Changes in postharvest physiology, biochemistry, sensory properties and microbiological population of Allium mongolicum Regel regulated by adjusting the modified atmosphere inside the package during storage

Abstract

Allium mongolicum Regel is a high‐quality plant resource but highly perishable with short shelf life of 1–2 days. Changes in postharvest quality and microbiological population on A. mongolicum regulated by poly (butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate)/poly (butylene succinate), poly (butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate)/polycaprolactone, poly (butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate)/poly (L‐lactide) and poly (butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate)/polypropylene MAP were investigated during near‐freezing storage. The results showed all four MAPs could reduce the respiration rate, water loss, decay rate and malondialdehyde content significantly and maintain the morphology, color and typical flavor of A. mongolicum effectively which also had high level acceptable commercial score as well as ascorbic acid and chlorophyll contents. However, the preservation effect packed with poly (butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate)/polypropylene was significantly better than the other three films in which it could establish an optimal atmospheric condition with O2 concentration of 0.34%–0.53% and CO2 concentration of 4.53%–6.13% and the A. mongolicum had the highest level of postharvest quality, the lowest level of physiological metabolism and surface microorganisms, and its shelf life could reach 18 days. Practical applications Allium mongolicum Regel has delicious taste, high nutritional value, and bioactive ingredients good for human health but with short shelf life which is a great challenge to the storage and sales. Therefore, maintaining postharvest quality and extending shelf life are significant to the industry development for A. mongolicum. However, studies on its preservation are not available. Modified atmosphere packaging is a cheap, safe and effective method to keep produce fresh. In this study, the shelf life of A. mongolicum was extended significantly in the treatment of poly (butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate)/polypropylene MAP. It provided an effective solution for the storage problem and had great potential in industry for A. mongolicum. Furthermore, it provided a theoretical basis for the storage and industry development by studying the correlations of the O2, CO2 and water vapor transmission rate of package film, O2, CO2 concentration in package and postharvest physiology and quality of A. mongolicum during storage.

Mechanical and gas permeability properties of poly(L‐lactic acid)–based films and their application in fresh produce preservation—Review

“…Nevertheless, some fruits and vegetables require film materials with a CO 2 /O 2 selection ratio of more than 8, while the selection ratio of common cling film is between 2 and 6. 326 These materials can not satisfy the fruits and vegetables with high respiration intensity, dew condensation is easy to affect the aesthetics of sales due to the poor permeability of H 2 O, which accelerates the growth of microorganisms. The PE, PP and PVC films applied in the market are generally perforated to improve the gas permeability of the films, and anti-fogging agents are added in the processing to avoid condensation phenomenon or chemical absorbers are placed in the packaging to adjust the atmosphere and humidity in the packaging.…”

“…These materials are different according to the performance of different application fields. Nevertheless, some fruits and vegetables require film materials with a CO 2 /O 2 selection ratio of more than 8, while the selection ratio of common cling film is between 2 and 6 326 . These materials can not satisfy the fruits and vegetables with high respiration intensity, dew condensation is easy to affect the aesthetics of sales due to the poor permeability of H 2 O, which accelerates the growth of microorganisms.…”

Polypropylene/Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) Breathing Film for Inhibiting Pseudomonas and Maintaining Microbial Communities and Postharvest Quality of Allium mongolicum Regel during Storage

“…It has high nutritional value, delicious taste, and rich bioactive ingredients. However, A. mongolicum is highly perishable after harvest and has a short shelf life of only 1–2 d under room temperature, which poses a significant challenge to the distribution and retail of A. mongolicum [ 2 ]. Currently, studies on A. mongolicum are focused on its nutritional composition and bioactive components [ 3 , 4 ], and minimal information is available regarding its postharvest physiology and quality control.…”

“…Among them, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), a widely used, economical, and safe approach, could inhibit the postharvest senescence of fruit and vegetables [ 14 , 15 , 16 ]. MAP with more than 5% CO 2 could significantly reduce respiration [ 17 ], bacterial growth [ 2 , 18 ], lipid peroxidation, and damage to mitochondrial structure [ 15 ]. Furthermore, the headspace gas compositions greatly depend on the gas permeability of the packaging film, metabolism characteristics of the product, ambient temperature, and humidity [ 2 ].…”

“…MAP with more than 5% CO 2 could significantly reduce respiration [ 17 ], bacterial growth [ 2 , 18 ], lipid peroxidation, and damage to mitochondrial structure [ 15 ]. Furthermore, the headspace gas compositions greatly depend on the gas permeability of the packaging film, metabolism characteristics of the product, ambient temperature, and humidity [ 2 ]. The permeability properties of most polymeric films commonly used in MAP have limitations.…”