Study on preharvest factors affecting quality and postharvest characteristics of the banana fruit and alleviation of its chilling injury

Thesis (Ph. D. in Agricultural Science)--University of Tsukuba, (A), no. 4694, 2008.3.25Includes bibliographical references (leaves 131-150

Formulation, acceptability, and chemical characteristics of mango nectar enriched with moringa moringa oleifera, lam leaves extract

Mango and Moringa are nutrient-dense foods. This study examined two mango varieties (apple and Tommy Atkin) for nectar production fortifying with Moringa leaf extract to reduce postharvest losses, food insecurity, and malnutrition. Post-harvest mango losses are high in Kenya (40-50%) and affects farmers\u27 income and the environment and if processed into mango nectar, can address postharvest losses (PHL). Mango nectar is rich in vitamins and minerals but lacks adequate micronutrients (calcium, iron, and zinc). Moringa oliefera leaves are nutrient-rich and adding moringa leaf extract to mango nectar improves its nutrition. This study intended to blend mango nectar with moringa leaf extract. The developed product contained 25% mango pulp and aqueous solutions of moringa leaf extract (F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, and F8): 0%, 10%, 12.5%, and 15%, respectively. The nectar was pasteurized at 70°C for 10 min and was analyzed for sensory evaluation, proximate composition, vitamin A, and mineral content (Fe, Ca, and Zn).  F1 (control) and F3 (apple manga nectar blended with 12.5% moringa leaf extract), and F5 and F6 (Tommy Atkin mango nectar blended with 10% moringa leaf extract) were accepted. The formulated nectar differed in protein, fiber, ash, carbohydrate, energy, vitamin A, iron, calcium, zinc, color, odor, taste, texture, mouthfeel, and overall acceptability (p<0.05). Moisture and fat in nectar were not significantly different (p>0.05). Apple blended mango nectar had more fat, vitamin A, calcium, iron, and zinc than Tommy Atkin blended nectar: 1.07 and 0.60%, 8.68 and 6.91mg/100g, 39.89 and 34.26 mg/100g, 3.14 and 2.01mg/100g, and 8.85 and 7.19mg/100g. However, Tommy Atkin blended nectar had more fiber, protein, and energy. Therefore, moringa leaf extract can be utilized to fortify ood and beverages

The Effect of Different Waxing Technologies on Shelf Life of ‘Apple’ Mango Fruits Stored Under Different Storage Conditions

Beneficial effect of Shellac and Mango wax of different formulations was studied on shelf life of apple mango fruits which were harvested at mature green stage and stored in various storage conditions including ambient (25ºC) and simulated commercial cold storage (12ºC).  Mango wax (one mixed with a fungicide and another without) was obtained from United Phosphorous Limited, while Shellac wax was purchased from a commercial trader in flakes form and dissolved in 0.1N Sodium hydroxide to make two concentrations (3% and 5%). The two waxes were applied by dipping the fruits in a bowl of wax and placing them on wire mesh for air drying using fans. Upon drying the fruits were packed in open cotton boxes and stored in ambient (25ºC) and cold storage (12ºC). Three fruits from each treatment and different storage conditions were sampled after every 3 and 7 days (ambient and cold storage respectively) for measurement of attributes associated with ripening including weight loss, respiration rate, peel firmness and pulp hue angle.  Results indicated that waxing whether with Shellac or Mango wax was effective in extending shelf life of mango fruits for 4 and 6 more days in ambient and cold storage respectively. At the end of observation period, un waxed fruits in ambient and cold storage had lost 12.4% (day10) and 5.5% (day 22) compared to an average of 7.6% (day14) and 3.7% (day 28) for the waxed fruits respectively.  Waxed fruits exhibited low respiration peak of 49.39 and 30.38 ml/kg/hr compared to un waxed fruits that had a high peak of 85.09 and 43.15 ml/kg/hr for ambient and cold storage respectively signifying high respiratory activity in the un waxed fruits. Other ripening related parameters had a positive correlation to respiration and water loss. This study shows that coating of mango fruit with wax is effective in delaying ripening thereby extending its postharvest life. Keywords: Mango wax, Shellac wax, Shelf life, Mango, Postharvest technologies, Storag

Can calcium sprays alleviate jelly seed in mango fruits?

Jelly seed is a major challenge in mango production leading to enormous losses in the value chain. This internal fruit disorder is characterised by disintegration of cells, consistency of jelly and broken cells. Calcium plays an important role in enhancing tissue stability and firmness thus reducing cell disintegration. A two-year field study was conducted in Embu County, Kenya using ‘Van Dyke’ cultivar trees of approximately 10 years old. The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of varied sources of calcium, applied at different rates and timing on jelly seed occurrence and tissue calcium distribution. Calcium  in the form of calcium chloride, calcium nitrate and  easygro®  were applied at 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0% or 0% (control) at three stages of  fruit development  (fruit set, 30 days after fruit set and 30 days to anticipated physiological maturity). The experiment was set up in a randomised complete block design with a split-split arrangement replicated three times. Fruits were harvested at physiological maturity and ripened at ambient conditions (28±1̊C, 75-80 RH). Data collected included: jelly seed occurrence, calcium distribution (exocarp, mesocarp, endocarp and cotyledon) and fruit weight. Jelly seed occurrence and calcium distribution were determined at ripe stage. All the calcium sources invariably suppressed the occurrence of jelly seed. Calcium chloride (2.0%) applied at fruit set had the lowest average jelly seed score of 1.2 and 2 in seasons I and II respectively. There was a significant negative relationship between fruit weight (r = -0.55, r = -0.52), calcium content in the exocarp (r = -0.56, -0.49), mesocarp (r = -0.52,-0.76), endocarp (r= -0.76, -0.66) and jelly seed incidence occurrence. This suggested that calcium has a role in alleviating jelly seed disorder. Application of calcium at fruit set was more effective in suppressing jelly seed occurrence than later applications. Calcium chloride (2.0%) applied at fruit set was more effective in reducing jelly seed occurrence. There is need to study further on soil based calciumand other calcium formulations on the effects on jelly seed occurrence

Product and process development of mango flakes using response surface methodology

Mango fruit (Mangifera indica L.) is one of the tropical fruits which are produced in large volumes in Kenya. Transformation of the perishable fruit into shelf-stable nutritious products is one of the interventions that can be used to reduce losses while accruing better returns for farmers. The objective of this study was to determine the optimum processing parameters in the production of consumer-acceptable mango flakes. Fifteen treatments were obtained using sugar variations of 0%, 2%, and 4%, and starch at 0%, 10%, and 20%. Process variables were determined by varying pressure of steam (0.8 BAR, and 1.6 BAR) and speed of drum drying (2.2 rpm and 7.6 rpm). Sensory analysis was done using a 7-pointer hedonic scale while physicochemical, and proximate lab analysis was done using predetermined AOAC procedures. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) of Design Expert 13 software, was used to optimize mango flakes production procedures by adjusting settings of factorial variables. Results indicated that formulations that were incorporated with 20% starch, 0% sugar, and dried at 7.57 rpm for 5 minutes and 2 seconds at a constant gauge pressure of 0.8 BAR were the most preferred with a mean overall score of 5.79. Homogeneity of variances was observed between different formulations for overall acceptability (P=0.192). The predictive model of the Central Composite Design stipulated that an increase in sugar concentration reduces the sensory quality of drum-dried mango flakes. Nutritional profile of the most acceptable mango flakes was a composite of 1.9g/100g, 2.8g/100g, 0.9g/100g, and 0.5g/100g for carbohydrates, vitamin C, crude protein, and crude fat, respectively. A significant difference was observed between values for protein and vitamin C (P=0.002). In conclusion, the organoleptic acceptability and nutritional profiles of drum-dried mango flakes were affected by the time: pressure exposure of the puree as well as the product ratios of ingredients

Using participatory videos in understanding farmers experiences with climate smart agricultural practices: reflections from Ghana

Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) has gained traction as one of the effective strategies in tackling the climate crisis. Many CSA practices have been promoted by development agencies to smallholder farmers based on the assumption that farmers would adopt these innovations for their potential benefits. However, the adoption of CSA practices in Ghana and much of Africa remains low and decision making and on-farm innovation processes are poorly understood. This study seeks to provide empirical and participatory insight into how smallholder farmers innovate. Based on a novel application of a participatory video methodology, in farming communities in the Upper West Region of Ghana, that have been exposed to multiple CSA intervention programmes, the paper analyses farmers’ own self-curated accounts of experiences with CSA innovation. The findings show that farmer’s motivation to adopt CSA innovations is driven by their concerns for food security, economic gains, and the environmental impact of climate change on their farming activities and livelihood. The study reveals a mismatch between the CSA technologies and practices advanced by the development agencies and what farmers perceive as relevant and important in addressing their farming challenges. In particular, the findings show that in a pool of more than 12 CSA technologies and practices that had been promoted through three donor-driven intervention programmes in the communities, farmers selected less labour intensive, less costly, and CSA technologies and practices that fitted to their current farming practices and the local context. Agricultural extension agents served as an important information source on the CSA innovation and their practical implementation and farmers’ social groups played a crucial role in facilitating learning about the CSA technologies and practices. There is the need to integrate farmers voices using innovative methodologies such as participatory videos to better understand farmers’ experiences in the innovation process which will help inform the design of effective interventions and promote adoption of innovations aimed at enhancing the productivity of smallholder farmers and reducing environmental impacts in African food systems. By focusing on the innovations that farmers perceive as beneficial and adaptable to their local contexts, development organizations can use their resources more efficiently and promote adoption of contextually appropriate CSA innovations

Using participatory videos in understanding farmers experiences with climate smart agricultural practices : reflections from Ghana

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT : The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation.Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) has gained traction as one of the effective strategies in tackling the climate crisis. Many CSA practices have been promoted by development agencies to smallholder farmers based on the assumption that farmers would adopt these innovations for their potential benefits. However, the adoption of CSA practices in Ghana and much of Africa remains low and decision making and on-farm innovation processes are poorly understood. This study seeks to provide empirical and participatory insight into how smallholder farmers innovate. Based on a novel application of a participatory video methodology, in farming communities in the Upper West Region of Ghana, that have been exposed to multiple CSA intervention programmes, the paper analyses farmers’ own self-curated accounts of experiences with CSA innovation. The findings show that farmer’s motivation to adopt CSA innovations is driven by their concerns for food security, economic gains, and the environmental impact of climate change on their farming activities and livelihood. The study reveals a mismatch between the CSA technologies and practices advanced by the development agencies and what farmers perceive as relevant and important in addressing their farming challenges. In particular, the findings show that in a pool of more than 12 CSA technologies and practices that had been promoted through three donor-driven intervention programmes in the communities, farmers selected less labour intensive, less costly, and CSA technologies and practices that fitted to their current farming practices and the local context. Agricultural extension agents served as an important information source on the CSA innovation and their practical implementation and farmers’ social groups played a crucial role in facilitating learning about the CSA technologies and practices. There is the need to integrate farmers voices using innovative methodologies such as participatory videos to better understand farmers’ experiences in the innovation process which will help inform the design of effective interventions and promote adoption of innovations aimed at enhancing the productivity of smallholder farmers and reducing environmental impacts in African food systems. By focusing on the innovations that farmers perceive as beneficial and adaptable to their local contexts, development organizations can use their resources more efficiently and promote adoption of contextually appropriate CSA innovations.The Food Systems Research Network for Africa (FSNet-Africa). FSNet-Africa is funded by the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) as a Research Excellence project under the partnership between UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA). FSNet-Africa is a flagship project in the ARUA Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Food Systems (ARUA-SFS), which is hosted by the University of Pretoria (South Africa) in collaboration with the University of Nairobi (Kenya) and University of Ghana (Ghana).https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainable-food-systemsam2024Centre for the Advancement of ScholarshipSDG-02:Zero Hunge