ISHS Acta Horticulturae 379: International Symposium on Quality of Fruit and Vegetables: Influence of Pre- and Post- Harvest Factors and Technology
QUALITY CHANGES DURING HANDLING AND TRANSPORTATION OF WHITE ASPARAGUS SHIPPED BY REFRIGERATED TRUCKS FROM GREECE TO GERMANY |
| Authors: | A.S. Siomos, E. Sfakiotakis, C. Dogras, C. Vlachonasios |
| Abstract:
White asparagus spears (Asparagus officinalis L.) were shipped, during spring of 1992, from Galatades (Central Macedonia), Greece to Munich, Germany using four refrigerated trucks. Produce quality was evaluated at the following stages: a) immediately after harvest, b) after handling by the grower, c) after handling at the packing-house, d) on arrival at the wholesale market in Munich and e) at the retail market by measuring weight loss, fiber content, toughness, anthocyanin content and the tristimulus color (L*, a*, b*). The total weight loss was high and, in some cases, it was not acceptable (>8%); the highest weight loss per day was found during the distribution period at the retail stores in Munich. Anthocyanin synthesis rapidly progressed after harvest and the resulting purple color appeared at the top 3 cm of the spears, thus decreasing shelf quality. Toughening of the apical spear segments was observed during the handling operations by the grower, and it occurred even faster at the wholesale market until the distribution to the retail stores. Toughening of the middle spear segments started during the handling at the packing-house or later during the transportation period. | |
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