In the present study, organic volatile markers of three strawberry varieties (Albion, Festival and Frontera) during the maturation process were investigated. Forty metabolites associated with aroma in fresh strawberries were monitored during seven stages of maturation using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) equipped with headspace-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME). The data were evaluated using multivariate analysis to observe correlations between the organic volatile compound profile and the seven phenological stages of maturation for each strawberry variety. The dynamic levels of butanoic acid methyl ester, hexanoic acid methyl ester, octylcyclohexane, cyclohexane,1,1,2-trimethyl, linalool, tetradecane, and α-muurolene underwent distinctive changes in concentration during the maturation process. The multivariate analysis also allowed the identification of these compounds as possible volatile markers to measure the maturation of strawberry fruits in all three varieties. These findings highlight the importance of the timing of harvest and maturation stage in each variety to preserve or improve the desirable aromatic characteristics of strawberry fruits.

Blackberries are very perishable with a limited shelf life due to a high metabolic activity and susceptibility to mechanical damage and microbial attack. The effect of edible coatings (EC) based on candelilla wax (CW) and guar gum (GG) on the quality, shelf life, bioactive-compounds content and antioxidant activity of blackberries stored at 25 ± 2 °C for 6 days, was evaluated. All EC contained GG (0.4%) and gallic acid (GA)(0.06%); EC1 contained CW (0.2%), glycerol (GL)(0.2%); EC2 contained CW (0.4%) and GL (0.2%); EC3 contained CW (0.2%) and GL (0.3%) and EC4 contained CW (0.4%) and GL (0.3%). The decay percentage (Decay%), physiological weight loss (%PWL), firmness, pH, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), total phenolic content (TPC), total anthocyanin content (TAC) and antioxidant activity were analyzed. EC3 showed potential for prolonging the shelf life of blackberry by reducing Decay% (47%) and %PWL (64%) on day 6, while 86% of uncoated blackberries were decayed on day 4. Fruit coated with EC3 maintained pH, gradually reduced firmness, increased the TSS and decreased the TA. In addition, EC3 maintained the TAC and decreased the TPC in blackberries, while preventing a rapid increase in antioxidant capacity. Thus, EC3 showed to be a promising alternative in prolonging shelf life and preserving the quality of blackberries.

The genus Vaccinium contains about 400 species distributed worldwide, but only a few species and varieties have had their phenolic composition and biological activity documented. In this study, phenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of methanolic extracts of Vaccinium stenophyllum Steud. fruits: 1-totally immature, 2-immature, 3-immature/close to maturity and 4-mature, were determined using UV-Visible spectrometry and HPTLC. The totally immature fruit extract showed the highest content of total phenols (19.153 ± 0.175 mg GAE/g DW), chlorogenic acid (20.867 ± 0.240 mg CAE/g DW), and the highest antioxidant activity by ABTS^●+ (196.761 ± 0.641 µM TE/g DW) and DPPH^● (146.580 ± 6.466 µM TE/g DW). Immature, immature/close to maturity and mature fruits extracts, exhibited the lowest MIC (9.37 mg/mL) and MBC (18.75 mg/mL) against Escherichia coli, Salmonella choleraesuis, and Shigella flexneri. The mature fruits extract exhibited the highest content of total anthocyanins (0.141 ± 0.004 mg CE/g DW) and cyanidin-3-glucoside (19.230 ± 0.309 mg CGE/g DW). The content of phenols, flavonoids and anthocyanins was higher than that reported for other Vaccinium species. These results showed the relevance of Vaccinium stenophyllum Steud. for breeding purposes to enhance the bioactivity of cultivars, or as a source of natural additives for the food industry, among others.

There are approximately 250 species of Eryngium L. distributed throughout the world, with North America and South America being centers of diversity on this continent. In the central-western region of Mexico there may be around 28 species of this genus. Some Eryngium species are cultivated as leafy vegetables, ornamental, and medicinal plants. In traditional medicine they are used to treat respiratory and gastrointestinal conditions, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, among others. This review addresses the phytochemistry and biological activities, as well as traditional uses, distribution, and characteristics of the eight species of Eryngium reported as medicinal in the central-western region of Mexico: E. cymosum, E. longifolium, E. fluitans (or mexicanum), E. beecheyanum, E. carlinae, E. comosum, E. heterophyllum, and E. nasturtiifolium. The extracts of the different Eryngium spp. have shown biological activities such as hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic, renoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant, among others. E. carlinae is the most studied species, and phytochemical analyses, performed mainly by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS), have shown its content of terpenoids, fatty acids, organic acids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, sterols, saccharides, polyalcohols, and aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes. According to the results of this review on Eryngium spp., they constitute a relevant alternative as a source of bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical, food, and other industries. However, there is a lot of research to be conducted regarding phytochemistry, biological activities, cultivation, and propagation, in those species with few or no reports.

Fungal infestations, particularly from Rhizopus stolonifer, pose significant post-harvest challenges for strawberries, compromising their shelf life and quality. Traditional preservation methods, including refrigeration, offer limited protection against such pathogens. This study introduces an innovative approach, utilizing edible films infused with Bacillus subtilis strains GOS 01 B-67748 and HFC 103, known for their antifungal properties. We demonstrate that these bioactive films not only inhibit fungal growth effectively but also enhance the preservation of strawberries at varying temperatures. The inclusion of Bacillus subtilis in edible films represents a significant advancement in extending the viability of strawberries, surpassing the efficacy of conventional methods. Our findings suggest a promising avenue for natural, safe food preservation techniques, aligning with current consumer preferences for additive-free products. This research contributes to the broader understanding of microbial-based food preservation strategies, offering potential applications across a range of perishable commodities.