Melon

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Kinds of Melon

  • cantaloupe melon
  • fresh-cut cantaloupe melon
  • whole melon

  • Terms modified by Melon

  • melon plant

  • Selected Abstracts


    PROCESSING AND ACCEPTABILITY OF FRIED CASSAVA BALLS ("AKARA-AKPU") SUPPLEMENTED WITH MELON AND SOYBEAN FLOURS

    JOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESSING AND PRESERVATION, Issue 2 2007
    CHIEMELA ENYINNAYA CHINMA
    ABSTRACT The processing and acceptability of fried cassava balls ("Akara-akpu") supplemented with melon and soybean flours were studied. Cassava flour, defatted soybean flour and cassava mash were produced. Some functional and chemical properties of the flours were determined. Akara-akpu prepared from 100% cassava mash served as control; 100% cassava flour, 80% cassava flour + 20% defatted soybean and 70% cassava flour + 30% defatted melon flour were prepared. Akara-akpu balls were subjected to chemical and physical analyses. Akara-akpu prepared from composite flour blends had higher protein, fat, ash and energy value than Akara-akpu from 100% cassava mash. The cyanide content and degree of starch gelatinization of Akara-akpu prepared from 100% cassava mash (control) were higher than Akara-akpu prepared from cassava mash plus composite flour blends. There was a significant difference (P , 0.05) in weight and yield between Akara-akpu prepared from 100% cassava mash (control) and cassava mash plus composite flour blends. There was no significant difference (P , 0.05) in volume between Akara-akpu made from control sample and those cassava plus composite flour blends. [source]


    EFFECT OF COMBINED UNDERWATER PROCESSING AND MILD PRECUT HEAT TREATMENT ON THE SENSORY QUALITY AND STORAGE OF FRESH-CUT CANTALOUPE MELON

    JOURNAL OF FOOD QUALITY, Issue 4 2010
    KAREN L. BETT-GARBER
    ABSTRACT Improvement of storage quality of fresh-cut cantaloupe using a combination precut heat treatment and a modified underwater cutting treatment was determined. Eating quality was evaluated using descriptive sensory analysis, and fruit integrity was measured with respiration, cell leakage and product weight loss. Treatments included (1) control (no treatment); (2) making the first longitudinal cut underwater; (3) mild precut heat treatment in a water bath at 60C for 60 min; and (4) combination of precut heat treatment and the underwater cutting methods. Precut heating and processing underwater resulted in more intense fruity/melon flavor compared to conventional processed fresh-cut fruit. Reduced electrolyte leakage and enhanced membrane integrity were observed in all three experimental treatments, as evidenced by lower conductivity measurements. The underwater cut and combined treatments significantly reduced respiration during fresh-cut storage, reflecting less physical stress and membrane damage. Weight loss was not significantly affected by any treatment during fresh-cut storage. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS There is a steady increase in the consumption of fresh-cut produce. To enhance the storage quality of fresh-cut cantaloupe melon, two minimal processing techniques were examined separately and combined. The methods are mild heat treatment of the whole melon at 60C for 60 min then cooling to 4C for 24 h, cutting the cantaloupe in half and removing the seeds while submerged in a calcium chloride and water solution, and the combination of the two treatments. These methods are simple and can be utilized by small or large processors to maintain sensory quality and fruit integrity during storage. [source]


    EFFECTIVENESS OF CHLORINE AND NISIN-EDTA TREATMENTS OF WHOLE MELONS AND FRESH-CUT PIECES FOR REDUCING NATIVE MICROFLORA AND EXTENDING SHELF-LIFE,

    JOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 4 2002
    DIKE O. UKUKU
    ABSTRACT Efficacy of nisin-EDTA treatments as a sanitizing treatment for reducing native microflora of whole melons and extending shelf-life of fresh-cut pieces was compared to chlorine treatments. Whole cantaloupe and honeydew melons were washed with water, nisin (10 ,g/mL)-EDTA (0.02 M), or 200 ppm chlorine for 5 min at , 20C before fresh-cut preparation and storage at 5C for 15 days with periodic microbiological sampling. In addition, some fresh-cut pieces were washed with 10 ,g/mL nisin-EDTA or 50 ppm chlorine for 1 min before storage. Changes in appearance, odor, overall acceptability and the shelf-life of the minimally processed fresh-cut melons were investigated. Preliminary studies indicated that water washes, EDTA (0.002 to 0.2 M) or nisin (5 to 10 ,g/mL) were not effective in reducing the microflora of whole melon when used individually. Nisin-EDTA and chlorine treatments were significantly (P < 0.05) more effective in reducing native microflora than water washes. Nisin-EDTA treatments were significantly (P < 0.05) more effective than chlorine in reducing populations of yeast and mold and Pseudomonas spp. on whole melon surfaces but were not as effective as chlorine treatments for reducing aerobic mesophilic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria and total gram-negative bacteria. Microbial contaminants on fresh-cut pieces washed with 50 ppm chlorine or nisin-EDTA were further reduced. However, microbial populations increased throughout refrigerated storage irrespective of treatments. Odor, appearance, and overall acceptability ratings for cantaloupe and honeydew fresh-cut pieces treated with nisin-EDTA or chlorine were not significantly (P > 0.05) different from each other throughout the storage period (15 to 21 days). However, both treatments led to significantly (P < 0.05) improved ratings compared to the controls for the fresh-cut pieces at 9 to 12 days of storage and thereafter. The results of this study suggest that treatments with nisin-EDTA before and after fresh-cut processing would improve the quality and extend the shelf-life of fresh-cut melon. [source]


    Effect of Maturity Stages and Drying Methods on the Retention of Selected Nutrients and Phytochemicals in Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) Leaf

    JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 6 2009
    Min Zhang
    ABSTRACT:, The purpose of this study was to investigate the nutrient and phytochemical composition of bitter melon leaves under varying maturity levels and drying techniques. Fresh, oven-dried, and freeze-dried leaves were evaluated over 3 maturity stages. In fresh leaves at various stages, crude fat, crude protein, and soluble dietary fiber contents ranged from 4.2% to 13.6%, 6.4% to 23.1%, and 0.04% to 3.50% on dry-weight basis, respectively. The contents of K, Ca, Mg, Fe, and Zn ranged from 1850.8 to 2811.8, 837.4 to 4978.2, 317.3 to 512.4, 8.4 to 16.7, and 4.1 to 5.9 mg/100 g dry-weight basis, respectively. Vitamin C, ,-carotene, and lutein contents ranged from 397.4 to 1275.1, 154.2 to 422.8, and 737.6 to 1304.6 ,g/g dry-weight basis. The major flavonoids and phenolic acids were rutin, gentistic acid, and,o -coumaric acid, which ranged from 7.57 to 12.75, 2.53 to 10.11, and 4.24 to 9.75 mg/g dry-weight basis, respectively. In oven-dried samples, 40.2% to 52.3% of vitamin C, 35.4% to 55.4% of ,-carotene, 25.6% to 71.6% of lutein, 26.4% to 84.0% of rutin, trace to 11.4% of gentistic acid, and 7.4% to 46.6% of,o -coumaric acid were retained, while the retainment ratios of these components in freeze-dried samples were 84.7% to 99.0%, 76.4% to 99.3%, 90.4% to 96.1%, 39.8% to 99.3%, 24.1% to 68.4%, and 75.8% to 87.0%, respectively. The data showed that freeze-drying better preserves the nutrient and phytochemical quality of bitter melon leaves in comparison to oven-drying. Bitter melon leaf is a rich source of selected nutrients and phytochemicals. [source]


    Temperature and Storage Duration Effects on Esterase Activity in Fresh-cut Cantaloupe Melon

    JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 3 2003
    O. Lamikanra
    ABSTRACT The effect of storage time and temperature (4 °C or 15 °C) on esterase (ES) activity in fresh-cut cantaloupe melon (Cucumis melo L. var. reticulatus Naud) was determined. Enzymatic activity, after 24 h in storage, was reduced by 40% and 10% in fruit stored at 4 °C and 15 °C, respectively. The ES in cantaloupe melon was determined to be carboxylesterase with 2 isozymes (pI = 6.1 and pI = 9.5) and low thermal stability. Pectin methyl esterase activity in cut fruit also decreased by about 25% at both temperatures after 24 h, but greatly increased after 72 h only in 15 °C stored fruit. ES in cantaloupe melon appears to be regulated by metalloproteases, presumably metallo-exoproteases. [source]


    Biological and Molecular Characterization of Melon-Infecting Kyuri Green Mottle Mosaic Virus in Indonesia

    JOURNAL OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 10 2005
    B. S. Daryono
    Abstract Melon (Cucumis melo L.) plants showing fruit deformation and mosaic symptoms were found in Java, Indonesia, in 2001. Leaf dips of the symptomatic melon tissue revealed rod-shaped viral particles 300 × 18 nm in size. Biological and serological data described in this study indicate that the virus belonged to the genus tobamovirus and was related to the kyuri green mottle mosaic virus (KGMMV). The genome of the virus has been completely sequenced, consisting of 6512 nucleotides and was compared in detail with KGMMV-C1 and KGMMV-Y. The sequence of their 5,- and 3,- non-coding regions (NCRs) were 91% and 94% identical to KGMMV-C1, and only 82% and 95% identical to KGMMV-Y respectively. The amino acid sequence of the shorter and longer RNA replicase components, movement protein and coat protein were 94%, 91%, 95% and 94% identical to KGMMV-C1 and 93%, 89%, 91% and 85% identical of KGMMV-Y respectively. The results from phylogenetic analysis of the coding regions revealed that KGMMV-YM is a new strain of KGMMV. This is the first report of the complete nucleotide sequence and analysis of genome organization for KGMMV isolated in anywhere in South-East Asia. [source]


    Synthesis of a Carbon Nitride Structure for Visible-Light Catalysis by Copolymerization,

    ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE, Issue 2 2010
    Jinshui Zhang
    Strukturell ähnlich zu Liebigs Melon (Poly(aminoimino)heptazin) sind Kohlenstoffnitrid-Photokatalysatoren (siehe Formel), die durch direkte Copolymerisation von Dicyandiamid mit Barbitursäure erhalten werden können. Das Bild zeigt, wie sich die optische Absorption der Produkte bei steigendem Barbitursäure-Anteil in der Copolymerisationsmischung (Pfeile) weiter in die sichtbare Region ausdehnt, was von Vorteil für Solarenergieanwendungen ist. [source]


    Tissue-specific distribution and whole-body burden estimates of persistent organic pollutants in the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

    ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 6 2010
    Jennifer E. Yordy
    Abstract Most exposure assessments for free-ranging cetaceans focus on contaminant concentrations measured in blubber, and few data are available for other tissues or the factors governing contaminant distribution among tissues. The goal of this study was to provide a detailed description of the distribution of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) within the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) body and assess the role of lipid dynamics in mediating contaminant distribution. Thirteen tissues (brain, blubber, heart, liver, lung, kidney, mammary gland, melon, skeletal muscle, spleen, thyroid, thymus, and testis/uterus) were sampled during necropsy from bottlenose dolphins (n,=,4) and analyzed for lipid and 85 POPs, including polychlorinated biphenyls, organochlorine pesticides, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers. Significant correlations between tissue POP concentrations and lipid suggest that distribution of POPs is generally related to tissue lipid content. However, blubber:tissue partition coefficients ranged widely from 0.753 to 6.25, suggesting that contaminant distribution is not entirely lipid-dependent. Tissue-specific and whole-body contaminant burdens confirmed that blubber, the primary site of metabolic lipid storage, is also the primary site for POP accumulation, contributing >90% to the whole-body burdens. Observations also suggest that as lipid mobilizes from blubber, contaminants may redistribute, leading to elevated tissue concentrations. These results suggest that individuals with reduced blubber lipid may be at increased risk for exposure-related health effects. However, this study also provides evidence that the melon, a metabolically inert lipid-rich structure, may serve as an alternate depot for POPs, thus preventing the bulk of blubber contaminants from being directly available to other tissues. This unique physiological adaptation should be taken into consideration when assessing contaminant-related health effects in wild cetacean populations. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:1263,1273. © 2010 SETAC [source]


    Screening for resistance to Didymella bryoniae in rootstocks of melon

    EPPO BULLETIN, Issue 2 2000
    P. Trionfetti Nisini
    Glasshouse evaluations of rootstocks of melon for resistance to Didymella bryoniae were conducted on different cucurbits previously selected as resistant or partially resistant to race 1,2 of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis. Cucumis anguria, C. ficifolius, C. figarei, C. metuliferus, C. zeyheri and Benincasa hispida showed a very high degree of resistance to D. bryoniae both on leaves and stems. Among the commercial rootstocks, Cucurbita hybrids ELSI, ES 99-13, RS 841, displayed a similar level of resistance. Stem inoculation of three cucurbit species grafted with susceptible melon cv. Proteo determined the occurrence of limited symptoms, but the lesions remained confined in the rootstock not affecting the grafted plant. Cultivation of susceptible melon cultivars grafted on resistant rootstocks may represent an efficient method for controlling Didymella crown rot and Fusarium wilt. [source]


    Development of Flavor Descriptors for Pawpaw Fruit Puree: A Step Toward the Establishment of a Native Tree Fruit Industry

    FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES RESEARCH JOURNAL, Issue 2 2006
    Melani W. Duffrin
    The pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is a native tree fruit with potential as a high-value niche crop for farmers in fresh-market and processing ventures. With a flavor resembling a combination of banana, mango, and pineapple, this fruit could compete with exported specialty fruits in the United States such as mango and papaya. The study objective was to develop a descriptive language for frozen pawpaw fruit puree, thereby assisting growers in the selection of superior varieties for fresh-market and processing ventures. Panelists generated 13 visual, 17 flavor, and 12 texture puree descriptors. Using these descriptors with fruit collected from Southeast Ohio (SEO) wild patches and two varieties (1,23 and 10,35), panelists identified both sour and bitter tastes in SEO puree compared to puree from either variety. The varieties also displayed positive characteristics of stronger melon and fresh flavors compared to SEO puree. Additional language descriptors for pawpaw puree may be needed. [source]


    Ribosome-inactivating proteins isolated from dietary bitter melon induce apoptosis and inhibit histone deacetylase-1 selectively in premalignant and malignant prostate cancer cells

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 4 2009
    Su Dao Xiong
    Abstract Epidemiologic evidence suggests that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer (PCa) development. Although several dietary compounds have been tested in preclinical PCa prevention models, no agents have been identified that either prevent the progression of premalignant lesions or treat advanced disease. Momordica charantia, known as bitter melon in English, is a plant that grows in tropical areas worldwide and is both eaten as a vegetable and used for medicinal purposes. We have isolated a protein, designated as MCP30, from bitter melon seeds. The purified fraction was verified by SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry to contain only 2 highly related single chain Type I ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs), ,-momorcharin and ,-momorcharin. MCP30 induces apoptosis in PIN and PCa cell lines in vitro and suppresses PC-3 growth in vivo with no effect on normal prostate cells. Mechanistically, MCP30 inhibits histone deacetylase-1 (HDAC-1) activity and promotes histone-3 and -4 protein acetylation. Treatment with MCP30 induces PTEN expression in a prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and PCa cell lines resulting in inhibition of Akt phosphorylation. In addition, MCP30 inhibits Wnt signaling activity through reduction of nuclear accumulation of ,-catenin and decreased levels of c- Myc and Cyclin-D1. Our data indicate that MCP30 selectively induces PIN and PCa apoptosis and inhibits HDAC-1 activity. These results suggest that Type I RIPs derived from plants are HDAC inhibitors that can be utilized in the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer. © 2009 UICC [source]


    Dietary seed oil rich in conjugated linolenic acid from bitter melon inhibits azoxymethane-induced rat colon carcinogenesis through elevation of colonic PPAR, expression and alteration of lipid composition

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 6 2004
    Hiroyuki Kohno
    Abstract Our previous short-term experiment demonstrated that seed oil from bitter melon (Momordica charantia) (BMO), which is rich in cis(c)9, trans(t)11, t13 -conjugated linolenic acid (CLN), inhibited the development of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACF). In our study, the possible inhibitory effect of dietary administration of BMO on the development of colonic neoplasms was investigated using an animal colon carcinogenesis model initiated with a colon carcinogen AOM. Male F344 rats were given subcutaneous injections of AOM (20 mg/kg body weight) once a week for 2 weeks to induce colon neoplasms. They also received diets containing 0.01%, 0.1% or 1% BMO for 32 weeks, starting 1 week before the first dosing of AOM. At the termination of the study (32 weeks), AOM induced 83% incidence (15/18 rats) of colonic adenocarcinoma. Dietary supplementation with 0.01% and 0.1% BMO caused significant reduction in the incidence (47% inhibition by 0.01% BMO, p<0.02; 40% inhibition by 0.1% BMO, p<0.05; and 17% inhibition by 1% BMO) and the multiplicity (64% inhibition by 0.01% BMO, p<0.005; 58% inhibition by 0.1% BMO, p<0.02; and 48% inhibition by 1% BMO, p<0.05) of colonic adenocarcinoma, though a clear dose response was not observed. Such inhibition was associated with the increased content of CLA (c9,t11-18:2) in the lipid composition in colonic mucosa and liver. Also, BMO administration in diet enhanced expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) , protein in the nonlesional colonic mucosa. These findings suggest that BMO rich in CLN can suppress AOM-induced colon carcinogenesis and the inhibition might be caused, in part, by modification of lipid composition in the colon and liver and/or increased expression of PPAR, protein level in the colon mucosa. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


    Distribution of degradative enzymatic activities in the mesocarp of two melon groups

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 5 2010
    Marco Chisari
    Summary The differences in polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase, pectin methylesterase and polygalacturonase activities as well as the main physical and chemical attributes of nine different slice portions (from the inner to the outer end and from the blossom to the stem end) of two groups of melon (Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis,Galia' cv. and inodorus,Piel de sapo' cv.) at commercial maturity were studied. Moving from the inner to the outer end of the pulp, physico-chemical properties, such as pH, total soluble solids and phenolics increased whereas titratable acidity, firmness and Chroma decreased in both types, reflecting different degrees of maturity within the same fruit. As for physico-chemical attributes, the enzymatic activities responsible for browning and softening phenomena showed an increasing trend moving from the inner to the outer end of mesocarp in both cv., except for polygalacturonase in cantalupensis type. [source]


    PROCESSING AND ACCEPTABILITY OF FRIED CASSAVA BALLS ("AKARA-AKPU") SUPPLEMENTED WITH MELON AND SOYBEAN FLOURS

    JOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESSING AND PRESERVATION, Issue 2 2007
    CHIEMELA ENYINNAYA CHINMA
    ABSTRACT The processing and acceptability of fried cassava balls ("Akara-akpu") supplemented with melon and soybean flours were studied. Cassava flour, defatted soybean flour and cassava mash were produced. Some functional and chemical properties of the flours were determined. Akara-akpu prepared from 100% cassava mash served as control; 100% cassava flour, 80% cassava flour + 20% defatted soybean and 70% cassava flour + 30% defatted melon flour were prepared. Akara-akpu balls were subjected to chemical and physical analyses. Akara-akpu prepared from composite flour blends had higher protein, fat, ash and energy value than Akara-akpu from 100% cassava mash. The cyanide content and degree of starch gelatinization of Akara-akpu prepared from 100% cassava mash (control) were higher than Akara-akpu prepared from cassava mash plus composite flour blends. There was a significant difference (P , 0.05) in weight and yield between Akara-akpu prepared from 100% cassava mash (control) and cassava mash plus composite flour blends. There was no significant difference (P , 0.05) in volume between Akara-akpu made from control sample and those cassava plus composite flour blends. [source]


    EFFECT OF COMBINED UNDERWATER PROCESSING AND MILD PRECUT HEAT TREATMENT ON THE SENSORY QUALITY AND STORAGE OF FRESH-CUT CANTALOUPE MELON

    JOURNAL OF FOOD QUALITY, Issue 4 2010
    KAREN L. BETT-GARBER
    ABSTRACT Improvement of storage quality of fresh-cut cantaloupe using a combination precut heat treatment and a modified underwater cutting treatment was determined. Eating quality was evaluated using descriptive sensory analysis, and fruit integrity was measured with respiration, cell leakage and product weight loss. Treatments included (1) control (no treatment); (2) making the first longitudinal cut underwater; (3) mild precut heat treatment in a water bath at 60C for 60 min; and (4) combination of precut heat treatment and the underwater cutting methods. Precut heating and processing underwater resulted in more intense fruity/melon flavor compared to conventional processed fresh-cut fruit. Reduced electrolyte leakage and enhanced membrane integrity were observed in all three experimental treatments, as evidenced by lower conductivity measurements. The underwater cut and combined treatments significantly reduced respiration during fresh-cut storage, reflecting less physical stress and membrane damage. Weight loss was not significantly affected by any treatment during fresh-cut storage. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS There is a steady increase in the consumption of fresh-cut produce. To enhance the storage quality of fresh-cut cantaloupe melon, two minimal processing techniques were examined separately and combined. The methods are mild heat treatment of the whole melon at 60C for 60 min then cooling to 4C for 24 h, cutting the cantaloupe in half and removing the seeds while submerged in a calcium chloride and water solution, and the combination of the two treatments. These methods are simple and can be utilized by small or large processors to maintain sensory quality and fruit integrity during storage. [source]


    EFFECTIVENESS OF CHLORINE AND NISIN-EDTA TREATMENTS OF WHOLE MELONS AND FRESH-CUT PIECES FOR REDUCING NATIVE MICROFLORA AND EXTENDING SHELF-LIFE,

    JOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 4 2002
    DIKE O. UKUKU
    ABSTRACT Efficacy of nisin-EDTA treatments as a sanitizing treatment for reducing native microflora of whole melons and extending shelf-life of fresh-cut pieces was compared to chlorine treatments. Whole cantaloupe and honeydew melons were washed with water, nisin (10 ,g/mL)-EDTA (0.02 M), or 200 ppm chlorine for 5 min at , 20C before fresh-cut preparation and storage at 5C for 15 days with periodic microbiological sampling. In addition, some fresh-cut pieces were washed with 10 ,g/mL nisin-EDTA or 50 ppm chlorine for 1 min before storage. Changes in appearance, odor, overall acceptability and the shelf-life of the minimally processed fresh-cut melons were investigated. Preliminary studies indicated that water washes, EDTA (0.002 to 0.2 M) or nisin (5 to 10 ,g/mL) were not effective in reducing the microflora of whole melon when used individually. Nisin-EDTA and chlorine treatments were significantly (P < 0.05) more effective in reducing native microflora than water washes. Nisin-EDTA treatments were significantly (P < 0.05) more effective than chlorine in reducing populations of yeast and mold and Pseudomonas spp. on whole melon surfaces but were not as effective as chlorine treatments for reducing aerobic mesophilic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria and total gram-negative bacteria. Microbial contaminants on fresh-cut pieces washed with 50 ppm chlorine or nisin-EDTA were further reduced. However, microbial populations increased throughout refrigerated storage irrespective of treatments. Odor, appearance, and overall acceptability ratings for cantaloupe and honeydew fresh-cut pieces treated with nisin-EDTA or chlorine were not significantly (P > 0.05) different from each other throughout the storage period (15 to 21 days). However, both treatments led to significantly (P < 0.05) improved ratings compared to the controls for the fresh-cut pieces at 9 to 12 days of storage and thereafter. The results of this study suggest that treatments with nisin-EDTA before and after fresh-cut processing would improve the quality and extend the shelf-life of fresh-cut melon. [source]


    Thermal Inactivation of Salmonella on Cantaloupes Using Hot Water

    JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 2 2006
    Ethan B. Solomon
    ABSTRACT The inactivation of Salmonella on cantaloupes using hot water was investigated. Whole melons, inoculated with a cocktail of Salmonella isolates, were subjected to thermal treatments of various lengths in water at 65 °C, 75 °C, and 85 °C. Treatment with water at 85 °C for 60 and 90 s resulted in reductions of up to 4.7 log colony forming units (CFU) per square centimeter of rind. However, the rind of melons treated at 85 °C for 90 s were noticeably softer than the rind of melons treated for 60 s. Thermal penetration profiles were measured and computer simulations were conducted to verify the effect of hot water treatment conditions on the internal temperatures of cantaloupe melons. Experimental and simulation data indicated that the internal temperature of melons treated with hot water did not increase rapidly compared with the rind temperature. Regardless of the process temperature used, the temperature of the edible flesh, 10 mm from the surface of the rind, remained at least 40 °C cooler than the surface temperature of cantaloupe melons. These results demonstrate the utility of hot water for the inactivation of Salmonella on cantaloupes and provide a framework to producers of fresh-cut melon for the potential use of hot water as an intervention treatment. [source]


    Temperature and Storage Duration Effects on Esterase Activity in Fresh-cut Cantaloupe Melon

    JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 3 2003
    O. Lamikanra
    ABSTRACT The effect of storage time and temperature (4 °C or 15 °C) on esterase (ES) activity in fresh-cut cantaloupe melon (Cucumis melo L. var. reticulatus Naud) was determined. Enzymatic activity, after 24 h in storage, was reduced by 40% and 10% in fruit stored at 4 °C and 15 °C, respectively. The ES in cantaloupe melon was determined to be carboxylesterase with 2 isozymes (pI = 6.1 and pI = 9.5) and low thermal stability. Pectin methyl esterase activity in cut fruit also decreased by about 25% at both temperatures after 24 h, but greatly increased after 72 h only in 15 °C stored fruit. ES in cantaloupe melon appears to be regulated by metalloproteases, presumably metallo-exoproteases. [source]


    Effect of Irrigation Type on Inoculum Density of Macrophomina phaseolina in Melon Fields in Arizona

    JOURNAL OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 3 2004
    C. Nischwitz
    Abstract Charcoal rot, caused by Macrophomina phaseolina, has become increasingly problematic for melon growers using subsurface drip irrigation in Arizona; but has rarely been observed in fields with furrow irrigation. Since the relationship between increasing incidence of charcoal rot on melon and irrigation type is unknown, studies were initiated to determine the effects of edaphic factors on inoculum density. Soil samples were collected once from fields irrigated by subsurface drip, with and without plastic mulch, and by furrow at 10, 20 and 30 cm depths. Samples were analysed for percentage soil moisture, pH, salinity and inoculum density. Percentage soil moisture was significantly higher at 20 and 30 cm depths in the furrow-irrigated field compared with the drip-irrigated field with plastic mulch, but not in the field without plastic mulch. Average minimum and maximum temperatures and inoculum density were significantly lower at all three depths in the furrow-irrigated field compared with both types of drip irrigation. pH was significantly higher in the furrow-irrigated field compared with both types of drip irrigation at 20 and 30 cm depths but not at 10 cm depth. Differences in inoculum densities of M. phaseolina suggest that drip irrigation may contribute to higher disease incidences. [source]


    Increased effectiveness of the Trichoderma harzianum isolate T-78 against Fusarium wilt on melon plants under nursery conditions

    JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 5 2009
    Agustina Bernal-Vicente
    Abstract BACKGROUND: The use of isolates of the genus Trichoderma to control Fusarium wilt in melon plants is one of the most recent and effective alternatives to chemical treatments. In this work we have studied the immobilization of the isolate Trichoderma harzianum T-78 on different carriers as an efficient method to control vascular Fusarium wilt of melon in nurseries. Different formulations were developed: liquids (spore suspension, guar gum and carboxymethylcellulose) and solids (bentonite, vermiculite and wheat bran). RESULTS: The introduction of F. oxysporum resulted in a significant decrease in seedling fresh weight. The treatments which gave a lesser reduction in weight and showing a greater biocontrol effect were the liquid conidial suspension and the solid treatments with bentonite and superficial vermiculite. Microbiological analyses revealed that the conidial suspension and all the solid treatments, except wheat bran, significantly decreased F. oxysporum populations. Of all the treatments assayed, bentonite produced the greatest decline in the F. oxysporum population. CONCLUSIONS: The most effective treatments against Fusarium wilt on melon plants were the solid treatments bentonite and superficial vermiculite. These two treatments gave the greatest plant weight, the lowest percentage of infected plants and the greatest T. harzianum population throughout the assay. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


    Storage and ultraviolet-induced tissue stress effects on fresh-cut pineapple,

    JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 14 2004
    Olusola Lamikanra
    Abstract The effect of UV-induced stress on the volatile aroma compounds in cut pineapple was compared with that of storage at 4 °C for 24 h. Eighteen volatile compounds were identified by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) in fresh-cut pineapple. Methyl-2-methylbutanoate, methyl hexanoate, methyl 5-hexenoate, ethyl hexanoate and ethyl 5-hexenoate were the major aroma compounds. Storage at 4 °C for 24 h, and exposure of cut fruit to UV radiation for 15 min caused a considerable decrease in the concentration of esters and increase in the relative amount of copaene. This sesquiterpene, when added to crushed cantaloupe melon (0.1 mg g,1), inhibited microbial growth in the fruit over a period of 24 h at 20 °C. Cis - and trans -ocimene were present in the fruit but their production was not photo-induced by UV irradiation. Ocimene, however, was a potent antimicrobial agent that killed microorganisms when added to the crushed fruit and stored at 20 °C for 24 h. The results indicate that sesquiterpene phytoalexins could contribute to the defense mechanism in wounded pineapple tissue. Published in 2004 for SCI by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Fungal metabolism of butter and shea oils by Penicillium roquefortii in solid state cultures

    JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 1 2004
    Qin-Tao Liu
    Abstract Monoacylglycerols (monoglycerides, MAGs) were produced from butter oil and shea stearin fraction (shea oil) by two strains of Penicillium roquefortii, FRR 2456 (isolated from a spoilt melon) and Wisbey PJ (a commercial dairy strain), at pH 7.0 at 10 and 25 °C. The system was designed as a model of cheese using modified Czapek medium in solid state cultures. Shea oil with its unique fatty acid profile (stearic, oleic and palmitic acids) was used for comparison with butter oil. Yields of MAGs, which ranged from 3 to 14 g kg,1 oil, were higher with butter than with shea oil and higher when the spoilage strain FRR 2456 was used. Monoacylglycerols produced by mycelium-bound lipases from both fungal strains were mainly sn -1(3) or , isomers (60,70 mol%). Monopalmitin was the major MAG produced from both butter and shea oils. The production and use of MAGs alone or in combination with free fatty acids (FFAs) as food preservatives are discussed. It is implied that sn -1(3) MAGs together with free fatty acids may be part of a natural antimicrobial system in relatively high-pH foods such as blue mould-ripened cheese where growth of foodborne pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes can be a problem. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


    STATUS, RELATIONSHIPS, AND DISTRIBUTION OF MESOPLODON BOWDOINI ANDREWS, 1908 (CETACEA: ZIPHIIDAE)

    MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE, Issue 3 2001
    Alan N. Baker
    Abstract The specific status of Mesoplodon bowdoini Andrews is reviewed and new information on its morphology, reproduction, and distribution is presented. This species of beaked whale, known only from 35 specimens, has a southern, circumpolar distribution north of the Antarctic convergence, between 32° and 54°30,S. It shares with M. bahamondi Reyes, Van Waerebeek, Cárdenas and Yáñez from the south Pacific Ocean including New Zealand (this paper) and M. carlhubbsi Moore from the north Pacific, a number of morphological features such as prominential notches in the maxillary bones in the skull. It is less similar to M. stejnegeri True from the north Pacific and M. ginkgodens Nishiwaki and Kamiya from the tropical Indo-Pacific. Mesoplodon bowdoini can be distinguished from all other species of Mesoplodon by the shape of its teeth (male and female), and differences in the morphology of its skull, especially the proportions of the rostrum, separation of the nasals, the shape of the prominential notches, and the nature of the antorbital processes. The species' distinguishing external characteristics are: a robust body up to about 4.50 m long; a low melon and short, thick beak; an elevated jawline posteriorly; and a low, blunt-tipped, triangular dorsal fin. The occurrence of fetuses of M. bowdoini in May and September, and perinatal juveniles in May and June, indicates a summer-autumn breeding season in the New Zealand region; the length at birth is estimated at about 2.20 m. [source]


    Trifluralin herbicide-induced resistance of melon to fusarium wilt involves expression of stress- and defence-related genes

    MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY, Issue 1 2007
    MAYA LOTAN-POMPAN
    SUMMARY To identify genes involved in trifluralin herbicide-induced resistance of melon to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis, suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) and cDNA-amplified fragment-length polymorphism (cDNA-AFLP) were used. A total of 123 clones,60 of which have never been isolated from melon,were isolated, sequenced and annotated. A significant proportion (35%) of the total 123 clones exhibited similarity to genes that have been formerly described as stress- or defence-related. Thirty-two selected clones were subjected to a detailed expression analysis, one-third of which were found to be up-regulated in response to trifluralin treatment and/or fusarium inoculation. The putative roles of seven of these clones in stress are discussed. Furthermore, the expression of four stress-related and up-regulated genes was enhanced when the plants were subjected to salinity stress, suggesting that trifluralin induces a general stress response which protects the plant against fusarium wilt. [source]


    Ethylene production in plants during transformation suppresses vir gene expression in Agrobacterium tumefaciens

    NEW PHYTOLOGIST, Issue 3 2008
    Satoko Nonaka
    Summary ,,Ethylene evolution from plants inhibits Agrobacterium -mediated genetic transformation, but the mechanism is little understood. In this study, the possible role of ethylene in Agrobacterium -mediated genetic transformation was clarified. ,,It was tested whether or not plant ethylene sensitivity affected genetic transformation; the sensitivity might regulate bacterial growth during co-cultivation and vir gene expression in Agrobacterium tumefaciens. For these experiments, melon (Cucumis melo) was used, in which ethylene sensitivity was controlled by chemicals, and Arabidopsis ethylene-insensitive mutants. ,,Agrobacterium -mediated genetic transformation was inhibited in ethylene-sensing melon, whereas, in Arabidopsis ethylene-insensitive mutant, it was enhanced. However, the ethylene sensitivity did not affect bacterial growth. vir gene expression was inhibited by application of plant exudate from ethylene-sensitive plants. The inhibitory effect of the ethylene sensitivity on genetic transformation relieved the activation of vir gene expression in A. tumefaciens with vir gene inducer molecule (acetosyringone, AS) or A. tumefaciens mutant strain which has constitutive vir gene expression. ,,These results indicate that ethylene evolution from a plant inoculated with A. tumefaciens inhibited vir gene expression in A. tumefaciens through the ethylene signal transduction in the plant, and, as a result, Agrobacterium -mediated genetic transformation was inhibited. [source]


    Promotion of 5-aminolevulinic acid on photosynthesis of melon (Cucumis melo) seedlings under low light and chilling stress conditions

    PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM, Issue 2 2004
    Liang Ju Wang
    When melon seedlings (Cucumis melo L. Ximiya No. 1) were cultured in a growth chamber with about 150 µmol m,2 s,1 photon flux density, the leaf photosynthetic ability reduced dramatically as leaf position decreased from the top. The application of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) solutions significantly increased the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) as well as apparent quantum yield (AQY), carboxylation efficiency (CE) and stomata conductance (Gs). After irrigation with 10 ml of ALA solution (10 mg l,1 or 100 mg l,1) per container filled with approximately 250 g clean sand for 3 days, the leaf Pn was about 40,200% higher than that of controls, and AQY, CE and Gs increased 21,271%, 55,210% and 60,335%, respectively. Furthermore, ALA treatments increased leaf chlorophyll content and soluble sugar levels, as well as the rate of dark respiration, but decreased the rate of respiration under light. On the other hand, after melon seedlings that had been cultured in the chamber suffered chilling at 8°C for 4 h and then recovered at 25,30°C for 2 and 20 h, the Pn of the water-irrigated plants was only 12,18% and 37,47%, respectively, compared with the initial Pn before chilling treatment. If the seedlings underwent the same treatment but with ALA (10 mg l,1), the respective Pn was 22,38% and 76,101%, compared with that of the control before chilling stress. If chilling was prolonged for 6 h, the ALA-pre-treated plants only showed a few symptoms in the leaf margins whereas all water-irrigated plants died, which suggested that ALA presumably promoted chilling tolerance of the plants under low light. [source]


    Development and Characterization of Microsatellite Markers from an Enriched Genomic Library of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)

    PLANT BREEDING, Issue 1 2008
    N. Watcharawongpaiboon
    Abstract The development, characterization and application of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) microsatellite markers was accomplished using a library-enrichment procedure. Fifty-seven primer pairs flanking the microsatellite repeats were used for DNA amplification. Sixteen C. sativus accessions were assessed for polymorphisms using 45 primer pairs. The average number of alleles per locus was 3.6, and up to seven alleles were found at one locus. The maximum polymorphism information content value was 0.78 with an average of 0.47. The cucumber microsatellite makers could be useful for seed purity control in hybridity testing. Some of these cucumber markers were transferable to other cucurbit species (i.e. melon, watermelon, pumpkin and bitter gourd). [source]


    First report of Melon necrotic spot virus on melon in Tunisia

    PLANT PATHOLOGY, Issue 2 2008
    S. Yakoubi
    No abstract is available for this article. [source]


    Variation in the response of melon genotypes to Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. melonis race 1 determined by inoculation tests and molecular markers

    PLANT PATHOLOGY, Issue 2 2003
    Y. Burger
    Screening of genotypes of melon (Cucumis melo) for resistance to wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. melonis is often characterized by wide variability in their responses to inoculation, even under carefully controlled conditions. The variability at the seedling stage of 17 genotypes susceptible to race 1 was examined in growth-chamber experiments. Disease incidence varied from 0 to 100% in a genotype-dependent manner. Using four combinations of light (60 and 90 µE m,2 s,1) and temperatures of (27 and 31°C), only light intensity showed a statistically significant effect. Marker-assisted selection for fusarium resistance breeding using cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) and sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers were compared using a single set of genotypes that included 24 melon accessions and breeding lines whose genotype regarding the Fom-2 gene was well characterized. The practical value of the markers for discriminating a range of genotypes and clarifying the scoring of phenotypes was also tested using a segregating breeding population which showed codominant SCAR markers to be useful in marker-assisted selection. [source]


    Maximum ingested food size in captive strepsirrhine primates: Scaling and the effects of diet

    AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 4 2010
    Jonathan M.G. Perry
    Abstract Little is known about ingested food size (Vb) in primates, even though this variable has potentially important effects on food intake and processing. This study provides the first data on Vb in strepsirrhine primates using a captive sample of 17 species. These data can be used for generating and testing models of feeding energetics. Strepsirrhines are of interest because they are hypometabolic and chewing rate and daily feeding time do not show a significant scaling relationship with body size. Using melon, carrot, and sweet potato we found that maximum Vb scales isometrically with body mass and mandible length. Low dietary quality in larger strepsirrhines might explain why Vb increases with body size at a greater rate than does resting metabolic rate. Relative to body size, Vb is large in frugivores but small in folivores; furthermore scaling slopes are higher in frugivores than in folivores. A gross estimate of dietary quality explains much of the variation in Vb that is not explained by body size. Gape adaptations might favor habitually large bites for frugivores and small ones for folivores. More data are required for several feeding variables and for wild populations. Am J Phys Anthropol 142:625,635, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]