Broccoli is a rich source of nutrients and bioactive compounds. Unfortunately, its shelf life is limited due to physicochemical losses and microbiological degradation. Therefore, the present research aimed to determine the efficacy of ascorbic acid (0, 100, 200, and 300 mg L
−1
) as a preharvest foliar spray for improving broccoli growth and morphological characteristics, yield, and postharvest storage quality. Among the used ascorbic acid concentrations, the 300 mg L
−1
treatment was the most effective. Preharvest foliar application of ascorbic acid significantly increased the number of leaves (50%), head diameter (70%–80%), head fresh weight (27%), root length (28.6%), and root fresh and dry weights by 29% and 39%, respectively, compared with the control. The ascorbic acid application significantly improved the postharvest quality characteristics such as total soluble solids (TSS), ascorbic acid (60%), total phenolics (40%), and maintained the chlorophyll concentration (50% higher). Additionally, antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD; 120%), peroxidase (POD; 80%), and catalase (CAT; 150%), was markedly enhanced. Total flavonoids increased by 30%, while antioxidant activity improved by 60% compared with untreated plants. Moreover, ascorbic acid significantly reduced weight loss (50%), chlorophyll degradation, ion leakage (40%), and accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (35%) and malondialdehyde content (40%) in broccoli heads as compared to the control during storage. In conclusion, ascorbic acid preharvest treatment could be considered an effective approach to enhance the shelf life (6–8 days) and yield of broccoli than the control.
Hasan Sardar, M. Shabir, S. Naz et al.· New Zealand journal of crop...· 0 citations
A mathematical model was developed and experimentally validated to predict the thermal performance and drying behavior of an indirect active solar dryer (IAHSD) for mint leaves. The distinctive contribution of the proposed approach is its integration of solar-energy input, auxiliary gas heating, controlled fresh–recirculated air mixing, ambient-humidity effects, chamber heat losses, and mint-leaf moisture removal within a computationally accessible model suitable for operational assessment and control-oriented applications. The model describes coupled heat and mass transfer processes while considering key operating parameters, including drying air temperature (50–60°C), air recirculation ratio (70–90%), and ambient relative humidity (20–80%). Simulation results showed that increasing drying air temperature and recirculation ratio enhanced the drying chamber temperature, whereas higher ambient humidity reduced the thermal level and slowed moisture removal. Predicted chamber temperatures ranged from 37.83°C to 67.31°C depending on the inlet air temperature, while experimental values followed similar trends but were slightly lower due to environmental variations. Maximum temperatures occurred near midday, highlighting the influence of solar radiation on system performance. The model also captured moisture removal dynamics, indicating that higher drying temperatures accelerated drying rates, while elevated humidity reduced evaporation efficiency. Under low temperature and high humidity conditions, temporary moisture absorption was observed due to reversed vapor pressure gradients. Model validation showed strong agreement between predicted and measured data, with coefficients of determination (R
2
) ranging from 0.85 to 0.96, confirming the reliability of the proposed model.
El-Sayed G. Khater, A. Bahnasawy, Wulfran Fendzi Mbasso et al.· Energy Exploration & Exp...· 0 citations
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