Some Processing Steps and Uses of Cashew Apples: A Review

In addition to the cashew nut, which is the main product, the cashew tree also produces the cashew apple which is considered a by-product. The cashew apple has a high nutritional potential. Indeed, it is rich in vitamin C, carotenoids, dietary fibers, vitamins, sugars and mineral elements where are essential for human nutrition. In addition to its nutritional quality, the cashew apple has technological advantages: the edible part of the fruit is between 85% and 100% higher than that of other traditional tropical fruits, and its juicy and sweet flesh is free of seeds or pits. In addition, very large volumes are available. As a result, the development of this fruit represents a considerable economic challenge. This paper first presents the cultivation of cashew trees and the bibliography of the work done on cashew juice. The favorable conditions for cashew tree cultivation and the planting method were presented. Then, the study highlights the work done on the physicochemical characteristics of cashew apples, the effect of the growing area, the variety and the stage of maturity on its characteristics. It also shows the influence of the processing steps on the nutritional value and organoleptic quality of the cashew apple;as well as the methods of clarification, stabilization, concentration and dehydration. Some uses of cashew apple were reviewed: beverage, food, substrate, bioethanol, nutraceutical, food additive and agro materials.

Effects of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid on the Content of Total Flavonoids and Expression of CHS and CHI Genes in Young Apples

[ Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effects of 5-aminolevulinic acid （ALA） on the content of total flavonoids and relative expression levels of chalcoue sythase （CHS） and chalcone isomerase （CHI） genes in young apples to determine the appropriate ALA concentration and processing time. [Method] Before thinning, young apples were treated with 0 （ CK）, 100,200,300 and 400 mg/L ALA. At 12 d after ALA treatment, the content of total flavonoids in young apples was determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometry. The relative expression levels of CHS and CHI genes in young apples were determined by qPCR. [ Result ] When ALA concentration was 0 - 300 mg/L, the content of total flavonoids and relative expression levels of CHS and CHI genes in young apples were improved with the increase of ALA concentration. As ALA concentration rose to 400 rag/L, various indicators showed a downward trend. Moreover, the content of total flavouoids and relative expression levels of CHS and CHI genes in young apples treated with different concentrations of ALA were improved significantly, which reached the maximum at 9 d and declined since 12 d. [ Conclusion] Compared with CK, spraying young apples with 300 mg/L ALA at 6 -9 d before thinning was conducive to improving the content of flavanoids in thinned young apples.

Use of Fuzzy Neural Network in Industrial Sorting of Apples

In this paper,an automated system and methodology for nondestructive sorting of apples are presented.Different from the traditional manual grading method,the automated,nondestructive sorting equipment can improve the production efficiency and the grading speed and accuracy.Most popular apple quality detection and grading methods use two-dimensional(2D)machine vision detection based on a single charge-coupled device(CCD)camera detect the external quality.Our system integrates a 3D structured laser into an existing 2D sorting system,which provides the addition third dimension to detect the defects in apples by using the curvature of the structured light strips that are acquired from the optical system of the machine.The curvature of the structured light strip will show the defects in the apple surface.Other features such as color,texture,shape,size and 3D information all play key roles in determining the grade of an apple,which can be determined using a series of feature extraction methods.After feature extraction,a method based on principal component analysis(PCA)for data dimensionality reduction is applied to the system.Furthermore,a comprehensive classification method based on fuzzy neural network(FNN),which is a combination of knowledge-based and model-based method,is used in this paper as the classifier.Preliminary experiments are conducted to verity the feasibility and accuracy of the proposed sorting system.

Determination of Tebuconazole Residue in Apples and Vegetables by Matrix Solid Phase Dispersion-Gas Chromatography

[ Objective] The study aimed to determine tebuconazole residue in apples and vegetables using matrix solid phase dispersion-gas chro- matography （MSPD-GC）. [ Method] The effects of extraction and determination conditions on the detection of tebuconazole left in apples and veg- etables were analyzed, and the optimum extraction conditions were determined. [ Result] The recovery rate of tebucenazole was the highest when the ratio of a sample to florisil dispersant was 1 ： 4, and the mixture of hexane and acetone （ 1 ： 1 ） with total volume of 8 ml was as the eluant. Under the optimum conditions, the relative standard deviation （RSD） of the method was 4.9% -7.6%, and the detection limit was 0.1 tJg/g, while the re- covery rate of tebuconazole changed from 86.7% to 95. 2% . [ Conclusion] The method was simple, accurate, sensitive and applicable to the de- termination of tebuconazole in aaricultural Droducts.

THE FARMER AND THE APPLES

ArichfarmerinEnglandoncehadafriendwhogrewverygoodapples.Onedaythisfriendgivethefarmerafineyoungtreeandtoldhimtotakeithomeandplantit.ThefarmerwaspleasedwiththepresentbutwhenhecamehomehedidnotknowWheretoplantthetree.Hethought:"IfIplantitneartheroad,strangerswillstealtheapples.IfIplantitinmyfield,myneighbourswillcomeatnightandrobme.IfIplantitnearmyhouse,mychildrenwilltaketheapples."

Influences of open-central canopy on photosynthetic parameters and fruit quality of apples(Malus×domestica)in the Loess Plateau of China

Although open-central canopy(OCC)is popular in apple(Malus×domestica)orchards in Loess Plateau of China,its relevant photosynthetic mechanisms have not been elucidated.In this study,changes in photosynthetically active radiation(PAR),gas exchange,chlorophyll fluorescence quenching and fruit quality in apple trees were measured in OCC and compared with those in the conventional condensed round and large canopy(RLC).Results showed that light intercepted at different orientations was 44%higher by OCC than that by RLC.The improved light environment within OCC remarkably increased leaf maximum net photosynthetic rate(Pnmax)and significantly decreased stomatal limitation.Under high light,the ratio of photorespiratory rate to gross photosynthetic rate(Pr/Pg)in OCC was higher than that in RLC.Moreover,reversible component in non-photochemical quenching(r(qE))was increased,while irreversible component(r(qI))was decreased in OCC than in RLC.As a result,the fruit quality in OCC was greatly boosted as evidenced by the significantly increased single fruit weight,fruit flesh firmness and fruit soluble solid contents and the sharply decreased fruit titratable acid contents.PAR intercepted by the canopy and the fruit soluble solid contents,leaf Pnmaxor single fruit weight were positively correlated,while PAR or Pnmaxwas negatively correlated with the fruit titratable acid contents.Accordingly,the improved crown light environment and the enhanced leaf photosynthetic performance and photoprotective capacity in OCC led to the boosted fruit quality.

Forecasting Fruit Diameter of ‘Fuji' Apples (Malus pumila Mill)at Harvest During Early Growing Season

The fruit growth evolution on 35 tagged 'Fuji' apple trees was studied in three successive growing seasons from 1994 to 1996 to explore a new method for forecasting the fruit diameter at harvest during early growing season. Daily fruit growth rate (DFGR) (based on fruit diameter, fruit dry weight, fruit fresh weight, or fruit volume) during the early growing season, 30 - 50 d after full bloom (DAFB), or during mid-growing season (60-120 DAFB), displayed a strong positive linear correlation with the fruit diameter at harvest, and the correlation between the fruit diameter at harvest and DFGR during early and mid-growing season was much better than that between the fruit diameter at harvest and either fruit diameter at a given time or the relative growth rate during early or mid-growing season. The fruit diameters obtained in the field were compared with the mean fruit diameters estimated based on different criteria, such as DFGRs (based on fruit diameter, fruit dry weight, fruit fresh weight, or fruit volume) during early and mid-growing season, and fruit diameter at 120 DAFB. Results showed that daily growth rate of fruit diameter during 30 - 50 DAFB was the best criterion for forecasting fruit diameter at harvest. There was no significant difference in mean fruit diameter between the value measured in the field at harvest and that estimated based on the daily growth rate of fruit diameter during 30 - 50 DAFB (equations for forecasting: y = 153.571 x + 73.492) either for the individual trees or for different vigor groups of trees. Daily growth rate of fruit diameter during 30 - 50 DAFB can be used as the basis for forecasting fruit diameter at harvest.

Application of Feature Extraction through Convolution Neural Networks and SVM Classifier for Robust Grading of Apples

This paper proposes a novel grading method of apples,in an automated grading device that uses convolutional neural networks to extract the size,color,texture,and roundness of an apple.The developed machine learning method uses the ability of learning representative features by means of a convolutional neural network(CNN),to determine suitable features of apples for the grading process.This information is fed into a one-to-one classifier that uses a support vector machine(SVM),instead of the softmax output layer of the CNN.In this manner,Yantai apples with similar shapes and low discrimination are graded using four different approaches.The fusion model using both CNN and SVM classifiers is much more accurate than the simple k-nearest neighbor(KNN),SVM,and CNN model when used separately for grading,and the learning ability and the generalization ability of the model is correspondingly increased by the combined method.Grading tests are carried out using the automated grading device that is developed in the present work.It is verified that the actual effect of apple grading using the combined CNN-SVM model is fast and accurate,which greatly reduces the manpower and labor costs of manual grading,and has important commercial prospects.

Impacts of Bad Weathers in Growing Season on Apples and Post-disaster Management Measures

Apple cultivation has special requirements for climatic conditions. The period from May to August is a key period for apple growth.During this period,extreme weather occurs frequently,such as extreme high temperature,strong wind,hail,and floods. This paper introduced these extreme weathers and came up with some corresponding management measures.

Fate of Myclobutanil Residues after Application on Apples Growing to Korca District, Albania

One of the largest and most important pesticides groups are Demthylation inhibitors, a class of single-side fungicides, used for the control of fungal diseases on fruit. The aim of this study was to investigate the fate of myclobutanil after its application in Starking and Golden Delicious cultivars. The apple trees were treated with maximum and minimum levels of recommended doses. The samples were collected randomly in different interval days after application. For identification and quantification of myclobutanil residues in apple fruit liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) technique was performed. The highest values of myclobutanil residues were found at the 1^st day after treatment and by the time the residue levels were decreased. Thus, the level of myclobutanil residues ranges from 0.928 mg kg^-1 to 0.019 mg kg^-1 and from 2.085 mg kg^-1 to 0.086 mg kg^-1 in Starking treated with the minimum and maximum doses respectively. Also, in the Golden Delicious cultivar the level of myclobutanil residues ranges from 0.878 mg kg^-1 to 0.026 mg kg^-1 and from 1.760 mg kg^-1 to 0.092 mg kg^-1 with the minimum and maximum applied doses at 1^st and 40^th day after application, respectively. Therefore, the samples treated with maximum recommended dose did not reach the MRL (0.6 mg kg^-1) before the 14th day after application, whereas the samples treated with minimum recommended dose reached MRL before 7th day after application. Therefore, the application of myclobutanil guarantees food safety for the consumer not only in minimum doses but even in maximal doses as well.

Use of Plant Extracts in the Control of Post-Harvest Fungal Rots in Apples

Different fungi alter apples in the post-harvest period, causing considerableeconomic losses and risks to consumer health due to the mycotoxinsthat some of these fungi produce. The control of these fungal alterationsin apples is mainly dependent on the use of chemical fungicides, the effectivenessof which has been well proven. However, this use is subject torestrictions due to growing concerns about risks to human health and theenvironment and the continued development of pathogen resistance to commonlyused fungicides. A new approach to control post-harvest fungi hasbeen implemented through the application of plant extract.It is estimatedthat there are more than 250,000 higher plant species on Earth that can beevaluated for their antimicrobial bioactive chemical compounds. In recentdecades, researchers have evaluated plant extracts and essential oils againstfungi responsible for post-harvest apple rot. Interesting results have beenobtained. The purpose of this project is to summarize and discuss the resultsof in vitro and in situ experiments of different literatures concerning the effectsof compounds derived from plants on the control of fungi responsiblefor rotting apples in storage.

Microbial Biocontrol of Post-harvest Fungal Rot in Apples:Current State of the Science

Our study consists of a careful literature review carried out with the aim of better understanding the models developed in the field of biocontrol of postharvest fungal rot in apples(PHFRA)over the past two decades.It aims,more specifically,to shed light on the progress made by examining the products developed,their nature,their target pathogens,their effectiveness,theirs modes of action and the stage of their development.The post-harvest biocontrol of apples has made remarkable progress during the last twenty years of research.Several products(yeasts,bacteria,filamentous fungi and actinomycetes)have been selected.Some,are already marketed,others are at different stages of development.However,several points limit the optimal use of microbial antagonists in the bio-management of post-harvest apple rots as an alternative to chemicals.It is,in fact,still necessary to develop appropriate formulations of these microbial biocontrol agents,to better study their mechanisms of action,to test them under commercial conditions and against a broad spectrum of pathogens and hosts.However,although sometimes considered less effective than chemical treatments,biocontrol products based on microorganisms have major advantages for an application in an integrated post-harvest apple protection strategy.

Design of an Automated Sorting System for Apples Based on Single Chip Microcomputer

The grading judgment for apples is related to a variety of factors including,size,shape,color,texture,and scars.Traditional manual sorting methods are time consuming and labor intensive.In addition,the accuracy of the method is easily subjective,not repeatable,error-prone,and affected by the sorting environment.This paper presents a complete and automated grading system for apples.The system uses a single-chip microcomputer as the controller of the system,and a PC as the graphics processing unit.It also includes a conveyor,drive motor,frequency converter for motor control,photoelectric sensors,air compressor,and air jets for ejecting the graded apples.The classification algorithm is implemented by using a convolutional neural network(CNN).In order to eliminate contact damage of apples,the system specifically uses air jets as actuators to eject the graded apples into the corresponding bins.At the same time,in order to ensure that an apple triggers the correct ejecting actuator,this paper designs a jet controller with proper logic.

ALL ABOUT APPLES!

Crunch!Apples are a sweet and delicious fruit.There are over 7,500 different kinds!The fruit is usually red,but it can be green or other colors.Applesaren't expensive.They make a great snack.You can eat a whole apple.You can slice it,too.They're also good with other foods.Do you like apples?

Integrative metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses reveal pivotal regulatory mechanisms of 1-methylcyclopropene in maintaining postharvest storage quality of‘Fuji’apples

In this study,integrative metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses were conducted to investigate the effects of 1-methylcyclopropene(1-MCP)on apple fruit quality during long-term cold storage.The results showed that 1-MCP(1μL/L)treatment could maintain fruits apparent quality(i.e.external color and firmness),inhibit the increase of rot rate and soluble solids content/titratable acidity ratio,decrease ethylene release,and respiratory intensity during cold storage,and extend shelf life.Moreover,1-MCP had long-term effects on the accumulation of many qualities related to metabolite and gene expression in fruits.1-MCP affected genes related to metabolism at the early stage of storage,specifically those of the glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid cycle pathways.Genes related to the degradation of sucrose,starch,and cellulose were inhibited,and some starch and cellulose synthesis genes were up-regulated by 1-MCP.Apart from ethylene synthesis and signal transduction being inhibited by 1-MCP,several enzymes(pectinesterase,pectate lyase,polygalacturonase)were involved in pectin degradation,and degradation products of the cell wall(i.e.D-galacturonic acid and D-glucuronic acid)were also strongly inhibited,further maintaining fruit firmness.Cysteine,as precursor glutathione(GSH)related to plant resistance,up-regulated the synthase gene.However,the expression of genes related to cyanoalanine syn-thase and amino acid utilization pathways was suppressed by 1-MCP Collectively,1-MCP could maintain the postharvest quality of apple fruits.

Effects of 1-methylcyclopropene treatment on the quality of red‘Fuji’apples fruit during short-term storage

Objectives:The aim of this study is to determine the mechanism through which 1-methylcyclopropene(1-MCP)affects the quality of red'Fuji'apples,which were stored for a short duration.Materials and Methods:Red‘Fuji’apples were treated with 1-MCP(1.0μl/L),stored at 25℃for0,12,24,48,72,and 96 h,and ethylene pro-duction was measured.An integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis was performed on apples stored for 24 h.Results:The release of ethylene was significantly delayed from red‘Fuji’apples subjected to 1-MCP treatment.By performing an integrated transcriptome and metabolome analyses,we identified 117 differentially expressed genes(DEGs)and 44 differentially accumulated metabol-ites(DAMs).By performing functional enrichment analysis,we found that DEGs were involved in the following pathways;carbon metabolism(LPD2,gpmA,LTA2,ACC,PSAT1,MdCAS2),phytohormone signal transduction(EBF 7),amino acid metabolism(MdACS-1),fatty acid metab-olism(LOX1.5,KCS4,KAST),energy metabolism(Lhcb1,Lhcb6,PsbY,GPDHC1,PUMP5I,metabolic pathways(TRE1,HEXO1)and cell wall metabolism(CSLG2).Thus,these DEGs were involved in the ripening of fruits,and they controlled the quality of fruits at the post-harvest stage.The metabolites were enriched with DAMs.These were found to be individually involved in the metabolic pathway,secondary metabolite bio-synthesis,phenylpropanoid biosynthesis,flavonoids,and flavonol synthesis.Conclusions:The results indicate that 1-MCP inhibits the biosynthesis of ethylene and suppresses energy metabolism.Moreover,it also downregulates metabolic pathways and the enzymatic genes related to fruit quality.Therefore,1-MCP delays the ripening of fruits at the post-harvest stage.This study helps us understand how 1-MCP treatment affects the ripening and quality of fruits.

Detection of moldy core in apples and its symptom types using transmittance spectroscopy

A detection method based on transmittance spectroscopy and support vector machine(SVM)was proposed to achieve rapid nondestructive detection of moldy core in apples.A visible to near-infrared(Vis/NIR)spectroradiometer was used for scanning transmittance spectra of 215 apple samples in the wavelength range of 200-1025 nm.Wavelet transform was used to reduce the dimensionality of the spectra and extract wavelet coefficients.Two classification algorithms including artificial neural network(ANN)and SVM were used to develop models whose parameters were optimized by genetic algorithms(GA)for determination of the presence and types of moldy core in apples.Comparisons results of the models showed that the GA-SVM model obtained the optimal result with an accuracy of 96.92%for detecting the presence of moldy core and 81.48%for distinguishing symptom types of the disease.These results indicate that it is feasible to detect moldy core in apples nondestructively and rapidly based on transmittance spectroscopy and that wavelet transform is an effective method for extraction of characteristics from spectra.Moreover,the GA-SVM algorithm in conjunction with Vis/NIR transmittance spectroscopy can accurately achieve fast and nondestructive detection of the presence and types of moldy core in apples.

Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals key genes and pathways in response to Alternaria alternata apple pathotype infection

Apple leaf spot,caused by the Alternaria alternata apple pathotype(AAAP),is an important fungal disease of apple.To understand the molecular basis of resistance and pathogenesis in apple leaf spot,the transcriptomes of two apple cultivars‘Hanfu'(HF)(resistant)and‘Golden Delicious'(GD)(susceptible)were analyzed at 0,6,18,24 and 48 h after AAAP inoculation by RNA-Seq.At each time point,a large number of significantly differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were screened between AAAP-inoculated and uninoculated apple leaves.Analysis of the common DEGs at four time points revealed significant differences in the resistance of‘HF'and‘GD'apple to AAAP infection.RLP,RNL,and JA signal-related genes were upregulated in both cultivars to restrict AAAP development.However,genes encoding CNLs,TNLs,WRKYs,and AP2s were only activated in‘HF'as part of the resistance response,of which,some play major roles in the regulation of ET and SA signal transduction.Further analysis showed that many DEGs with opposite expression trends in the two hosts may play important regulatory roles in response to AAAP infection.Transient expression of one such gene MdERF110 in‘GD'apple leaves improved AAAP resistance.Collectively,this study highlights the reasons for differential resistance to AAAP infection between‘HF'and‘GD'apples which can theoretically assist the molecular breeding of disease-resistant apple crops.

Overexpression of the transcription factor MdWRKY115 improves drought and osmotic stress tolerance by directly binding to the MdRD22 promoter in apple

Abiotic stress reduces plant yield and quality.WRKY transcription factors play key roles in abiotic stress responses in plants,but the molecular mechanisms by which WRKY transcription factors mediate responses to drought and osmotic stresses in apple(Malus×domestica Borkh.)remain unclear.Here,we functionally characterized the apple GroupⅢWRKY gene MdWRKY115.qRT-PCR analysis showed that MdWRKY115 expression was up-regulated by drought and osmotic stresses.GUS activity analysis revealed that the promoter activity of MdWRKY115 was enhanced under osmotic stress.Subcellular localization and transactivation assays indicated that MdWRKY115 was localized to the nucleus and had a transcriptional activity domain at the N-terminal region.Transgenic analysis revealed that the overexpression of MdWRKY115 in Arabidopsis plants and in apple callus markedly enhanced their tolerance to drought and osmotic stresses.DNA affinity purification sequencing showed that MdWRKY115 binds to the promoter of the stress-related gene MdRD22.This binding was further verified by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay.Collectively,these findings suggest that MdWRKY115 is an important regulator of osmotic and drought stress tolerance in apple.