Fresh News From Sun World, January 2008

   ...for grower-marketer members of the Sun World Fruit Alliance

FEATURES

<Dec07  I Fresh News Home  I  Mar '08>

BLACK DIAMOND® Plums are High in Antioxidants

In 2000 the Produce for Better Health Foundation, in collaboration with the USDA, undertook a project to assay a broad range of fruits, vegetables and nuts for antioxidants and other phytonutrient compounds. They utilized a 'market-basket' sampling technique that involved collecting samples from supermarkets in 24 cities (rural, urban, and suburban), that statistically represent the US population. The purpose of the study was to develop the most comprehensive standardized phytonutrient database to date.

Sun World, a founding sponsor of the 5-a-Day Program was offered an opportunity to include BLACK DIAMOND® brand plums in the study. Sun World felt that its line of BLACK DIAMOND plum varieties, with their characteristic red-flesh and black skin, would rate higher in antioxidant capacity than other plums in the study due to their high concentrations of antioxidant-rich pigments.

 Read: Plant Pigments Paint a Rainbow of Antioxidants.

The results, in a November 2007 USDA report showed that Sun World's line of BLACK DIAMOND brand plum varieties have high levels of antioxidant carotenoids and flavonoids and a high total ORAC value (page 24 of report). BLACK DIAMOND plums not only beat out other plums in the study, but with a total ORAC value of 7581, they were 15.7% higher than Blueberries with regard to antioxidant capacity (see table).

Top Antioxidant Fruits and Vegetables*

[Total ORAC value per 100 grams**]
Fruits     Fruits, cont  
Cranberries 9584   Grapefruit, Pink 1548
BLACK DIAMOND® Plums 7581   Grapes, Red 1260
Plums, Dried (Prunes) 6552   Lemons 1225
Blueberries 6552   Kiwi, Gold 1210
Plums, Mixed 6259   Grapes, White 1118
Blackberries 5347   Apricots 1115
Raspberries 4882   Mangos 1002
Strawberries 3577   Vegetables  
Figs 3383   Artichokes 6552
Cherries 3365   Cabbage, Red 2252
Apples, Mixed 3082   Asparagus 2150
Raisins 3037   Beets 1767
Avocados, Hass 1933   Radishes 1736
Pears, green 1911   Onions, Red 1521
Oranges, navels 1819   Spinach 1515
Peaches 1814   Lettuce, Leaf 1447
Pears, Red Anjou 1746   Broccoli 1362
Tangerines 1620   Potatoes, Russet 1322

 
 *Source: Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) of Selected Foods-2007, USDA-ARS Nutrition Data Laboratory. Link: http://www.ars.usda.gov/Services/docs.htm?docid=15866
**umol TE/100 g

download print version
 

Related webpage: BLACK DIAMOND® Plums are High in Antioxidants

The Importance of ORAC Measurement

-From 'Can Antioxidant Foods Forestall Aging?' -USDA Food and Nutrition Research Briefs in April 1999.

Foods that score high in an antioxidant assay called ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) may protect cells and their components from damage by oxygen radicals, according to studies of animals and human blood. ORAC measures the total antioxidant power of foods and other chemical substances. Early findings suggest that eating plenty of high-ORAC fruits and vegetables—such as spinach and blueberries—may help slow the processes associated with aging in both body and brain.

Two human studies show that eating high-ORAC fruits and vegetables or simply doubling intake of fruits and vegetables—both naturally high in antioxidants—raises the antioxidant power of the blood between 13 and 25 percent. The studies are published in the Journal of Nutrition (vol. 128, pp. 2383-2390) and the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (vol. 68, pp. 1081-1087).

Early evidence for the protective power of high-ORAC foods comes from rat studies. Rats fed daily doses of blueberry extract for six weeks before being subjected to pure oxygen suffered much less damage to the capillaries in and around their lungs. In other tests, middle-aged rats were fed diets fortified with spinach or strawberry extract or vitamin E for nine months. A daily dose of spinach extract prevented some loss of long-term memory and learning ability normally experienced by 15-month-old rats. Spinach also proved most potent in protecting different types of nerve cells in two separate parts of the brain against the effects of aging, the researchers reported in the Journal of Neuroscience (vol. 18, pp. 8047-8055).


Black Grapes have become the Pick of the Bunch

-Reprinted from Newspaperdirect, by Emma Bamford

Health-conscious Britons have sparked a boom in black grapes-with sales growing at more than 50% a year. Shoppers believe dark coloured grapes contain higher amounts of healthy chemical compounds than lighter types. As such, sales are growing at a record 54 percent annually-six times the rate of green varieties. The grape industry is now worth £10 million a year.

Research by Marks & Spencer found some Britons are so health-conscious that the colour is the most important factor when it comes to choosing fruit. Many people know that dark coloured fruit such as black grapes and blueberries contain high amounts of antioxidants, a chemical compound which is good for the body. Black grapes also contain ellagic acid, which can help fight cancer and provide potassium.

M&S introduced two new sweeter black grapes-SABLE SEEDLESS® (Sugrasixteen variety) and MIDNIGHT BEAUTY® (Sugrathirteen variety)-a year ago. They have proved such a hit that the chain has now started selling black grapes all year round for the first time.

The second biggest consideration when it comes to choosing fruit, M&S found, is convenience-lots of retailers now sell seedless grapes for this reason.

Emmitt Lunny, grapes specialist for the store chain said, “Black grapes are the latest fruit to benefit from or increasing desire to eat healthy. A lot of people like grapes because as well as tasting very sweet they are easily portable and there is very little waste.”

 

NE546

2007 Stone Fruit Highlights, 2: Early Season

-Terry Bacon, Sun World Stone Fruit Breeder

We are presenting 2007 stone fruit breeding program highlights in three parts, 1. Low Chill Program; 2. Early-Season Varieties; and 3. Mid and Late-Season Varieties. Each variety mentioned is linked to a 2007 fruit trial (in parentheses) so that you can view more information and evaluations of the variety.

Conditions in the southern San Joaquin Valley (SJV)

In January a prolonged freeze throughout California caused widespread damage to the citrus and avocado crop. For nine days during January 12th-20th the average minimum temperature was 22F (-5.6C ).

Chilling accumulation was relatively high in the SJV, about 1000 CU, however springtime temperatures were relatively warm, resulting in early bloom and shortened fruit development for many stone fruit varieties. Harvest of many varieties was 7-10 days earlier than normal and fruit size was relatively small for many early and mid-season varieties.

Early Nectarines

One of the best surprises in 2007 was our first look at NE546 (May 9, May 16) in commercial trials (pictured above). We knew NE546 had commercial potential for the April Glo season, but our first look, on 3rd leaf trees, was beyond expectations with outstanding size, rich color, naturally clean finish, and great flavor. NE546 harvest starts about 7 days before Sunectwentyone with 12-13 brix.

Sunectwentyone (May 9) was in its first year of commercial production in Arvin (our earliest ranch) on 3rd leaf trees. Production and size was better than any nectarine we have seen in the pre-May Glo season. Sunectwentyone started 7-10 days before Zee Fire, with 12 brix and peaking on 68mm (60’s and 50’s US sizes).

Early Peaches

Supechsix (Apr 26) started very early this year in Arvin, on April 19th, due to warm springtime temperatures but fruit development was unusually short, resulting in mixed sizing. Sizes were good in the first pick, 65-67mm (60’s), but were disappointing toward the end of harvest, peaking on 64mm (70’s).

We were evaluating two new peaches for the harvest period between Supechsix and Supecheight (May 1-8, Super Rich season). PE242 (May 9) looked very good with outstanding size (68mm (50’s), full rich color and 12 brix. The most interesting aspect of PE242 in 2007 however was the almost complete lack of split pits, a common problem in the SJV for early varieties. PE386 (May 9, May 16) continues to look good in the Super Rich season as well, with great color and flavor, unusual traits for ultra-early varieties. We are looking forward to seeing it in semi-commercial trials in Arvin over the next few seasons.

Supecheight and Supechnine (May 16) performed well in Arvin with 12-13 brix and 66-68mm (60’s-50’s). Supecheight started May 8 (Queen Crest season) and Supechnine started 5 days later on May 13. They are the earliest peaches firm enough to be currently included in preconditioning programs.

In the pipeline for the Supecheight season, PE216 (May 29) wowed visitors with its flavor and aroma characteristic more of a mid-season peach. This was our first look at PE216 in commercial test at Bakersfield. It is a non-melting flesh type from our low chill program in Coachella. We have not seen another peach in Queen Crest season that can pick at 71mm (50’s) with 14 brix and juicy aromatic flavor.

Early Apricots

Suaprinine (May 9, May 16) continues to astound us (and any visitors here during early May) with great production, size (52-57mm) and a bright finish with blush that stands out nicely on store shelves. Harvest season was May 6-14 in Arvin. Sun World is making a big commitment to plant large acreage of this new apricot. Suaprinine, along with Suapriten and Suapriseven, runs well on Sun World’s packing house line without marking.

Suapriten (May 9, May 16) had great size and flavor in 2007 but continues to struggle with production at our Arvin ranch. Because of that, and because Suapriten harvest May 8-17) overlaps with Suaprinine, Sun World has opted to follow Suaprinine with Suapriseven in our commercial plantings.

Suapriseven (May 16, May 29), a self-fertile apricot, has been dependable for the southern SJV, where other apricots struggle to set due to relatively mild winters and cool bloom conditions. Suapriseven followed Suaprinine nicely in Arvin in the first year to have them both in production there. Suaprinine harvested May 6-14 and Suapriseven picked May 15-22. Both varieties ran well on our packing house line without marking.

Suaprieight (May 29, Jun 6) harvest started 12 days after Suapriseven (harvested May 27-June 2), which was nice timing for us. Production on this self-fertile variety is better than any early apricot we have seen, however small ridges on the skin may mark if run on a packing line, so Sun World opts to pack Suaprieight in the field.

Early Plums

Suplumthirtyeight (May 16), our earliest plum in commercial plantings, started 7 days before Red Beaut in 2007. Harvest was May 14-22 in Bakersfield (May 4-14 in Arvin) with good production, 13 brix, and 58-60mm (50’s and 40’s US plum sizes). Suplumthirtyeight softens quickly but storage trials done by Petri van der Merwe of Capespan in South Africa, showed that it can be harvested firm and shipped with a single-temperature regime successfully.

Suplumtwentytwo (May 16), harvested with Red Beaut (May 10-20 in Arvin) with good size and 15 brix. Suplumtwentytwo is not without problems, such as setting too heavily, and softening quickly. We have adapted by pruning relatively hard and staying on top of the harvest.

Suplumtwentythree (May 29) follows Suplumtwentytwo nicely, harvesting May 20-30 in Arvin, with good size. It peaked on 62mm (40's), but production continued to be a struggle in Arvin in 2007.

Suplumtwentyeight (Jun 13) was in its first commercial harvest in Arvin and we were very pleased with its performance. Harvest was June 3-15 with excellent size 63-66mm (40's and 30's) and a pleasant, flavor with 16 brix and low acidity.

Suplumthirtyseven (Jun 6) continues to astound with production, size and flavor that is unusual for a plum in Red Beaut season. We did a thinning trial and found that we were able to leave over 1200 fruit per tree on sixth-leaf trees without adversely affecting size, which peaked in the 56-62mm range (50's and 40's). See related story.

Early varieties in the pipeline include PL457RB (Jun 27), a new early BLACK DIAMOND type in its first year of commercial testing, with 17-18 brix and 62-64mm. We will get a better look in 2008. An exciting new variety, PL264YB (Jun 27) wowed everyone with an unbeatable combination of size (68-71mm, 30's and 20's) and flavor (18 brix with low acidity). PL264YB picks in a great time slot for a large plum at June 18-26. We are looking forward to commercial trials.

 

Sun World Grape Expo: Save the Date July 29-30, 2008 in Bakersfield, California


Group shot from the 2003 Grape Expo
 

Licensed grape producers are invited to attend Sun World’s second “Grape Expo” to be held July 29-30 in Bakersfield, California. Visit Sun World’s commercial table grape operations and see early-mid-season harvesting of Sugraone, Sugrathirteen and Sugrasixteen as well as the newest selections from the Company’s varietal development program. Full program details to follow next month, or inquire with your local Sun World licensing manager.