The quality of leafy vegetables has to be guaranteed for consumers over the whole postharvest period, usually limited to 5-7 days. The analyses to evaluate the quality of vegetables are very time- and resource consuming, so the use of qualitative markers can be much useful. The aim of this work was to evaluate the use of thermoluminescence (TL) parameters as qualitative markers of fresh-cut leafy vegetables during the shelf life. TL is a technique consisting of a cooling, followed by the progressivewarming, of a preilluminated sample to reveal the different types of charge pairs as successive emissionbands, which are resolved better than the corresponding decay phases recorded at constant temperature. Experiments were performed on rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia L.) stored at 2 C for 7 days. During storage, several changes in TL glow curves were found. The position of the peaks showed a shift to higher temperature. The area of the peaks, relating to the photosystem II (20-65 C), grew up lightly;whereas in the temperature range that detects lipidic peroxidation (65-140 C), the TL emission became more than twice. These changes demonstrated that, during the shelf life, a progressive destabilization of PSII centres occurred and that lipid peroxidation products were accumulated in membranes. TL could be used to estimate the damages immediately after as well as during the storage period. Thisis the first time that TL was used to evaluate the quality of fresh-cut vegetables products during the shelf life.

Biological degradation of mycotoxins is an emerging strategy for detoxification of agricultural commodities. In particular, enzymatic degradation of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), the most harmful among the mycotoxin known which may occur as contaminant of most of food and feed, has lately raised considerable scientific interest. Ligninolytic enzymes, such as laccase and peroxidise, from white-rot fungi have been proven to be able to break the highly stable molecule of AFB1. However, the high cost of production and purification of these enzymes have limited their implementation into practical technologies aimed at reduction of aflatoxin contamination in the food and feed chains. Among the white-rot fungi there are also cultivable edible mushrooms, such as Pleurotus spp. Every year tons of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) are produced as a by-product of mushroom cultivation and disposed at a cost for farmers. However, SMS may still be a source of bioactive compounds, including ligninolytic enzymes potentially useful for degradation of aflatoxin. We investigated the AFB1-degradative activity of a crude extract (CE) of SMS and undertook a study for characterization of enzyme content and stability of the extracts. CE of SMS was obtained by an extraction buffer (sodium phosphate buffer 0.1 M, pH 7.3) and the extract was incubated with 1 ?g/ml of AFB1 at 25 °C, under continuous shaking at 120 rpm for 1, 3 and 7 days; then the aflatoxin content was determined by ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). After 1 day of incubation, the CE was able to degrade more than 50% of AFB1 and after 3 and 7 days of incubation the percentage of degradation reached the values of 75% and 90%, respectively. The CE contained a high level of laccase activity, quantified in 4 Units per gram of SMS dry weight (U/g DW) and low level of Mn-peroxidase (0.4 U/g DW), as determined by spectrophotometric assays. The enzymatic activity of the CE had its optimum at temperature ranging between 5 and 25 °C and at pH 4, and it was stable at +4 °C for about 60 days. Heat treatment at 100 °C for 10 minutes completely destroyed the degradative activity of CE, and freeze drying resulted in a decrease by 35% of the laccase activity. Based on these preliminary results, SMS proved to be a suitable source of aflatoxin-degrading enzymes and the use of SMS and/or their CE for detoxification of aflatoxin-contaminated commodities, particularly those intended for feed, appears as a coinceivable technology for aflatoxin-free feed production. Further research is needed to improve the stability of SMS extracts and to implement their use in the pipeline of feed processing.

The chemical characterization of phenolic ex- tracts of salad burnet (Sanguisorba minor Scop. s.l.) and broomrape (Orobanche crenata Forsk.) was performed. Active fractions were separated and characterized and, in the case of O. crenata, two phenolic compounds, verbascoside and is- overbascoside, were quantitatively extracted, purified and characterized. These compounds proved to be effective in reducing the growth of some important fungi responsible for the decay of fresh fruit and vegetables in postharvest. Ver- bascoside showed significant activity against Penicillium italicum, fairly inhibited Monilinia laxa, P. expansum, and Aspergillus carbonarius, and showed little activity against Botrytis cine- rea, M. fructicola and P. digitatum. Isoverbasco- side completely inhibited B. cinerea, P. digitatum, P. italicum, and P. expansum; it fairly inhibited M. laxa and A. carbonarius; while it showed to be less effective against M. fructicola. The obtained results support the possible use of some wild edible plants as a source of phenolic substances for the postharvest biological control of fresh fruit and vegetable rots.

A very large amount of phenol-polluted waters is formed from the productionof olive oil (olive mill waste water, OMWW) and their disposal represents a seriousproblem. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of peroxidase (POD) fromartichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. subsp. scolymus (L.) Hayek) leaves to removephenols present in OMWW. The POD catalyzes the polymerization andprecipitation of aqueous phenols. This application could be useful, because in theMediterranean region a large amount of OMWW as well as a lot of artichoke scrapsresulting from artichoke processing industry, are produced. So, it is possible toconsider this biomass (leaves and external bud bracts) as a useful and cheap sourceof peroxidase. The enzyme extraction was performed by homogenization andseparation of pigments using an aqueous two phase polymer system (polyethyleneglycol/(NH4)2SO4), that allowed the accumulation of POD in the salt phase. Theoptimal reaction conditions were evaluated. The phenolic concentration was assayedby Folin-Ciocalteu method. Preliminary results showed that the optimal conditionsfor enzyme activity were in a broad range of both pH (from 4 to 7) and temperature(from 5 to 50°C). In optimal enzymatic conditions, a reduction of more than 60% ofinitial phenolic concentration was observed.

Artichoke hybrids propagated by seed have been recently introduced on markets and often represent a valid alternative to traditional vegetatively propagated cultivars. This paper deals with the biochemical evaluation of five artichoke hybrids propagated by seed ('Opera', 'Opal', 'Symphony', 'Madrigal', and 'Romolo') compared to the rooted offshoot propagated 'Violetto di Provenza'. On the edible part of buds, picked in the first decade of March in each year, HPLC polyphenolic patterns, phenol and inulin content, and antioxidant activity were evaluated. 'Opera' and 'Opal' showed the highest total phenol content (about 700-800 mg 100 g-1 f.w.) and antioxidant activity values; whereas, 'Romolo' showed the lowest content (about 350 mg 100 g-1 fw), even compared to 'Violetto di Provenza' (about 380 mg 100 g-1 fw). 'Opera' and 'Opal' showed an inulin content (2.5 and 2.4 g 100 g-1 fw, respectively) significantly higher than other cultivars. Variations in the range ±10% were recorded for each cultivar between the two years. The obtained results could give useful indication on the suitability of the evaluated cultivars for different commercial uses, i.e., fresh consumption and/or processing.

In Puglia, lungo i muretti a secco delimitanti i campi coltivati e nelle aree boschive a macchia mediterranea, è molto diffuso l'asparago selvatico apprezzato per le sue caratteristiche organolettiche e nutrizionali. Osservando attentamente un mazzetto di asparagi selvatici, si può notare una elevata variabilità delle caratteristiche cromatiche e del grado di 'tenerezza' dei turioni; ciò è determinato prevalentemente dal microambiente in cui ciascun turione si è accresciuto e, in modo particolare, dalla prevalenza della radiazione solare diretta o diffusa. In pratica, i turioni raccolti nelle zone più assolate sono di colore dal verde scuro al violaceo e si presentano coriacei, mentre quelli raccolti nel sottobosco sono di colore verde chiaro e più teneri.L'elevata richiesta di mercato dell'asparago e la carenza di aree naturali in cui raccogliere quello selvatico, ha dato una forte spinta alla coltivazione di quest'orticola che attualmente vede la Puglia tra le prime tre regioni produttrici a livello nazionale. In considerazione dell'idea comune che i prodotti selvatici presentano una migliore qualità rispetto a quelli coltivati, è stato realizzato uno studio comparativo di valutazione di alcune caratteristiche qualitative di quattro ibridi ('Early California', 'Grande', 'Vegalim' e 'Purple passion') di asparago coltivato (Asparagus officinalis L.) e dell'asparago selvatico (A. acutifolius L.) raccolto nel sottobosco e in aree assolate di una querceta della Puglia meridionale. In particolare, sono stati valutati: la percentuale di sostanza secca (DM), il contenuto di clorofilla (Chl), carotenoidi (Ca), fenoli totali (TF) e l'attività antiossidante (TAA).Per l'asparago selvatico, tutti i caratteri esaminati si sono differenziati in relazione al luogo di raccolta. I turioni raccolti nelle zone assolate presentavano valori di DM, Chl, Ca, TF e TAA, riferiti al peso fresco (FM), più elevati rispettivamente del 16, 30, 53, 64 e 62%, rispetto a quelli raccolti nel sottobosco. Tra le cultivar di asparago coltivato, non sono state osservate variazioni di DM, Chl e Ca (in media 7,4 g 100 g-1, 5,4 mg 100 g-1 FM e 1,3 mg 100 g-1 FM, rispettivamente), mentre TF e TAA sono variati rispettivamente da 123,2 mg CAE 100 g-1 FM ('Early California') a 89 mg CAE 100 g-1 FM ('Purple passion') e da 69,1 mg Trolox 100 g-1 FM ('Early California') a 52,4 mg Trolox 100 g-1 FM ('Grande' e 'Vegalim'). L'asparago coltivato, rispetto all'asparago selvatico, ha presentato in media valori di DM, Chl, Ca, TF e TAA, riferiti a FM, più bassi di circa il 40, 5, 17, 43 e 53%, rispettivamente.In conclusione possiamo affermare che l'asparago selvatico, soprattutto se raccolto nelle zone con maggiore insolazione, presenta, limitatamente ai parametri considerati, caratteristiche qualitative più elevate rispetto all'asparago coltivato.

Ready-to-eat asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) is a tasty food with excellent nutraceutical properties. In order to realize a new ready-to-eat product, in this study asparagus's spears were cooked by blanching or microwave, and then dehydrated until they reached a weight loss of 25%,and packaged in air or in modified atmosphere (30% CO2 + 70% N2). Sensorial, physico-chemical,biochemical, and microbiological parameters were evaluated during a 30 days storage period at 4°C. The microwave cooking proved to be the most effective method to preserve green colour,improving the overall acceptability of the product. Moreover, the storage in the absence of O2 andin the presence of high CO2 percentage was the most effective method to preserve phytochemicalcomposition, total antioxidant capacity, and hygienic quality. In conclusion, asparagus spearscooked by microwave, semi-dried, packaged in modified atmosphere and stored at 4 °C for 30 daysretained their quality and sensorial properties.

High water activity (aw) can affect maintenance and quality of semi-dry products during storage. In the present work, the evolution of physico-chemical, biochemical, and microbiological parameters of semi-dry tomato in different conditions of packaging and storage is reported. Tomato fruits, cv. Ikram, were washed with sodium hypochlorite 0.01% and cut into quarters; slices were sprinkled with a solution of 2% (w/v) ascorbic acid and 4% (w/v) sodium chloride. The semi-dry product was obtained using a heat pump dehydration system, up to 75% weight loss and 21.0±0.5% dry matter. Semi-dried tomato slices were packed in air or in modified atmosphere (MA, 30% CO2 + 70% N2), packed in PP trays with a OPA+PP/EVOH/PP cover film, and stored at 4 °C or 12 °C for 30 days. Every 10 days during storage, dry matter, aw, pH, colour, texture, content in sugars (glucose, fructose) and lycopene, polygalacturonase activity, and total microbial load were evaluated. As this latter, it was assessed to be much below the limit established for spoilage microorganisms in food products (5 log CFU/g FM). The semi-dry product stored in MA at 4 °C maintained the best quality characteristics and good microbiological stability. In particular, after 20 days of storage, a slight increase in the fungal component (i.e. Botrytis cinerea, Mucor spp., and Cladosporium spp.) compared to the starting level (from 3 to 4 log CFU/g FM) was observed. Moreover, the bacterial component remained on the initial levels (3 log CFU/g FM) during the whole storage period. The results showed that the used MA conditions are able to preserve quality and hygienic properties of the product for 20 days at 4 °C.

Tomato for processing is a very widespread crop in the Mediterranean area whereoften there are problems of high salinity of irrigation water. It's well known that thehigh salinity creates physiological problems with considerable negative effects onproduction.Pyraclostrobin belongs to a class of fungicide (strobilurins) having a broad spectrumof applications, with preventive, curative, translaminar and locosystemic properties.In the literature it is reported that strobilurins can affect the plant metabolismresulting in the increase of yield, dry matter, content of both chlorophyll and proteinand delay senescence. In addition, it was observed plant water balance modificationby reducing root water uptake, resulting in the postponement of soil dehydration,so it may contribute to yield enhancement. Because many effects of salt stress arecomparable to water stress, we may speculate that Pyraclostrobin could alleviatedetrimental effects of salinity on plants.This study focused on the interactive effect of salinity and Pyraclostrobin applicationon tomato grown in pots under plastic tunnel. The objective was to investigatethe complementary properties of Pyraclostrobin in the improvement of tomatophysiological (SPAD, gas exchange, activity of antioxidative enzymes as SOD, CAT,POD, APX), yield and fruit quality responses under salinity.A two-year research (2010 and 2011) was carried out in Basilicata region, southernItaly, on cv Coronel to compare two soil salinity levels - 1.0 (S0) and 5.4 dS m-1 (S1)- and two fungicide treatments - application of fungicides without strobilurins (F0);application of a strobilurin based fungicide (Cabrio® Duo) (F1). The treatments werearranged in a split plot design with seven replicates.On overall, when plants are treated with Pyraclostrobin, a considerable increase inPOD, APX and CAT activity occurred, whereas no significant changes were observedin SOD. Different extent of changes in enzyme activity was observed in the two partsof the plant: POD increased only in roots, APX in roots as well as in leaves, and CATonly in leaves. In some sampling date, the increase in antioxidant enzyme activitieswas higher in saline stressed plants.The amount of chlorophyll, measured in SPAD units, did not differed between salinitylevels, instead, F1 showed the increase of about 6%. Gas exchanges were influencedby salinity level and fungicide treatments. In particular, S1 has shown values of net assimilation (A), transpiration (T) and stomatal conductance (gs) respectively of about 17, 26 and 22% lower than S0, while the water use efficiency (WUE) was not influenced. Pyraclostrobin reduced A and T by about 8%, and gs by about 17%.Salinity reduced fruit mean weight by 19%, total and marketable yield by 25 and 21%, respectively, and increased fruit blossom-end rot (BER) by 57%. Among the qualitative parameters, salinity caused the increase of total soluble solids (TSS) and dry mat

Efficient utilization of saline land for food cultivation can increase agricultural productivity and rural income. To obtain information on the salt tolerance/susceptibility of wild chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), the influence of salinity (0-260 mM NaCl) on chicory seed germination and that of two salinity levels of irrigation water (100 and 200 mM NaCl) on plant growth, antioxidative enzyme activity, and accumulation of proline and malondialdehyde (MDA) were investigated. The trials were performed outdoors, in pots placed under a protective glass covering, for two consecutive years. Seeds showed a high capacity to germinate in saline conditions. The use of 100 mM NaCl solution resulted in 81 % germination, whereas seed germinability decreased below 40 % using salt concentrations above 200 mM NaCl. Wild chicory showed tolerance to medium salinity (100 mM NaCl), whereas a drastic reduction in biomass was observed when 200 mM NaCl solution was used for irrigation. MDA, present in higher amounts in leaves than in roots, decreased in both tissues under increasing salinity. Proline content increased remarkably with the level of salt stress, more so in roots than in leaves. In salt stress conditions, the activity of antioxidant enzymes (APX, CAT, POD, SOD) was enhanced. The electrophoretic patterns of the studied enzymes showed that the salinity of irrigation water affected only the intensity of bands, but did not activate new isoforms. Our results suggest that wild chicory is able to grow in soil with moderate salinity by activating antioxidative responses both in roots and leaves.

La coltivazione della ruchetta selvatica [Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.) DC] presenta alcune problematiche di carattere agronomico non ancora risolte per la sua attitudine all'accumulo di nitrati, notevolmente superiore agli altri ortaggi.In considerazione di alcuni riscontri sperimentali che dimostrano effetti positivi delle strobilurine sull'attività della nitrato-reduttasi, è stata realizzata una ricerca per verificare la possibilità di utilizzare composti a base di strobilurine per migliorare la produzione della ruchetta e per ridurre i nitrati nelle foglie.La ricerca è stata realizzata nel periodo novembre-aprile presso l'azienda "Troyli" in Basilicata in serra-tunnel, confrontando una tesi che prevedeva applicazioni fogliari di Ortiva (Azoxystrobin) e un controllo senza strobilurina; le due tesi sono state combinate con 2 livelli di N (40 e 140 kg/ha). È stato adottato lo schema sperimentale a split-plot con tre repliche. In totale sono state effettuate 4 raccolte; ad ogni raccolta sono stati rilevati la produzione e i parametri qualitativi delle foglie. L'aumento del livello di N ha determinato un incremento del 15% della produzione commerciabile e del 18% del contenuto di nitrati nella prima e terza raccolta. La strobilurina ha determinato un aumento medio di produzione di circa il 19% e dei parametri ad essa correlati (peso medio piante, LAI, numero foglie). È stato osservato un effetto positivo della strobilurina sul contenuto di clorofilla totale e di carotenoidi totali che, nella raccolta di febbraio sono aumentati, rispettivamente, del 25 e 11%, mentre non è stato influenzato il contenuto di nitrati. La strobilurina, inoltre, ha aumentato significativamente la shelf life, principalmente per il contenimento della Botrytis in pre-raccolta. Considerando gli effetti positivi di questo composto su produzione e shelf life è opportuno approfondire ulteriormente l'aspetto relativo al controllo dei nitrati, andando ad investigare dosi e modalità di applicazione.

The use of natural compounds with antimicrobial activity may be a viable alternative to the use of synthetic fungicides to control pathogens attacking fresh fruit and vegetables during postharvest storage. This paper reports results on the in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity of total and fractionated phenolic extracts obtained from wild edible herbs (Borago officinalis, Orobanche crenata, Plantago coronopus, P. lanceolata, Sanguisorba minor, Silene vulgaris, Sonchus asper, S. oleraceus, and Taraxacum officinale) against some of the most important postharvest diseases: gray mold (Botrytis cinerea), brown rot (Monilinia laxa), blue mold (Penicillium italicum, P. expansum), green mold (P. digitatum), and black mold (Aspergillus carbonarius, A. niger). The extracts obtained from S. minor and O. crenata completely inhibited conidial germination of M. laxa, P. digitatum, P. italicum, and A. niger and greatly reduced that of B. cinerea and P. expansum. The same extracts were tested in vivo on stone fruits (apricots, nectarines, and sweet cherries), oranges, and grapes with good results. Some phenolic compounds present in the extracts were identified as potential active components.

In Italy, the cultivation of wild rocket is still rising due to the increase of the market of minimally processedvegetables that requires innovative and high quality products. The present study focused on the interactive effectof irrigation regimes (IR) and nitrogen (N) supply on yield, water use efficiency (WUE), nitrogen use efficiency(NUE), morphological and quality parameters of wild rocket. The research was carried out on four crop cyclesduring autumn-spring season in Basilicata region, Southern Italy, on wild rocket grown in a plastic greenhouse.Four IR (corresponding to 75, 100, 125 and 150% of crop evapotranspiration, and labelled respectively as I75,I100, I125 and I150) and two N levels (60 and 120 kg ha-1), were compared. The irrigation and N levels affectedproduction traits of wild rocket. The highest yield was obtained by I100, while 8% and 6% decrease in yield wasobserved with I75 and I150, respectively. The greater yield was obtained with the higher N rate, to which contributedfirstly the leaf number and secondly the leaf size. However, the higher N dose provided higher leafnitrate content. Moreover, in conditions of greater water stress occurring in the last two crop cycles of I75, higherN rate adversely affected yield. Lower water and N supply improved phenols, carotenoids and antioxidant activityin rocket leaves. Both yield and biomass WUE increased in water shortage conditions (I75) at 1st crop cycle.Thereafter, both parameters tended to decrease because of the increase of water shortage, indicating that biomassand marketable yield losses were proportionally greater than the amount of water used by crops. Higher Nrate improved WUE, but reduced NUE. The latter parameter was higher in water shortage conditions. Thus,adequate water and N supply are critical factors to ensure economically sustainable production levels and highquality features of wild rocket.

The ability of packaging conditions to preserve the quality of intermediate moisture artichoke (IMA) during storage at different conditions was evaluated. In this aim, artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. subsp. scolymus (L.) Hayek, cv. Locale di Brindisi) heads were deprived of external bracts, cut in quarters, dipped in acid solution (0.5% citric acid and 0.05% ascorbic acid in water) for 30 minutes and blanched at 95 °C for 8 minutes in a 1% citric acid and 1% wine vinegar water solution. After this pretreatment, artichoke pieces were dried with heat pump technology equipment at 55 °C up to 40% weight loss and 22.4 ± 0.5% dry matter and then packed in polypropylene trays sealed with a composite covering plastic in air and active modified atmosphere (MA = 30% CO2 + 70% N2). In order to evaluate postharvest performance, differently packed IMAs were stored at 4 and 20 °C up to 28 days. After 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days in storage, visual and sensorial scores, water activity, sugars (glucose, fructose, and sucrose), total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and total microbial load were evaluated. The results showed that IMA storage in MA packaging conditions at 4 °C was the most effective to preserve physical, sensorial, biochemical and hygienic properties. This innovative "ready to use" product could be of great interest from a commercial point of view due to its excellent nutritional quality, good shelf-life and convenience.

Consumer interest in quick yet healthy food is increasing and the "ready-to-use" artichoke is a tasty, easy,food to prepare with excellent nutraceutical qualities. This study evaluated the postharvest performanceof semi-dried artichoke (SDA) hearts. The product was packaged in air, in modified atmosphere (MA), andin vacuum and stored at 4
C for 40 days. Sensorial, physical, biochemical, and microbiological parameterswere evaluated during that period. The results show that storage in the absence of O2 and in thepresence of a high CO2 percentage (30%) was the most effective method for preserving phytochemicalcontent, antioxidant capacity, and hygienic traits and that SDA packaged in MA could be stored for morethan 30 days. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the postharvest performance of SDA has beenstudied. The results indicate that this innovative product could have great market value due to thepossibility of preserving its qualitative and sensorial proprieties in refrigerated conditions for long periodsof time.

Postharvest treatments with extracts from two wild edible plants (Orobanche crenata and Sanguisorbaminor), water solutions of two inorganic salts (calcium chloride, CaCl2, and sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO3),and their combination (i.e., extracts with added CaCl2 or NaHCO3), were assayed to control sweet cherrypostharvest diseases. Three extract concentrations for each plant were assayed, corresponding to 0.170,0.340, and 0.510 g dry matter/mL and to 0.125, 0.250, and 0.500 g dry matter/mL for S. minor and O.crenata, respectively. At the lowest and the highest concentrations tested, S. minor extract was able toinhibit rot development in stored fruit by 79 and 89%, respectively, with an efficacy comparable to that ofCaCl2 and NaHCO3; for O. crenata extract such inhibition ranged between 64 and 76%, respectively. A doseeffect was observed only for O. crenata. Moreover, the level of control was not improved by the combinedapplication of plant extracts and salts. HPLC analysis of O. crenata extract showed verbascoside as themain phenolic compound, being about 95% of total phenolics; S. minor phenolic pattern appeared to bemore complex, due to the presence of caffeic acid derivatives, quercetin-3-glucoside, kaempferol-3-glucoside and other quercetin, kaempferol, and luteolin derivatives, as well as many other unidentifiedcompounds. Residues of phenolics resulting from plant extracts in treated sweet cherries after storagewere below the analytical limit of detection. The study demonstrated that S. minor and O. crenata extractsmight represent an alternative organic mean for controlling sweet cherry postharvest decay.

Fresh-cut Big Top' nectarines were dipped in 2% (w/v) ascorbic acid-1% (w/v) calcium lactate and stored at 4 degrees C for up to 12days in 10kPa O-2- and 10kPa CO2-modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). The used microperforated plastic film allowed O-2 and CO2 concentrations to reach steady values from the fifth day in storage onwards. Samples stored in MAP after chemical dipping showed the highest visual quality score, slight browning symptoms, increment in firmness and very low ethanol and acetaldehyde content. The chemical dipping also increased antioxidant capacity, probably due to the effect of ascorbic acid. The results suggested that the control of yeasts was mainly exerted by MAP, whereas only a slight effect was achieved by the chemical dipping. Therefore, MAP plus ascorbic acid/calcium lactate dipping was the best combination to preserve phytochemical content, antioxidant capacity and microbiological safety of fresh-cut nectarines during storage.

The postharvest performance of two intermediate moisture fruits, peach(Prunus persica (L.) Batsch 'Giallone') and prune (Prunus domestica L. 'Stanley'),was evaluated. Fruit were washed, cut (peach into slices, prune into halves), stoned,dipped in 2% (w/v in water) acid solutions (ascorbic acid for peach, citric acid forprune), and sonicated in ultrasonic bath with a 45%(w/v in water) fructose solution.After this pretreatment, fruit pieces were dried with heat pump technologyequipment. Semi-dried fruit pieces were packed in polypropylene trays sealed with acomposite covering plastic film with a partial vacuum (P=450 mm Hg) airatmosphere. In order to test postharvest performance in both refrigerated andunrefrigerated conditions, products were stored at 4±1 or 18±1°C for 60 days. After0, 20, 40, and 60 days in storage, visual and sensorial scores, colour, texture, aw,sugars, phenolic content, antioxidant activity, polygalacturonase activity, andmicrobial growth were evaluated. Peach and prune pieces stored in unrefrigeratedconditions showed serious decay symptoms already after 20 days in storage;whereas, semi-dried fruit pieces stored at 4°C preserved their physical, sensorial,biochemical, and microbiological properties until 40 days in storage. After 60 daysin storage, only peaches still maintained minimally acceptable quality; on thecontrary, prunes were unmarketable.

A cationic soluble peroxidase isoenzyme (CysPrx) has been purified and characterized from artichoke (Cynara cardunculus subsp. scolymus (L.) Hegi) leaves by combination of aqueous two phase extraction, ion exchange chromatography, and gel filtration. The purification fold was 149 and the activity recovery 5.5%. CysPrx was stable from 5 to 45 °C with a pH optimum around 5.5; the pI was 8.3 and the MW of 37.7 ± 1.5 kDa. MALDI-TOF MS analysis provided partial peptide sequences and resolved CysPrx isoenzyme into two putative isoforms. The presence of these isoforms was confirmed by the isolation of full-length cDNA encoding CysPrx that generate two slightly different sequences coding for two putative CysPrx: CysPrx1 and CysPrx2. The obtained MS peptides showed a 35% coverage with 100% identity with the two CysPrx deduced protein sequences. A molecular modeling analysis was carried out to predict in silico the protein structure and compare it with other plant Prx structures. Considering that CysPrx is quite stable, the study carried out in this paper will offer new insights for the production of the recombinant protein for utilization of CysPrx as an alternative Prx for food technology, biomedical analysis and bioremediation.

The yeast population dynamics in olive wastewaters (OMW), sampled in five mills from Salento (Apulia, Southern Italy), were investigated. Three hundred yeasts were isolated in five industrial mills and identified by molecular analysis. Strains belonging to Geotrichum, Saccharomyces, Pichia, Rhodotorula and Candida were detected. Five G. candidum strains were able to grow in OMW as the sole carbon source and to reduce phenolics, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and antimicrobial compounds. One G. candidum isolate was selected for whole cell immobilization in calcium alginate gel. The COD and phenolic reduction obtained with immobilized cells showed a 2.2- and 2-fold increase compared to the removal obtained with free cells, respectively. The immobilization system enhanced yeast oxidative activity by avoiding the presence of microbial protease in treated OMW. To our knowledge, this is the first report on G. candidum whole-cell immobilization for OMW bioremediation.

Grey mould diseases caused by Botrytis cinerea are one of the main factorsreducing table grapes postharvest quality. The effect of high CO2 concentrations onsome fruit biochemical parameters in the presence of a high disease pressure wasevaluated. Bunches of 'Italia' table grapes were artificially infected by spraying witha conidial suspension of B. cinerea, packed in polyamide/polyethylene bags in threedifferent initial modified atmosphere (MA) conditions and stored at 3°C for 18 days.Changes in phenolic compounds in both skin and flesh, glucose and fructose content,polygalacturonase (PG) activity, and the incidence of grey mould rots wereevaluated every 6 days during storage. The results showed that high CO2concentrations did not significantly affect PG activity which, on the contrary, wasfound higher in Botrytis-infected samples than in corresponding non-inoculatedsamples. Moreover, in artificially infected samples, a positive correlation betweenhigh CO2 levels associated to the lowest disease incidence and the high concentrationof caftaric acid (the most representative phenolic compound) in the skin, was found.Therefore, it can be assumed that high CO2 concentrations could contribute tomaintain high levels of phenolic compounds in the table grapes' skin, which, in turn,might be involved in counteracting the disease development.

The use of peroxidase (POD) from artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. subsp. scolymus (L.) Hayek) leaves to remove phenols present in olive mill waste water (OMWW) was studied. The enzyme extraction was performed using an aqueous two phase polymer system. The phenol concentration was assayed using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The optimal reaction conditions were evaluated. The highest phenol removal was obtained using 4 mM H(2)O(2) and an incubation of 24 hours. The enzyme showed a good activity in a broad range of pH (from 4 to 7) and temperature (from 5 to 50 degrees C). In optimal enzymatic conditions, a reduction of more than 60% of initial phenol concentration was observed. High pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of OMWW untreated and treated with POD extracts revealed that enzyme treatment brought about changes in the original OMWW polyphenolic profile. In particular the removal of verbascoside, hydroxytyrosol, and two caffeic acid derivatives was noticed. The results showed that the soluble POD from artichoke leaves could have a promising perspective in OMWW phenol removal, due to its broad pH and temperature working range and its cheap source.