scholarly journals Processing Line Effects on Storage Attributes of Fresh-cut Spinach Leaves

HortScience ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 35 (7) ◽  
pp. 1308-1311 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Mark Hodges ◽  
Charles F. Forney ◽  
Wendy Wismer

The degree of damage that may occur through harvesting and packing represents one of the major factors that can affect quality of fresh-cut produce. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of different steps in a representative fresh-cut processing line on storage quality of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). To this end, spinach leaves were removed at successive points on the line: 1) before entry into the line (control); 2) after a shaking procedure but before initial rinsing with 10 °C water + 5 mg·L-1 chlorine dioxide; 3) after centrifugal drying; and 4) after commercial packaging. After removal from the different points in the line, the spinach samples were stored at 10 °C for 16 days, during which time malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration (lipid peroxidation assay), electrolyte leakage (membrane leakiness), chlorophyll content (a, b, and total), and color attributes (L, saturation, hue angle) were measured. Both lipid peroxidation and electrolyte leakage increased with time of storage and with stage of procesing. Electrolyte leakage increased most in material removed after the shaking procedure, but prior to hydrocooling. Overall total chlorophyll loss during storage did not change with time of removal from the processing line, although overall chlorophyll b content decreased in stored material 8 days following centrifugal drying and packaging. A more rapid loss in chlorophyll a relative to chlorophyll b over the first 8 days of storage was reflected in hue angle measurements regardless of the point of removal. The processing line under study, thus had both beneficial and detrimental effects on storage quality of spinach. Detrimental effects associated with centrifugal drying and packaging procedures could be modified to improve quality.

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
İbrahim Kahramanoğlu ◽  
Serhat Usanmaz ◽  
Volkan Okatan ◽  
Chunpeng Wan

2020 ◽  
Vol 83 (10) ◽  
pp. 1718-1725
Author(s):  
YABO WEI ◽  
YANYAN ZHENG ◽  
YUE MA ◽  
JUNMAO TONG ◽  
JIAN ZHANG ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Fresh-cut cucumbers are popular worldwide, but they are prone to spoilage due to tissue damage caused by processing. The effects of controlled atmosphere storage (CAS) at 3% O2 and 7% CO2 or 8% O2 and 2% CO2 on microorganisms and the quality of fresh-cut cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Chinese Long) at 4°C and 90% relative humidity were investigated in this study. The results showed that compared with the control group, both controlled atmosphere treatments maintained chlorophyll concentration, appearance, and color of fresh-cut cucumbers effectively; inhibited respiration rate and polyphenoloxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) activity; delayed the decrease in firmness and the increase in relative electrolyte leakage; and inhibited the growth of microorganisms on cucumbers during storage. On day 10, the chlorophyll concentration and firmness of cucumbers stored at 3% O2 and 7% CO2 was 1.15 and 1.04 times that of cucumbers stored at 8% O2 and 2% CO2, respectively. Respiration rate, relative electrolyte leakage, polyphenoloxidase activity, peroxidase activity, and levels of total bacteria, coliforms, and Pseudomonas spp. at 3% O2 and 7% CO2 were 19.79, 6.01, 5.45, 88.50, 18.07, 16.14, and 19.76% lower than at 8% O2 and 2% CO2, respectively. In conclusion, storage at 3% O2 and 7% CO2 was effective in inhibiting microorganisms and maintaining the quality of stored fresh-cut cucumbers. HIGHLIGHTS


HortScience ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 567-570 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaguang Luo ◽  
James L. McEvoy ◽  
Marian R. Wachtel ◽  
Ji Gang Kim ◽  
Yun Huang

Experiments were conducted to develop a modified atmosphere packaging system for fresh-cut cilantro (Coriandrum sativum L.) leaves, and to determine the effect of package film oxygen transmission rate (OTR) on package atmosphere and the consequence on quality and microbiology of the product. Package film OTR significantly (P < 0.001) influenced the package atmospheres and the resultant postharvest physiology and quality of fresh-cut cilantro leaves under the tested package configuration (bag size 19 × 22 cm, product fill weight 85 g/bag) and storage condition (0 °C). Oxygen and carbon dioxide levels of the packages prepared with 3500 mL·d-1·m-2 OTR films equilibrated at 1.5 to 2.3 kPa and 3.6 to 4.1 kPa, respectively, on day 3 and maintained this level throughout the storage. The gas compositions of the packages with 6200 mL·d-1·m-2 OTR films showed a similar trend, except they equilibrated at a higher O2 (3.6 to 5.6 kPa) and lower CO2 (2.7 to 3.3 kPa) level. Fresh-cut cilantro leaves in both packages exhibited the highest tissue integrity as evidenced by the lowest tissue electrolyte leakage, with high overall visual quality scores (like moderately to like very much) at the end of 14 days storage. However, atmospheres in 1700 mL·d-1·m-2 OTR film packages displayed a rapid depletion of O2 and accumulation of CO2, with essentially no O2 (≈0.02 kPa) and high CO2 (7.7 to 9.0 kPa) levels inside the packages from day 6 until the end of storage. A rapid increase in tissue electrolyte leakage was observed in cilantro leaves in these packages starting on day 6, increasing 6-fold at the end of the storage period. Products in these packages developed a strong off-odor, accompanied by a rapid loss of typical aroma and overall visual quality, with an unacceptable quality rating at the end of storage (dislike slightly). Samples packaged in perforated bags (without modified atmosphere) lost moisture over time, and small numbers of wilted leaves were seen. There was a slow but significant (P < 0.001) increase in aerobic organisms over time with no significant (P > 0.05) difference among treatments. There was an increase in anaerobic microorganisms on cilantro leaves packaged in 1700 mL·d-1·m-2 OTR film, although only ≈0.5 log cfu/g difference was observed among the treatments and over time.


HortScience ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 506D-506
Author(s):  
Jin-He Bai ◽  
Alley E. Watada

A study was made to determine if induction of modified atmosphere at the time of packaging would be of a benefit to the quality of fresh-cut honeydew cubes because the desired gas levels are not attained immediately or at all during the short holding period in modified-atmosphere packages. Fresh-cut honeydew cubes (2-cm cube) were placed in a plastic container underlaid with a water absorbent packet and the container was sealed with a film. The film is coextruded polystyrene and polyethylene (Cryovac), which had oxygen transmission rates of 1448 and 1903ml/m2 per day per atm at 5 °C and 10 °C, respectively. The sealed packages were given one of the following three treatments: 1) the packages were allowed to form their own natural modified atmosphere (nMAP), 2) the internal atmosphere of the packages was flushed with a gas mixture of 5% O2 + 5% CO2 (iMAP), 3) the film was perforated with a needle to have ten 1.5-mm holes (PFP). The packages were stored at 5 °C, 2 days at 5 °C, and transferred to 10 °C or at 10 °C for 2, 4, 7, 9, or 11 days. Quality attributes and microbial population were analyzed after each holding period. The average gas mixture equilibrated to 7% O2 and 9.5% CO2 in nMAP, was unchanged from the induced atmosphere in iMAP, and was close to the ambient condition (air) in PFP. Honeydew cubes were marketable on days 11, 4, and 4 when held in nMAP; on days 11, 4, and 7 when held in iMAP; and unsalable on days 9, 4, and 7 when held in PFP at 5 °C, 10 °C or transferred to 10 °C, respectively. Development of water-soaked lesions and sour odor were the main factor affecting marketability of the cubes. The decreasing pH, chroma and `L' values and increasing hue angle, mesophilic aerobic microrganism, and yeast population was retarded in both of nMAP and iMAP.


HortScience ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 505B-505
Author(s):  
M. Khatoon ◽  
A. Hakim

Sweet onions (Allium cepae) were diced or sliced, ringed with sodium hypochloride solution (50 ppm) for about 2 min, and drained. After that, they were packaged in perforated polyethylene package and stored in an air and controlled-atmosphere (2% O2 and 5% CO2) room at 1 °C for 5 and 10 days. Weight loss, fungus infection, surface discoloration, flavor and taste, ethanol content, TSS, pH, firmness, and electrolyte leakage were determined after storage. Based on weight loss, fungus infection, surface discoloration, flavor and taste, ethanol content, TSS, pH, firmness, and electrolyte leakage, controlled-atmosphere storage, onions diced exhibited better quality retention than those that were stored in air. The overall quality of discs was better than slices. Onion stored for 10 days showed higher weight loss, more fungus infection and surface discoloration, off-flavor, bad taste, higher ethanol content, lower TSS content, less firm and higher electrolyte leakage than those stored for 5 days. So, the quality of fresh-cut onion disks can be maintained properly in a controlled atmosphere with reduced oxygen and elevated carbon dioxide up to 10 days.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yajing Xie ◽  
Qiong Lin ◽  
Wenqiang Guan ◽  
Shuzhen Cheng ◽  
Zhidong Wang ◽  
...  

Fresh-cut vegetables, such as potato chips, get brown quickly and can easily be infected by bacterium during storage. Sodium acid sulfate (SAS) and UV-C treatments are regarded as effective methods for food preservation. In this study, the effects of SAS, UV-C treatment, and their combination on fresh-cut potatoes during storage were evaluated. Compared with the control, all of the treatments were effective in inhibiting the bacterial growth during the whole storage period. Also, both SAS and SAS + UV-C treatments significantly decreased browning and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity and increased the firmness and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, while the UV-C treatment has no good effects on protecting such storage qualities in fresh-cut potatoes. However, when compared with SAS treatment, the combination of SAS and UV-C treatment did not promote the effect in protecting the storage abilities. Thus, it was concluded that SAS is a better treatment in extending shelf life and controlling the quality of fresh-cut potatoes during storage compared to UV-C treatment.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document