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Title of the Paper: An Extensive Survey of the Impact of Tropospheric Ozone on the Biochemical Properties of Edible Plants
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Authors: Antonia Psaroudaki
Abstract: Tropospheric ozone is an important atmospheric pollutant, which affects significantly the growth and yield of cultivated plants. The phytotoxic impact of ozone has serious economic repercussions on farming. In the area of Eastern Mediterranean, tropospheric ozone values are significantly increased during the vegetation period. However, ozone causes variations on the quantities of nutrients of edible plants, thus influencing their nutritional value to man. In the present paper , an overview of the acquired knowledge on the impact of ozone on nutritional value of edible plants is presented. More particularly, ozone impact on the nutritional value of potato (Solanum tuberosum), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), wheat (Triticum spp), spinach (Spinacia oleracea) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is presented and analyzed. In leafy vegetables are presented reductions in micronutrient components (vitamins, inorganic constitutive), while in the fruits and in the tubers are presented fluctuations mainly in the makronutrient components (proteins, carbohydrates). Changes in other components as antioxydant, antinutritional factors are also observed. The consequences in the Mediterranean diet when using these plants is discussed.
Keywords: Tropospheric ozone, Edible plants, Solanum tuberosum, Triticum spp, Lactuca sativa, Spinacia oleracea, Lycopersicon esculentum, Biochemical properties, Nutritional value
Title of the Paper: Sustainable Postharvest Handling of Horticultural Products
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Authors: Dulce Antunes, Graça Miguel, Alcinda Neves
Abstract: Sustainable commercial horticultural success depends on satisfying consumer requirements. Fresh fruits and vegetables are important components of human food. However, horticultural products are highly perishable and losses can be of great importance if postharvest correct measures are not provided. Quality of fresh horticultural products can not be improved by postharvest technologies, only can be maintained, what means horticultural products must be of high quality at harvest. There is a worldwide trend to explore new alternatives to increase storage life, giving priority to methods that reduce horticultural product decay avoiding negative effects to human health and environment. The objective of our research was to apply environmental and human health friendly techniques to preserve fresh fruit quality through storage. Figs, apricots, oranges, pomegranates and kiwifruits were treated with sodium bicarbonate, calcium chloride, acetic acid or subjected to modified atmosphere packaging to increase their storage life with minimal quality loss, as well as damage to human health and environment. The use of these treatments and techniques gave a great performance in the reduction of fruit losses, weight loss and fruit softening. Postharvest techniques such as modified atmosphere and calcium, sodium bicarbonate and acetic acid treatments, when applied in adequate concentrations, help to keep fruit quality through storage, without damaging the environment and human health. The benefit of each treatment depends on the type of fruit.
Keywords: Food safety, storage, human health, sustainability, postharvest technologies.
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