Sinara Barboza Sousa

Enzymatic browning represents one of the main challenges in the postharvest conservation of minimally processed sweet potatoes, as it affects appearance and reduces consumer acceptance. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of different packaging types and alternative enzymatic inactivation techniques using natural antioxidants (citric acid and apple cider vinegar) and thermal treatment applied to off-grade sweet potato roots. Samples were stored in two types of packaging (expanded polystyrene trays wrapped with PVC film and sealed textured plastic bags) under controlled conditions of 18 °C for up to 12 days. Parameters such as pH, soluble solids, and enzymatic browning were analyzed. The results indicated that treatment with citric acid combined with textured packaging was the most effective in preserving physicochemical quality and reducing enzymatic browning during storage. Although thermal treatment promoted an increase in soluble sugar content, it resulted in greater enzymatic browning, especially when combined with trays covered with PVC film. It is concluded that the use of natural antioxidants along with appropriate packaging constitutes a viable strategy for adding value to off-grade sweet potatoes, extending shelf life, and reducing postharvest losses. Keywords: Ipomoea batatas; minimal processing; enzymatic oxidation; postharvest preservation.

Dracaena reflexa Lam. possui potencial ornamental e medicinal e sua propagação ocorre, preferencialmente, por via assexuada. Os indutores naturais podem incrementar o processo de enraizamento de estacas. Objetivou-se avaliar a eficiência de indutores naturais no enraizamento e desenvolvimento de estacas de D. reflexa, com presença ou ausência de folhas. O experimento foi realizado em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com esquema fatorial 3x2, (água de coco + polpa de banana; extrato de sementes germinadas de feijão ou água de arroz + polpa de batata-doce) e (presença ou ausência de folhas nas estacas), com quatro repetições. A água de coco + polpa de banana proporcionou aumento do número de folhas, número, comprimento e massa seca de raízes; e da massa seca de parte aérea, quando aplicada em estacas com presença de folhas. A aplicação do indutor natural água de coco + polpa de banana proporciona maior enraizamento e desenvolvimento de estacas de Dracaena reflexa.

‘Pitaya’ (Hylocereus undatus) is a fruit-bearing, climbing cactus with great food potential for the semiarid region. This study aimed to evaluate the production of ‘pitaya’ seedlings irrigated with low and high salinity water and grown in different light intensities. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, with two electrical conductivities of irrigation water: S1 - 0.3 dS m-1 (low salinity) and S2 - 5.0 dS m-1 (moderate salinity) in two environments: A1 - black net with 50% shading, and A2 - full sun, with ten replicates. The variables evaluated were plant height, main cladode diameter, above-ground biomass, root biomass, total plant biomass, number of secondary cladodes, root length, and length of secondary cladodes. The 50% shading (black net) promoted higher plant height, number of secondary shoots, and root length of the ‘pitaya’ plants. The irrigation with moderate saline water (5.0 dS m-1) reduced the number of secondary cladodes, length of root, and length of secondary cladodes. The ‘pitaya’ seedlings grown under 50% shading (black net) showed greater root dry biomass when irrigated with low-salinity water. Greater values of diameter of the primary cladode, above-ground dry biomass, and total dry biomass were observed under full sunlight and elevated saline stress.