ISHS Acta Horticulturae 744: I International Symposium on Human Health Effects of Fruits and Vegetables
BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS AND VISUAL QUALITY OF BABY SPINACH - CHANGES DURING PLANT GROWTH AND STORAGE |
| Authors: | S.A.M. Bergquist, U.E. Gertsson, M.E. Olss |
| Keywords: | vitamin C, ascorbic acid, carotenoids, flavonoids, Spinacia oleracea L., postharvest |
| Abstract:
To investigate the variations in visual quality and content of ascorbic acid, flavonoids and carotenoids, spinach was harvested at three growth stages, 2½, 3½ and 4½ weeks after sowing. Harvested leaves were stored in polypropylene bags at 10°C, for 9 days. The highest ascorbic acid and flavonoid concentrations were found in the youngest leaves, whereas carotenoid concentration was highest in the oldest leaves. The concentration of carotenoids and flavonoids remained rather stable during storage, whereas the ascorbic acid content and the ratio of ascorbic acid to dehydroascorbic acid decreased quickly. The results indicate that by harvesting baby spinach a few days earlier than the current commercial stage of harvest, the postharvest nutritional quality may be improved. | |
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