Gloria Lobo

• Doctor of Pharmacy
• Researcher at Instituto Canario de Investigaciones Agrarias

Oxidative stress and inflammation are widely recognised as factors that can initiate and facilitate the development of MAFLD. The aim of this study is to analyse the effect of low and high doses of Opuntia stricta var. dillenii peel extract (L-OD and H-OD, respectively) and Opuntia ficus-indica var. colorada pulp extract (L-OFI and H-OFI, respectiv...

Fifteen percent of harvested bananas are discarded daily in the Canary Islands at packing houses because of marketing standards, mainly based on their appearance, or are retired to avoid falls in the market price of bananas. This discarded fruit is an environmental issue, and green banana flour (GBF) is an interesting management alternative for it....

Twenty Opuntia accessions from Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain) were classified according to 52 quantitative and qualitative descriptors, including the traits of the cladodes, flowers, fruits, and spines, as described by the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) guidelines. A database composed of 20 accessions and...

Plant-based beverages are one of the foods that currently arouse a lot of interest in the population due to their composition with compounds beneficial to health in addition to their being used as milk substitutes for people who suffer from food disorders. Also, their fortification with different nutrients or healthy ingredients with the aim of imp...

Prickly pears (Opuntia ficus-indica), which are well known for their beneficial properties for human health, are the subject of many studies due to their high content of bioactive compounds. However, the presence of spines on the fruit’s surface is a factor that limits consumption. Therefore, the viability and nutritional quality of peeled and pack...

This chapter discusses crown rot and anthracnose in detail, with a briefer coverage of the minor diseases such as mokillo fruit speckle, squirter and ceratocystis fruit stem-end rot. These diseases are discussed with regards to their causal agents, described and illustrated symptoms, disease cycle and epidemiology. In addition, a range of options f...

The aim of the present work was to improve the stability and bioaccessibility of carotenoids from green oil extracts obtained from papaya by-products using oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions. The effects of different concentrations of pectin (1%, 2%, and 3%), a high-molecular-size emulsifier, together with Tween 20, a low-molecular-size emulsifier, high-...

Fruit and vegetable wastes (FVWs) have grown due to their consumption in recent decades. The population is more interested in changing their eating habits and improving their quality of life. In this sense, the consumption of these products allows us to incorporate nutrients and bioactive compounds with health benefits into our diet. Consequently,...

Opuntia species exhibit beneficial properties when used to treat chronic diseases, particularly obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer; however, the presence of spines and glochids in the species’ skin that easily stick into consumers’ fingers has limited their consumption. For this study, white and orange Opuntia ficus-indica fruits...

Opuntia stricta var. Dillenii’s prickly pears are an underutilized fruit with a high content of betalains and phenolic compounds that could bring potential health benefits for humans. The aim of this study is the optimization of the “green” extraction of betalains and phenolic compounds from Opuntia stricta var. Dillenii’s whole fruits by ultrasoun...

Tecia solanivora is a quarantine organism regarded as one of the insect pests causing major economic losses during potato cultivation and storage in Central America. The potatoes trade between countries, the interest in introducing new potato varieties, the great adaptability of the insect to different agro-ecological conditions, and the globalizat...

Abstract: The aim of the present study was the full characterization, quantification, and determination of the digestive stability and bioaccessibility of individual betalain and phenolic compounds of Opuntia stricta, var. Dillenii fresh fruits (peel, pulp, and whole fruit) and of the products of the industrialization to obtain jam (raw pressed jui...

The qualitative characteristics of mango fruits change throughout their development process and are also influenced by their duration. Harvesting at different times after the fruit set affects external and internal quality and the post-harvest behavior and management possibilities of the fruits. The objective of this study was to assess the evoluti...

European consumers have perceived that papaya fruits produced in subtropical areas (the Canary Islands and Mediterranean regions) do not have the desired quality at certain periods of the year. Thus, the development of technical and management strategies to optimize the yield and the quality of the fruit requires crop phenology studies. Meteorologi...

The carotenoid profile of non-saponified and saponified extracts of different tissues (pulp and peel) of fruits of three new papaya varieties, Sweet Mary, Alicia, and Eksotika, was characterized for the first time, and almost all carotenoid compounds were quantified. Carotenoids and carotenoid esters were analyzed and characterized using HPLC–photo...

A comprehensive guide that covers the banana's full value chain - from production to consumption The banana is the world's fourth major fruit crop. Offering a unique and in-depth overview of the fruit's entire value chain, this important new handbook charts its progression from production through to harvest, postharvest, processing, and consumption...

Banana (Musa spp.) is an edible fruit and an herbaceous flowering plant belonging to the genus Musa , and the family Musaceae. In some producing countries, banana is consumed as a cooked vegetable (called plantains). In some producing countries, banana is consumed as a cooked vegetable (called plantains). Mostly, bananas are eaten in ripe form and...

Banana produces a huge quantity of by‐products or solid waste during harvest and postharvest operations. In order to get a clear picture of the by‐products, one needs to know the different parts of the banana plant and their role in human nourishment. A banana plant produces only one bunch in its lifetime which leads to enormous waste generation fi...

This chapter provides an overview of recent trends and developments in world banana production, exports and imports, consumption trends and prices in the US and European Union (EU) markets, and postharvest handling, processing, nutritional profile and health benefits of banana. In terms of market structure, the supply side of the banana market has...

Packaging has become a significant part of the food value chain not only for containing and delivering products from farm to consumer but also protecting and preserving products. Active packaging technologies have been aimed at extending shelf life or to enhance safety, whereas intelligent packaging provides an indication of the quality of products...

Banana fruit is a highly perishable commodity owing to its climacteric nature, neutral pH, and high sugar content. Therefore, it exhibits microbial diversity spanning over bacterial to fungal genera, which may infect during pre‐ as well as postharvest phases of cultivation and also during storage and transportation of the produce. This chapter prov...

Diseases have been considered the main factor responsible for yield losses in banana plantations worldwide. Several pathogens, including fungi, bacteria, and virus, can impair banana production as emergent threats or established and widespread diseases. Sigatoka disease complex is caused by an ascomycete fungus belonging to the genus Pseudocercospo...

This chapter focuses on ripe banana processing technologies, processed products, and nutritional profile. Harvesting of bananas is usually done in the pre‐climacteric phase when they reach full mature green stage. The green matured fruits are processed as such or ripened and processed further into traditional or industrial scale products. The chapt...

Banana and plantain are monocotyledonous plants belonging to the genus Musa , family Musaceae, and order Zingiberales. All around the world, the importance of banana plant increases with its different applications in pharmaceutical and food industries and in other biotechnologically related processes. This chapter provides an overview of bioactive...

This chapter reviews the processing and utilization of green banana into flour and starch, and their effect on human health. It is to be noted that both green banana and unripe banana terms are used interchangeably to maintain the source information. Drying is one of best preservation techniques to remove excess water from the fresh produce. The mo...

Banana has frequently been preserved by a range of cost‐effective dehydration techniques. Preservation is achieved by cutting the peeled fruit into transverse slices to increase the surface area required for rapid removal of moisture during the dehydration procedure. A wide array of shelf stable dehydrated banana products is commercially available....

This chapter discusses banana harvesting indices and practices, fruit grade and standards, postharvest handling and losses, postharvest operations, and storage technologies. Harvesting indices define the best time to cut the fruit, trying to maximize fruit growth and production yield before harvest. Harvest planning is an important step which requi...

This chapter provides an overview of banana biology and physiology, including plant and fruit growth, factors affecting plant and fruit development, fruit ripening, nutritional and phytochemical profile, harvesting, and fruit quality disorders. Almost all cultivated varieties of edible banana and plantains are hybrids and polyploids of two wild, se...

Among fruits, bananas are the most consumed and produced worldwide. Thermal processing is commonly employed for the processing of fruit products, and banana is not an exception. Banana‐based beverages are processed by pasteurization to enhance the shelf life by inactivating the associated enzymes and pathogens. This chapter describes the applicatio...

This chapter provides an overview of banana biology and physiology, including plant and fruit growth, factors affecting plant and fruit development, fruit ripening, nutritional and phytochemical profile, harvesting, and fruit quality disorders. Almost all cultivated varieties of edible banana and plantains are hybrids and polyploids of two wild, se...

Biology and Postharvest Physiology of Banana Maria Gloria Lobo, Francisco Javier Fernández Rojas Handbook of Banana Production, Postharvest Science, Processing Technology, and Nutrition, 19-44, 2020 This chapter provides an overview of banana biology and physiology, including plant and fruit growth, factors affecting plant and fruit development, fr...

Physicochemical, sensory and microbiological quality parameters were determined in fresh-cut pineapple products. Containers with fresh-cut pineapple in cylinders or in chunks were considered and the above parameters were studied over ten days of storage at 5 ± 1 °C. Chromatic parameters presented differences between both formats, with the cylinders...

Primary metabolites, such as carbohydrates, amino acids, fatty acids, and organic acids, are involved in growth and development, respiration and photosynthesis, and the synthesis of hormones and proteins. This chapter provides an overview of the major classes of plant primary metabolites found in vegetables, emphasizing their roles in human health...

This chapter covers production, postharvest physiology and storage, processing, nutritional profiles, and health benefits of okra, eggplant, turnip, Asian radish, bitter gourd, and kohlrabi. In the major areas of production, all of these vegetables are a common part of the diet and provide important nutritional and health benefits to the consumers....

This chapter provides an overview of the major classes of plant secondary metabolites found in vegetables, emphasizing their roles in human health and nutrition. These metabolites include terpenoids, phenolics, alkaloids, steroids, essential oils, lignins, resins, tannins, and sulfur-containing compounds. Terpenoids have diverse functional roles in...

Fruits and vegetables are the most utilized commodities among all horticultural crops. They are consumed raw, minimally processed, as well as processed, due to their nutrients and health‐promoting compounds. With the growing population and changing diet habits, the production and processing of horticultural crops, especially fruits and vegetables,...

Banana peel extract (BPE) was added to freshly squeezed orange juices (FSJ) and orange juices from concentrate (JFC), in order to evaluate if it stabilises their antioxidant activity, sensory attributes and physicochemical characteristics after heat treatment and during refrigerated storage. Mild pasteurisation increased shelf life in refrigeration...

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is an important member of the Anacardiaceae family, grown commercially in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Maintenance of mango fruit quality during the supply chain depends on many aspects, including adequate orchard management practices, harvesting practices, packing operations, postharvest treatments, te...

Using banana peel extract as an antioxidant in freshly squeezed orange juices and juices from concentrate was evaluated. Free radical scavenging capacity increased by adding banana peel extracts to both types of orange juice. In addition, remarkable increases in antioxidant capacity using 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid (ABT...

Ananas comosus (L) Merr., the pineapple, is the only species of the Bromeliaceae family grown commercially for its fruit. This chapter provides an overview of preharvest and postharvest factors that influence fruit development, maturation and ripening. Preharvest treatments that impact fruit development and the compositional changes during growth a...

Pineapple is the third most important tropical fruit in the world, with production occurring throughout the tropics. The demand for low acid fresh pineapples and its processed products is one of the fastest growing markets, especially in Europe and North America. This book provides an in depth and contemporary coverage of knowledge and practices in...

The origin and history of the pineapple, international production, world trade and consumption trends are described in this chapter. Postharvest, handling and storage of pineapple are briefly reported and are the subject of Chapter 5. Pineapple is consumed as a fresh fruit, minimally processed as chunks and slices, dehydrated slices, canned, proces...

The antioxidant and antifungal (antiyeast) properties of mango (Mangifera indica) peel and seed by-products were investigated. Nine extracts were obtained using three cultivars and two extraction methods. Significant differences between cultivars and extraction methods were detected in their bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity. The antifun...

Nell’ultimo decennio sull’isola di Tenerife, si è osservato un significativo aumento delle superfici coltivate a mango come conseguenza della domanda proveniente dalla Penisola Iberica. I frutti di mango che seguono questo canale commerciale devono subire dei trasporti che possono causare una alterazione delle caratteristiche qualitative e organole...

A microwave-assisted extraction procedure was developed to obtain extracts rich in antioxidants from mango seed. Central composite design ‘25 + star’ and response surface methodology were used in order to optimise the extraction factors: the water content in the acetone/water mixture used as extractant, seed weight-to-solvent volume ratio, number o...

Preharvest biology and postharvest physiology of date fruit, coupled with adopting good agricultural practices, are important areas of research for ensuring maximum fruit yields with optimum physical, chemical, and sensory quality. Date fruit go through four well-defined stages of maturity, Kimri, Khalal, Rutab, and Tamar, with the last three harve...

Dates are non-climacteric fruit, with very low respiration rate and low ethylene production, and therefore with very low metabolic activities. Thus, some dry date cultivars, are not very perishable, and can easily be shipped to distant markets and be stored for prolonged periods of time. However, the shelf life of some moist (soft or syrupy) date c...

The purpose of this study was to analyze the extraction efficiency of antioxidants from mango peel by comparing two techniques: microwave-assisted (MAE) and traditional solvent (TE) extraction. The number of extraction steps, water content in the extractant, peel weight-to-solvent volume ratio in extractions and extraction time all had an influence...

Introduction World Distribution and Production Significance in Human Health and Consumption Trends Taxonomy and Morphology Major Cultivars Harvesting, Postharvest Handling, and Storage Fresh-Cut Processing Papaya Processing Nutritional Profile and Health Benefits Acknowledgments References

Introduction World Distribution and Production Significance in Human Health and Consumption Trends Main Cultivars Morphology Harvesting, Postharvest Handling, and Storage Postharvest Losses: Causes and Remedies Fresh-Cut Pineapple Processing and Processed Products Food Safety of Fresh-Cut and Processed Products Nutritional Profile and Health Benefi...

This chapter appraises the nutritional properties of tomato seeds. Applications for tomato seeds that promote health and prevent disease are based on the nutrients and phytochemical compounds that they contain. The seeds are rich in dietary fiber, fat and polyunsaturated fatty acids (FAs), proteins and essential amino acids, and minerals. Linoleic...

Unlabelled: Mango biowastes, obtained after processing, contain large amounts of compounds with antioxidant activity that can be reused to reduce their environmental impact. The present study evaluates the effect of solvent (methanol, ethanol, acetone, water, methanol:water [1:1], ethanol:water [1:1], and acetone:water [1:1]), and temperature (25,...

The aim of this work was to study the effect of different drying treatments on the antioxidant activity of mango peel and seed. Freeze-drying allowed the peel (when extraction was carried out with ethanol:- water) and seed to be stabilised without diminishing their antioxidant activity. In addition, this treatment improved mango peel’s antiradical...

The history of the papaya (Carica papaya, L.) in the Canary Islands came to show the viability of this crop under greenhouse and the possibility of further expansion in short term due to the introduction, over the last years, of high-quality of commercial cultivars from Hawaii ('Sunrise') and Brazil 'Baixinho de Santa Amalia'(BSA). In this work it...

Banana (Musa acuminata Colla AAA) peel extracts obtained in this work had a high capacity to scavenge 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS+) free radicals, and they were also good lipid peroxidation inhibitors. Acetone:water extracts were considerably more effective (compared with met...

A solvent extraction method was developed to obtain methanolic extracts rich in antioxidants from banana peel. Central composite design “23+star” and response surface methodology were used in order to optimise the number of extraction steps, extraction temperature and extraction time. The number of extractions was statistically the most significant...

A solvent extraction method was developed for the extraction of organic acids (oxalic, citric, tartaric, L-malic, quinic, succinic and fumaric acids) in papaya and pineapple. Central composite design “2n + star” was used in order to optimise the following extraction parameters: number of extractions, composition of the extractant mixture, extractio...

Using storage conditions recommended for conventional chard (4 degrees C, 90% RH and 7 d), the chard treated with some organic preharvest treatments [effective microorganisms, a fermented mixture of effective microorganisms with organic matter (EM-Bokashi + EM), and an auxiliary soil product] lost considerable water (> 2%) and weight (> 25%). These...

A method for extracting and determining chlorophyll pigments (chlorophyll a and b) in green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) was developed. The procedure was based on the solvent extraction of pigments in vegetable samples using N,N-dimethylformamide as the extractant. Optimal conditions for extraction were determined by experimental design using resp...

Despite the increasing interest in organic products, our understanding of how different organic treatments affect fruit and vegetable quality is still limited. The effect of three organic pre-harvest treatments [effective microorganisms (EM), a fermented mixture of effective microorganisms with organic matter (EM-Bokashi+EM), and an auxiliary soil...

The location of the Canary Islands and its climatological conditions make it possible to produce tropical and subtropical fruits. The papaya production has to be under greenhouses due principally to the papaya ring spot potyvirus incidence (PRSV). This disease devastates the papaya grown in open air plantations. Furthermore, the greenhouse protects...

The appearance of minimal processed fruits in markets allows consumers to cover dairy requirements of vitamins and minerals quickly and easily. Climacteric fruits, that can be harvested when physiological maturity is reached, should not be processed before the

A major pigment of the cochineal insect, carminic acid is a colorant widely used natural in food industry. The effect of four sacrifice methods (ultrasound, asphyxiation, freezing and thermal treatment) and two simultaneous sacrifice/drying methods (microwave and forced-air oven) on the final quality of cochineal were tested. Color of samples befor...

Changes in peroxidase (POD) and polyphenoloxidase (PPO) activities of papaya (Caricu papava), cv Sunrise, during ripening, freezing and short frozen storage were studied. Fruits were stored at 14°C and 85 90 % RH until maturity for processing was reached (about 21 days). Fruit were frozen cryogenically and frozen slices were stored at — 18°C. POD a...

Two analytical methods for extracting vitamin C (l-ascorbic and l-dehydroascorbic acids) in tropical fruits [banana, papaya, mango (at three maturity stages) and pineapple] were evaluated. These methods used ion-pair liquid chromatography (LC) for detecting ascorbic acid, but differed in the preparation of the sample (extraction with 3% metaphospho...

The proteolytic enzymes in the gut of the banana weevil, Cosmopolites sordidus (Germar) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), have been characterized. Both larvae and adults rely on a complex proteolytic system based on at least cathepsin D-, cathepsin B-, trypsin-, chymotrypsin-, leucine aminopeptidase-, carboxypeptidase A-, and carboxypeptidase B-like act...

The effects of ethylene exposure temperature, ethylene concentration and post-exposure storage temperature on the ripening processes of bananas were studied. Mature-green bananas were treated for 24h with different ethylene concentrations (5, 50, 500 and 5,000 L/L) at three temperatures (12, 15 and 20°C) and subsequently stored at either 15 or 20°C...

A rapid method was developed for the determination of yellow and red pigment groups in cochineals, a natural food colourant. The method was based on UV–visible spectrophotometric measurement at two characteristic wavelengths. The wavelengths 420 and 500 nm were selected as the most appropriate for simultaneous quantification of these pigment groups...

The commercial value of a cochineal (Dactylopius coccus Costa) sample is associated with its color quality. Because the cochineal is a legal food colorant, its color quality is generally understood as its pigment content. Simply put, the higher this content, the more valuable the sample is to the market. In an effort to devise a way to measure the...

Summary Black mulberry (Morus nigra) is a fruit not known only for its nutritional qualities and its flavour, but also for its traditional use in natural medicine as it has a high content of active therapeutic compounds. However, this fruit is not widely produced in Spain but some trees are still found growing in the Canary Islands, particularly on...

A locally commercially available plastic liner was assessed in terms of its potential use for the generation of modified atmospheres for mature-green and ethrel-induced bananas at different storage (or transport) temperatures. MAP treatments extended the green and shelf life of mature-green bananas stored at 12 and 18°C, but did not alleviate the c...

A simple method was developed for the extraction and determination of color pigments in cochineals (Dactylopius coccus Costa). The procedure was based on the solvent extraction of pigments in insect samples using methanol:water (65:35, v:v) as extractant. Two-level factorial design was used in order to optimize the solvent extraction parameters: te...

The physical, physico-chemical and sensorial changes that occur during the freezing and frozen storage of hermaphrodite and female papaya slices (Carica papaya L., cv Sunrise, Solo group) were studied. Samples were evaluated by panellists throughout a 1-year period of storage at –24°C; the panellists described the fruit in terms of physico-chemical...

The effects of freezing and frozen storage on hermaphrodite and female papayas (cv Sunrise, solo group) polyphenol oxidase (EC 1.10.3.1; PPO) and peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7; POD) were evaluated. The freezing process produces a significant increase in both enzymatic activities (22–11%, PPO and 13%, POD) depending on the kind of papaya fruit. During fro...

 Browning in banana (Musa cavendishii, cv. Enana) processed products is a result of phenol oxidation catalysed by polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) or of other non-enzymatic reactions (Maillard and Strecker mechanisms). Microwave and steam blanching significantly reduced PPO and POD activities and phenol levels in banana flesh, steam bl...

A partial characterization of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) in papaya fruits is described in this work. Differences among papaya fruits from hermaphrodite and female flowers in terms of PPO activity are also presented. Total soluble PPO activity in female fruits was higher than in hermaphrodite fruits during all ripening proccesses, and greater PPO valu...

The predominant carotenoids in extracts of female and hermaphrodite Papaya fruits (Caricapapaya L) Solo cv Sunrise were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography on a C18 reversed-phase column using a diode-array detector. Three classes of carotenoids were separated and identified from the papaya extract without saponification; these wer...

An HPLC study of the carotenoid composition of fresh, frozen and canned papaya fruit slices was done. There were no qualitative differences between the carotenoid patterns of fresh and frozen papaya fruit slices (cultivar Sunrise). The major carotenoids found in papaya extracts were lycopene and carotenol fatty acid esters of beta-cryptoxanthin and...

El presente trabajo de investigación, tiene como objetivo principal caracterizar los frutos de papaya hermafrodita y hembra procedentes de Tenerife (Islas Canarias). La papaya es una fruta originaria de america central cuyo consumo se ha extendido a Africa tropical, Norteamérica... por su elevado contenido en provitamina A y en vitamina C, su color...

The main sign of deterioration of the highly perishable cassava tuber is bluish-black vascular streaking appearing on the parenchyma. With the goal of avoiding vascular streaking during storage of minimally processed cassava, the impact of preservation temperature and the amount of time between harvest and processing were studied. Two methods of tr...