The aim of the present study was to evaluate Marisol strawberries’ (Fragaria × ananassa) physicochemical quality and shelf-life during storage, using an integrated analytical approach. More specifically, the research aimed to assess the strawberries’ color, texture, and nutritional quality, over an 11-day storage period, employing physicochemical analyses, spectrophotometric assays, Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, image analysis, and statistical tools. The results revealed significant changes in the outer surface texture and color characteristics, indicating spoilage progression. Physicochemical parameters such as water activity, moisture content, soluble solids, titratable acidity, and ascorbic acid content exhibited significant alterations, influencing the taste profile and freshness perception. Antioxidant and antiradical activities showed fluctuations, suggesting a potential decrease in phenolic content during storage. Moreover, the ATR-FTIR spectra findings confirmed the results regarding the moisture content, soluble solids, and total phenolic content. The integration of physicochemical and image analysis-derived features through a principal component analysis (PCA) enabled the accurate classification of samples based on storage days. Regression analysis, using these features, successfully predicted the storage day with high accuracy. Overall, this integrated analytical approach provided valuable information on the estimation of Marisol strawberries’ shelf-life and the prediction of their quality deterioration, contributing to better fruit management and the minimization of discards.

Currently, the evaluation of fruit ripening progress in relation to physicochemical and texture-quality parameters has become an increasingly important issue, particularly when considering consumer acceptance. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was the application of rapid, nondestructive, and conventional methods to assess the quality of banana peels and flesh in terms of ripening and during storage in controlled temperatures and humidity. For this purpose, we implemented various analytical techniques, such as attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy for texture, colorimetrics, and physicochemical features, along with image-analysis methods and discriminant as well as statistical analysis. Image-analysis outcomes showed that storage provoked significant degradation of banana peels based on the increased image-texture dissimilarity and the loss of the structural order of the texture. In addition, the computed features were sufficient to discriminate four ripening stages with high accuracy. Moreover, the results revealed that storage led to significant changes in the color parameters and dramatic decreases in the texture attributes of banana flesh. The combination of image and chemical analyses pinpointed that storage caused water migration to the flesh and significant starch decomposition, which was then converted into soluble sugars. The redness and yellowness of the peel; the flesh moisture content; the texture attributes; Brix; and the storage time were all strongly interrelated. The combination of these techniques, coupled with statistical tools, to monitor the physicochemical and organoleptic quality of bananas during storage could be further applied for assessing the quality of other fruits and vegetables under similar conditions.

Banana ranks as the fifth most cultivated agricultural crop globally, highlighting its crucial socio-economic role. The banana’s health-promoting benefits are correlated with its composition in bioactive compounds, such as phenolic compounds. Thus, the present study attempts to evaluate the potential health benefits of banana phenolic content by combing analytical and in silico techniques. Particularly, the total phenolic content and antioxidant/antiradical activity of banana samples during ripening were determined spectrophotometrically. In parallel, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis was implemented to unravel the variations in the phenolic profile of banana samples during ripening. Chlorogenic acid emerged as a ripening marker of banana, while apigenin and naringenin were abundant in the unripe fruit. In a further step, the binding potential of the elucidated phytochemicals was examined by utilizing molecular target prediction tools. Human carbonic anhydrase II (hCA-II) and XII (hCA-XII) enzymes were identified as the most promising targets and the inhibitory affinity of phenolic compounds was predicted through molecular docking studies. This class of enzymes is linked to a variety of pathological conditions, such as edema, obesity, hypertension, cancer, etc. The results assessment indicated that all assigned phenolic compounds constitute great candidates with potential inhibitory activity against CA enzymes.

Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) are known for their high water content and nutritional value, making them a valuable addition to a balanced diet. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical quality (color, moisture, water activity, and texture), and antioxidant/antiradical properties of freshly packed greenhouse-cultivated cucumbers over a 28-day storage period, utilizing a combination of high-throughput analytical techniques, including attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, instrumental analysis, image analysis, and chemometrics. The key findings indicated that the cucumbers underwent a significant loss of moisture during the storage period, with a concomitant decrease in firmness. Color analysis revealed an increase in the yellowness of both the peel and flesh, while image analysis demonstrated increasing dissimilarity and textural disorder, particularly evident by the 13th day of storage. The spectrophotometric and spectroscopic findings demonstrated that the quality of the cucumbers was maintained during the storage period. Meanwhile, regression and discriminant analyses were employed to interpret the collected data. Predictive models were developed with high accuracy to estimate the actual storage days and flesh quality attributes based on textural and color features derived from image analysis. Overall, this study highlights the importance of controlled storage conditions in maintaining cucumber quality and provides a comprehensive approach to monitoring post-harvest changes.

Plant-based carrier oils are constantly gaining popularity for their beneficial health effects on human organisms, thus shifting consumers’ preferences to alternative options in the oil market. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the quality characteristics of twenty-six edible plant-based fixed oils via chromatographic, chromatic, and spectroscopic techniques, suggesting their potential use as complementary edible oil sources. Palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and a-linolenic acids were found in considerable proportions, whereas the majority of oils possessed unsaturated (UFA)/saturated (SFA) fatty acid ratio greater than 1.6, suggesting their function in lowering blood pressure and preventing cardiovascular disease. Linseed, chia seed, macadamia, and canola oils provide a balanced intake of n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) within the range of 1:1 to 5:1. Oxidative stability was inversely related to oils’ PUFA content, with linseed, chia seed, pine cone, and walnut oils being the least stable oils against oxidation. Chlorophyll content in all oils was below the limit (50 mg/kg), preventing oxidation in the presence of light, whereas the highest values of b-carotene were noticed in soybean, linseed, and canola oils (61.18, 60.42, and 60.12 ppm, respectively). The application of machine learning algorithms for analyzing ATR-FTIR band intensities and FA proportions via discriminant analysis succeeded in discriminating pulp from seed oils, with a classification accuracy of 96.0% and 88.0%, respectively.

Background/Objectives: Strawberries are highly appreciated for their rich phytochemical composition, but rapid postharvest deterioration limits their shelf life and nutritional quality. This study aimed to investigate the metabolic changes occurring in both strawberry fruits and leaves during storage and to evaluate the NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) inhibitory potential of strawberry-derived metabolites. Methods: Untargeted LC-MS/MS analysis was conducted on fruit and leaf tissues stored at 8 ± 0.5 °C. A total of 37 metabolites were identified, including organic acids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives. Multivariate statistical analyses (ANOVA, PLS-DA, and volcano plots) were used to assess temporal and tissue-specific metabolic shifts. Additionally, a machine learning-based predictive model was applied to evaluate the NOX2 inhibitory potential of 24 structurally characterized metabolites. Results: Storage induced significant and tissue-specific metabolic changes. In fruits, malic acid, caffeic acid, and quercetin-3-glucuronide showed notable variations, while ellagic acid aglycone and galloylquinic acid emerged as prominent markers in leaves. The predictive model identified 21 out of 24 metabolites as likely NOX2 inhibitors, suggesting potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory bioactivity. Conclusions: These findings provide new insights into postharvest biochemical dynamics in both strawberry fruits and leaves. The results highlight the value of leaves as a source of bioactive compounds and support their potential valorization in functional food and nutraceutical applications.