Source: WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY submitted to
IMPROVING QUALITY AND REDUCING LOSSES IN SPECIALTY FRUIT CROPS THROUGH STORAGE TECHNOLOGIES
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1001410
Grant No.
(N/A)
Project No.
WNP00797
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
NE-1336
Program Code
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Oct 30, 2013
Project End Date
Sep 20, 2018
Grant Year
(N/A)
Project Director
Fellman, J.
Recipient Organization
WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
240 FRENCH ADMINISTRATION BLDG
PULLMAN,WA 99164-0001
Performing Department
Horticulture
Non Technical Summary
Apples from Washington State USA are a high value commodity worth approximately $1.8 billion annually. Total area planted to apples is 168,000 acres (68,000 ha) with the average annual production in excess of 5 billion lbs (2.3 billion Kg). As a result of increasing global competition, it is imperative to provide year-round access to apples with the best flavor. Flavor perception is a complex integration of human senses involving texture (mouth feel), taste (sweet, sour, astringent, salt, MSG) and smell, or aroma. Our laboratory studies the nature and occurrence of volatile aroma compounds found in apple. . Volatile aroma compounds occur in trace quantities, yet some are biologically active in the parts-per-trillion range. Of the 337 individual chemical types of aroma compounds found in apple, the esters are responsible for the human perception of "apple aroma" an important factor for consumer acceptance. No single aroma molecule is responsible, yet some "signature" compounds exist. It is usually a combination of characteristic esters that form our perception of apple smell. Cultivars of apples have the same compounds, but they appear in different mixtures. Technology to measure these aroma molecules has advanced, with several popular sampling methods that employ gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection, with parts-per-billion sensitivity. We routinely identify at least 15 or more characteristic esters given off by apples after the harvest. We use our methods to explore factors that influence volatile biochemistry in apples, with the intention of providing grower tools to produce the best-smelling fruit available for the longest marketing period. We have been investigating several interactive factors that influence the aroma biogenesis process: Genotype, Cultural practice, Ripening, and Storage atmosphere/longevity.
Animal Health Component
0%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
70%
Applied
20%
Developmental
10%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
5031110100075%
2061115200025%
Knowledge Area
206 - Basic Plant Biology; 503 - Quality Maintenance in Storing and Marketing Food Products;

Subject Of Investigation
1110 - Apple; 1115 - Pear;

Field Of Science
1000 - Biochemistry and biophysics; 2000 - Chemistry;
Goals / Objectives
Optimize storage regimes for existing apple, pear, plum, cherry and berry cultivars, with emphasis on new cultivars arising from breeding programs in NY, BC, ON, MI, MN and WA. Investigate the effects of 1-MCP technology on fruit quality and storage disorders, and its interaction with cold storage and CA storage technology. Investigate the metabolic and physiological processes that underlie the responses of fruit to postharvest technologies.
Project Methods
Storage studies will be performed using the well-developed facilities in the WSU Postharvest Laboratory.The experimental approaches will be to harvest apples at intervals up to one week apart, study green life maturity (time between harvest and the onset of climacteric respiration), score external and internal disorders, and assay tissue types for CO2 production at harvest and throughout storage. The methods used to study green life in our laboratory are published and well established. The system uses a flow through air system fed to each batch of fruit, and a portion of fruit air is analyzed by a GC every 8 hours for CO2 and ethylene gases. The scoring system for storage induced disorders will be based on recent publications for different apples, including soft scald, soggy breakdown (internal), and internal CO2 injury. Internal tissue type assays will be performed by using up to 5 fruit, removing the tissue type (125 g), placing the tissue in a closed flask after 20 min., and analyzing the headspace gas within 24 hours. The method follows a protocol published from our laboratory. Work will assess firmness, starch, brix, and titratable acidity at each apple maturity stage, from each apple growing site and each postharvest treatment. The methods are well established at the WSU-Postharvest lab, firmness is measured by a Topping penetrometer using a 13 mm probe. Starch assays are done by using KI\K solution and judged on a 6 point scale, brix is read by an Abbe refractometer, and titratable acidity will be done using a Metrohm auto-titrator with 0.1 N KOH. Storage conditions will consist of RA (refrigerated air), and variable CA (Controlled-Atmosphere) regimes. Capillary GC/MS from samples obtained using solid phase microextraction (SPME) is employed to determine the nature and concentration of major volatile compounds within and emanating from apple flesh. Enzyme assays and RNA extraction for subsequent RT-PCR analyses are performed using techniques established in our laboratory.

Progress 10/30/13 to 09/20/18

Outputs
Target Audience:Fruit storage and processing personnel, growers, packers and shippers Changes/Problems:This project has been consolidated into a larger group. No data to report. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project has been consolidated into a larger group. No data to report. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?This project has been consolidated into a larger group. No data to report. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? This project has been consolidated into a larger group. No data to report.

Publications


    Progress 10/30/13 to 01/26/18

    Outputs
    Target Audience: Nothing Reported Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? Research was terminated. No data to report.

    Publications


      Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17

      Outputs
      Target Audience:Fruit storage and processing personnel, growers, packers and shippers Changes/Problems:The original Project Director has retired. A new Project Director has taken over and will start reporting on his own associated research with tne next report. Research conductedlast year by the other participantswas completed with no further data. A final report was filed to end the project but was called back so the new PD could continue research until the project terms 09/30/2018. This annual report will serve to keep it active until continuing research can be reported next year. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

      Impacts
      What was accomplished under these goals? The original Project Director has retired. A new Project Director has taken over and will start reporting on his own associated research with tne next report. Research conductedlast year by the other participantswas completed with no further data.

      Publications


        Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16

        Outputs
        Target Audience:Fruit storage and processing personnel, growers, packers and shippers Changes/Problems:Both studies now complete, so emphasis has shifted to assessment of biochemical qualities of compounds responsible for fermentation into value-added pear, apple and berry products. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?See item one on publication list. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Project rewrite and revision planned for 2017

        Impacts
        What was accomplished under these goals? Honeycrisp' apples were harvested at 7 weekly intervals from 122-156 DAFB and measured for skin resistance to gas diffusion (R), IEC, respiration rate, firmness and starch score. Three harvested maturities representing pre-climacteric fruit, onset to climacteric fruit, and climacteric fruit were placed under three different storage regimes(RA, RA 4% CO2, and CA) for 3 months. As apples matured, skin diffusive resistance was initially high, decreased 20% after the first harvest and remained relatively constant. At the same time CO2 production increased by 80%.final data analyses rendered definite conclusions impossible. 'Bartlett' pear fruit from two harvest dates were stored under normal atmosphere and ULO (0.8% O2, <0.5% CO2) at 1 °C and -1 °C. Storage under ULO at -1 °C greatly delayed ripening, as demonstrated by maintenance of firmness and suppressed synthesis of aroma volatiles after storage. ULO storage also suppressed synthesis of esters, including two character-impact compounds: methyl and ethyl (2E,4Z)-deca-2,4-dienoate. Synthesis of hexyl acetate was suppressed under ULO storage regardless of temperature, while ethyl acetate synthesis was suppressed only by ULO at -1 °C. The levels of most aroma volatiles were recovered after 10 days shelf-life, but there was significantly lower recovery for methyl and ethyl (2E,4Z)-deca-2,4-dienoate in fruit under ULO storage. Although synthesis of aroma volatiles was best suppressed under ULO at -1 °C, butyl and hexyl acetate levels recovered better in fruit under ULO storage at -1 °C than at 1 °C. Acetaldehyde and nonanal were the principal aldehydes present, with levels that were higher in early-harvested fruit and in fruit stored at 1 °C. Using linear discriminate analysis, 99.6% of the original grouped cases were correctly classified, with good discrimination across storage conditions. Seven parameters were selected as the most discriminating variables: ?-farnesene, pentyl acetate, ethyl butanoate, hexylacetate, ethanol, 1-hexanol and 1-butanol.

        Publications

        • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Zlatic, E., Zadnik, V., Fellman, J., Demaar, L., Hribar, J., Cejic, }., & Vidrih, R. 2016. Comparative analysis of aroma compounds in Bartlett pear in relation to harvest date, storage conditions, and shelf-life. Postharvest Biol.Technol. 117:71-80.
        • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Rosales-Soto M.U., Ross C.F., Younce F., Fellman, J.K., Mattinson, D.S., Huber, K., and Powers, J.R. 2016. Physico-chemical and sensory evaluation of cooked fermented protein fortified cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) flour. Adv. Food Technol. Nutr. Sci. Open J. 2: 9-18.
        • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: osales-Soto M.U., Gray, P.M. Fellman, J.K., Mattinson, D.S., �nl�,G., Huber, K., and Powers, J.R. 2016. Microbiological and physico-chemical analysis of fermented protein fortified cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) flour. LWT-Food Sci. Technol. 66:355-366.


        Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15

        Outputs
        Target Audience:Apple storage operators interested in higher-quality fruit availability, Breeders and geneticists concerned with identifying genes responsible for desirable quality traits in apples and cherries in order to improve an important commodity with high export value. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?A doctoral student's draft of the completed dissertation has been completed How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Publications are in preparation. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Complete at least 2 ongoing efforts: Cherry and apple QTL investigation for flavor and aroma; relationship between ontogenic gas diffusion and postharvest disorders in 'Honeycrisp' apples.

        Impacts
        What was accomplished under these goals? New cultivar phytochemical evaluation almost complete : Accessions in the WSU Sweet Cherry Breeding Program were examined for variation in levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs=flavor-imparting compounds) and phenolic compounds (imparting health benefits from antioxidant capacity) relative to familial affiliation. Narrow sense heritabilities and phenotypic correlations were also estimated to gain an understanding of inheritance mechanisms and devise a strategy for multiple trait selection. Apparently, optimum aroma as well as enhanced polyphenolic content are heritable traits which can be selected for within the breeding program. Most volatile and phenolic compounds can be selected for based on individual phenotype. Multiple trait selection will be possible for traits with high positive phenotypic correlation . Selections from the WSU apple breeding program were assessed for levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polyphenols as potential breeding traits for future research. As is the case with cherries optimum aroma, as well as enhanced polyphenol content, are now considered heritable traits within the WSU apple reference germplasm. 'Honeycrisp' apples were harvested at 7 weekly intervals from 122-156 DAFB and measured for skin resistance to gas diffusion (R), IEC, respiration rate, firmness and starch score. Three harvested maturities representing pre-climacteric fruit, onset to climacteric fruit, and climacteric fruit were placed under three different storage regimes(RA, RA 4% CO2, and CA) for 3 months. As apples matured, skin diffusive resistance was initially high, decreased 20% after the first harvest and remained relatively constant. At the same time CO2 production increased by 80%. Upon storage under the aforementioned conditions, soggy breakdown-the principal storage disorder in 'Honeycrisp', increased 20% in late-harvested RA fruit, remained constant in RA CO2 stored fruit, and increased drastically (75%) in CA-atored fruit. Results seem to indicate a potential CO2 resistance for later harvest 'Honeycrisp'. The information guides future research toward understanding Washington grown 'Honeycrisp' apple resistance to CO2 types of injury.

        Publications

        • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Lumpkin, C., Fellman, J. K., Rudell, D. R., and Mattheis, J. 2015. 'Fuji apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) volatile production during high pCO2 controlled atmosphere storage. Postharvest Biol. Technol. 100: 234243.
        • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Rachel Leisso PhD Horticulture 2015 Washington State University Dissertation: Postharvest Metabolomics of Soft Scald and Soggy Breakdown of Malus domestica c.v. 'Honeycrisp' fruit
        • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Henry Thompson MSAg Horticulture 2015 Washington State University Topic: Gas Exchange in Apple Fruit
        • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Lumpkin, C., J.K. Fellman, D.R. Rudell, J.P. Mattheis 2015. Fuji apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) volatile production during high pCO2 controlled atmosphere storage. Postharvest Biol.Technol. 100:234-243.
        • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: M.U. Rosales-Soto, P.M. Gray, J.K. Fellman, D.S. Mattinson, G. �nl�, K.Huber, J.R. Powers 2016. Microbiological and physico-chemical analysis of fermented protein-fortified cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) flour. LWT - Food Science and Technology 66:355-360.
        • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Fellman, J.K. 2015. Flavor, Aroma, and Volatile Biochemistry of Apples. Proceedings of the 26th Symposium of the Hellenic Society of Horticulture 26(A):135-155.


        Progress 10/30/13 to 09/30/14

        Outputs
        Target Audience: Both domestic and international postharvest research communities, interested growers, packers, and shippers of high-value perishable horticultural commodities. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? 1 MS Degree completed, another one in progress How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Peer-reviewed research published What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? 1. Continue ripening signal transduction studies and the relationship to aroma biochemistry/physiology (cherries, apples, grapes). 2. Phytochemical analysis, influence of storage conditions on advanced breeding selections. 3. Honeycrisp tissue density(resistance to gas diffusion) in relation to harvest maturity/storage conditions/damage with and without MCP applications.

        Impacts
        What was accomplished under these goals? Accessions in the WSU Sweet Cherry Breeding Program were examined for variation in levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs=flavor-imparting compounds) and phenolic compounds (imparting health benefits from antioxidant capacity) relative to familial affiliation. Narrow sense heritabilities and phenotypic correlations were also estimated to gain an understanding of inheritance mechanisms and devise a strategy for multiple trait selection. Apparently, optimum aroma as well as enhanced polyphenolic content are heritable traits, which can be selected for within the breeding program. Most volatile and phenolic compounds can be selected for based on individual phenotype. Multiple trait selection will be possible for traits with high positive phenotypic correlation . Selections from the WSU apple breeding program were assessed for levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polyphenols as potential breeding traits for future research. As is the case with cherries optimum aroma, as well as enhanced polyphenol content, are now considered heritable traits within the WSU apple reference germplasm. 3 maturities of ‘Honeycrisp’ were harvested at 137, 141, and 155 DAFB. The maturities represented pre-climacteric fruit, onset to climacteric fruit, and climacteric fruit as shown by respiration and ethylene production over 7 days at 66oF. Apples from each maturity were randomly placed into RA, CA, RA 5% CO2, and RA 15% CO2 at 33oF. Each harvest was pre-conditioned at 60oF for 7 days before storage establishment. The least external injury was noted for the 155 DAFB harvest after CA storage, and also after RA 5-7% CO2 storage. The RA 15% CO2 treatment scored up to 90% injury over all maturities. Generally, the endocarp tissue had higher levels of CO2 production than the mesocarp tissue over all maturities and treatments at one month storage. The late season harvest which had the lowest external injury in CA and RA 6% CO2, had nearly equal levels of endocarp CO2 for CA and RA 6% CO2, and the RA 6% CO2 treatment had lower mesocarp CO2 production than the CA treatment. Results seem to indicate a potential CO2 resistance for later harvest ‘Honeycrisp’. The information guides future research toward understanding Washington grown ‘Honeycrisp’ apple resistance to CO2 types of injury.

        Publications

        • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Goulas, V., Kourdoulas, P., Makris, F., Theodorou, M., Fellman, J.K., Manganaris, G.A. 2014. Comparative polyphenolic antioxidant profile and quality of traditional apple cultivars as affected by cold storage. International J. Food Sci. Technol 49:2037-2044.
        • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Lumpkin, C., Fellman, J. K., Rudell, D. R., & Mattheis, J. 2014. Scarlett Spur Red Delicious Apple Volatile Production Accompanying Physiological Disorder Development during Low pO2 Controlled Atmosphere Storage. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 62:1741-1754.
        • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Jiao, S., J. A. Johnson, J. Tang, D. S. Mattinson, J. K. Fellman, T. L. Davenport, and S. Wang. 2013."Tolerance of codling moth, and apple quality associated with low pressure/low temperature treatments." Postharvest Biology and Technology 85 : 136-140.