ISHS Acta Horticulturae 116: Symposium on Postharvest Handling of Vegetables
STORAGE SUITABILITY OF THE CHINESE CABBAGE AS AFFECTED BY LINING |
| Authors: | A. Sozzi, F.L. Gorini, L. Uncini |
| Abstract:
The large scale cultivation of the Chinese cabbage (Brassica chinensis L.) has recently been proposed and carried out also in Italy, because the product gives a good yield and finds an always more favourable market, especially beyond the Alps. The species has in fact been favourably received in Germany where studies have already been carried out since 1973 and 1974 (Heinen and Seitz). The possibility of being able to store the product for a fairly long period would offer an opportunity of commercializing it in a gradual way, distributing it appropriately during the winter when for climatic reasons, the traditional salad becomes scarce and could be taken over by this vegetable. The knowledge about the storage of this vegetable is rather limited: Lutz and Hardenburg (1968) reported that at O°C, 90–95% of U.R., the cabbages keep for 1–2 months and that at a higher temperature the duration is considerably shortened. They also advise the elimination of the outer leaves and those damaged by storing, thus helping the circulation. Bünemann and Hansen (1962) limited themselves to indicate that 0 - 1°C and 90–95% of U.R. were the more appropriate conditions for a duration of 3 weeks. Van den Berg and Lentz (1974) in a study on the Chinese cabbage Michiihli, prolong the storage at 0–1°C and 90–98% humidity for 6 weeks with a weight loss of 10% resulting in withering of the outer leaves, particularly when the humidity is lower. Weichman (1977) refers to storage of A.C. for 40–80–120 days specifying that 2% of CO2 and O2 at 1°C and 95% of U.R. were the best conditions. The author notices that between the examination made after 80 days and the one made after 120 days there is a large increase in weight loss. Schouten (1979b) also refers to storage in A.C., 3% CO2 and O2, for 100 days with a loss equal to 60%. With this experience we wanted to examine the possibility of storing Chinese cabbages grown in March, incited by the fact that different operators, after having seen the possibilities offered by this almost unknown vegetable in Italy, became interested in the duration and way of storing in the best way the quality of the cabbage heads after harvesting. | |
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