Articles
Effects of seasonal variation on MAP response of fresh-cut artichokes
Article number
1386_24
Pages
175 – 182
Language
English
Abstract
The sensitivity to low oxygen and high CO2 concentration of fresh-cut artichokes may change depending on the time of harvest.
The aim of this study was to study the effect of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) conditions and season of harvest on quality and storability of fresh-cut artichokes.
Artichokes (Cynara scolymus L. Violetto foggiano) grown on a local farm, in Puglia region (Italy) were harvested on March 18, 2015 (winter) and on April 22, 2015 (spring) at commercial maturity stage.
Buds were cut into quarters and packaged in optimal and suboptimal MAP conditions, in terms of gas concentration, where for optimal condition CO2 should not exceed 12-15% and O2 should not be lower than 2%. Microperforated polypropylene + polyamide (PP+PA) bags with one row perforation (for suboptimal conditions) and with two rows of perforation (for optimal conditions) with initial gas composition of 5% O2 and 10% CO2, were used.
Artichokes harvested in winter showed higher quality and better suitability to be processed as fresh-cut products, than late harvested artichokes, showing a lower incidence of brown spots.
Optimal and suboptimal MAP induced different gas concentration at the equilibrium changing also with time of harvest, reaching more extreme conditions (30% CO2 and 0 to 1% O2) for artichokes harvested in spring, whereas for optimal condition O2 and CO2 were 5 and 15%, respectively.
Suboptimal condition resulted in a higher accumulation of ethanol and acethaldeyde, particularly for artichokes harvested in spring.
Also phenolic accumulation varied with MAP conditions and time of harvest showing a higher phenol oxidation in suboptimal condition, supported by the high PPO activity.
Results of this study confirmed that quality of fresh-cut artichokes varied within the harvest season and showed that packaging conditions should take into account the effect of time of harvest, preferring low barrier materials.
The aim of this study was to study the effect of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) conditions and season of harvest on quality and storability of fresh-cut artichokes.
Artichokes (Cynara scolymus L. Violetto foggiano) grown on a local farm, in Puglia region (Italy) were harvested on March 18, 2015 (winter) and on April 22, 2015 (spring) at commercial maturity stage.
Buds were cut into quarters and packaged in optimal and suboptimal MAP conditions, in terms of gas concentration, where for optimal condition CO2 should not exceed 12-15% and O2 should not be lower than 2%. Microperforated polypropylene + polyamide (PP+PA) bags with one row perforation (for suboptimal conditions) and with two rows of perforation (for optimal conditions) with initial gas composition of 5% O2 and 10% CO2, were used.
Artichokes harvested in winter showed higher quality and better suitability to be processed as fresh-cut products, than late harvested artichokes, showing a lower incidence of brown spots.
Optimal and suboptimal MAP induced different gas concentration at the equilibrium changing also with time of harvest, reaching more extreme conditions (30% CO2 and 0 to 1% O2) for artichokes harvested in spring, whereas for optimal condition O2 and CO2 were 5 and 15%, respectively.
Suboptimal condition resulted in a higher accumulation of ethanol and acethaldeyde, particularly for artichokes harvested in spring.
Also phenolic accumulation varied with MAP conditions and time of harvest showing a higher phenol oxidation in suboptimal condition, supported by the high PPO activity.
Results of this study confirmed that quality of fresh-cut artichokes varied within the harvest season and showed that packaging conditions should take into account the effect of time of harvest, preferring low barrier materials.
Authors
M.L. Amodio
Keywords
packaging, PPO, phenolics, browning
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