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Seriguela (Spondias purpurea L.) is a tropical climacteric fruit characterized by high metabolic activity and rapid postharvest deterioration, which limits its shelf life and commercial distribution. Non-thermal technologies such as ultraviolet-C (UV-C) irradiation have been explored to delay ripening and improve the quality of fresh produce; however, information on the response of S. purpurea to UV-C treatment remains limited. This study evaluated the effects of different UV-C doses (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 kJ·m−2) on the postharvest quality and antioxidant properties of seriguela fruits stored at ambient temperature for eight days. Physical, physicochemical, and functional parameters were analyzed, including mass loss, firmness, color attributes (L*, chroma, and hue angle), soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, vitamin C, total phenolics, and antioxidant activity (DPPH and ABTS). UV-C treatment significantly affected most quality attributes during storage. Intermediate doses (1–4 kJ·m−2) reduced mass loss, delayed softening, and improved color stability compared with untreated fruits. In addition, UV-C irradiation promoted the accumulation of bioactive compounds, with higher vitamin C levels at 1 kJ·m−2 and increased phenolic content and antioxidant activity at 2–4 kJ·m−2. Multivariate analysis confirmed that intermediate UV-C doses were associated with better preservation of overall fruit quality.

Postharvest studies on Cerrado fruits remain scarce, and the use of LED light during storage is a recent and promising strategy. Cagaita (Eugenia dysenterica DC.), a native Cerrado fruit with high nutritional and economic value, is also highly perishable, which limits its marketability. This study evaluated the postharvest quality of cagaita fruits stored under LED light of different wavelengths. Fruits were exposed to red, green, blue, or white LEDs, or kept in the dark (control), under continuous illumination (24 h per day) for 5 days at room temperature (25.7 ± 2 °C). Green LED light significantly (p < 0.05) increased lightness, chroma, vitamin C, and antioxidant activity (DPPH assay), while maintaining a more stable pH compared with the control and, in some cases, other LED treatments. Overall, green LED was the most effective treatment for preserving the physicochemical and bioactive quality of cagaita fruits during storage. These findings provide evidence that LED light can help extend shelf life and enhance the market potential of this native Cerrado fruit.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical, chemical and bioactive behavior of the tomatoes of the commercialized tomato at the Central of Supply of Goiás at different times of the year and stored for 15 days in ambient conditions and propose the construction of a model to estimate the content of lycopene from the coloring of the fruits. Seven monthly collections of tomatoes were carried out between February and August. The fruits were evaluated for color, firmness, fresh weight loss, titratable acidity, pH, soluble solids, lycopene, total extractable polyphenols, and antioxidant activity. The variation of brightness and firmness were inversely proportional to the storage time. The linear regression model generated from the correlation between the red color and the lycopene content can be used to estimate the lycopene value of the fruits. Future work may be carried out for developing non-destructive models of determination of lycopene for industrial tomato.

By-products of fruit processing may contain bioactive compounds with potential application as bioinputs. This study optimized the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of phenolic compounds from the by-products of Eugenia dysenterica DC (Myrtaceae) fruit to obtain bioinputs with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antibiofilm activities. The fruit by-products (seeds and peels) were subjected to UAE optimization using the Box–Behnken design and response surface methodology. Two optimal conditions were defined: 1-plant material/solvent ratio of 0.01 g/mL, time of 40 min, and ethanol content of 30%; 2–0.19 g/mL, 39 min, and 46%. The bioinputs (liquid extract—LQE; lyophilized extract—LYE), obtained under the optimal conditions, were tested for antioxidant activity (ABTS, FRAP, and DPPH). LQE: 1633.13 µM Trolox/g, 1633.60 µM FeSO4/g and 73.35 g sample/g DPPH; LYE: 1379.75 µM Trolox/g, 1692.09 µM FeSO4/g and 83.35 g sample/g DPPH. For antimicrobial activity, both extracts presented MBC < 62.5 mg/mL and MIC and MBC of 2.5 mg/mL for P. aeruginosa. LQE presented antibiofilm action for S. coagulase (50 mg/mL) and Streptococcus spp. (12.5 mg/mL); LYE for P. aeruginosa (50 mg/mL; 12.5 mg/mL), E. coli (25 mg/mL). The bioinputs obtained by UAE under optimized conditions for phenolic compounds present antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antibiofilm activities.

Background: Eugenia involucrata DC., a Cerrado native plant, is recognized for its medicinal properties. However, its bioactive compounds remain inadequately explored. Objectives: This study investigated bioactive compounds from a standardized liquid extract from E. involucrata leaves that can act with antioxidant, cytogenotoxic, cytoprotective, and genoprotective effects. Methods: The phenolic compounds in the standardized liquid extract from E. involucrata leaves were screened by HPLC-DAD. The capture of the free radicals DPPH, ABTS+, and the metal reduction power FRAP determined the antioxidant potential. Cytotoxicity was evaluated in RAW 264.7 macrophages (MTT assay), and (anti)cytotoxic and (anti)genotoxic effects were assessed in human lymphocytes using the Trypan blue exclusion method and comet assay, respectively. Results: The extracts present key phenolic compounds, such as ellagic acid, myricitrin, and epicatechin gallate. The standardized extract demonstrated antioxidant capacity, evidenced by its ability to reduce iron and scavenge free radicals. The liquid extract from E. involucrata leaves exhibited cytotoxic effects on RAW 264.7 macrophages at higher concentrations, while demonstrating (anti)cytotoxic activity on human lymphocytes from all tested concentrations. The highest concentration tested of the standardized liquid extract from E. involucrata leaves (250 µg/mL) showed genotoxicity against human lymphocytes compared to the negative control. In contrast, the lowest concentration (62.5 µg/mL) exhibited an antigenotoxic effect on human lymphocytes, reducing the genotoxicity of doxorubicin by approximately 27%. Conclusions: The bioactive compounds in the standardized liquid extract from E. involucrata leaves exhibited antioxidant and antigenotoxic properties, suggesting potential value for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications, particularly those related to oxidative stress associated withaging and disease progression.

Unconventional food plants emerge in a context where people increasingly care about living healthier. Among these plants, the snake gourd (Trichosanthes cucumerina) of Asian origin and belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family, produces fruits that can reach more than 1 m in length. This study aimed to physiochemically characterize the fruits in different lengths and harvest times. The fruits were harvested with the following lengths: between 0.2-0.35 m, 0.45-0.6 m, and 0.7-0.85 m; and at the following times: 115 and 135 days after planting. The attributes evaluated were soluble solids, titratable acidity, vitamin C, firmness, pH, dry matter, antioxidant activity, and polyphenols. The fruits of meter okra with 0.2-0.35 m and 0.45-0.6 m presented better color characteristics, greener, brighter, and With greater saturation. In addition, they presented higher values of soluble solids and lower firmness. At 115 days after planting, the fruits showed higher values of vitamin C, better color, lower acidity, and higher soluble solids content. Thus, we conclude that the fruits should be harvested with a maximum of 0.6 m and up to 115 days after planting.

Dragon fruit cultivation in Brazil has been growing and the increase in consumption is associated with the nutritional benefits and attractiveness of the fruit. However, information on the fruit postharvest behavior relative to its conservation potential and technologies is incipient. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the postharvest quality of red dragon fruit submitted to different doses of UV-C radiation. The fruits were obtained from a commercial orchard in the rural area of Piracanjuba-GO, Brazil. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design in a 4x9 factorial scheme, with four radiation doses (0, 1.81, 3.62, and 7.24 kJ m-2) and nine days of analysis (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 days). After radiation, one fruit was packed per low-density polyethylene (LDPE) package, which was refrigerated and stored in a BOD at 8±1 °C and 60±4% RH. Weight loss, postharvest conservation, soluble solids content, pH, titratable acidity, maturation index, color (°hue and chroma), betacyanins, and carotenoids were evaluated. The data were subjected to analysis of variance (P<0.05) and, when significant, to regression analysis. The dose of 1.81 kJ m-2 stood out for maintaining the red dragon fruit quality. The red dragon fruit, whether or not treated with UV-C radiation, packed in LDPE, can be maintained refrigerated for up to 21 days without deteriorating.

This study aimed to verify the effect of the association between refrigeration and packaging on the preservation of postharvest quality of pitombas during storage. The fruits were harvested, transported to the laboratory, where they were selected, washed with neutral detergent and drinking water, and left to dry. Subsequently, the fruits packed in polypropylene (PP), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) + expanded polystyrene (EPS), and no packaging (Control). After this process, they were stored at temperatures of 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14±1 °C at 75±5% relative humidity (RH). The fruits were evaluated during 12 days for postharvest preservation, firmness, soluble solids content, pH, hue angle and chroma of the peel, with three replications of 10 fruits each, using a completely randomized design in a 5 × 5 × 7 factorial scheme (5 temperatures × 5 packages × 7 days of analysis). The results were subjected to analysis of variance (P≤0.05) and, when significant, the means were compared using the Scott-Knott test and regression at a 5% significance level. The use of LDPE packaging associated with refrigeration at 6 °C can be used to store pitombas for 12 days, as these conditions preserved the evaluated parameters, guaranteeing fruit quality.

This study aimed to verify the effect of the association between refrigeration and packaging on the preservation of postharvest quality of pitombas during storage. The fruits were harvested, transported to the laboratory, where they were selected, washed with neutral detergent and drinking water, and left to dry. Subsequently, the fruits packed in polypropylene (PP), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) + expanded polystyrene (EPS), and no packaging (Control). After this process, they were stored at temperatures of 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14±1 °C at 75±5% relative humidity (RH). The fruits were evaluated during 12 days for postharvest preservation, firmness, soluble solids content, pH, hue angle and chroma of the peel, with three replications of 10 fruits each, using a completely randomized design in a 5 × 5 × 7 factorial scheme (5 temperatures × 5 packages × 7 days of analysis). The results were subjected to analysis of variance (P<0.05) and, when significant, the means were compared using the Scott-Knott test and regression at a 5% significance level. The use of LDPE packaging associated with refrigeration at 6 °C can be used to store pitombas for 12 days, as these conditions preserved the evaluated parameters, guaranteeing fruit quality.

O cultivo de pitaia no Brasil é crescente e a elevação do consumo está associada aos benefícios nutritivos e a atratividade do fruto. Entretanto, são incipientes as informações sobre o comportamento pós-colheita dos frutos, em relação ao potencial e tecnologias de conservação. Nesse aspecto, objetivou-se avaliar a qualidade pós-colheita de pitaia vermelha submetida a diferentes doses de radiação UV-C. Os frutos foram adquiridos no pomar comercial na zona rural de Piracanjuba-GO. O experimento foi realizado em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 4x9, sendo quatro doses de radiação (0; 1,81; 3,62 e 7,24 kJ m-2) e nove dias de análise (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 e 16 dias). Após a radiação, os frutos foram acondicionados em embalagens de polietileno de baixa densidade (PEBD), com 1 fruto em cada, sendo refrigerados e armazenados em incubadora tipo B.O.D. à 8±1°C, com 60±4% de UR. Foram avaliadas: perda de massa, conservação pós-colheita, teor de sólidos solúveis, pH, acidez titulável, índice de maturação, coloração (°Hue, Croma), betacianinas e carotenoides. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância (P≤0,05) e, quando significativos, foi realizada a análise de regressão. A dose de 1,81 kJ m-2 destacou-se na manutenção da qualidade do fruto de pitaia vermelha. As pitaias tratadas ou não com radiação UV-C, embaladas em PEBD, podem ser conservadas refrigeradas por até 21 dias sem apresentar deterioração.