Abstract
UV-C (180–280 nm) has been shown to extend the postharvest shelf-life of many horticulture crops. In this study, Tahitian limes (Citrus latifolia) were exposed to 0, 3.4, 7.2 and 10.5 kJ m−2 UV-C then stored for 28 days in air at 10 °C and 80% RH. Weight loss, peel colour, calyx abscission, ethylene production, respiration rate, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA) and acceptability index were assessed. The results showed that UV-C treatment maintained lime peel green colour and retained calyx attachment after 28 days storage. UV-C treatment also affected endogenous ethylene production and respiration rate, where the highest UV-C treatment (10.5 kJ m−2) maintained low ethylene production and low respiration rates after 28 days storage with no differences between the different UV-C intensities. In terms of fruit acceptability, limes were exposed to 10.5 kJ m−2 UV-C had a 60% acceptability index after 28 days storage, while untreated control fruit retained acceptability of 39%. In general, the pre-storage UV-C treatments did not affect fruit weight loss, TSS or TA contents during storage.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aiamla-or S, Kaewsuksaeng S, Shigyo M, Yamauchi N (2010) Impact of UV-B irradiation on chlorophyll degradation and chlorophyll-degrading enzyme activities in stored broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. Italica Group) florets. Food Chem 120:645–651. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2009.10.056
Artés-Hernández F, Escalona VH, Robles PA, Martínez-Hernández GB, Artés F (2009) Effect of UV-C radiation on quality of minimally processed spinach leaves. J Sci Food Agric 89:414–421. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.3460
Baka M, Mercier J, Corcuff R, Castaigne F, Arul J (1999) Photochemical treatment to improve storability of fresh strawberries. J Food Sci 64:1068–1072. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2621.1999.tb12284.x
Bu JW, Yu YC, Aisikaer G, Ying TJ (2013) Postharvest UV-C irradiation inhibits the production of ethylene and the activity of cell wall-degrading enzymes during softening of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) fruit. Postharvest Biol Technol 86:337–345. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2013.07.026
Buchert AM, Civello PM, Martinez GA (2011) Effect of hot air, UV-C, white light and modified atmosphere treatments on expression of chlorophyll degrading genes in postharvest broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.) florets. Sci Hort 127:214–219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2010.11.001
Burns JK (2016) Lime. In: Gross NC, Wang CY, Salveit M (eds) The commercial storage of fruits, vegetables, and florist and nursery stocks. USDA, ARS, Washington, pp 390–391
Charles MT, Arul J, Charlebois D, Yaganza ES, Rolland D, Roussel D, Merisier MJ (2016) Postharvest UV-C treatment of tomato fruits: changes in simple sugars and organic acids contents during storage. LWT Food Sci Technol 65:557–564. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2015.08.055
Cosme Silva GM, Silva WB, Medeiros DB, Salvador AR, Cordeiro MHM, da Silva NM, Santana DB, Mizobutsi GP (2017) The chitosan affects severely the carbon metabolism in mango (Mangifera indica L. cv. Palmer) fruit during storage. Food Chem 237:372–378. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2017.05.123
Costa L, Vicente AR, Civello PM, Chaves AR, Martinez GA (2006) UV-C treatment delays postharvest senescence in broccoli florets. Postharvest Biol Technol 39:204–210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2005.10.012
D’hallewin G, Schirra M, Manueddu E, Piga A, Ben-Yehoshua S (1999) Scoparone and scopoletin accumulation and ultraviolet-C induced resistance to postharvest decay in oranges as influenced by harvest date. J Am Soc Hortic Sci 124:702–707
Daiuto ER, Vieites RL, Remocoldi MA, Carvalho LR, Fumes JGF (2013) Postharvest of ‘Hass’ avocados submitted to UV-C radiation. Rev Colomb Cienc Hortic 7:149–160
D’Hallewin G, Schirra M, Pala M, Ben-Yehoshua S (2000) Ultraviolet C irradiation at 0.5 kJ/m2 reduces decay without causing damage or affecting postharvest quality of star ruby grapefruit (C. paradisi Macf.). J Agric Food Chem 48:4571–4575. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf000559i
Eaks IL (1970) Respiratory response, ethylene production, and response to ethylene of citrus fruit during ontogeny. Plant Physiol 45:334–338
Erdinc BAL, Demir KOK (2009) Effects of UV-C treatment on kiwifruit quality during storage period. J Centr Eur Agric 10:375–382
Guerrero-Beltrán JA, Barbosa-Cánovas GV (2004) Reviews: advantages and limitations on processing foods by UV light. Food Sci Technol Int 10:137–147. https://doi.org/10.1177/1082013204044359
Imaizumi T, Yamauchi M, Sekiya M, Shimonishi Y, Tanaka F (2018) Responses of phytonutrients and tissue condition in persimmon and cucumber to postharvest UV-C irradiation. Postharvest Biol Technol 145:33–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2018.06.003
Jonglertjunya W, Juntong T, Pakkang N, Srimarut N, Sakdaronnarong C (2014) Properties of lignin extracted from sugarcane bagasse and its efficacy in maintaining postharvest quality of limes during storage. LWT Food Sci Technol 57:116–125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2013.11.042
Kaewsuksaeng S, Urano Y, Aiamla-or S, Shigyo M, Yamauchi N (2011) Effect of UV-B irradiation on chlorophyll-degrading enzyme activities and postharvest quality in stored lime (Citrus latifolia Tan.) fruit. Postharvest Biol Technol 61:124–130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2011.02.014
Kaewsuksaeng S, Tatmala N, Srilaong V, Pongprasert N (2015) Postharvest heat treatment delays chlorophyll degradation and maintains quality in Thai lime (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle cv. Paan) fruit. Postharvest Biol Technol 100:1–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2014.09.020
Liu LH, Zabaras D, Bennett LE, Aguas P, Woonton BW (2009) Effects of UV-C, red light and sun light on the carotenoid content and physical qualities of tomatoes during post-harvest storage. Food Chem 115:495–500. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2008.12.042
Lu JY, Stevens C, Khan VA, Kabwe M, Wilson CL (1991) The effect of ultraviolet irradiation on shelf-life and ripening of peaches and apples. J Food Qual 14:299–305. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-4557.1991.tb00070.x
Mercier J, Baka M, Reddy B, Corcuff R, Arul J (2001) Shortwave ultraviolet irradiation for control of decay caused by Botrytis cinerea in bell pepper: induced resistance and germicidal effects. J Am Soc Hortic Sci 126:128–133
Opio P, Jitareerat P, Pongprasert N, Wongs-Aree C, Suzuki Y, Srilaong V (2017) Efficacy of hot water immersion on lime (Citrus auranifolia, Swingle cv. Paan) fruit packed with ethanol vapor in delaying chlorophyll catabolism. Sci Hort 224:258–264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2017.06.034
Pinheiro J, Alegria C, Abreu M, Gonçalves EM, Silva CL (2015) Use of UV-C postharvest treatment for extending fresh whole tomato (Solanum lycopersicum, cv. Zinac) shelf-life. J Food Sci Technol 52:5066–5074. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-014-1550-0
Pristijono P, Papoutsis K, Scarlett CJ, Bowyer MC, Vuong QV, Stathopoulos CE, Golding JB (2017a) Postharvest UV-C treatment combined with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), followed by storage in continuous low-level ethylene atmosphere, improves the quality of tomatoes. J Hortic Sci Biotechnol 92:521–529. https://doi.org/10.1080/14620316.2017.1300512
Pristijono P, Scarlett CJ, Bowyer MC, Vuong QV, Stathopoulos CE, Jessup AJ, Golding JB (2017b) Use of low-pressure storage to improve the quality of tomatoes. J Hortic Sci Biotechnol 92:583–590. https://doi.org/10.1080/14620316.2017.1301222
Pristijono P, Bowyer MC, Scarlett CJ, Vuong QV, Stathopoulos CE, Golding JB (2018a) Combined postharvest UV-C and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment, followed by storage continuously in low level of ethylene atmosphere improves the quality of Tahitian limes. J Food Sci Technol 55:2467–2475. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-018-3164-4
Pristijono P, Bowyer MC, Scarlett CJ, Vuong QV, Stathopoulos CE, Golding JB (2018b) Effect of UV-C irradiation on sprouting of potatoes in storage. Acta Hortic 1194:475–478. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2018.1194.69
Pristijono P, Golding JB, Bowyer MC (2019) Postharvest UV-C treatment, followed by storage in a continuous low-level ethylene atmosphere, maintains the quality of ‘Kensington pride’ mango fruit stored at 20 °C. Horticulturae 5:1. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae5010001
Srilaong V, Aiamla-or S, Soontornwat A, Shigyo M, Yamauchi N (2011) UV-B irradiation retards chlorophyll degradation in lime (Citrus latifolia Tan.) fruit. Postharvest Biol Technol 59:110–112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2010.07.006
Stevens C, Liu J, Khan VA, Lu JY, Wilson CL, Igwegbe ECK, Kabwe MK, Chalutz E, Droby S (1998) Application of hormetic UV-C for delayed ripening and reduction of rhizopus soft rot in tomatoes: the effect of tomatine on storage rot development. J Phytopathol 146:211. https://doi.org/10.1111/1439-0434.ep6402166
Stitt M, Steup M (1985) Starch and sucrose degradation. In: Douce R, Day DD (eds) Encyclopedia of plant physiology higher plant cell respiration. Springer, Berlin
Tiecher A, de Paula LA, Chaves FC, Rombaldi CV (2013) UV-C effect on ethylene, polyamines and the regulation of tomato fruit ripening. Postharvest Biol Technol 86:230–239. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2013.07.016
Van Dijk C, Boeriu C, Peter F, Stolle-Smits T, Tijskens LMM (2006) The firmness of stored tomatoes (cv. Tradiro). 1. Kinetic and near infrared models to describe firmness and moisture loss. J Food Eng 77:575–584. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2005.07.029
Vicente AR, Pineda C, Lemoine L, Civello PM, Martinez GA, Chaves AR (2005) UV-C treatments reduce decay, retain quality and alleviate chilling injury in pepper. Postharvest Biol Technol 35:69–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2004.06.001
Win TO, Srilaong V, Heyes J, Kyu KL, Kanlayanarat S (2006) Effects of different concentrations of 1-MCP on the yellowing of West Indian lime (Citrus aurantifolia, Swingle) fruit. Postharvest Biol Technol 42:23–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2006.05.005
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the University of Newcastle, Australian Research Council (ARC) Training Centre for Food and Beverage Supply Chain Optimisation (IC140100032) and NSW Department of Primary Industries.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Pristijono, P., Bowyer, M.C., Papoutsis, K. et al. Improving the storage quality of Tahitian limes (Citrus latifolia) by pre-storage UV-C irradiation. J Food Sci Technol 56, 1438–1444 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-019-03623-x
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-019-03623-x