji, Fuji Kiku, and Fuji Suprema. The characterization was based on pulp firmness, titrable acidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS), iodine index, skin color, polyphenols, anthocyanins, reduced sugars, and vitamin C. According to the results, the Fuji Kiku cultivar had higher values of pulp firmness, AT, TSS and vitamin C. The Fuji Suprema cultivar showed more intense red color and higher levels of anthocyanins. There were no differences on polyphenols and reduced sugars.

Muchos trabajos demuestran que los productos vegetales no solamente son fuentes de energía y nutrientes sino también fuentes de compuestos conocidos como fitoquímicos, que juegan un importante papel en la prevención de enfermedades como el cáncer, afecciones cardiovasculares y neurodegenerativas. Por otro lado, el aumento en la producción de manzana, determina también un aumento de la producción destinada al procesamiento industrial. En este sentido el conocer el contenido de de ciertas sustancias como polifenoles, antocianinas permiten conocer su potencial de uso industrial, como por ejemplo para la elaboración de jugos. En base a esto los objetivos del presente trabajo fueron realizar una caracterización físico-química de tres variedades de manzana; una de ellas de cultivo tradicional y muy extendido en Brasil y las otras dos mutaciones de esta última, de reciente explotación comercial. Fueron medidos al momento de cosecha la firmeza de la pulpa, acidez titulable (AT), los sólidos solubles totales (SST), el índice de yodo-almidón, los parámetros CIE "L*", "a*" y "b*" del color, polifenoles, antocianinas y azúcares reductores totales y vitamina C. Según los resultados, la variedad Fuji Kiku presentó una mayor firmeza de pulpa, AT, SST y vitamina C. En relación al color, la variedad Fuji Suprema mostró una coloración roja más intensa y mayor contenido de antocianinas. No fueron encontradas diferencias en los polifenoles y azúcares reductores totales.

A industrialização da batata (Solanum tuberosum L.) tem sido limitada no Brasil, quase que exclusivamente, pela falta de matéria-prima adequada. Alta qualidade do produto processado é dependente de altos teores de matéria seca, que reduz a absorção de óleo durante a fritura e confere crocância, e baixos teores de açúcares redutores, que mantêm a coloração clara das fritas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar clones de batata de alta qualidade para processamento a partir da avaliação de tubérculos produzidos durante os cultivos de primavera de 2003 e outono de 2004 em Santa Maria, RS. O experimento foi conduzido em um fatorial (15 clones e duas épocas de cultivo) no delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. Foram avaliados os clones Dakota Rose, SMINIAIporã, SMIJ461-1, SMIJ319-1, SMIJ456-4Y, SMID040-4RY, SMIE040-6RY, SMIC148-A, SMIF165-6RY, SMIH095-1, SMINIA90244-1, SMINIA793101-3, SMINIA95043-11, Macaca e Asterix nos cultivos de primavera de 2003 e outono de 2004 em Santa Maria, RS. As condições ambientais, durante o período de produção, influenciaram a qualidade pós-colheita dos tubérculos. Os clones SMIJ461-1, SMIJ319-1, SMIJ456-4Y, SMIC148-A, SMIDO40-4RY e SMIH095-1 foram os que apresentaram o melhor desempenho nas características desejáveis para processamento, sendo superiores a Asterix, cultivada para consumo de mesa ou para processamento na forma de chips nas diferentes regiões produtoras de batata. Dentre esses clones, SMIDO40-4RY e SMIH095-1 foram os menos influenciados pelas diferenças de temperatura e insolação típicas das épocas de cultivo de outono e primavera no RS. Os clones SMIJ461-1 e SMIJ456-4Y apresentaram maior teor de matéria seca e coloração mais clara do chips no cultivo da primavera.

The development of the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) processing industry has been limited in Brazil, because of the low availability of tubers with adequate quality. High dry matter, responsible for chips with low oil content and crispy consistency, and low reduced sugars, keep chips with light color, are necessary for high quality processing products. The objective was to identify potato clones with high processing quality based upon the evaluation of tubers produced under spring 2003 and autumn 2004 grown seasons at Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. The experiment was conducted in a factorial (15 clones and two grown seasons) in a complete random design with four replications. The clones Dakota Rose, SMINIAIporã, SMIJ461-1, SMIJ319-1, SMIJ456-4Y, SMID040-4RY, SMIE040-6RY, SMIC148-A, SMIF165-6RY, SMIH095-1, SMINIA90244-1, SMINIA793101-3, SMINIA95043-11, Macaca and Asterix were evaluated in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul (RS) State, during spring 2003 and autumn 2004 grown seasons. The environmental conditions during grown season affected the postharvest quality of tubers. The clones SMIJ461-1, SMIJ319-1, SMIJ456-4Y, SMIC148-A, SMIDO40-4RY and SMIH095-1 had the highest processing quality, even better than Asterix cultivated for tablestock or chip processing in different potato production regions. Different environmental conditions of temperature and sunshine, common between spring and autumn grown seasons of RS, had little effect in the processing quality performance of SMIDO40-4RY and SMIH095-1 clones. The clones SMIJ461-1 and SMIJ456-4Y had the highest dry matter content and the lightest chip color during the spring grown conditions.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da aplicação do 1-metilciclopropeno (1-MCP) associada a diferentes formas de resfriamento e de instalação da atmosfera controlada (AC) sobre a qualidade da maçã 'Gala'. No primeiro experimento, os tratamentos consistiram da aplicação ou não de 1-MCP no início do armazenamento refrigerado com dois períodos necessários para o resfriamento dos frutos até a temperatura de armazenamento (0,5°C): sete dias (lento) e três dias (rápido). No segundo experimento, avaliou-se o efeito da aplicação de 1-MCP associada com a instalação lenta (sete dias) ou rápida (até três dias) da AC (1,2kPa O2 + 2,5kPa CO2). A dose de 1-MCP utilizada foi de 660nL L-1, aplicada no início do armazenamento, durante 24 horas, a 0,5°C. No primeiro ensaio, o resfriamento dos frutos em três dias, em comparação com o resfriamento em sete dias, permitiu melhor manutenção dos atributos qualitativos dos frutos após seis meses de armazenamento refrigerado a 0,5°C e mais sete dias a 20°C, independentemente da aplicação de 1-MCP. No segundo experimento, observou-se que a instalação rápida da AC proporcionou resultados semelhantes à aplicação de 1-MCP, durante a instalação lenta, na manutenção da qualidade dos frutos, após oito meses de armazenamento em AC, a 0,5°C, e mais sete dias a 20°C. Esses resultados sugerem que o resfriamento rápido ou a rápida instalação da AC podem substituir a aplicação de 1-MCP em maçãs 'Gala'.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) application associated with different rates of cooling and settlement of controlled stored atmosphere (CA) on quality of 'Gala' apple fruits. In the first experiment, the treatments were with or without 1-MCP and two times to reach the storage temperature (0.5°C): 7 days (slow) and 3 days (fast). The second experiment evaluated the effect of 1-MCP application and the settlement of stored CA: slow (7 days) and fast (3 days). The CA condition was 1.2kPa O2 + 2.5kPa CO2 at 0.5°C. It was applied 660nL L-1 of 1-MCP during 24h at 0.5°C in the beginning of storage on both experiments. In the first experiment fast-cooled fruit had better quality than slow-cooled fruit, independently of 1-MCP application following 6 months of storage at 0.5°C plus 7 days at 20°C. Results obtained in the second experiment showed that after 8 months of CA storage at 0.5°C plus 7 days of shelf-life at 20°C, the fast CA allowed a similar quality to 1-MCP-treatment plus slow CA-stored fruit. These results suggest that fast cooling or fast CA can substitute 1-MCP application on 'Gala' apple fruits.