Effect of Storage Temperature on Storage Life and Sensory Attributes of Packaged Mustard Microgreens

Abstract

Short shelf life limits the commercial value of mustard microgreens. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different storage temperatures on postharvest quality and sensory attributes of mustard microgreens to identify the optimum storage temperature. Mustard microgreens were stored at 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 °C in 150 µm polyethylene bags. Samples were drawn at 0, 1, 2, 4, 7, 10, and 14 days and tested for changes in total chlorophyll content, tissue electrolyte leakage, weight loss, antioxidant activity, and sensory attributes. Storage temperature significantly (p < 0.05) affected the product quality, shelf life, and sensory quality. When stored at 5 °C, mustard microgreens showed no significant changes in antioxidant activity or tissue electrolyte leakage and minimal change in other parameters and maintained good overall sensory quality for 14 days. Samples stored at 10 and 15 °C retained good overall sensory quality for 4 and 2 days, respectively. When stored at 20 and 25 °C, microgreens deteriorated beyond consumption within one day. A storage temperature of 5 °C in 150 µm polythene bags can preserve high postharvest quality and sensory attributes for 14 days.

Factors Affecting Production, Nutrient Translocation Mechanisms, and LED Emitted Light in Growth of Microgreen Plants in Soilless Culture

“…The agricultural and horticultural microgreen plant requires specific temperatures and humidity for production in closed and open systems. Temperature and humidity of 30–33 °C, 75–80% for rice grass, 15–32 °C, 80–85% for barley grass, 16–27 °C, 75–80% for oat grass, 23–28 °C, 60–70% for wheat grass, 29–32 °C, 30% for jowar grass, 25–34 °C, 52–88% for maize grass, 10–21 °C, 8–80% for buckwheat, 21–26 °C, 14–16% for chickpea, 18–21 °C, 50–60% for mint, 17–27 °C, 60–70% for coriander, 21 °C, 50–60% for basil, 24–29 °C, 75% for rosemary, 32 °C, 95–100% for parsley, 9.2–23.8 °C, 50–100% for saltwort, 21 °C, 50–70% for shisho, −1.11 °C, 50–75% for sorrel, 18–23 °C, 60–70% for sage, 18–23 °C, 40–60% for beet, 15–24 °C, 50–70% for chard, 24–26 °C, 11–96% for quinoa, 22–26 °C, 100% for spinach, 33–36 °C, 80% for chives, 32–50 °C, 65–75% for garlic, 18–23 °C, 95–100% for leek, 55–75 °C, 40–50% for onion, 15–21 °C, 60–70% for carrot, 14–26 °C, 90–95% for celery, 16–18 °C, 58–63% for dill, 60–70 °C, 50–65% for fennel, 10–29 °C, 50–60% for radish, 15–17 °C, 50–60% for aster cress, 15–21 °C, 76% for mustard, 7.2–29.4 °C, 55–65% for kale, 25–30 °C, 40–70% for kohlrabi, 7.2–18 °C, 90–95% for arugula, 25 °C day/23 °C night, 60% for sunflower, 25–34 °C, 50–60% for linseed, 23–25 °C, 90–95% for chicory, 15–18 °C, 95–98% for endive, 20 °C, 80% for lettuce, 15–21 °C, 40–50% for beans, 12–25 °C, 40–50% for welsh onion, 12–25 °C, 40–50% for long green onion, and 23–32 °C, 90–95% for red swiss chard are required for microgreen plant production.…”

“…95,96 The agricultural and horticultural microgreen plant requires specific temperatures and humidity for production in closed and open systems. Temperature and humidity of 30−33 °C, 75−80% for rice grass, 97 15−32 °C, 80−85% for barley grass, 98 16−27 °C, 75−80% for oat grass, 99 23−28 °C, 60−70% for wheat grass, 100 29−32 °C, 30% for jowar grass, 101 25−34 °C, 52−88% for maize grass, 102 10−21 °C, 8−80% for buckwheat, 103 21−26 °C, 14−16% for chickpea, 104 18−21 °C, 50−60% for mint, 105 17−27 °C, 60−70% for coriander, 106 21 °C, 50−60% for basil, 107 110 21 °C, 50−70% for shisho, 111 −1.11 °C, 50−75% for sorrel, 112 18−23 °C, 60−70% for sage, 113 18−23 °C, 40− 60% for beet, 114 15−24 °C, 50−70% for chard, 115 24−26 °C, 11−96% for quinoa, 116 22−26 °C, 100% for spinach, 117 33−36 °C, 80% for chives, 118 32−50 °C, 65−75% for garlic, 119 18−23 °C, 95−100% for leek, 120 55−75 °C, 40−50% for onion, 121 15−21 °C, 60−70% for carrot, 122 14−26 °C, 90−95% for celery, 123 16−18 °C, 58−63% for dill, 124 60−70 °C, 50−65% for fennel, 125 10−29 °C, 50−60% for radish, 126 15−17 °C, 50−60% for aster cress, 127 15−21 °C, 76% for mustard, 128 7.2−29.4 °C, 55−65% for kale, 129 25−30 °C, 40−70% for kohlrabi, 130 7.2−18 °C, 90−95% for arugula, 131 25 °C day/23 °C night, 60% for sunflower, 132 25−34 °C, 50−60% for linseed, 133 23−25 °C, 90−95% for chicory,…”

A comprehensive review on the antioxidant activities and health benefits of microgreens: current insights and future perspectives

“…Post‐harvest handling practices also play a significant role in preserving and maximising the antioxidant content of microgreens (Zhang et al ., 2021). Minimising processing and storage time, as well as employing proper storage conditions, such as temperature and humidity control, can help prevent the degradation of antioxidants (Dayarathna et al ., 2023). For example, mustard microgreens exhibited maximal antioxidant strength and a moderate to good overall sensory quality when stored at 5 °C for 14 days (Dayarathna et al ., 2023).…”

“…Minimising processing and storage time, as well as employing proper storage conditions, such as temperature and humidity control, can help prevent the degradation of antioxidants (Dayarathna et al ., 2023). For example, mustard microgreens exhibited maximal antioxidant strength and a moderate to good overall sensory quality when stored at 5 °C for 14 days (Dayarathna et al ., 2023). Similarly, radish microgreens demonstrated high overall quality when stored at temperatures of 5 °C, with an even more optimal quality observed at 10 °C during the same 14‐day storage duration.…”

“…Innovative packaging materials with modified atmospheres can also contribute to maintaining the antioxidant levels during storage. Considering the comprehensive sensory attributes, it is recommended to store mustard microgreens in polyethylene bags with a thickness of 150 μm at a temperature of 5 °C for the purpose of maintaining elevated consumer acceptance throughout a 14‐day storage duration (Dayarathna et al ., 2023).…”