Physiological and technological studies of fresh-cut cauliflower and salad rocket. / Estudos fisiológicos e tecnológicos de couve-flor e rúcula minimamente processadas.
AUTOR(ES)
José Maria Monteiro Sigrist
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO
2003
RESUMO
This work aimed at evaluating the effects of temperature on the metabolism of minimally processed and intact cauliflowers and salad rockets, and of different packaging materials on the quality of cauliflower florets and loose salad rocket minimally processed leaves. In the first experiment, intact cauliflowers, florets, intact salad rockets and loose salad rocket leaves were held at 1º, 5º and 11ºC and their respiration rates, ethylene production and temperature quotients (Q10) determined. In the second experiment, the florets were packed in low density polyethylene film (PEBD), co-extruded polyolefins (PD 941 and Clysar AFG) and in 12 and 20 mm polyvinyl chloride (PVC) overwrapping expanded polystyrene trays, and maintained at 5ºC/85-95% relative humidity for 14 days. In the third experiment, loose salad rocket leaves were held under the same conditions in bags of low density polyethylene film (PEBD), laminated polypropylene/polyethylene film (PP/PE), co-extruded polyolefins, PD 900 and Clysar HP and in expanded polystyrene trays overwrapped with 20 mm polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In the second and third experiments, physical, chemical, physical-chemical, microbiological and sensory analyses were performed. The respiration rates of both intact and fresh-cut cauliflowers declined over the 16-day period and were significantly the same at all temperatures studied. At 1º and 5ºC the respiration rates were the same but differed from those (cauliflower and florets) at 11ºC. From 1º to 11ºC, the Q10 for the cauliflowers was 2.2 and for the florets, 2.1. In contrast, the intact and fresh-cut salad rocket respiration rates were the same at 1º and 5ºC. At 11ºC, the fresh-cut salad rocket showed higher respiration rates than the intact ones as from the 4 th day. By the end of the experiment (14 th and 16 th days) the respiration rates of the fresh-cut salad rockets were twice those of the intact salad rockets, whose Q10 was about 3.45 from 1° to 11°C as compared to 5.74 for the fresh cut product. No ethylene production was detected by any sample at any temperature. The packaging materials had little or no effect on pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, luminosity, chroma, hue and firmness of the florets at 5ºC. PD 941 seemed to be the best packaging for florets, maintaining the atmosphere closest to that recommended for intact cauliflower (2-3%O2, CO2 <5%), showing the lowest vitamin C losses and the best scores for several of the quality attributes. In general, all the packaging materials kept the yeast and mold counts low and the total coliform counts far below the maximum values permitted by the Brazilian Legislation, during 14 days at 5ºC, except for fresh-cut salad rocket leaves, which presented 10 5 CFU/g total coliforms by the 10 th day, being inappropriate for consumption. For 10 day periods, PEBD and PP/PE were the best packaging materials for green color and vitamin C retention, higher soluble solids, firmness, lack of off-odors, overall quality, decay and shriveling. The modified atmosphere generated inside these packaging materials (5-7% O2, 10-15% CO2) seemed the best for maintaining the quality of fresh-cut salad rockets held at 5ºC.
ASSUNTO(S)
plant metabolism rúcula qualidade processamento de alimentos couve-flor qualidade respiração vegetal food processing rocket &quality post-harvest physiology temperature effect plant respiration efeito da temperatura cauliflower-quality metabolismo vegetal fisiologia pós-colheita
