The plant. The camu-camu [Myrciaria dubia (H.B.K.) Mc. Vaugh] is a shrub from the Myrtaceae family. It grows naturally in floodable and swampy areas of the Amazonian basin. This plant is cultivated in Peru and Brazil with fruit yields ranging from (12 to 20) t × ha-1 × year-1. The fruit. The fruit, from (1 to 3) cm in diameter, is pink to dark purple; it is the highest known source of natural vitamin C, providing (850 to 5,000) mg mg × 100 g-1 edible portion. The market. In the last few years, both national and international demand for the camu-camu fruit has drastically increased for the production of health food or of natural vitamin C. The current fruit production is not sufficient to satisfy the market. Conclusion.M. dubia stands out amongst other Amazonian fruit species as having a high economic and social potential. Little information is available on its processing, showing the need for research in this area.

Introduction. Non-destructive estimation of leaf area saves time as compared with geometric measurements. For this reason, several leaf area prediction models were produced for some plant species such as grape, avocado and kiwifruit in previous studies. In this research, we attempted to offer a reliable equation that predicts strawberry leaf area non-destructively by linear measurements of leaf geometry. Materials and methods. An equation was developed by using Sweet Charlie and Camarosa strawberry cultivars and by measuring lamina width, length and leaf area. Results and discussion. It was found that the relationships between the actual leaf area and the predicted leaf area given by the equation developed were significant at a level of 0.1% and that r2 was 0.993. In addition, the model was validated by measurements of new leaf areas of seven other strawberry cultivars. Conclusions. The model developed could be used for strawberries in relevant studies.

Introduction. Leaf area measurements are used commonly in the study of growth and development of fruit trees. These measurements can be made destructively by using a variety of sensitive instruments and/or non-destructively by using models of leaf area estimation. For models of leaf area estimation, some leaf parameters such as the length and width of leaves are usually used in the measurements. Construction of a model of leaf area estimation. Computer programs such as Excel, SAS and SPSS may be used in this process. In brief, after a leaf has been placed on a sheet of paper and photocopied, a digital planimeter or suitable tool may be used to measure the actual leaf area. The leaf width (W) and length (L) of the leaves sampled can be measured by a simple ruler. After this, regression analysis of the data may be performed separately for each genotype, species or cultivar. The analysis can be conducted with various subsets of the independent variables; for instance, leaf length (L), leaf width (W), L2, W2 and [L2 / W2] to develop the best model for predicting leaf area. Regression analyses should be carried out until the deviation sum of squares is minimized. Models of leaf area estimation for specific crops. In our study, prediction models of leaf area were developed by referring to the relevant current literature that studied such fruits as avocado, banana, blackberry, cacao, cherry, chestnut, grape, guava, kiwifruit, lotus plum, peach, pistachio, rabbiteye blueberry, red currant, red raspberry, sour orange, strawberry, pecan and white mulberry. Advantages and disadvantage of the models of leaf area estimation. Some advantages and a disadvantage of models of leaf area estimation are presented. Conclusion. Our mini-review has shown that the models which have been formulated and which will develop in the future for some fruit species can be reliably used.

Introduction Theobroma cacao L. is economically speakingthe most important species of the genus Theobroma. Cacao is cultured intropical regions and its yield is affected by several diseases, such as black pod.Black pod rot in cacao. Cacao black pod, particularly, is an economicallyserious problem in all areas of the world where cacao is grown, causing significant podlosses of up to 30% and killing up to 10% of the trees annually. The disease is caused bydifferent species of the stramenopile genus Phytophthora and, once it hasinfected a cacao field, its control is fairly difficult. Black pod rot controlstrategies. Several approaches are used to manage black pod: chemical control,phytosanitary and cultural methods, genetic resistance, and biological control. Losses inyield due to black pod could be reduced through integrated management practices, althoughthe results may vary for each cacao-growing region. Main challenges and newapproaches Black pod control could be achieved if an integrated managementstrategy is established, with the combination of biological and chemical methods, geneticcontrol, and adequate cultural methods in an integrated program.

Introduction. Raspberry is an economically important berry crop; its fruit contains numerous phenolic compounds with potential health benefits. It is known that the chemical content of the fruit is affected by processing factors, but limited information is available on the influence of production factors or impact of genotypes. Materials and methods. The raspberry cultivars tested in our study were Autumn Bliss, Batum, Heritage, Polana (red fruits) and Golden Bliss (yellow fruits); a hybrid boysenberry and a black raspberry (black fruits). The plants were grown in two subtropical areas in Brazil. Harvested fruits were used to determine the contents of bioactive compounds (anthocyanins, ascorbic acid, β-carotene, lycopene and total phenols), antioxidant activity and mineral composition (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, boron, copper, manganese, zinc and iron). Results. Our results revealed a strong influence of the site on the parameters evaluated and indicated the existence of variation among the cultivars. In general, colored raspberries are a rich source of nutrients, especially nitrogen, potassium, iron and manganese, and contain significant amounts of bioactive compounds.

Introduction. The conservation status of many wild fruit tree species that support rural people in Africa remains poorly documented despite its importance for their management. We compared the viability of tamarind (Tamarindus indica) populations, a dry land species that has nutritional, medicinal and cultural importance for rural communities, under different human-pressure levels. Materials and methods. The data relative to the tree diameter and height as well as the number of adults and stems were collected in plots of inventory and made it possible to calculate the dendrometric parameters for each targeted population, and to establish their diameter distribution. The dendrometric characteristics were analyzed by using nonparametric tests and the diameter distribution was adjusted to a truncated normal distribution. Results and discussion. Numbers of mature tamarind trees per hectare and regeneration (expressed as stem·ha–1) were relatively low, suggesting tamarind populations may not be self-rejuvenating. Nonetheless, significant variation occurred between habitat types (P < 0.001). Mature tree density in gallery forests [(18.2 ± 10.1) trees·ha–1] was three to eight times higher than that of savannah woodlands [(5 ± 4.5) trees·ha–1] and farmlands [(2.5 ± 0.4) trees·ha–1]. Young plants followed the same trend, with (11.2 ± 9.3) plants·ha–1, (1.1 ± 0.6) plants·ha–1, and 0.00 plants·ha–1, respectively. Diameter size class distributions departed from normality (P < 0.0001) and coefficient of skewness was positive irrespective of habitat type, indicating declining populations. However, median diameter values would suggest the species’ populations in farmlands and savannah woodlands to be more vulnerable than those occurring in gallery forests. These findings would suggest that gallery forests best suit tamarind in situ conservation. The observed severe reduction of trees and juveniles in farmlands and woodlands may negatively impact the long-term viability of tamarind populations. Juveniles’ introduction into farmlands may be needed to ensure conservation in agroforestry systems.

Introduction. Kiwifruit is a typical climacteric fruit, which grows profitably well in sub-temperate climatic conditions. The major problem with kiwifruit is that it does not ripen for about a week at room temperature but after this period there is a sudden rise in the respiration rate and fruits remain in edible condition for only a few days, giving it a very short shelf life in ambient conditions. Materials and methods. Kiwifruits were treated with different concentrations of spermine [(0.5, 1.0 and 1.5) mM] and spermidine [(1.0, 1.5 and 2.0) mM] by the immersion method; biochemical and physiological analyses were carried out, then fruit were stored in ambient conditions for 15 days. Results and discussion. Polyamine-treated fruits did not show any amount of ethylene evolution up to the 6th day of storage as compared with those of control, in which it started after the 3rd day of storage. The respiration rate was also the lowest in treated fruit. Similarly, polygalacturonase and lipoxygenase activities rose rapidly in control fruits in comparison with polyamine-treated fruits. Conclusion. The doses of spermine at 1.5 mM and spermidine at 2.0 mM showed the best results in extending the shelf life of kiwifruits when stored in ambient conditions [(22 ± 4) ◦C, RH: (65 ± 5)%].

Significance of fruit flies in vegetable crops. Vegetable crops hold a key position in agricultural production in Reunion (Indian Ocean); however, many pests and diseases threaten the profitability of this agricultural sector. Fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) figure among the main pests for solanaceous crops and cucurbits (cucumber, zucchini, melon, etc.). Losses of as much as 80% of tomato and 100% of cucurbit crop harvests have been frequently observed. Inventory and distribution. Four fruit fly species belonging to the Tephritidae family cause major damage to vegetable crops in Reunion: Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillet), Dacus ciliatus Loew and D. demmerezi (Bezzi) on Cucurbitaceae, and Neoceratitis cyanescens (Bezzi) on Solanaceae (primarily the tomato). Distribution of each of them is presented. Biology and behavior. A few studies on the biology and behavior of the four fruit flies were conducted in Reunion in the late 1990s. Their main biological characteristics are summarized. Population control methods used in Reunion. Various methods such as chemical control, preventive measures (sanitation), physical control, biotechnical control [colored traps, the Male Annihilation Technique (MAT) and the Bait Application Technique (BAT)], and biological control currently used in Reunion against fruit flies are reported. Other control methods such as Integrated Pest Management and the Sterile Insect Technique are not used in Reunion. Prospects for implementing agro-ecological management of vegetable fruit flies in Reunion. This part presents research actions implemented in fly bio-ecology, research actions into the genetic structure of populations and design of an agro-ecological management scheme for vegetable fruit flies. Conclusions. The control methods used independently have not been successful to effectively control tephritid populations. A more integrated approach is required, also taking into account the landscape scale and its mosaic of habitats, especially wild plants, whose role must be considered within a framework of agro-ecological management of these pest populations.

Introduction. Adansonia digitata L. est une espèce à usages multiples en Afrique qui présente une forte variabilité morphologique. Nos travaux ont cherché à caractériser et à mesurer cette variabilité morphologique dans différentes zones climatiques prospectées au Bénin, puis à construire des modèles prédictifs de variables de production à partir de caractères de la capsule. Matériel et méthodes. Les analyses ont porté sur une caractérisation biométrique de 1200 capsules groupées en quatre différentes formes réparties dans l’ensemble de trois zones climatiques ; ces données ont été complétées par une évaluation et une modélisation de leurs productions. Résultats et discussion. Les variables les plus discriminantes de la forme des capsules de baobab et des zones climatiques prospectées ont été la longueur de la capsule, le poids de la pulpe, le poids total de la capsule, le poids de l’amande, l’épaisseur de la capsule et le rapport [longueur / largeur]. En moyenne, une capsule pèse 275 g en zone guinéenne, 273 g en zone soudano-guinéenne et 204 g en zone soudanienne ; elle produit dans chacune de ces zones 54 g, 51 g et 32 g de pulpe, ainsi que 37 g, 28 g et 23 g d’amande. Les productions moyennes en graines, amande et pulpe ont été modélisées et ajustées à des fonctions racine carrée et/ou logarithmique suivant les différentes zones climatiques. Conclusion. Les variables morphométriques ont permis non seulement de faire une typologie assez précise des différentes formes de capsules mais aussi d’estimer leur production à partir de modèles prédictifs. La variabilité de la production des capsules de baobab suivant différentes zones climatiques pourrait être un paramètre utile à une amélioration génétique de l’espèce répondant aux besoins et aux moyens des populations rurales.

Introduction. During ripening, the pigment content, starch index and sugar content of banana fruit change, providing accurate indicators for maturity classification. However, at present, banana fruits are traded according to their color stage. This study is aimed at investigating a non-destructive, rapid instrumental method to measure fruit maturity and quality more precisely. Materials and methods.Musa cavendishii L. grown in Honduras were ripened in a commercial ripening chamber and selected at four different color stages. Visible (VIS) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in reflectance mode were investigated for the non-destructive detection of fruit chlorophyll and sugar contents. Partial least squares regression was applied to auto-scaled spectral data. Reference analyses were performed using spectrophotometry after a diethyl ether extraction of chlorophyll and high performance liquid chromatography for individual sugar analysis. Results. Calibration models for spectral readings and laboratory destructive tests gave multivariate correlation coefficients of determination of $R^2 > 0.70$ for chlorophyll a, R2 = 0.96 with standard errors of calibration (scal) of 1.6, and standard errors of cross-validation (scval) of 1.8 for glucose; R2 = 0.94 with scal of 0.8, and scval of 0.9 for sucrose; R2 = 0.96 with scval of 2.5 and Scval of 2.7 for fructose (g$\cdot$kg-1 on a dry weight basis). Conclusion. This paper shows the potential of VIS/NIRS for non-destructively predicting the maturity and quality of whole banana fruit based on determining fruit chlorophyll and sugar contents.

Introduction. Among the citrus species, C. sinensis has been the most studied given its importance in terms of production and its industrial application in juices. Some of orange juice's organoleptic and functional properties, which make it an attractive product for the consumer, are due to its carotenoid composition. Xanthophylls can be found in either their free form (as the carotenes are found) or in a more stable fatty acid esterified form in the case of mono- and polyhydroxylated xanthophylls. Detection of adulteration of orange juices is of concern to consumers, regulatory agencies and citrus processing industries, and the study of carotenoid ester composition has been proposed to evaluate fruit products' authenticity. In this study, we report on the native (carotenoid esters and free carotenoids) carotenoid profile of orange juices of eight different varieties. Materials and methods. Monovarietal fresh orange juices were obtained from squeezing mid-season oranges (Citrus sinensis varieties: Bionda, Brasiliana, Moro, Ovale, Sanguinello, Tarocco, Valence and Washington) cultivated and supplied by a local producer. After the extraction of the carotenoids from the samples, the analyses were carried out by HPLC-DAD-APCI-MS. Results and discussion. The results showed that, in the juices studied, the xanthophylls were mostly esterified (93% of the total carotenoid mean content). The different varieties investigated showed variations in their carotenoid contents. The total carotenoid contents ranged from 2.42 µg·g–1 in the Washington variety to 15.8 µg·g–1 in the Valencia variety. Among the monoesters, the Valencia variety showed the highest violaxanthin ester amounts (61%), the Brasiliana variety showed the highest β-cryptoxanthin ester content (86.9%) and the Tarocco variety had the highest luteoxanthin ester amount (75.7%). Moreover, in general, in the Brasiliana, Ovale, Sanguinello, Valencia and Washington varieties, the monoester contents were higher than the diesters, whereas in the Bionda, Moro and Tarocco varieties the opposite was determined. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that this analytical approach has been applied to characterising, both qualitatively and quantitatively, the whole carotenoid pattern (carotenoid esters and free carotenoids) in orange juices from the Bionda , Brasiliana, Moro, Ovale, Sanguinello, Tarocco, Valence and Washington varieties. This contribution could also be used to establish authenticity markers among orange varieties that could potentially be used to prevent adulteration.

Introduction. Simple, accurate and non-destructive models determining leaf area of plants are important in many experimental comparisons. Determining the individual leaf area (La) of A. deliciosa (A. Chev.) vines involves the measurements of leaf parameters such as leaf length (Ll) and width (Lw), or some combinations of these parameters. Materials and methods. A 2-year investigation was carried out in Italy during 2005 (calibration experiments) and 2006 (validation experiment) under open field conditions. It aimed at comparing existing predictive leaf area models for A. deliciosa leaves using non-destructive measurements, and assessing the accuracy of the optimum model selected using an independent dataset. Results and discussion. Regression analyses of (La) vs. (Ll) and (Lw) revealed several models that could be used for estimating the area of individual A. deliciosa leaves. A linear model with (Ll × Lw) as the independent variable [La = 0.82 (Ll × Lw) – 0.28] provided the most accurate estimate (R2 = 0.985, mean standard error = 25) of A. deliciosa leaf area. Validation of the model with (Ll) and (Lw) measured on leaves from other orchards grown in different locations showed that the correlation between calculated and measured areas was very high. Conclusions. With the model selected, agronomists and physiologists can estimate accurately and reliably the leaf area of A. deliciosa plants without the use of expensive instruments, e.g., a leaf area planimeter or digital camera with image measurement software.

Introduction. Edible wild plants are nature’s gift to mankind. Considering the growing need to identify alternative bio-nutritional sources, some underutilized species of figs (Ficus carica L., F. palmata Forssk., F. racemosa L.) and mulberries (Morus alba L. , M. nigra L, M. laevigata Wall.) of the family Moraceae were evaluated as wild edible fruits to study their nutritive and mineral composition in order to prioritize their edibility for indigenous people. Materials and methods. The major proximal components (moisture, ash, lipids, proteins, fibers and carbohydrates) were determined by standard AOAC methods. The concentration of various minerals (K, Ca, Mg and Na) and trace elements (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and Ni) were recorded by using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results. Our results indicated a range of moisture contents from 17.82–80.37 g·100 g–1 (fresh weight basis) in F. carica-M. laviegata; protein, 6.31–13.50 g·100 g–1 (dry weight basis) in F. glomerata-M. alba; crude fats, 1.02–2.71 g·100 g–1 in F. palmate-F. glomerata; carbohydrates 69.47–75.58 g·100 g–1 in M. alba-M. nigra; and fiber 7.63–17.81 g×100 g–1 in M. laviegata-F. palmate, respectively. The significantly highest energy value was computed in M. laviegata (367.7 kcal·100 g–1). Moreover, sufficient quantities of essential elements were found in all the studied materials. The highest levels of N [(0.24 ± 0.07) mg·g–1] and Fe [(1.43 ± 0.42 mg·g–1] were found in M. laviegata; Na [(1.92 ± 0.11 mg·g–1] and Mg [(6.92 ± 0.37 mg·g–1] in F. palmate; and K [(17.21 ± 0.03 mg·g–1] in F. glomerata. Significant variation existed among the selected species in all the nutritional parameters. Conclusion. According to our results, fig and mulberry fruits are recommended for commercial-scale production for the green industry to overcome food crises as they are potential food sources, particularly Morus laviegata and Ficus palmata, with rich nutritional attributes and mineral profiles.

Introduction. Little is known about the impact of organic manure on andosol. Materials and methods. Two varieties of Solanum lycopersicum L. (cvs. ‘Rio grande’ and ‘Rossol VFN’) were grown under tropical andosol. The soil was silty, acidic and very poor in Bray P (3 mg·kg–1) with a strong imbalance in the (Ca:Mg:K) ratio of (74.0:25.0:0.7). Five fertilization treatments were used: (i) control with no fertilizer, (ii) minerals, with a (Ca:Mg:K) ratio of (76:18:6) and 75 mg P·kg–1 of soil; (iii) poultry manure with a (Ca:Mg:K) ratio of (68:24:7) and 450 mg P·kg–1 of soil; (iv) a combination of (ii) and (iii), and (v) mineral fertilization as applied by local farmers, with a (Ca:Mg:K) ratio of (73:25:1) and 54 mg P·kg–1 of soil. Results. All cation-balanced treatments (organic, mineral or a combination of both) significantly improved plant growth, the number of trusses and fruits per plant, the marketable fruit yield and fruit P, K, Ca and Na contents of both tomato varieties considered. The ‘Rio grande’ variety was the most productive (32–44 t·ha–1) compared with the ‘Rossol’ variety (20–22 t·ha–1). There was no major difference between the organic fertilizer and the cation-balanced mineral fertilizer. There was no effect of mineral fertilizer with an unbalanced cation composition on tomato plant growth and production as compared with unfertilized control. Conclusion. In tropical andosol poor in potassium and phosphorous and with excess of Mg, application of poultry manure in adequate dosage and at the right time is capable of sustaining tomato fruit production, as well as the application of calculated inorganic fertilizer.

Introduction. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can be considered important rhizospheric beneficial microorganisms. Their use as biocontrol strategies against soilborne pathogens such as nematodes should be taken into account. However, optimal management of soil microbiota communities is not easy because of the high specificity involved in these types of interactions. The aim of our study was to determine whether the combined inoculation of two AMF species and a Bacillus consortium based on three strains previously described as PGPR in other crops were able to reduce nematode infection and damage on papaya. Materials and methods. Papaya seedlings were inoculated with two AMF isolates (Glomus mosseae or G. manihotis) at the beginning of the nursery phase. Once the mycorrhizal symbiosis was established, a Bacillus consortium was applied. Nematode inoculum was applied 20 d after transplanting to individual pots. Plants were harvested 160 d after nematode inoculation. Results. In terms of plant development and nutrition, benefits due to AMF inoculation persisted in the presence of PGPR. However, the effect of dual inoculation was different, depending on the Glomus species. This positive effect was also evident in plants with nematode. Meloidogyne infection was significantly reduced in mycorrhizal plants. However, the addition of PGPR does not seem to improve the results of AMF single treatments in terms of nematode infection. Conclusion. Dual application of AMF and PGPR must be considered for papaya threatened by the root-knot nematode, although a previous screening should be done in order to select the best microbe combination to optimise results.

Introduction. The BrazilianCerrado presents a wide vegetable diversity, which is used for differentpurposes, especially in human feeding. Among the various fruitsof the Cerrado, the araticum (Annona crassiflora Mart.)stands out, due to its high nutritional value and technologicalpotential. The physical characteristics, chemical composition (titratableacidity, pH, moisture, ash, total dietary fiber, lipids and proteins),occurrence and content of vitamin C (ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acids),carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin and lycopene),vitamin E (α-, β-, γ- and δ-tocopherols and tocotrienols) and folates(tetrahydrofolate, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and 5-formyltetrahydrofolate)were evaluated in araticum from the Cerrado of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Materials and methods. Vitamin C and carotenoids wereanalyzed by HPLC-DAD, and vitamin E and folates by HPLC with fluorescencedetection. Results and discussion. Araticum pulp presenteda high energy value (95.12 kcal·100 g–1), as well aselevated contents of dietary fiber (6.80 g·100 g–1), carotenoids (4.98 mg·100 g–1) and vitamin A value (288.79 RAE·100 g–1).The contents of vitamin C, folates and vitamin E were 5.23 mg·100 g–1, 27.36 μg·100 g–1 and 494.04 μg·100 g–1, respectively. Conclusion. Araticum presented high energy value andhigh dietary fiber content. It is a source of vitamin C and folates, andan excellent source of vitamin A.

Introduction. The objective of the present paper was to evaluate the effects of N, P and K, and their interactions, on fruit yield and quality of two sweet orange varieties, Valencia and Pêra, grown on tropical soils in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, over four seasons. Materials and methods. Two experiments were set up in a fractional factorial design of the ½ (4 × 4 × 4) type, with four rates of N [(30, 100, 170 and 240) kg·ha–1·year–1], P [(9, 27, 45 and 63) kg·ha–1·year–1)] and K [(24, 91, 158 and 225) kg·ha–1·year–1] applied to the soil surface during the rainy season. Functions of the type y = b0 + b11 N + b11 N2 + b2 P + b22 P2 + b3 K + b33 K2 + b12 NP + b13 NK + b23 PK were fitted for dependent variables: fruit yield and mass, juice content, and total soluble solids and acidity concentrations. Results. Maximum yield of Pêra and Valencia was attained, respectively, with N rates of (189 and 193) kg·ha–1. Fruit yield response to P and K fertilization for both cultivars was dependent on soil nutrient availability. Fruit size of Valencia trees was markedly affected by rates of K over 225 kg·ha–1. Yield of soluble solids per box of fruits (40.8 kg) decreased as leaf K concentration varied from (10 to 12) g·kg–1. Conclusion. Soil testing and leaf analysis play an important role in defining fruit yield and quality for citrus trees. The best nutritional program may vary depending on the destination of fruit to either juice production or the fresh market.

Introduction. Persea americana (avocado) fruit is known to be a rich source of proteins and minerals, as well as vitamins. Although many biological activities have been reported for avocado fruit, far less attention has been paid to the biological properties of its lipid-soluble bioactive substances. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and antihemolytic activity of lipid-soluble bioactive compounds of avocado fruit. Materials and methods. Antioxidant and antihemolytic activity of lipid-soluble bioactive compounds of avocado fruit was assessed by employing different methods. Also, the ability of avocado fruit to protect fluorescein against oxidant-induced bleaching was evaluated. Results and discussion. The tested sample showed good antioxidant and antihemolytic activities. There was no significant difference between the reducing power of lipid-soluble bioactive substances in avocado fruits and ascorbic acid (p < 0.05). The tested sample showed weak ferrous ion-chelating activity. The sample exhibited moderate hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity, but exhibited good antioxidant activity. Avocado fruit showed very good activity against 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride- and hydrogen peroxide-induced hemolysis in erythrocytes. Furthermore, it showed good protective effects against peroxyl radical-induced bleaching in fluorescein. Conclusion. Lipid-soluble bioactive substances of avocado fruit showed good activity in all of the studied models.

Introduction. Ultrafiltration (UF) is a single-unit operation for the clarification and fining of fruit juices. The purpose of the UF is to remove suspended solids as well as haze-inducing and turbidity-causing substances to obtain a clear juice during storage. Specifically, the polymerization of phenolic compounds and their interaction with other components (e.g., proteins) could cause a haze complex and turbidity in fruit juices, which can foul the ultrafiltration membrane. Materials and methods. Fresh pomegranate juice was clarified by the ultrafiltration process on a laboratory scale. In experimental tests performed according to the total recycle and the batch concentration mode, the effects of transmembrane pressure (TMP) and enzyme pre-treatment on permeation flux and quality of juice were studied. Results. With the total recycle mode, the effect of TMP on the color and clarity of clarified pomegranate juice was significant. The initial color of the raw pomegranate juice was reduced from 74% to 33% and the clarity decreased from 77% to 42% by UF when the TMP increased from (1 to 3.6) bar. Total phenolic rejection decreased from 45% to 21% when the TMP rose from (1 to 2) bar and remained constant above this value. With the batch concentration mode at TMP = 2 bar and velocity 1 m·s–1, the enzymatic treatment (5 U·mL–1, 300 min, T = 20 °C) of pomegranate juice provided the highest permeate flux, a decrease in total phenolics of 50% and an increased clarity of 30%. Fouling of the UF membrane during pomegranate juice processing is mainly due to the retention of polyphenols and/or proteins; thus, several blocking mechanisms were studied, using a recently developed membrane-fouling model. Analysis revealed that the membrane separation process was controlled by the gel layer mechanism of raw pomegranate juice and complete pore blocking mechanism with enzymatic pre-treatment.

Introduction. Soil microbiota communities have demonstrated their crucial role in maintaining the soil ecological balance and therefore the sustainability of either natural ecosystems or agroecosystems. Rhizospheric microbe-plant interactions have a great influence on plant health and soil quality since these root-associated microorganisms are able to help the host plant to deal with drought, nutritional and soil-borne pathogen stress conditions. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can be considered among rhizosphere-beneficial microorganisms. In a micropropagated plant system, bacterial inoculation at the beginning of the acclimatisation phase must also be observed from the perspective of the establishment of the soil microbiota rhizosphere. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of a rhizobacteria consortium of Bacillus spp. on the first developmental stages of two micropropagated bananas. Materials and methods. Two varieties of banana plant cultivars (‘Grande Naine’ and a banana-derived tetraploid hybrid ‘ITC 1297’) were inoculated or not with a suspension of Bacillus spp. at the beginning of the weaning phase. Six plants were considered per treatment and cultured under greenhouse conditions in a randomised design. For both cultivars, plants were harvested (135 and 185) days after bacterial inoculation and analysed for growth parameters and nutrient contents. Results. Concerning plant development, bacterial application induced a positive effect on both cultivars although this effect showed some time differences depending on the banana cultivar. Foliar mineral contents were significantly increased only in ‘Grande Naine’ plants at 135 days. Our results demonstrated for the first time that the Bacillus spp. consortium tested was able to improve banana development (both cultivars) and foliar mineral contents in one of them. Conclusion. Therefore, this bacterial consortium can be described as PGPR for banana under these experimental conditions. This biotechnology, adaptable to the hardening phase, thus represents a prospective way to increase plant health and survival rates in commercial nurseries.