Changes in Microstructure, Enzymatic Activity and Functional Quality of Citrus Juice Sacs upon Granulation

• Published in: National Academy science letters 2023-10, Vol.46 (5), p.439-443
• Main Authors: Nayak, Swarajya Laxmi, Sethi, Shruti, Nain, Lata, Dubey, Anil Kumar, Chawla, Gautam
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbazole; Carbazoles; Cell walls; Cellulose; Chelation; Citrus fruits; Enzymatic activity; Ferrous ions; Fruits; Glucosidase; Granulation; History of Science; Humanities and Social Sciences; Juices; Lipoxygenase; Metabolism; Microscopic analysis; multidisciplinary; Pectin; Pectinesterase; Respiration; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Short Communication; β-Glucosidase
• ISSN: 0250-541X; 2250-1754
• DOI: 10.1007/s40009-023-01281-4

Postharvest granulation is a severe physiological disorder in citrus fruit. This study was designed to analyze the effect of granulation on physico-functional properties of ‘Itaborai’ sweet orange. Microscopic analysis, galacturonic acid content, pectin methylesterase, β-glucosidase activity, ferrous ion-chelating activity, lipoxygenase activity, carotenoid content and respiration rate were evaluated. Microscopic analysis portrayed that the thickness of cell wall increased eight times in granulated juice sacs compared to the healthy ones. The respiration rate was 46% higher in granulated fruit than the healthy fruit. The carbazole analysis indicated the presence of higher amount of galacturonic acid content in granulated citrus juice sacs. β-Glucosidase activity was diminished in granulated juice sacs leading to the deposition of cellulose in the granulated tissues. Ferrous ion-chelating activity was onefold higher in healthy fruit than the granulated ones. The lipoxygenase activity was 1.5 times higher in granulated fruits than the healthy ones. This study unveiled that the mechanism of granulation may be related to pectin metabolism.