Hang Zou

To evaluate the active ingredients of ginger powder processed by two-stage drying (120 °C, 90 min + 80 °C, 150 min) versus conventional drying (80 °C, 360 min), three ginger varieties—Xiaolin Huangjiang, Rizhao Shengjiang, and Luoping Xiaohuangjiang—were systematically compared. Key physicochemical indices including moisture, ash, protein, crude fiber, volatile oil, and gingerols (6-, 8-, 10-gingerol, and 6-shogaol) were determined. The results revealed that 120–80 °C two-stage drying significantly enhanced gingerol accumulation from 7.12 mg/g at 80 °C constant drying to 11.87 mg/g at 120–80 °C two-stage drying and antioxidant capacity (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP) of Xiaolin Huangjiang powder, while 80 °C conventional constant drying better retained volatile oil with a content of 3.46% compared to 1.29% under staged drying. Systematic homogeneity and stability verification confirmed that the developed Xiaolin Huangjiang QC samples exhibited excellent uniformity and stability, with definite characteristic component values and quantified uncertainty. This work provides a reliable standard and technical support for standardized processing and high-value utilization of high-quality dried ginger products.

Drosophila suzukii, classified as a quarantine pest in some countries, poses a serious threat to global trade due to its ability to damage berries and cherries. Recent studies indicate that low-temperature phosphine (PH₃) fumigation effectively controls this pest without compromising fresh produce quality. However, the specific protocol for managing D. suzukii larvae in cherries using this method remains underexplored. This study evaluates the efficacy of low-temperature PH₃ fumigation in controlling D. suzukii larvae across three cherry varieties at 3 °C and investigates potential effects on key quality metrics. Tolerance assessments revealed that 3rd instar larvae exhibit the highest resistance to PH₃ among all developmental stages. A concentration of 800 mL/m³ PH₃ for 84 h at 3 °C achieved phytosanitary efficacy for 0.99997 with no negative effect on the quality attributes of the tested cherry varieties. These results support low-temperature PH₃ fumigation as a viable postharvest treatment for D. suzukii management in sweet cherries.

Given the increasing demand for fruit safety assurance and environmental protection, plant essential oils have gained significant attention as natural alternatives for control of postharvest decay caused by various pathogens. In postharvest management, it is particularly important to effectively control postharvest decay without compromising the quality attributes of fruits. Although oregano essential oil (OEO) has been extensively studied for its antimicrobial properties against various postharvest pathogens, few studies have focused on its interactions with postharvest fruits. In this study, OEO was applied for management of postharvest decay of Pyrus sinkiangensis caused by Penicillium expansum, and its antifungal mechanisms and impacts on the quality attributes of pears were investigated. The OEO exhibited notable inhibitory effects, with determined MIC (0.02%) and MFC (0.04%) against P. expansum, which highlighted its potential as a viable alternative to synthetic fungicides. Our findings revealed that OEO disrupted P. expansum by compromising the integrity of the fungal plasma membrane, as evidenced by changes in plasma membrane permeability and the leakage of cellular components. The OEO treatment significantly reduced weight loss, maintained firmness, and preserved soluble-solid content in the treated pears. In addition, OEO treatment stimulated the intrinsic antioxidant mechanisms of pears, as demonstrated by elevated activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase during storage. This study provides compelling evidence for the antifungal and quality-preserving properties of OEO in the postharvest management of pears, underscoring its potential as an alternative to synthetic fungicides for controlling postharvest decay. The elucidation of the interaction between OEO and P. sinkiangensis would greatly enhance our comprehensive understanding of the biological activities of OEO and facilitate its practical application in the postharvest management of pears.

X-ray irradiation and modified atmospheres (MAs) provide eco-friendly, chemical-free methods for pest management. Although a low-oxygen atmospheric treatment improves the performance of some irradiated insects, its influence on the irradiation of quarantine insects and its impacts on pest control efficacy have yet to be investigated. Based on bioassay results, this study employed direct immersion solid-phase microextraction (DI-SPME) combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to determine metabolic profiles of late third-instar B. dorsalis larvae under normoxia (CON, Air), hypoxia (95% N₂ + 5% O₂, HY), super-hypoxia (99.5% N₂ + 0.5% O₂, Sup-HY), irradiation-alone (116 Gy, IR-alone), hypoxia + irradiation (HY + IR) and super-hypoxia + irradiation (Sup-HY + IR). Our findings reveal that, compared to the IR-alone group, the IR treatment under HY and Sup-HY (HY + IR and Sup-HY + IR) increases the larval pupation of B. dorsalis, and weakens the delaying effect of IR on the larval developmental stage. However, these 3 groups further hinder adult emergence under the phytosanitary IR dose of 116 Gy. Moreover, all IR-treated groups, including IR-alone, HY + IR, and Sup-HY + IR, lead to insect death as a coarctate larvae or pupae. Pathway analysis identified changed metabolic pathways across treatment groups. Specifically, changes in lipid metabolism-related pathways were observed: 3 in HY vs. CON, 2 in Sup-HY vs. CON, and 5 each in IR-alone vs. CON, HY + IR vs. CON, and Sup-HY + IR vs. CON. The treatments of IR-alone, HY + IR, and Sup-HY + IR induce comparable modifications in metabolic pathways. However, in the HY + IR, and Sup-HY + IR groups, the third-instar larvae of B. dorsalis demonstrate significantly fewer changes. Our research suggests that a low-oxygen environment (HY and Sup-HY) might enhance the radiation tolerance in B. dorsalis larvae by stabilizing lipid metabolism pathways at biologically feasible levels. Additionally, our findings indicate that the current phytosanitary IR dose contributes to the effective management of B. dorsalis, without being influenced by radioprotective effects. These results hold significant importance for understanding the biological effects of radiation on B. dorsalis and for developing IR-specific regulatory guidelines under MA environments.