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Item Genomic architecture of resistance to latania scale (H. lataniae) in kiwifruit (A. chinensis var. chinensis)(BioMed Central Ltd, 2023-10-31) Flay C; Tahir J; Hilario E; Fraser L; Stannard K; Symonds V; Datson PBACKGROUND: Latania scale (Hemiberlesia lataniae Signoret) is an armoured scale insect known to cause damage to kiwifruit plants and fruit, which ultimately reduces crop values and creates post-harvest export and quarantine issues. Resistance to H. lataniae does exist in some commercial cultivars of kiwifruit. However, some of the commercial cultivars bred in New Zealand have not inherited alleles for resistance to H. lataniae carried by their parents. To elucidate the architecture of resistance in the parents and develop molecular markers to assist breeding, these experiments analysed the inheritance of resistance to H. lataniae from families related to commercial cultivars. RESULTS: The first experiment identified a 15.97 Mb genomic region of interest for resistance to H. lataniae in rtGBS data of 3.23 to 19.20 Mb on chromosome 10. A larger population was then QTL mapped, which confirmed the region of interest as the sole locus contributing to H. lataniae resistance. inDel markers mapping the region of low recombination under the QTL peak further narrowed the region associated with H. lataniae resistance to a 5.73 Mb region. CONCLUSIONS: The kiwifruit populations and genomic methods used in this study identify the same non-recombinant region of chromosome 10 which confers resistance of A. chinensis var. chinensis to H. lataniae. The markers developed to target the H. lataniae resistance loci will reduce the amount of costly and time-consuming phenotyping required for breeding H. lataniae scale resistance into new kiwifruit cultivars.Item Delivery of Catechins from Green Tea Waste in Single- and Double-Layer Liposomes via Their Incorporation into a Functional Green Kiwifruit Juice(MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2023-01-06) Athirojthanakij W; Rashidinejad A; Tzen JTCGlobally, about one million tonnes of tea products, which contain high concentrations of catechins and their derivatives, are wasted annually. Therefore, green tea waste catechins (GTWCs) are worth extracting, processing, protection, and delivery to the human body. In this study, GTWCs were extracted using a green method and then encapsulated in both single- (SLLs) and double-layer liposomes (DLLs). The encapsulated extracts were subsequently incorporated into a fresh green kiwifruit juice. SLLs and DLLs containing GTWCs had a size of about 180 and 430 nm with a zeta potential of -35 and +25 mV, respectively. Electron microscopy illustrated the separation of the SLLs and fibre in kiwifruit juice and attraction of the DLLs to this fibre. Liposomal GTWCs were effectively maintained in the kiwifruit juice during the 28 days of storage (4 °C), demonstrating the effectiveness of this delivery system for high-value bioactives (i.e., catechins) from such a by-product (i.e., green tea waste).Item Effects of Green and Gold Kiwifruit Varieties on Antioxidant Neuroprotective Potential in Pigs as a Model for Human Adults.(MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2024-04-09) Kanon AP; Giezenaar C; Roy NC; Jayawardana IA; Lomiwes D; Montoya CA; McNabb WC; Henare SJ; Digiacomo MKiwifruit (KF) has shown neuroprotective potential in cell-based and rodent models by augmenting the capacity of endogenous antioxidant systems. This study aimed to determine whether KF consumption modulates the antioxidant capacity of plasma and brain tissue in growing pigs. Eighteen male pigs were divided equally into three groups: (1) bread, (2) bread + Actinidia deliciosa cv. 'Hayward' (green-fleshed), and (3) bread + A. chinensis cv. 'Hort16A' (yellow-fleshed). Following consumption of the diets for eight days, plasma and brain tissue (brain stem, corpus striatum, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex) were collected and measured for biomarkers of antioxidant capacity, enzyme activity, and protein expression assessments. Green KF significantly increased ferric-reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) in plasma and all brain regions compared with the bread-only diet. Gold KF increased plasma ascorbate concentration and trended towards reducing acetylcholinesterase activity in the brain compared with the bread-only diet. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between FRAP in the brain stem, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus with the total polyphenol concentration of dietary interventions. These findings provide exploratory evidence for the benefits of KF constituents in augmenting the brain's antioxidant capacity that may support neurological homeostasis during oxidative stress.Item Onco-Preventive and Chemo-Protective Effects of Apple Bioactive Compounds(MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2021-11) Nezbedova L; McGhie T; Christensen M; Heyes J; Nasef NA; Mehta SCancer is one of the leading causes of death globally. Epidemiological studies have strongly linked a diet high in fruits to a lower incidence of cancer. Furthermore, extensive research shows that secondary plant metabolites known as phytochemicals, which are commonly found in fruits, have onco-preventive and chemo-protective effects. Apple is a commonly consumed fruit worldwide that is available all year round and is a rich source of phytochemicals. In this review, we summarize the association of apple consumption with cancer incidence based on findings from epidemiological and cohort studies. We further provide a comprehensive review of the main phytochemical patterns observed in apples and their bioavailability after consumption. Finally, we report on the latest findings from in vitro and in vivo studies highlighting some of the key molecular mechanisms targeted by apple phytochemicals in relation to inhibiting multiple ‘hallmarks of cancer’ that are important in the progression of cancer.Item Impact of a "vegetables first" approach to complementary feeding on later intake and liking of vegetables in infants: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial(BioMed Central Ltd, 2021-12) Rapson JP; von Hurst PR; Hetherington MM; Conlon CABACKGROUND: Vegetables as first complementary foods for infants may programme taste preferences that lead to improved vegetable intake in children. Yet few studies have investigated the impact of a "vegetables first" approach to complementary feeding, especially in New Zealand. The purpose of this randomised control trial is to investigate the effect of starting complementary feeding with vegetables only on infants' later intake and liking of vegetables, compared to those starting with fruit and vegetables. METHODS/DESIGN: One-hundred and twenty mother-infant pairs living in Auckland, New Zealand, will be randomised to receive either vegetables only (intervention) or fruit and vegetables (control) for 28 days, starting from the first day of complementary feeding at around 4-6 months of age. Infants will be presented with a brassica (broccoli), followed by a green leafy vegetable (spinach) and sweet fruit (pear) at 9 months of age. The primary outcome measures of intake of each food will be assessed using a weighed food diary. Secondary outcome measures of overall intake, liking and wanting of vegetables will be assessed using a food frequency questionnaire, liking tool and video coding tool, respectively, at 9, 12, and 24 months of age. Infant growth and iron status will be assessed as part of health screening and monitoring at baseline, post intervention and 9 months of age. Other biological samples to be collected include infant stool samples, vitamin D (mother and infant), iron status (mother), and mothers' diet. DISCUSSION: This randomised, controlled trial will be the first to our knowledge to investigate a "vegetables first" approach to complementary feeding on infants' liking and intake of vegetables in New Zealand. Comparison against standard practice (fruit and vegetables as first foods) should complement other trials underway, such as the Baby's First Bites and Nordic OTIS trial. Results may contribute to the evidence supporting complementary feeding guidelines in New Zealand and worldwide. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry ACTRN12619000737134 . Registered on 16 May 2019.Item Starting complementary feeding with vegetables only increases vegetable acceptance at 9 months: a randomized controlled trial(Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society for Nutrition, 2022-07-09) Rapson JP; Von Hurst PR; Hetherington MM; Mazahery H; Conlon CABACKGROUND: Starting complementary feeding (CF) with vegetables only may improve vegetable acceptance throughout childhood. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to test whether exposure to vegetables only during the first 4 wk of CF increases later vegetable acceptance compared with a control group receiving fruit and vegetables. METHODS: In this randomized, controlled, parallel-group study, 117 Auckland infants received either vegetables only (veg-only, n = 61) or a combination of fruit and vegetables (control, n = 56) for a duration of 4 wk, starting from the first day of CF at ∼4-6 mo of age. The primary outcome measure was intake of target vegetables (broccoli, spinach) provided by the study at 9 mo of age. Daily intake of vegetables (FFQs) at 9 mo was a supporting measure. Infants' iron status (serum ferritin, hemoglobin) was examined at all time points. RESULTS: The veg-only infants consumed more broccoli and spinach than controls [mean difference (95% CI): 11.83 (0.82, 22.84) g, P = 0.036 and 10.19 (0.50, 19.87) g, P = 0.039, respectively]. Intake of pear was comparable among intervention groups (P = 0.35). At 9 mo, veg-only infants consumed target vegetables at a faster rate [mean difference (95% CI): broccoli, 3.37 (1.26, 5.47), P = 0.002; spinach, 4.12 (0.80, 7.45), P = 0.016] and showed greater acceptance for target vegetables [mean difference (95% CI): broccoli, 0.38 (0.07, 0.70), P = 0.019; spinach, 032 (0.04, 0.60), P = 0.024] than controls. The rate of eating and acceptance of pear was comparable among intervention groups (P = 0.42 and P = 0.98, respectively). Also, veg-only infants consumed more vegetables than controls [86.3 (52.5, 146.3) compared with 67.5 (37.5, 101.3) g, respectively, P = 0.042]. Introducing vegetables as the first food was not associated with 9-mo iron status. CONCLUSIONS: Providing vegetables as first foods increased vegetable intake at 9 mo of age and may be an effective strategy for improving child vegetable consumption and developing preferences for vegetables in infancy.Item A systematic approach for developing and manufacturing fruit simulators : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Food Engineering, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand(Massey University, 2023) Huang, HuijianDue to the high cost, variable nature and seasonal availability of fruit, conducting large scale experiments for research purposes is not easy. A fruit simulator is a physical tool that mimics the mechanistic features and properties of the targeted fruit; hence, it can be used as a replacement for the fruit in research experiments. This study focuses on developing simulators for heat transfer experiments, especially in horticultural produce precooling. A framework for developing the simulator was established based on the importance of each mechanistic feature. Depending on the application's needs, the simulator can mimic different length scale levels of the targeted fruit, such as the individual fruit, the bulk stacking of the fruit or sub-units of the fruit (e.g., a punnet/bag of table grapes). The scale level determines whether certain mechanistic features are important and affects the values of the thermal properties that must be matched. For example, a simulator that mimics a punnet of fruit with enclosed air pockets has an effective thermal conductivity and volumetric heat capacity that includes contributions from the thermal properties of the fruit and air, which provides more room for material selection. Based on this framework, a systematic approach for the simulator manufacture and material selection was developed. Three different simulators were developed based on the framework: kiwifruit, apple and table grape simulators. The comparison of a simulator and real fruit precooling trials showed good agreement, validating the approach and demonstrating the feasibility of using simulators in postharvest research. The kiwifruit simulator was validated at different experimental scale levels, from individual kiwifruit to multiple kiwifruit boxes containing numerous individual kiwifruit simulators (which reflected pallet scale precooling). During the simulator development, the concept of a time-scaled approach was identified and was explored. In theory, if the volumetric heat capacity of a simulator becomes smaller while the Bi of the simulator remains the same, the heating/cooling time of the simulator in an experiment will decrease proportionally according to the Fourier number (Fo). This approach was validated via the three simulators developed in this study. The validation of the simulators confirms the feasibility of this time-scaled concept. This approach has a significant advantage in reducing the experimental time and easing the material selection process for the simulator manufacture. In the table grape simulator development, a process of using CT scans of the bulk packaged system to study the bulk shape and effective properties of the fruit subunits (bags) were developed, where the bulk shape and effective thermal properties of a bag of table grape were determined based on the process. A set of bag shaped fruit simulators was then manufactured with equivalent bulk thermal conductivity and used to validate the bulk simulator approach by comparison of cooling rates with real fruit. Overall, this study has successfully developed a generalised heat transfer simulator development framework. In addition, this study validated the feasibility and applicability of the time-scaling approach, which could be helpful for any future experiments. Furthermore, this study has developed a process to use CT scanning to determine a bulk object's bulk shape and effective property. The outcomes of the work pave the way for carrying out postharvest and packaging optimisation experimental trials with reduced variability, greater ease and without seasonal constraints. The simulator development framework provides a basis for further expansion of these concepts into other applications beyond the heat transfer focus that they were developed for in this work.Item Rethinking clamshell packaging : an exploration of packaging design for the kiwiberry industry : an exegesis presented in partial fullfullment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Design, Massey University, College of Creative Arts, Wellington, New Zealand(Massey University, 2018) Hughes, JustinThis project explores how designers can contribute to New Zealand’s food industries by devising creative packaging solutions which enhance the consumer experience and add value to the products . It focuses on the values that packaging design can bring to the kiwiberry industry and the Asian market. The kiwiberry, of which New Zealand is a major supplier, is a delicate, seasonal fruit with a high cost of production. Multidisciplinary connections between the Massey Institute of Food Science and Technology, Massey University School of Design, and kiwifruit industry partners Zespri and Freshmax were key to gaining insight into the packaging design opportunities for the kiwiberry. The investigation included research trips to Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong which were critical to gaining personal insight into the culture, consumer trends, supply chains and retail environments in these markets. These trips highlight the importance of fruit presentation in the Asian market as well as reassurances of food safety and authenticity. They also show that new technologies throughout the fruit supply chain are creating opportunities to develop smarter and more engaging packaging formats. Using these industry and market insights, I seek to generate and create designs which acknowledge current packaging technologies, but also speculate as to where the future of fresh fruit packaging could go. The outcome I conceive is a packaging design concept that addresses the technical needs of the fruit industry while putting a greater emphasis on the consumer experience.Item Evaluation of Massey twist tester for textural assessment of fruits and vegetables : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Applied Science in Agricultural Engineering at Massey University(Massey University, 2000) Tautakitaki, Tevita PasinamuThe Massey Twist Tester is an instrument developed to assess the texture of fresh fruit and vegetables rapidly. Since its original development in 1990, the Twist Tester has been modified extensively and numerous prototypes have been developed. In principle a small rectangular flat blade is rotated inside the fruit, and the torque required is measured. The current version incorporates a motor driven unit rotating inside a set of needles which hold the fruit firmly. Although measurements of fruit properties have been reported in previous studies, these have all been based on earlier designs, and no data on the new version of the Twist Tester have yet been published. The main aim of this study is to evaluate the performance of the new version of the Twist Tester by comparing it to the standard penetrometer, which has been widely used in many parts of the world for several years. Samples of fruit and vegetables were stored in different conditions to vary the level of firmness in order to expose how well each instrument performed in detecting the changes of textural properties. Generally, both Twist Tester and Penetrometer readings declined with storage time. In the testing of Braeburn apples, the Twist Tester has highly correlated with storage time as compared to penetrometer, The Twist Tester and Texture Analyser produced results for the Royal Gala apples which were highly correlated with those obtained from the penetrometer, suggesting that this test could be used, as it is more reliable for determining the maturity of apples. For plums, the correlation of the Twister with storage time at three storage conditions were high (r =0.92, 0.95 and 0.92), compared to the correlated of penetrometer with storage time which was (r = 0.83, 0.44 and 0.77). The penetrometer has a slightly higher degree of correlation with storage time for pears, compared to the Twist Tester. Pears declined in crushing strength and penetrometer readings with storage time, but over the last 7 days the value of firmness increased. The literature review showed that when water loss from the fruit is extreme, it forms a rubbery texture, produces a higher degree of firmness. Further research work would need to be done to obtain a more reliable result. The Twist Tester performed well in predicting the changes of textural properties of nashi, which showed a stronger correlation with storage time than the penetrometer relationship with storage time. During storage of kiwifruit, the penetrometer could not detect any changes after 14 days, while Twist Tester obtained a reliable result. This showed that penetrometer could not test the firmness of texture of any soft fruits. The relationship between the crushing strength and storage time produced a high coefficient in all three storage conditions (r = 0.91, 0.89, 0.80) while the penetrometer readings showed the following correlations with storage time (r =0.77, 0.76, 0.44). Thus the Twist Tester can determine the maturity of kiwifruit as well as any soft tissue products. Changes in the textural properties of potatoes also were well detected by the Twist Tester, which showed a stronger correlation with storage time than did the penetrometer. Firmness and crispness as measured by both the Twist Tester and penetrometer readings were highly correlated, while other variables showed only a poor relationship with instrumental measurement. Further research is needed to improve these results by using a well-trained taste panel. Changing the speed of Twist Test has no significant effects on the crushing strength of fruit and vegetables within the range of 5-10 rpm. The Twist Tester is more accurate, easy to operate and may be used to determine the quality and maturity of a wider range of products than penetrometer.Item Colour variation of red kiwifruit and environmental factors affecting its colour expression : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of AgriScience in Horticulture at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand(Massey University, 2015) Henwood, RoxanneDevelopment of a red kiwifruit cultivar with good size, storage ability, and colour is desirable as the genetic potential exists and it could expand the market for kiwifruit. However, red kiwifruit cultivars, including the subject of this thesis, frequently have inconsistent colour. This thesis aimed to quantify colour variation of this red cultivar and the levels at which this occurred, as well as examining environmental factors (chiefly temperature and light) that may influence colour variation. To achieve this, two harvests were collected in March to May 2014 from eight trial blocks located in five regions around New Zealand (Far North, Western Bay of Plenty, Eastern Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, and Nelson). Orchard information was collected, including within orchard temperature variation via X-Sense temperature loggers, and fruit was assessed for maturity attributes and colour using subjective and objective tests. It was found that the greatest colour variation was at the orchard and region level, though variation between vines and positions within a vine was also significant. Region was not the largest influence on colour, as out of the three regions with two orchards, two of them had both high and low colour orchards. Colour was significantly predicted by fruit firmness, estimated light exposure, numbers of leaf layers, and skin colour in a linear mixed effects model. Lower firmness related to higher colour, as did paler, less exposed fruit with a higher number of leaf layers. The effects of light and leafiness may have been mediated by temperature, as carbohydrate supply seemed to be a less important factor for colour. Temperature was not formally identified as a significant factor; however, a relationship between flesh colour and temperature was implied by light exposure data and by scatterplots. These relationships may have implications for canopy management of this variety. Further investigation of the relationship between light exposure, fruit temperature, and colour may be helpful for determining appropriate management practices for this variety. Additionally, further work on temperature may provide a basis for predicting the colour expected in a given season.
