Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC., belonging to the Asteraceae family, also known as ngai camphor, is one of the traditional herbs used in Thailand for folk medicine and a component in local food and drinks. There was, however, no evidence indicating the presence of beneficial compounds at different leaf ages. Exploring various extraction solvents, we investigated the phenolics, flavonoids in particular quercetin content, antioxidant capacity, and antibacterial activity of immature and mature leaf extracts. The dried leaves were macerated in 50 ethanol, 95 ethanol, hexane, or decocted in water. Bioactive substances were analyzed by UV spectrophotometry and HPLC. Analysis of antioxidant capacity was done byDPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and NO scavenging assays. The antibacterial activity of immature leaf extract eluted with 50 ethanol was subsequentially evaluated in vitro. Extraction with 50 ethanol proved optimal, yielding 1.21.6-fold and 1.5-fold greater immature and mature leaf extracts than other solvents. More phenolics (1.2-fold), flavonoids (1.1-fold), quercetin content (4.8-fold), and antioxidant activity (1.3-fold) were found in the immature leaf extract. There was a significant positive correlation between antioxidant activity and bioactive compounds. The immature leaf extract eluted with 50 ethanol showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.5mg/mL. The immature leaves of B. balsamifera are a rich source of quercetin and phenolics, and 50 ethanol proved optimal for extracting bioactive components from these leaves.

Postharvest diseases and loss of freshness are major problems that cause the deterioration of dragon fruit. The present study determined the effect of hot water treatment (HWT) at 50°C for 5 min followed by 1.0% chitosan and 0.2% κ-carrageenan-based composite coating to counter the issues. The results showed that HWT followed by the composite coating-enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities and reduced accumulation of H₂O₂ in the peel, which demonstrated the defensive response in the tissues leading to reduce disease development. The chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase did not show a significant effect in reducing the postharvest diseases of dragon fruit. While the HWT helped to increase phenolics content and antioxidant capacity in the pulp, the composite coating was crucial to maintain green color of the bract. Therefore, we concluded that HWT combined with composite coating controlled the diseases via antioxidant defensive response and maintained the overall quality of dragon fruit for 30 days of storage at 10°C.

SUMMARY Young coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) fruit collected 6–8 months after anthesis (MAA) contain a high volume of water [20% (w/w)] and can provide a refreshing drink. The present study investigated volatile organic compounds (VOCs), as aroma components, and physico-chemical changes in the liquid endosperm of young ‘Nam Hom’ coconut at two stages of maturity: the one-layer stage (6 MAA) and the two-layer stage (7.0–7.5 MAA) of the flesh. The liquid endosperm of coconut fruit becomes sweeter and more turbid late during maturation. Lauric acid (C_12:0) and myristic acid (C_14:0) were the main free fatty acids in the liquid endosperm of coconut. Short-chain fatty acid (C₁₀–C₁₂) concentrations increased slightly, and longer-chain fatty acid (C₁₄–C₁₈) concentrations declined when fruit matured from the one- to the two-layer stage of flesh. Solvent extractions showed a 1.4-fold increase in the total concentration of VOCs in the liquid endosperm during fruit development. This was related to a major increase in squalene and sterols, to 21.7% (w/w) of the total VOC and non-volatile organic compounds, whereas the concentrations of terpenes and esters remained stable. Although a series of alkanes existed in the liquid endosperm of coconut, the main aroma components were 2-methyl-1-butyl acetate and terpenes such as D-limonene, α-pinene, and 3-carene. We conclude that, when coconut fruit developed from the one- to the two-layered flesh stage, the liquid endosperm not only became sweeter and contained higher concentrations of aroma volatile and non-volatile components, but also became oily and less translucent.

There is limited information about the postharvest performance and physiology of Mokara orchid cut flowers, which are a special group of artificially created trigenetic hybrids of Vanda × Arachnis × Ascocentrum. Therefore, we first characterized the patterns of various physiological parameters during vase life of five Mokara hybrids, which differ in their longevity. Then, we examined the effects of ethephon and ethylene inhibitors on these physiological parameters, and on parameters of the ethylene biosynthesis pathway, during vase life of two selected Mokara hybrids, “Moo-deang” and “Dao-lai”, which showed significant differences in their vase life duration and senescence symptoms. The results demonstrate that the differences in vase life longevity among the five Mokara hybrids are due to differences in their ethylene production rates, which regulate flower development processes expressed in bud opening and floret senescence. The results clearly show that ethylene is involved in the regulation of the Mokara flower senescence, and pretreatment with ethylene inhibitors significantly improved their vase life longevity. Thus, ethylene seems to be the main factor that determines the longevity differences of the Mokara hybrids, rather than their water relations parameters. This study can serve as a research tool for developing effective postharvest treatments for Mokara hybrids.