Delayed cooling or suboptimal storage temperatures reduce butterhead lettuce shelf life

AGÜERO MARÍA VICTORIA; VIACAVA GABRIELA ELENA; MOREIRA MARÍA R; ROURA SARA INES

International Journal of Vegetable Science

Taylor & Francis

Año: 2014 vol. 20 p. 59 - 77

1931-5260

Crated or uncrated butterhead lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) var. Lores, responds to environmental conditions during early post-harvest. The present work examines effects of environmental conditions during early post-harvest on quality indices in refrigerated storage. Additionally, effects on shelf-life were estimated using the modified Global Stability Index methodology. Quality indices at the start of storage were higher for heads exposed to optimal conditions immediately after harvest than for heads exposed to suboptimal ones. In spite of these initial differences, changes of almost all quality indices was independent of storage condition. Similar responses were found for water content, bound and free water, ascorbic acid, total chlorophyll and overall visual quality. Changes in relative water content and mesophilic bacteria counts during refrigerated storage was a function of environmental condition during the first 24 hrs after harvest. Maintenance of optimal environmental conditions during the first hours after harvest prolonged shelf-life to 12 days compared with heads exposed to sub-optimal conditions during the first day after harvest. These results impact marketing of the produce and support the idea that proper handling during early post-harvest diminishes quality loss and prolongs shelf-life allowing butterhead lettuce to reach more distant markets.