Fate of Planktonic and Biofilm-Derived Listeria monocytogenes on Unwaxed Apples during Air and Controlled Atmosphere Storage

Multiple recalls and outbreaks involving Listeria monocytogenes-contaminated apples have been linked to the post-harvest packing environment where this pathogen can persist in biofilms. Therefore, this study assessed L. monocytogenes survival on apples as affected by harvest year, apple cultivar, storage atmosphere, and growth conditions. Unwaxed Gala, Granny Smith, and Honeycrisp apples were dip-inoculated in an 8-strain L. monocytogenes cocktail of planktonic- or biofilm-grown cells (~6.5 log CFU/mL), dried, and then examined for numbers of L. monocytogenes during air or controlled atmosphere (CA) (1.5% O2, 1.5% CO2) storage at 2 °C. After 90 days, air or CA storage yielded similar L. monocytogenes survival (p > 0.05), regardless of harvest year. Populations gradually decreased with L. monocytogenes quantifiable in most samples after 7 months. Apple cultivar significantly impacted L. monocytogenes survival (p < 0.05) during both harvest years with greater reductions (p < 0.05) seen on Gala compared to Granny Smith and Honeycrisp. Biofilm-derived cells survived longer (p < 0.05) on L. monocytogenes-inoculated Gala and Honeycrisp apples compared to cells grown planktonically. These findings should aid in the development of improved L. monocytogenes intervention strategies for apple growers and packers.

Rootstock effects on bitter pit incidence in 'Honeycrisp' apples are associated with changes in fruit's cell wall chemical properties

Bitter pit (BP) is a physiological disorder of apples that often appears during or after cold storage. Despite being defined as a calcium deficiency disorder, BP is a complex process that is not only affected by the total Ca²⁺ content in the fruit but also by the proper cellular Ca²⁺ homeostasis and partitioning. Early investigations have also suggested that rootstocks could affect BP development and severity. In the present study, rootstock effects on BP development were assessed on 'Honeycrisp' trees that were grafted on 14 different rootstocks (B.10, G.11, G.202, G.214, G.30, G.41, G.935, G.969, M.26 EMLA, M.9, V.1, V.5, V.6, and V.7). We evaluated BP incidence at harvest, and three months after cold storage for four, and three growing seasons, respectively. BP incidence was significantly reduced in 'Honeycrisp' trees on B.10 compared to other rootstocks, whereas trees on V.6 showed the highest percentage of BP at harvest and after cold storage. 'Honeycrisp' apples were collected from three different rootstocks (B.10, G.41, and V.6) two months after cold storage and evaluated for mineral nutrient composition, Ca²⁺ homeostasis, and cell wall properties, e.g., pectin content, pectin de-esterification rate and pectin methylesterase (PME) activity. Water-soluble and insoluble pectin content was markedly higher in fruits from B.10 than in G.41 and V.6. We also observed increased PME enzyme activity and a greater degree of water-insoluble pectin de-esterification in 'Honeycrisp' apples from V.6 compared to those from B.10. A significantly higher Ca²⁺ was found in the fruits from B.10 than G.41 and V.6. Higher Ca²⁺ and lower Mg²⁺ levels were also observed in the cell wall and water-insoluble pectin fractions of the fruits from B.10 compared to G.41 and V.6. However, the ratio of cell wall-bound Ca²⁺ to total Ca²⁺ was lower in B.10 compared to G.41 and V.6. Together, our results indicate that the tolerance of B.10 to BP could be attributed to a reduced PME activity and lower pectin de-esterification level, which in turn reduced the amount of Ca²⁺ cross-linked with pectin, and probably increased the apoplastic free calcium concentrations that is essential for maintaining cell membrane integrity and reducing BP development.

Hyperspectral Imaging and Spectrometry-Derived Spectral Features for Bitter Pit Detection in Storage Apples

Bitter pit is one of the most important disorders in apples. Some of the fresh market apple varieties are susceptible to bitter pit disorder. In this study, visible–near-infrared spectrometry-based reflectance spectral data (350–2500 nm) were acquired from 2014, 2015 and 2016 harvest produce after 63 days of storage at 5 °C. Selected spectral features from 2014 season were used to classify the healthy and bitter pit samples from three years. In addition, these spectral features were also validated using hyperspectral imagery data collected on 2016 harvest produce after storage in a commercial storage facility for 5 months. The hyperspectral images were captured from either sides of apples in the range of 550–1700 nm. These images were analyzed to extract additional set of spectral features that were effective in bitter pit detection. Based on these features, an automated spatial data analysis algorithm was developed to detect bitter pit points. The pit area was extracted, and logistic regression was used to define the categorizing threshold. This method was able to classify the healthy and bitter pit apples with an accuracy of 85%. Finally, hyperspectral imagery derived spectral features were re-evaluated on the visible–near-infrared reflectance data acquired with spectrometer. The pertinent partial least square regression classification accuracies were in the range of 90–100%. Overall, the study identified salient spectral features based on both hyperspectral spectrometry and imaging techniques that can be used to develop a sensing solution to sort the fruit on the packaging lines.

Development of a Susceptibility Index of Apple Cultivars for Codling Moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) Oviposition

Codling moth (CM), Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is a major fruit feeding pest of apples. Understanding susceptibility differences of various apple cultivars to CM oviposition is an important step in developing resistant varieties as well as monitoring and management strategies for this pest in apple orchards planted with mixed-cultivars. In this context, oviposition preferences of CM for the fruits of different apple cultivars were studied in laboratory bioassays using a series of no-choice and multiple-choice tests in 2006, 2007, and 2008. In 2006 and 2007, 10 apple cultivars, viz., Arlet, Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, Pristine, Delicious, Stayman, Sunrise, and York Imperial were evaluated, while in the 2008 tests, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, and York Imperial were evaluated. During the 2006 tests, preferred apple cultivars for CM oviposition were Golden Delicious and Fuji, while the least preferred were Arlet, Pristine, Sunrise, and Honeycrisp. Similarly, during the 2007 tests, Golden Delicious, Fuji and Stayman remained the preferred cultivars, while Arlet, Honeycrisp, Pristine, and Sunrise remained the least preferred cultivars. In the 2008 tests, Golden Delicious and Honeycrisp were the most and least preferred cultivars, respectively. Based on the oviposition preferences from these bioassays, a susceptibility index for each cultivar was developed. This index may be used as a standard measure in cultivar evaluations in breeding programs, and may assist fruit growers and crop consultants to select the most appropriate cultivar(s) for monitoring and detecting the initial signs of fruit injury from CM in an apple orchard planted with mixed-cultivars.