Document Type

Article

Rights

Available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike 4.0 International Licence

Disciplines

Microbiology

Publication Details

Postharvest Biology and Technology, 47 (2007) pp.97-107

Available from the publisher herehttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleListURL&_method=list&_ArticleListID=1783966758&_st=13&view=c&_acct=C000056897&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=2322584&md5=ede64f64c516f776ba88a22615a83a51&searchtype=a

Abstract

Short-time steam processing was used as an alternative to chlorine (100 mg L−1) in sanitising fresh-cut lettuce. Quality (pH, water content, colour, potential browning, browning-related enzymes and texture), safety (mesophilic counts) and antioxidant markers (ascorbic and carotenoids) were monitored in lettuce stored for 10 days at 4 °C. The steam treatment produced a shocking effect on lettuce metabolism, showing a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in respiration (from day 3 to 7) and a partial inactivation of browning-related enzymes. Both effects were reflected in a significant reduction of browning. From a safety point of view, steam treatment kept the mesophilic load as low as chlorine treatment, and significantly lowers than the water control. However, antioxidant content, especially ascorbic acid but also carotenoids in a lower degree, showed a reduction compared with chlorine-treated samples. Despite the lower visual browning in steam-treated samples, the sensory panel scored similar values of acceptability and fresh appearance for both samples similarity.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2007.01.013

Funder

Technological Sector Research grant (2002–2006) and International Collaboration Award Scheme (ICAS) (2005–2007)

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