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Panayiota Xylia
Department of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology and Food Science, Cyprus University of Technology, 3036 Limassol, Cyprus

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Journal article
Published: 01 June 2021 in Plants
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The preservation of fresh produce quality is a major aim in the food industry since consumers demand safe and of high nutritional value products. In recent decades there has been a turn towards the use of eco-friendly, natural products (i.e., essential oils-EOs) in an attempt to reduce chemical-based sanitizing agents (i.e., chlorine and chlorine-based agents). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an eco-friendly product (EP—based on rosemary and eucalyptus essential oils) and two different application methods (vapor and dipping) on the quality attributes of tomato fruits throughout storage at 11 °C and 90% relative humidity for 14 days. The results indicated that overall, the EP was able to maintain the quality of tomato fruits. Dipping application was found to affect less the quality attributes of tomato, such as titratable acidity, ripening index and antioxidant activity compared to the vapor application method. Vapor application of 0.4% EP increased fruit’s antioxidant activity, whereas tomatoes dipped in EP solution presented decreased damage index (hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation levels), activating enzymes antioxidant capacity (catalases and peroxidases). Moreover, higher EP concentration (up to 0.8%) resulted in a less acceptable product compared to lower concentration (0.4%). Overall, the results from the present study suggest that the investigated EP can be used for the preservation of fresh produce instead of the current commercial sanitizing agent (chlorine); however, the method of application and conditions of application must be further assessed for every commodity tested.

ACS Style

Panayiota Xylia; Irene Ioannou; Antonios Chrysargyris; Menelaos Stavrinides; Nikolaos Tzortzakis. Quality Attributes and Storage of Tomato Fruits as Affected by an Eco-Friendly, Essential Oil-Based Product. Plants 2021, 10, 1125 .

AMA Style

Panayiota Xylia, Irene Ioannou, Antonios Chrysargyris, Menelaos Stavrinides, Nikolaos Tzortzakis. Quality Attributes and Storage of Tomato Fruits as Affected by an Eco-Friendly, Essential Oil-Based Product. Plants. 2021; 10 (6):1125.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Panayiota Xylia; Irene Ioannou; Antonios Chrysargyris; Menelaos Stavrinides; Nikolaos Tzortzakis. 2021. "Quality Attributes and Storage of Tomato Fruits as Affected by an Eco-Friendly, Essential Oil-Based Product." Plants 10, no. 6: 1125.

Journal article
Published: 25 April 2021 in Foods
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When minimally processed vegetables reach their expiration date, expose an increased microbial load. This includes mainly spoilage microorganisms but also foodborne pathogens, thus affecting the quality and safety of highly consumed ready-to-eat salads. A total of 144 ready-to-eat salads from the Cypriot market were analyzed in an attempt to determine the effects of the expiration date on the microbial load and plant metabolic variables of the salads. Possible correlations between them were also investigated for the first time. Furthermore, the impacts of the season (winter, summer), salad producing companies and type of salad and/or their interactions with the tested parameters were investigated. Results revealed that the microbial load (mainly spoilage microorganisms, such as Pseudomonas spp., yeasts and molds) increased towards the end of the shelf life. The microbial load was differentiated among the five salad producers and/or the salad types, highlighting the importance of a common and safe sanitation-processing chain in the preparation of ready-to-eat salads. Summer was the season in which Escherichia coli counts were found to be higher for plain lettuce, while Staphylococcus spp. was increased numbers for the lettuce+endive/radicchio, lettuce+rocket and lettuce+chives type of salads. Additionally, an increased Staphylococcus spp. was observed for plain rocket salads in winter. All samples examined were found negative for Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes. Moreover, carbon dioxide production and damage indexes (hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation) increased on expiration date on both winter and summer seasons, indicating plant tissue stress at the end of shelf life. These findings indicate that the expiration date and relevant shelf life of processed vegetables are important parameters to be considered when postharvest management is applied to these products, ensuring safety and quality.

ACS Style

Panayiota Xylia; George Botsaris; Panagiotis Skandamis; Nikolaos Tzortzakis. Expiration Date of Ready-to-Eat Salads: Effects on Microbial Load and Biochemical Attributes. Foods 2021, 10, 941 .

AMA Style

Panayiota Xylia, George Botsaris, Panagiotis Skandamis, Nikolaos Tzortzakis. Expiration Date of Ready-to-Eat Salads: Effects on Microbial Load and Biochemical Attributes. Foods. 2021; 10 (5):941.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Panayiota Xylia; George Botsaris; Panagiotis Skandamis; Nikolaos Tzortzakis. 2021. "Expiration Date of Ready-to-Eat Salads: Effects on Microbial Load and Biochemical Attributes." Foods 10, no. 5: 941.

Journal article
Published: 09 April 2021 in Agronomy
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Strawberry is considered as a fruit of high nutritional value, with appreciated benefits on human health. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are commonly used plant symbionts that affect plant growth and its effectiveness is plant species specific. Additionally, selenium (Se) projects a special interest to humans for its antioxidant specialties, and to plants, because of the potential to make them grow faster when added to the nutrient solution. Nonetheless, the performance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in Se biofortification in strawberry is unexplored. The purpose of the present study experiment was to determine whether mycorrhizal inoculation of AMF can have a positive impact on growth and quality of strawberries, and whether Se contributes in this effort or will adversely affect the plants. Four Se concentrations (0, 1, 5 and 10 mg L−1) in the nutrient solution, with or without mycorrhizal inoculation of AMF to the root system, were evaluated. Results demonstrated that Se of 10 mg L−1 negatively affected plant growth, photosynthetic rates, decreased fruit firmness and total soluble solids, induced oxidative stress in fruits and affected nutrient accumulation in different plant organs. Mycorrhizal inoculation of AMF mainly stimulated antioxidative mechanisms of the fruits and increased nutrient accumulation for plants grown at high Se levels. Based on our observations, mycorrhizal inoculation can enhance the nutritional value of strawberry fruits and strawberry plants seem to be a strong candidate for Se biofortification, allowing the rise of Se of the consumers’ intake.

ACS Style

Omiros Antoniou; Antonios Chrysargyris; Panayiota Xylia; Nikolaos Tzortzakis. Effects of Selenium and/or Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Inoculation on Strawberry Grown in Hydroponic Trial. Agronomy 2021, 11, 721 .

AMA Style

Omiros Antoniou, Antonios Chrysargyris, Panayiota Xylia, Nikolaos Tzortzakis. Effects of Selenium and/or Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Inoculation on Strawberry Grown in Hydroponic Trial. Agronomy. 2021; 11 (4):721.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Omiros Antoniou; Antonios Chrysargyris; Panayiota Xylia; Nikolaos Tzortzakis. 2021. "Effects of Selenium and/or Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Inoculation on Strawberry Grown in Hydroponic Trial." Agronomy 11, no. 4: 721.

Journal article
Published: 22 March 2021 in Agronomy
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Intensive crop production and irrational use of fertilizers and agrochemicals have questionable effects on the quality of products and the sustainable use of water for agricultural purposes. Organic cultivation and/or deficit irrigation are, among others, well appreciated practices for a sustainable crop production system. In the present study, spearmint plants (Mentha spicata L.) were grown in different cultivation schemes (conventional versus organic cultivation, full versus deficit irrigation), and effects on the plant physiological and biochemical attributes were examined in two harvesting periods. Deficit irrigation decreased plant growth, but increased total phenolics, flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity of the plants at the second harvest. Spearmint nutrient accumulation was affected by the examined cultivation practices; nitrogen was decreased in organic cultivation, potassium and sodium were elevated at full-irrigated plants, while magnesium, phosphorus, and copper levels were higher at the deficit-irrigated plants. However, conventional/full-irrigated plants had increased height and fresh biomass at the first harvest. Essential oil content decreased at the second harvest in organic and/or deficit treated plants. Additionally, deficit irrigation affected plant growth and delayed the formation of carvone from limonene. The essential oils were further evaluated with regard to their bioactivity on a major vineyard pest Lobesia botrana. Volatile compounds from all essential oils elicited strong electroantennographic responses on female insects antennae, highlighting the role of carvone, which is the major constituent (~70%) in all the tested essential oils. M. spicata essential oils also exhibited larvicidal activity on L. botrana, suggesting the potential of their incorporation in integrated pest management systems.

ACS Style

Antonios Chrysargyris; Eleni Koutsoumpeli; Panayiota Xylia; Anastasia Fytrou; Maria Konstantopoulou; Nikolaos Tzortzakis. Organic Cultivation and Deficit Irrigation Practices to Improve Chemical and Biological Activity of Mentha spicata Plants. Agronomy 2021, 11, 599 .

AMA Style

Antonios Chrysargyris, Eleni Koutsoumpeli, Panayiota Xylia, Anastasia Fytrou, Maria Konstantopoulou, Nikolaos Tzortzakis. Organic Cultivation and Deficit Irrigation Practices to Improve Chemical and Biological Activity of Mentha spicata Plants. Agronomy. 2021; 11 (3):599.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Antonios Chrysargyris; Eleni Koutsoumpeli; Panayiota Xylia; Anastasia Fytrou; Maria Konstantopoulou; Nikolaos Tzortzakis. 2021. "Organic Cultivation and Deficit Irrigation Practices to Improve Chemical and Biological Activity of Mentha spicata Plants." Agronomy 11, no. 3: 599.

Journal article
Published: 10 March 2021 in Foods
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Increasing demands by consumers for fresh, nutritional, and convenient food has led to the increase of fresh-cut produce market. Nowadays, there is a turn towards the investigation of natural products (i.e., essential oils, organic acids, and edible coatings) in an effort to lower the usage of chemical synthetic compounds (i.e., chlorine) as postharvest sanitizers. The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of Origanum majorana essential oil (EO), ascorbic acid (AA), chitosan, and their combinations on quality attributes of fresh-cut lettuce stored for six days at 7 °C. When applied, Chitosan+AA resulted to a less acceptable product (visual quality and aroma), while the application of marjoram EO was able to preserve the visual quality of fresh-cut lettuce and at the same time resulted in a pleasant aroma. The application of EO+AA and Chitosan+AA increased total phenolics and antioxidant levels of fresh-cut lettuce on the fourth and sixth day of storage. The EO and EO+AA increased damage index (hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation) of fresh-cut lettuce, while at the same time these treatments decreased the activity of enzymes related with plant tissue browning (i.e., peroxidase activity and polyphenol oxidase). Chitosan decreased total valuable counts and yeasts and molds counts on the sixth day of storage, while EO, AA, EO+Chitosan, and Chitosan+AA decreased yeasts and molds after four days of application. The findings of the present work indicating that the combination of marjoram EO, AA, and chitosan could be considered further as alternative means for fresh-cut produce preservation.

ACS Style

Panayiota Xylia; Antonios Chrysargyris; Nikolaos Tzortzakis. The Combined and Single Effect of Marjoram Essential Oil, Ascorbic Acid, and Chitosan on Fresh-Cut Lettuce Preservation. Foods 2021, 10, 575 .

AMA Style

Panayiota Xylia, Antonios Chrysargyris, Nikolaos Tzortzakis. The Combined and Single Effect of Marjoram Essential Oil, Ascorbic Acid, and Chitosan on Fresh-Cut Lettuce Preservation. Foods. 2021; 10 (3):575.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Panayiota Xylia; Antonios Chrysargyris; Nikolaos Tzortzakis. 2021. "The Combined and Single Effect of Marjoram Essential Oil, Ascorbic Acid, and Chitosan on Fresh-Cut Lettuce Preservation." Foods 10, no. 3: 575.

Journal article
Published: 13 October 2020 in Sustainability
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The aim of this research was to evaluate the biostimulant effects of an eco-product (EP) containing essential oils of rosemary and eucalyptus on tomato crop. Experiments were conducted to evaluate EP effects on plant growth and physiological parameters (e.g., chlorophyll content), total phenols and antioxidant activity, enzyme activities (e.g., catalase), plant macronutrient content and fresh tomato fruit quality. The application of an EP once (EP-1x) increased tomato plant height by 19%, stomatal conductance, and chlorophyll content compared to the control (sprayed with water). EP triplicate (EP-3x) application significantly increased yield (0.79 kg plant−1) compared to the control (0.58 kg plant−1). However, application of EP-3x was associated with a higher percentage of fruit cracking in comparison to the control. Total phenols and antioxidant activity were affected from both the use of EP and application frequency. EP application decreased by 27.3% the leaf damage index in comparison to the control. Nutrient content in leaves (N, Mg) was significantly decreased in the case of EP-3x treatment. Fruit firmness was decreased by 19.9% in the case of EP-1x application. Fruit marketability and tomato-like aroma, fresh weight and soluble solids did not differ among the treatments. Further research is required to examine the potential use of essential oils as biostimulants.

ACS Style

Antonios Chrysargyris; Savvas Charalambous; Panayiota Xylia; Vassilis Litskas; Menelaos Stavrinides; Nikos Tzortzakis. Assessing the Biostimulant Effects of a Novel Plant-Based Formulation on Tomato Crop. Sustainability 2020, 12, 8432 .

AMA Style

Antonios Chrysargyris, Savvas Charalambous, Panayiota Xylia, Vassilis Litskas, Menelaos Stavrinides, Nikos Tzortzakis. Assessing the Biostimulant Effects of a Novel Plant-Based Formulation on Tomato Crop. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (20):8432.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Antonios Chrysargyris; Savvas Charalambous; Panayiota Xylia; Vassilis Litskas; Menelaos Stavrinides; Nikos Tzortzakis. 2020. "Assessing the Biostimulant Effects of a Novel Plant-Based Formulation on Tomato Crop." Sustainability 12, no. 20: 8432.

Journal article
Published: 25 July 2020 in Sustainability
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Significant quantities of paper waste (PW) have been accumulated in recent years and the reuse/recycling of PW is required due to environmental concerns. In the present study, printed PW was used as a peat (P) substitute in growing medium for the Brassica seedlings production, considering recycling, sustainable agriculture, and partly peat replacement. Seeds of cauliflower, broccoli, and cabbage were seeded in growing media made of 0–10–30–50% PW. The addition of PW improved the growing media pH and mineral content, reduced the media aeration, and affected seed emergence. The PW decreased plant growth and the effects were more pronounced at 50% PW. The PW ≥ 30% decreased stomatal conductance, while chlorophyll fluorescence and content of chlorophylls decreased with high PW ratio, negatively affecting the plant physiology. The PW decreased plant sodium and iron and increased potassium, calcium, magnesium, and copper content. The PW increased antioxidant activity to a certain degree for cauliflower and cabbage and resulted in no change for broccoli, while polyphenols increased in cabbage seedlings. The addition of PW did not cause cellular damage as both lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide production remained at low levels, maintaining low levels on the antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase) metabolism. The present study shows that low PW content can partially replace peat for Brassica seedling production under a sustainable agriculture and environmentally friendly scheme.

ACS Style

Antonios Chrysargyris; Panayiota Xylia; Gorkem Akinci; Konstantinos Moustakas; Nikolaos Tzortzakis. Printed Paper Waste as an Alternative Growing Medium Component to Produce Brassica Seedlings under Nursery Conditions. Sustainability 2020, 12, 5992 .

AMA Style

Antonios Chrysargyris, Panayiota Xylia, Gorkem Akinci, Konstantinos Moustakas, Nikolaos Tzortzakis. Printed Paper Waste as an Alternative Growing Medium Component to Produce Brassica Seedlings under Nursery Conditions. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (15):5992.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Antonios Chrysargyris; Panayiota Xylia; Gorkem Akinci; Konstantinos Moustakas; Nikolaos Tzortzakis. 2020. "Printed Paper Waste as an Alternative Growing Medium Component to Produce Brassica Seedlings under Nursery Conditions." Sustainability 12, no. 15: 5992.

Journal article
Published: 11 May 2020 in Agronomy
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Cyprus has a long tradition in grape cultivation and wine making and grapevine is important for the sustainability of the agricultural sector, like in other Mediterranean areas. Water scarcity, which is projected to increase due to climate change, could negatively affect the sector. In this research, the effects of irrigation and tillage treatments on various aspects of vine growth and product quality (e.g., yield, physiology and quality attributes), were studied in Chardonnay and Xynisteri cultivars grown in clay soils in Cyprus. Regarding soil properties and water content, N and K were more abundant in the soil than P and through the growing period irrigation tended to increase electrical conductivity (EC) in the soil. Soil water content (volumetric) was 22%–27.5% and 13%–16%, when irrigation was applied or not, respectively. Vegetative soil cover occupied 50%–55% of the surface and contained species typically present in Mediterranean farms (e.g., Poaceae, Fabaceae and Brassicaceae). Tillage increased yield in Xynisteri (4–5 kg plant−1) but negatively affected other parameters such as chlorophyll levels (in Xynisteri). In combination with irrigation, tillage increased antioxidant activity in Chardonnay (assessed by FRAP and DPPH), at harvest. Total phenolics at harvest were higher in the grape juice of Xynisteri, compared to Chardonnay (30–40 and 20–25 mg GA g−1 fresh weight, respectively). Irrigation influenced phytohormone levels in the two cultivars. ABA increased in non-irrigated Xynisteri, reflecting an increased capacity to react towards water stress. Water stress is considered to increase polyphenols in grapes, but in the case of Xynisteri it seems that irrigation water is required to obtain better quality grapes as without irrigation volumetric water content (VWC) is close to the permanent wilting point. Titratable acidity and total tannins decreased in Chardonnay, when tillage and irrigation were applied. In addition, tillage and irrigation tended to elevate the pH of the grape juice. Tillage and irrigation on the other hand, had no effect on the levels of ascorbic acid and total anthocyanin content. The results of this research may help to select management strategies that support the adaptation of viticulture to climate change in Cyprus and other Mediterranean areas.

ACS Style

Antonios Chrysargyris; Panayiota Xylia; Vassilis Litskas; Menelaos Stavrinides; Lisa Heyman; Kristof Demeestere; Monica Höfte; Nikolaos Tzortzakis. Assessing the Impact of Drought Stress and Soil Cultivation in Chardonnay and Xynisteri Grape Cultivars. Agronomy 2020, 10, 670 .

AMA Style

Antonios Chrysargyris, Panayiota Xylia, Vassilis Litskas, Menelaos Stavrinides, Lisa Heyman, Kristof Demeestere, Monica Höfte, Nikolaos Tzortzakis. Assessing the Impact of Drought Stress and Soil Cultivation in Chardonnay and Xynisteri Grape Cultivars. Agronomy. 2020; 10 (5):670.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Antonios Chrysargyris; Panayiota Xylia; Vassilis Litskas; Menelaos Stavrinides; Lisa Heyman; Kristof Demeestere; Monica Höfte; Nikolaos Tzortzakis. 2020. "Assessing the Impact of Drought Stress and Soil Cultivation in Chardonnay and Xynisteri Grape Cultivars." Agronomy 10, no. 5: 670.

Journal article
Published: 14 October 2019 in Agronomy
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Edible coating is extensively applied for fresh produce preservation. In the present study, Aloe vera gel (AV) alone or combined with sage essential oil (EO; 0.1% or 0.5%) was used as fruit edible coating in tomatoes. Following treatments, tomatoes were stored at 11 °C and 90% relative humidity (RH) up to 14 days and analyzed for quality maintenance compared with uncoated fruits (control). Results showed that both AV and EO decreased decay symptoms with more pronounced effects on low EO concentration (i.e., 0.1%). The application of 10% of AV coating decreased fruit ethylene emission while EO (0.1% and 0.5%) application increased ethylene emission and respiration rates. AV coating decreased acidity, β-carotene, lycopene content and maintained fruit firmness. High levels of EO (0.5%) increased weight loss but decreased fruits’ redness, chroma, total soluble solids, acidity, β-carotene and lycopene content. Total phenolic content and antioxidants maintained or increased during storage when treated with AV and/or EO. Low levels of EO (0.1%) maintained or improved fruit quality characteristics during storage, and this was mirrored by the sensory evaluation preference (including the AV application) and quality related attributes.

ACS Style

Nikolaos Tzortzakis; Panayiota Xylia; Antonios Chrysargyris. Sage Essential Oil Improves the Effectiveness of Aloe vera Gel on Postharvest Quality of Tomato Fruit. Agronomy 2019, 9, 635 .

AMA Style

Nikolaos Tzortzakis, Panayiota Xylia, Antonios Chrysargyris. Sage Essential Oil Improves the Effectiveness of Aloe vera Gel on Postharvest Quality of Tomato Fruit. Agronomy. 2019; 9 (10):635.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nikolaos Tzortzakis; Panayiota Xylia; Antonios Chrysargyris. 2019. "Sage Essential Oil Improves the Effectiveness of Aloe vera Gel on Postharvest Quality of Tomato Fruit." Agronomy 9, no. 10: 635.