The awareness of consumers on the importance of food safety and of potential benefits of many fru... more The awareness of consumers on the importance of food safety and of potential benefits of many fruit and vegetable derived products are, more and more, driving the interest of research institutes and food industries to deepen the knowledge on the quality of raw materials for fresh or processed use or to design food products enriched with nutraceutical substances. Several factors influence composition and quality of food products in pre- and post-harvest stages, such as cultivar and rootstock, agronomical techniques and storage conditions. The possibility to enhance the synthesis of some chemical compounds, in particular nutraceuticals (flavonoids, such as phenols and anthocyanins) is an important strategy in order to obtain foods with high functional activity. The overall aim of the PhD thesis is the evaluation of agronomical and postharvest factors that can influence the qualitative and nutraceutical traits of two important fruit products i.e. blood oranges and pomegranates. These f...
Citrus fruit quality and scion productivity are influenced by the choice of rootstock. We aimed t... more Citrus fruit quality and scion productivity are influenced by the choice of rootstock. We aimed to evaluate the effect of rootstocks on yield and fruit quality of Mandared, a triploid pigmented mandarin. To do so, we established a rootstock field trial on a high pH soil (8.6) in which Mandared was grafted onto 11 rootstocks. These included some standard rootstocks, such as trifoliate orange ((Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.), Troyer citrange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb. × P. trifoliata), Swingle citrumelo (Citrus paradisi Macf. × P. trifoliata), and C35 citrange (C. sinensis × P. trifoliata), as well as new releases from the Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA, Acireale, Italy) and the University of California Riverside (UCR). The cumulative yield was measured over five consecutive years, while fruit quality was analyzed for two years. The trees on C35, C57 (Citrus sunki Hort. ex. Tan. × P. trifoliata), and C22 (C. sunki × P. trifoliata), started to set fruits one year...
Among minor fruit tree species, pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) has gained an increased importan... more Among minor fruit tree species, pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) has gained an increased importance since several studies have indicated the health potential of its juice. However, its consumption is not very widespread mainly due to the difficulty of extracting the edible part. For this reason, in the last years several studies focused on the possibility to obtain ready-to-eat arils in order to fit the consumer requirements. In the present work we evaluated the aptitude of some local cultivars grown in Sicily to be used for this purpose; also an assessment of the microbiological profiles of the obtained products was performed. Fruits of 'Primosole' and 'PG-CT5' local accessions were processed with a commercial pomegranate arils separator (Pomeke ltd). Arils were subjected to different washing solution treatments (distilled water, chlorinated water and citric acid solution); an unwashed sample was used as control. After washing, arils, packed in polypropylene trays, were sealed under normal atmosphere, stored up to 15 days at 4°C and 75% R.H., and analyzed after 0, 5, 10 and 15 d of storage. The respiration rate of the pomegranate arils in packages, as expected, showed a remarkable increase during the storage period for all samples. Slight differences were observed among washing treatments for qualitative traits. Microbial counts of ready-to-eat arils were in compliance with the recommended microbial limits of total plate counts, proposed by CNERNA-CNRS guideline for fresh-cut vegetables, throughout the considered storage time.
Tarocco ''Sant'Alfio " is a late ripening blood orange cultivar. Blood oranges are more and more ... more Tarocco ''Sant'Alfio " is a late ripening blood orange cultivar. Blood oranges are more and more appreciated from consumers for their high nutraceutical value due to the presence of bioactive compounds including vitamin C, polyphenols, flavonoids and hydroxycinnamic acids. The aim of this work is to set up a reliable protocol for postharvest storage of the very-late Tarocco ''Sant'Alfio " orange to prolong the availability of this product in the market to be used for fresh chilled orange juice production. Fruits were subjected to three storage treatments (20 days at 1 °C plus 50 days at 4 °C; 70 days at 4 °C; 70 days at 20 °C). The results indicate that cold treatments, in particular at 4 °C constantly, can extend Tarocco ''Sant'Alfio " shelf life enhancing total anthocyanin content. The defined protocols allow prolonging market availability of a high value product and could induce relevant benefits for the citrus industry and consumers.
Several studies in citrus-producing countries are currently being carried out to select and evalu... more Several studies in citrus-producing countries are currently being carried out to select and evaluate rootstocks that are tolerant to Citrus Tristeza Virus (CTV) and can be adopted in different citrus production areas. An evaluation of rootstock suitability must consider the productive and qualitative features as well as the adaptability to varied environmental conditions (i.e., soil characteristics). Additionally, some varieties present qualitative aspects that are appreciated by consumers but can be affected by the use of different rootstocks. In Italy, the qualitative traits of pigmented or blood oranges, which are characterized by the presence of anthocyanins in the peel and flesh, are strongly influenced by several factors, including the scion/rootstock combination. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the influence of ten rootstocks on yield precocity and fruit quality of 'Tarocco Scirè' pigmented sweet orange in a Sicilian area within the Protected Geographical Indication (GPI) " Arancia Rossa di Sicilia " production district. Five of the ten rootstocks, namely, 'Bitters', 'Carpenter', 'Furr', 'F6P12 ® ' and 'F6P13′, have recently been released and produced good yields in limiting soil conditions. In this study, the important role of rootstock in determining the organoleptic quality, specifically the sugar content, and the anthocyanin concentrations in both the pulp and the juice was demonstrated. Some of the rootstocks that were recently introduced in Italy, i.e., 'Bitters' and 'Furr', were promising because they positively influenced several agronomic and qualitative parameters in the tested conditions, positively affected the yield precocity and enhanced the fruit juice anthocyanin content. Overall, these results contribute to the assessment of the role of different rootstocks in the post-CTV Italian citrus industry.
'Tarocco Sant'Alfio' [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] is a late ripening sweet orange cultivar belon... more 'Tarocco Sant'Alfio' [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] is a late ripening sweet orange cultivar belonging to the so called " blood oranges ". These fruits are more and more appreciated from consumers for their high nutraceutical value due to the presence of anthocyanins in the flesh. Recently, cold treatment in sweet orange has received more attention due to its usefulness for accomplishing phytosanitary exportation rules, allowing Italian citrus fruit to be sent to Japan and the USA. In addition, cold treatments are useful for increasing pigmentation levels in the fruit. The aim of this work was to define a reliable protocol for postharvest storage of the very-late 'Tarocco Sant'Alfio' blood orange to prolong the availability of this product in the market to be used for fresh squeezed orange juice production. Fruits were subjected to three storage treatments (20 days at 1°C plus 50 days at 4°C; 70 days at 4°C; 70 days at 20°C, as control). The results indicate that cold treatments, in particular at 4°C constantly, can extend 'Tarocco Sant'Alfio' shelf life and might enhance its qualitative value determining an increase of total anthocyanin content in the flesh. The defined protocols allow prolonging market availability of such a high value product till late June with relevant benefits for the citrus industry and advantages for consumers.
The awareness of consumers on the importance of food safety and of potential benefits of many fru... more The awareness of consumers on the importance of food safety and of potential benefits of many fruit and vegetable derived products are, more and more, driving the interest of research institutes and food industries to deepen the knowledge on the quality of raw materials for fresh or processed use or to design food products enriched with nutraceutical substances. Several factors influence composition and quality of food products in pre- and post-harvest stages, such as cultivar and rootstock, agronomical techniques and storage conditions. The possibility to enhance the synthesis of some chemical compounds, in particular nutraceuticals (flavonoids, such as phenols and anthocyanins) is an important strategy in order to obtain foods with high functional activity. The overall aim of the PhD thesis is the evaluation of agronomical and postharvest factors that can influence the qualitative and nutraceutical traits of two important fruit products i.e. blood oranges and pomegranates. These f...
Citrus fruit quality and scion productivity are influenced by the choice of rootstock. We aimed t... more Citrus fruit quality and scion productivity are influenced by the choice of rootstock. We aimed to evaluate the effect of rootstocks on yield and fruit quality of Mandared, a triploid pigmented mandarin. To do so, we established a rootstock field trial on a high pH soil (8.6) in which Mandared was grafted onto 11 rootstocks. These included some standard rootstocks, such as trifoliate orange ((Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.), Troyer citrange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb. × P. trifoliata), Swingle citrumelo (Citrus paradisi Macf. × P. trifoliata), and C35 citrange (C. sinensis × P. trifoliata), as well as new releases from the Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA, Acireale, Italy) and the University of California Riverside (UCR). The cumulative yield was measured over five consecutive years, while fruit quality was analyzed for two years. The trees on C35, C57 (Citrus sunki Hort. ex. Tan. × P. trifoliata), and C22 (C. sunki × P. trifoliata), started to set fruits one year...
Among minor fruit tree species, pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) has gained an increased importan... more Among minor fruit tree species, pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) has gained an increased importance since several studies have indicated the health potential of its juice. However, its consumption is not very widespread mainly due to the difficulty of extracting the edible part. For this reason, in the last years several studies focused on the possibility to obtain ready-to-eat arils in order to fit the consumer requirements. In the present work we evaluated the aptitude of some local cultivars grown in Sicily to be used for this purpose; also an assessment of the microbiological profiles of the obtained products was performed. Fruits of 'Primosole' and 'PG-CT5' local accessions were processed with a commercial pomegranate arils separator (Pomeke ltd). Arils were subjected to different washing solution treatments (distilled water, chlorinated water and citric acid solution); an unwashed sample was used as control. After washing, arils, packed in polypropylene trays, were sealed under normal atmosphere, stored up to 15 days at 4°C and 75% R.H., and analyzed after 0, 5, 10 and 15 d of storage. The respiration rate of the pomegranate arils in packages, as expected, showed a remarkable increase during the storage period for all samples. Slight differences were observed among washing treatments for qualitative traits. Microbial counts of ready-to-eat arils were in compliance with the recommended microbial limits of total plate counts, proposed by CNERNA-CNRS guideline for fresh-cut vegetables, throughout the considered storage time.
Tarocco ''Sant'Alfio " is a late ripening blood orange cultivar. Blood oranges are more and more ... more Tarocco ''Sant'Alfio " is a late ripening blood orange cultivar. Blood oranges are more and more appreciated from consumers for their high nutraceutical value due to the presence of bioactive compounds including vitamin C, polyphenols, flavonoids and hydroxycinnamic acids. The aim of this work is to set up a reliable protocol for postharvest storage of the very-late Tarocco ''Sant'Alfio " orange to prolong the availability of this product in the market to be used for fresh chilled orange juice production. Fruits were subjected to three storage treatments (20 days at 1 °C plus 50 days at 4 °C; 70 days at 4 °C; 70 days at 20 °C). The results indicate that cold treatments, in particular at 4 °C constantly, can extend Tarocco ''Sant'Alfio " shelf life enhancing total anthocyanin content. The defined protocols allow prolonging market availability of a high value product and could induce relevant benefits for the citrus industry and consumers.
Several studies in citrus-producing countries are currently being carried out to select and evalu... more Several studies in citrus-producing countries are currently being carried out to select and evaluate rootstocks that are tolerant to Citrus Tristeza Virus (CTV) and can be adopted in different citrus production areas. An evaluation of rootstock suitability must consider the productive and qualitative features as well as the adaptability to varied environmental conditions (i.e., soil characteristics). Additionally, some varieties present qualitative aspects that are appreciated by consumers but can be affected by the use of different rootstocks. In Italy, the qualitative traits of pigmented or blood oranges, which are characterized by the presence of anthocyanins in the peel and flesh, are strongly influenced by several factors, including the scion/rootstock combination. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the influence of ten rootstocks on yield precocity and fruit quality of 'Tarocco Scirè' pigmented sweet orange in a Sicilian area within the Protected Geographical Indication (GPI) " Arancia Rossa di Sicilia " production district. Five of the ten rootstocks, namely, 'Bitters', 'Carpenter', 'Furr', 'F6P12 ® ' and 'F6P13′, have recently been released and produced good yields in limiting soil conditions. In this study, the important role of rootstock in determining the organoleptic quality, specifically the sugar content, and the anthocyanin concentrations in both the pulp and the juice was demonstrated. Some of the rootstocks that were recently introduced in Italy, i.e., 'Bitters' and 'Furr', were promising because they positively influenced several agronomic and qualitative parameters in the tested conditions, positively affected the yield precocity and enhanced the fruit juice anthocyanin content. Overall, these results contribute to the assessment of the role of different rootstocks in the post-CTV Italian citrus industry.
'Tarocco Sant'Alfio' [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] is a late ripening sweet orange cultivar belon... more 'Tarocco Sant'Alfio' [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] is a late ripening sweet orange cultivar belonging to the so called " blood oranges ". These fruits are more and more appreciated from consumers for their high nutraceutical value due to the presence of anthocyanins in the flesh. Recently, cold treatment in sweet orange has received more attention due to its usefulness for accomplishing phytosanitary exportation rules, allowing Italian citrus fruit to be sent to Japan and the USA. In addition, cold treatments are useful for increasing pigmentation levels in the fruit. The aim of this work was to define a reliable protocol for postharvest storage of the very-late 'Tarocco Sant'Alfio' blood orange to prolong the availability of this product in the market to be used for fresh squeezed orange juice production. Fruits were subjected to three storage treatments (20 days at 1°C plus 50 days at 4°C; 70 days at 4°C; 70 days at 20°C, as control). The results indicate that cold treatments, in particular at 4°C constantly, can extend 'Tarocco Sant'Alfio' shelf life and might enhance its qualitative value determining an increase of total anthocyanin content in the flesh. The defined protocols allow prolonging market availability of such a high value product till late June with relevant benefits for the citrus industry and advantages for consumers.
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