ISHS Acta Horticulturae 271: VII International Asparagus Symposium
INITIAL WEIGHT LOSS, PACKAGING AND CONSERVATION OF ASPARAGUS |
| Author: | C. Krarup |
| Abstract:
Asparagus spears were placed at 18°C and ± 50% RH until 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8% fresh weight loss (FWL) was reached, packed in conventional export boxes (CEB) or in consumer size (200 g) plastic containers (CSC) covered with plastic film, and stored at 0.5°C and 75% RH for 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. Variables measured (weight loss, electric conductivity, dehydration and disease symptoms, and visual quality) indicated that initial FWL and container type have a significant effect upon conservation. There is an inverse relationship between FWL and conservation potential: 0% FWL spears kept salable for up to 28 days while 8% FWL spears become unsalable after 14 days in CSC. In all cases, visual quality decreased faster in spears stored in CEB. The main causes of quality decrease were diseases in CSC and dehydration symptoms in CEB. | |
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