مهرداد جعفرپور

Beta-glucan is one of the components of the mushroom cell wall and the most therapeutically important polysaccharide in mushrooms. The aim of this research is to produce a specific vermicompost to improve the nutritional value and evaluate the beta-glucan content in blazai mushroom (A.subrufescens).

An experiment was conducted in form of a completely randomized design and in three replications at the mushroom research center of Islamic Azad University of Isfahan (Khorasgan) in 1399-1400. It investigated 18 combined substrates as treatments, including casing soil as control, compost and vermicompost, Echinacea vermicompost alone and in combination with casing soil with certain values of the hormone indol acetic acid. Based on the results, richer substrates including compost and vermicompost alone and in combination with casing soil led to the optimal growth of blazai mushrooms.

The results of the analysis of variance showed that the highest amount of beta-glucan with the value of 72.86 mg/kg and the highest ash percentage was observed, namely the substrates with the origin of the Echinacea medicinal plant.

In general, for biomass production, it is better to use richer substrates, yet if the purpose of production of the essential material in the mushrooms, it is better to use substrates that are combined with Echinacea. The present research is the combination of casing soil 50 percent + compost or vermicompost 50 percent in the absorption of nutrients and the improvement of quantitative traits played a slightly better role.

The use of edible coatings and essential oils is important due to their biodegradability, shelf life, and quality characteristics of harvested products.

The present study was conducted in the form of a completely randomized design with 6 treatments including control, chitosan (2%), sumac extract (4%), cumin essential oil (5 μl), chitosan + sumac extract, and chitosan + cumin essential oil in 3 replications and qualitative characteristics of Agaricus bisporus mushroom were evaluated on days 0, 7, 14, and 21 of storage.

The highest tissue stiffness and antioxidant capacity was observed on the day 21 in cumin essential oil and control treatments, respectively. Malondialdehyde (MDA) increased with the increase of storage time from day 0 to day 21. The highest activity of polyphenol oxidase was obtained on the day 7 in the treatment of cumin essence. On the days 7, 14, and 21, the treatment with cumin essential oil and sumac extract showed the highest weight loss. The highest L* color index was observed on day 0 in the control treatment and the highest a* color index was observed on day 7 in chitosan and chitosan + sumac extract treatments. Under the treatment of chitosan on days 14 and 21 and chitosan + cumin essence on day 14, the lowest b* color index was observed. The highest browning index was observed on days 7, 14, and 21 in chitosan + sumac extract, chitosan + cumin essence, and chitosan treatments.

The research treatments showed different results on the qualitative characteristics and shelf life of Agaricus bisporus mushroom. Cumin essential oil and sumac extract alone and in combination with chitosan during the storage period had an effect on the quality characteristics of Agaricus bisporus mushroom.

Agaricus bisporus has the highest production in the world due to its unique flavor and valuable nutritional properties. Due to lack of cuticle, high respiration rate, high humidity, and intense enzymatic activity, they rapidly decay and their discoloration begins immediately after harvest.

The present study was conducted in a completely randomized design with 5 treatments including control, chitosan 2%, chitosan + cinnamon essential oil (2%), chitosan + Persian hogweed essential oil (200 ppm), and chitosan + cinnamon essential oil + Persian hogweed essential oil with 3 replications, and qualitative and biochemical characteristics of Agaricus bisporus on days 0, 7, 14, and 21 were evaluated.

The highest amount of flavonoids was obtained 7 days after storage under the treatment of chitosan + Persian hogweed essential oil. The highest antioxidant capacity was observed in the control treatment 21 days after storage. 7 days after storage, the moisture content under the treatment of chitosan + Persian hogweed essential oil and chitosan + cinnamon essential oil and also 14 days after storage in the treatment of chitosan + Persian hogweed essential oil showed a significant increase compared to the control treatment. The highest browning index was obtained 14 days after storage in chitosan and chitosan + Persian hogweed + cinnamon treatments. The highest tissue firmness was observed on day 0 after storage in the control treatment and the lowest amount of firmness was observed on day 21 after storage in control, chitosan, and chitosan + Persian hogweed + cinnamon treatments.

The investigated treatments showed different results on biochemical properties and postharvest shelf life of Agaricus bisporus. In general, cinnamon and Persian hogweed essential oils combined with chitosan have been individually effective on qualitative properties of Agaricus bisporus over shelf life.

Sweet pepper is one of the most important commercial vegetable with short postharvest life and high susceptibility to fungal diseases. This research was conducted based on complete randomized factorial design with two treatments of UV-C radiation (0, 5 and 10 kJ m-2s-1) and DPI dipping (0 and 1 µM) with 3 replication on sweet pepper fruits. The effects of these treatments was studied on some attributes changes throughout 28 days at 7ºC. The results showed that carotenoid content reduced during 28 days of storage. Treatment of 5 kJ m-2s-1 UV-C and combination of 10 kJ m-2s-1 and DPI treatment caused an increase in carotenoid content that generally kept the same values than initial value after 28 days at 7 ºC. After 10 kJ UV-C m-2 treatment an important initial stress was foundand treated samples conserved antioxidant contents regarding the initial content. In these samples DPI dipping generally reduced the antioxidant capacity on the 28 day.  The medium illumination dose showed the highest total phenolics content and reducing sugar. Combination of 10 kJ UV-C m-2 illumination and DPI treatment caused conservation of protein content after 28 days at 7 ºC. SOD activity increased on 21th day of storage in treated samples with 5 kJ m-2s-1 UV-C and 1 µM DPI[RbD1] . 10 kJ UV-C m-2 caused an increase in catalase activity on the last day of storage. Illuminated samples with 5 kJ UV-C m-2 showed the highest peroxidase activity on 14th day at 7 ºC. As main conclusion a pretreatment of UV-C radiation and DPI dipping was found as an effective technique for quality preservation of sweet pepper fruits during storage. [RbD1]Which concentration?

Button mushroom gets rotten rapidly immediately after harvest and its color changes, due to lack of cuticle, high respiration rate, high humidity, and severe enzymatic activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of essential oils of thyme and rosemary herbs on some qualitative characteristics of the button mushroom.
This research was conducted in a completely randomized design with the aim of evaluating the effects of concentrations of 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 μl/l of rosemary and thyme, and storage duration of 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 days on the qualitative properties of the button mushroom including tissue stiffness, moisture of the fruiting body, browning index, and antioxidant capacity.
Findings: With increasing the storage time, the moisture and texture stiffness decreased compared to those in control treatment. Evaluating the essential oil concentration, it was observed that the highest moisture content was obtained in the concentrations of 0 and 5.0 μl/l in 13.5% and 13% of essential oils, respectively; and the highest stiffness was obtained at concentrations of 7.5, 5.0, 10.0, and 2.5 μl/l of thyme essential oil as 10.95%, 10.52%, 9.90%, and 9.87%, respectively. The highest rate of antioxidants was observed at 0, 5 and 10 days in the range of 60%-75%. Moreover, increasing the storage time compared to the day of zero, a significant increase was found in the browning index.
Using the essential oils based on the type, concentration, and storage time of the product showed different results on the qualitative properties of the button mushrooms; the suitable concentrations can be selected based on the objective. According to the results, it seems that the concentration of 5 μl/l of thyme essential oil is a suitable treatment to maintain the qualitative properties of the fruiting body of button mushroom during the storage period.

Agaricus blazei mushrooms are one of the most important edible and therapeutic mushrooms, and they contain minerals, vitamins, and amino acids essential for the human body. This mushroom is used raw, dried, and in the form of pharmaceutical products. One of the most important processes after harvesting is drying in order to enhance the quality and the length of maintenance of the products. The aim of this study was to determine the most effective drying method in terms of the better maintenance of the nutritional and medicinal properties of this mushroom.
In this study, the impact of return composting and vermicomposting in addition to the oven drying, microwave drying, and freeze-drying methods were evaluated on the antioxidant capacity, water absorption, and dietary fiber of the mushrooms. The present study was performed using a factorial and completely randomized design.
Findings: According to the results, the maximum antioxidant capacity and dietary fiber amount were observed in the microwave method. However, the minimum antioxidant capacity was observed in the oven and return composting methods. The maximum water absorption was reached in the freeze-drying method with both composting methods, and the minimum water absorption was observed in the combination of the oven method and vermicomposting.
These drying methods had different effects on the quality of Agaricus blazei mushroom. Therefore, based on the objective, nutritional properties, appearance, and economic efficiency, each of the mentioned methods can be used to increase the quality of Agaricus blazei mushrooms.

Ethylene is an important contributor to the acceleration of fruit ripening and postharvest losses of fruit. Thus, anti ethylene substances could increase storage life of fruits. Thus the effects of 0 (control), 0.5, 0.75 and 1 µL L-1 of 1-MCP and putrescine with 0 (control), 0.5, 1 and 1.5 mM on the storage life (1°C) during 21 day in strawberry fruit Cv. Selva were studied and appearance and the physicochemical characteristics of fruits were measured. A factorial experiment through complete randomized design (CRD) was used. The highest marketability, firmness, citric acid (TA), total soluble solids (TSS), vitamin C and the lowest amount of appearance decay, pH and the ratio of TSS/TA were observed in the treatment of 0.75 and 1 µL L-1 of 1-MCP and 1 and 1.5 mM of putrescine. The results obtained from the experiment showed a positive effect of 1-MCP and putrescine on the storage life of strawberry. The results further showed that the use of 1-MCP and putrescine can act as an effective strategy in postharvest technology of strawberry fruit.

In order toa desirable growth، plants need fertile soil which has the availability of nutrient elements in it. Sometimes، in spite of having access to the nutrient elements، decrease yield، due to undesirable physical situation. Stock (Matthiolaincana cv. Column Crimson) is one of the potting flower that its growth medium traditionally including HAWAR soil، basin sediment and untreated waste municipal. Due to decrease reach to mentioned soils، so that، it is necessary to replace a growth medium and surveying the effect of different organic matter in pot stock. Garden soil was used as main source of medium and as control. In this study، treatments including garden soil amendment by 4 and 8 % (w/w) of different organic matter (untreated waste municipal، beet pulp، leaf mold، and municipal compost). Another treatment was traditional growth medium. This research was performed in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Result showed that manure treatments on plant height، floret diameter، carbohydrate content had significant different (p).

 The aim of this study was to assess the bactericidal effect of three medicinal plant species, including Thymus vulgaris, Trachyspermum ammi, and Mentha aquatica on Erwinia carotovora growth. This research was done in a factorial to completely randomized design with three concentrations, and three replicates on nutrient agar culture medium. Results of this study indicated that the essential oils from the studied plants were effective against Erwinia carotovora. At 300 ppm concentration, diameter of growth inhabitation was 43 mm. Results indicated the essential oil from T. ammi, especially at 300 and 400 ppm concentrations had the highest antibacterial activity against Erwinia carotovora with 43.00 and 46.67 mm diameter of growth inhabitation. In addition, there was no significant difference between 300 and 400 ppm concentrations of M. aquatica and at concentrations of 200, 300, and 400 ppm for T. vulgaris. The overall results indicated the essential oils, especially Trachyspermum ammi have antibacterial activity against Erwinia carotovora; it seems that the essential oils can be employed in manufacturing desirable bactericidal agents.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of water stress and different levels of N2 fertilizer on yield and water use efficiency in sugar beet (Variety BP) in Khorasan Razavi agricultural and natural resources research center in 2006. The treatments included: irrigation at three levels (without water stress, initial water stress, constant water stress) and different rates of N2 fertilizer at four levels (without fertilizer, 50, 100 and 150 N2 kg/ha), which was done in a split plot experimental base in a completely randomized block design with four replicates. The results showed that the Treatments and different rates of N2 fertilizer had a significant effect on root yield and gross sugar percentage (P < 0.01), but there was no significant effect on the sugar percent of mollass, net and gross sugar yield. Water use efficiency were significant in treatments (P < 0.05). The results showed that in treatment without water stress by increasing N2 rate. The root had a better yield was more in comparison with water stress condition. Regarding the root yield, treatments without water stress with 150 Kg N2/ ha had the highest yield. Water stress treatments particularly constant water stress, caused the most water use efficiency.

German chamomile a frequently used phytopharmaceutical, is used as a component of tea-mixes as well as a valuable ingredient of many galentic preparations. In order to investigate the effect of different planting date and nitrogen fertilizer rates on flower yield and its components in German chamomile (Matricaria recutita), an experiment was conducted in split plot arrangement –using a randomized complete block design with three replications and two factors, planting dates were March 5, March 20 and April 4, Nitrogen fertilizer rates were 75, 150 and 225 kg/ha of urea. Number of flower/plant, fresh and dry weight of flower per plant, days to budding, days to 50 and 100% of flowering, number of lateral branches, plant height, stem diameter, and number of tiller per plant were measured. Mean comparison showed that the highest and lowest number of flowers, fresh and dry weight of flower per plant, days to budding, days to 50 and 100% flowering and of essential oil content were related to planting date of March 5 and April 4, respectively. Results also indicated that by increasing nitrogen fertilizer, number of flower, fresh and dry weight of flower per plant, plant height, number of tiller, and essential oil content were increased. The highest number of flowers, fresh and dry weight of flower per plant belonged to planting date of March 5 and 225 kg/ha urea. Regression analysis showed that number of flowers per plant, days to budding and plant height were the main traits contributed to flower yield per plant.