Effects of ozone and chlorine postharvest treatments on quality of fresh-cut red bell peppers

The effects of chlorine (200 μL L¯¹), ozonated water (1 μL L¯¹) and gaseous ozone (0.7 μL L¯¹) on physicochemical attributes and microbial quality of minimally processed red bell peppers were studied. In all the experiments, O2 continuously decreased and CO2 concentration increased, the pH augmented...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Horvitz Szoichet, Sandra Susana, Cantalejo Díez, María Jesús
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión aceptada para publicación
Fecha de publicación:2012
País:España
Institución:Universidad Pública de Navarra
Repositorio:Academica-e. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad Pública de Navarra
OAI Identifier:oai:academica-e.unavarra.es:2454/52872
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2454/52872
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Capsicum annuum
Cold storage
Modified atmospheres
Sanitisers
Descripción
Sumario:The effects of chlorine (200 μL L¯¹), ozonated water (1 μL L¯¹) and gaseous ozone (0.7 μL L¯¹) on physicochemical attributes and microbial quality of minimally processed red bell peppers were studied. In all the experiments, O2 continuously decreased and CO2 concentration increased, the pH augmented and a significant softening was observed in all the fruits. By day 14, L* values decreased in all the fruits, with the greatest changes found in the chlorinated samples (approximately 12 units). Peppers treated with the aqueous solutions showed greater changes in the quality attributes with increasing washing times and especially when chlorine was used. The exposure for three min to gaseous O3 reduced the mesophiles, psychrotrophes and fungal populations of the fresh-cut peppers in 2.5, 3.3 and 1.8 log units, respectively. Combined with modified atmosphere, this could be an appropriate method to maintain the quality and extend the storage period of minimally processed red bell peppers.