Effects of Modified Storage Atmospheres on Ascorbic Acid and Other Quality Characteristics of Spinach

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Abstract
SUMMARY: It has been shown that gas composition and temperature of the atmosphere can affect respiration and the quality of vegetables. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of these factors on the storage quality of spinach and New Zealand spinach. Both showed typical respiratory drift curves. Increasing CO2 around New Zealand spinach reduced respiration rate, and product in 13% CO2 was not acceptable after one week. A gas containing 9.5 % CO2 and 3.3% 0, was compared with air at 34 and 45°F. The leaves tended to increase in oxalate but this increase was not related to ascorbate reduction. Samples in controlled atmosphere had fewer microorganisms than air samples at the same temperature.The ascorbic acid content of the leaves was affected by atmosphere, temperature, and time. Oxygen depletion of the atmosphere resulted in a marked decrease of ascorbic acid. When oxygen content was maintained at 3.3% by intermittent flushing, the leaves retained their ascorbic acid. This phenomenon was intensively investigated with addition of analysis for dehydroascorbic acid. Since the total of dehydroascorbic and ascorbic acids did not vary with atmosphere composition, it was concluded that modified storage atmospheres neither improve nor impair antiscorbutic value.

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