Mehdi Maqbool

Effect of a novel edible composite coating based on gum arabic and chitosan on biochemical and physiological responses of banana fruits during cold storage.

The composite effects of gum arabic (GA) (5, 10, 15, and 20%) and chitosan (CH) (1.0%) on the biochemical and physiological characteristics of banana fruits stored at 13 ± 1 °C and 80 ± 3% relative humidity (RH) for 28 days and afterward for 5 days at simulated marketing conditions (25 °C, 60% RH) were investigated. Significant (P ≤ 0.05) differences were observed for the entire GA plus CH treatments as compared to the control. However, the results showed that after 33 days of storage, the weight loss and soluble solids concentration of fruits treated with 10% GA plus 1.0% CH composite coating were 24 and 54% lower, whereas fruit firmness, total carbohydrates, and reducing sugars were 31, 59, and 40% higher than the control, respectively. Furthermore, the composite edible coating of 10% GA plus 1.0% CH delayed color development and reduced the rate of respiration and ethylene evolution during storage as compared to the control. Similarly, sensory evaluation results also proved the effectiveness of 10% GA plus 1.0% CH composite coating by maintaining the overall quality of banana fruits. Consequently, the results of scanning electron microscopy also confirmed that the fruits coated with 10% GA plus 1.0% CH composite edible coating had very fewer cracks and showed a smooth surface. These findings suggest that 10% GA plus 1.0% CH as an edible composite coating can be used commercially for extending the storage life of banana fruits for up to 33 days.

Potential of chitosan-loaded nanoemulsions to control different Colletotrichum spp. and maintain quality of tropical fruits during cold storage

To investigate the antifungal activity of conventional chitosan and chitosan‐loaded nanoemulsions against anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum spp. isolated from different tropical fruits.

A combination of gum arabic and chitosan can control anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum musae and enhance the shelf-life of banana fruit

Summary Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum musae, is the major disease affecting the quality of banana fruit during storage. To control banana anthracnose, the combined effects of coatings with gum arabic [GA; at 5, 10, 15 or 20% (w/v)] and 0.75% (w/v) chitosan (CH) were investigated and compared to untreated controls. In vitro results showed significant (P < 0.05) inhibition of mycelial growth and conidial germination of C. musae in all combined treatments compared to the untreated controls after 7 d of incubation at room temperature (25°C). However, potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates amended with 10% (w/v) GA gave the most promising results among all test treatments in suppressing mycelial growth (86%) and inhibiting conidial germination (80%), while no effective inhibition of conidial germination was observed in the controls. In vivo results confirmed that 10% (w/v) GA was the optimum concentration to control fruit decay (70%), while showing efficacy on the reduction of growth of C. musae on artificially inoculated banana fruit. The combined coatings of GA + CH also significantly delayed ripening in terms of weight loss, fruit firmness, soluble solids content, and titratable acidity. These results support the possibility of using 10% (w/v) GA combined with 0.75% (w/v) CH as an alternative strategy to control post-harvest anthracnose disease in banana fruit.

Encapsulated calcium carbide enhances production and postharvest performance of potato (Solanum tuberosum) tubers

Abstract The effect of encapsulated calcium carbide (CaC2; ECC at 30, 60, 90, and 120 kg ha−1) on pre‐harvest production and postharvest performance of potato (Solanum tuberosum) hybrid variety ‘Sante’ was studied. The ECC was applied twice in the root zone at the time of sowing and 2 weeks after sowing. The data on the parameters — number of days required for sprouting; sprouting percentage; plant height; number of leaves per plant; leaf area; photosynthesis rate; number of stems per plant; number, size, and weight of tubers; yield; weight loss; shriveling percentage; and sprout percentage were recorded. The results indicated that the number of days required for sprouting of tubers and plant height was reduced significantly by the application of ECC compared with the control. Furthermore, ECC at 60 kg ha−1 significantly reduced the number of days required for sprouting and plant height compared with other treatments. Sprouting percentage, number of leaves per plant, leaf area, photosynthesis rate, and number of stems per plant significantly increased by the application of ECC at 60 and 90 kg ha−1. Weight, size of tubers, and overall yield of tubers was also increased significantly with the application of ECC at 60 kg ha−1. In conclusion, the application of CaC2 at 60 kg ha−1 in the root zone increased vegetative growth, total weight, number of large tubers, and increased total yield (40–50%).

Understanding underutilisation: methods for studying fruit and vegetable buying behaviours

This paper outlines research focused on understanding why people do or do not buy underutilised fruit and vegetables. This will inform the design of future interventions to promote more sustainable food related behaviour. A background to underutilised crops and food sustainability is provided. This is followed by an overview of the proposed method for capturing the entire purchasing and consumption experience using wearable cameras.

Understanding underutilisation of locally grown tropical fruit and vegetables – why are imported apples preferred in Malaysia?

South East Asia is one of the most biodiverse regions on this planet and >370 tropical fruits and >100 tropical vegetables have been found in Malaysia. Pilot data suggests however, that Malaysian consumers prefer to purchase imported fruit and vegetables (F&V). By exploring consumers purchasing behaviour in Kajang, a suburban area near Kuala Lumpur, this study aimed to generate hypothesises to understand underutilisation of locally grown tropical crops. Purchase frequency of 15 locally grown tropical crops (dragon fruit, durian, jackfruit, kedondong, kuini, mangosteen, peria pantai, petai, pink guava, pomela, salak, salam, star fruit, soursop, water apple) and 5 globally available crops (apple, banana, cauliflower, okra, orange) was examined via an online questionnaire (Qualtrix). In addition, place of purchase of each crop, reasons for not purchasing each crop, general eating patterns, and motivation for buying F&V were recorded. The questionnaire was distributed using social media, and 84/167 responses were complete. All respondents were resident in Malaysia for ≥2 years and a main purchaser of foods in their household. 96 % of respondents said that they consume ≥1 portion of F&V per day (more specifically, 4 %, 26 %, 29 %, 25 % and 4·3 % of respondents said they consume 0, 1, 2, 3 ≥4 portions/day). On a Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree and 5 = strongly agree), healthy eating scored 4·36 ± 0·67 (mean ±SD). When asked “why do you buy F&V?”, the two highest scoring answers (out of 10) were “because F&V are healthy” 4·07 ± 0·91 and “because we like the taste” 4·14 ± 0·88. Apples were scored as the most frequently purchased crop, with a mean of 4·01 ± 1·07 (SD) (on a 5 point Likert scale where 1 = never, 2 = rarely, 3 = sometimes, 4 = often and 5 = all the time). Purchase frequency for 9 locally grown tropical crops (kedondong, kuini, peria pantai, petai, pink guava, pomela, salak, salam and soursop) was rated between 1 (never) and 2 (rarely). Only 6 locally grown tropical crops (dragon fruit, durian, jackfruit, mangosteen, star fruit and water apple) received ratings between 2 (rarely) and 3 (sometimes). The most important reason for not buying kedondong, kuini, peria pantain, salak, and salam was a) lacking familiarity with these F&V and/or no knowledge how to prepare/eat them, or b) not available when shopping. Dislike of taste, texture or smell were reasons for not buying durian, kedondong, peria pantai, petai, salak and soursop. “Too expensive” or “perishes quickly” was of no importance. Place of purchase for underutilised crops were 1) markets and roadside stalls, 2) local shops, but also 3) supermarkets. Place of purchase for globally available crops were mainly supermarkets, however local shops and markets were also listed. In conclusion, respondents were aware of health benefits of F&V, however imported crops such as apples, oranges or cauliflower were preferred over locally grown tropical produce. Lack of familiarity with locally grown tropical crops was the main reason for not buying them. Thus, increasing public awareness of locally grown tropical crops may significantly promote the demand and consumption by the Malaysian public.