Abstract
The effects of different sanitizers on the quality and microbial populations of ‘Tah Tasai’ Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris var. narinosa) microgreens were evaluated. Samples were washed in tap water (TW), 100 mL·L−1 chlorinated water (Cl), 0.25% (w/v) each of citric and ascorbic acid mixed solution (CA + AS) as well as 0.5% (w/v) citric acid solution followed by 50% (v/v) ethanol spray (CA + E) and were packaged either in 35 μm polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) bag and stored at 5°C for up to 9 days. The decline of O2 partial pressure of the packaged headspace and hue angle values were similar in both films. However, the CO2 partial pressure of the packaged headspace and the electrical conductivity were substantially higher in PP packaged samples than that in PE. Off-odor scores were also higher in PP film packaged samples compared to that of PE. CA + E and CA + AS treatments showed lower off-odor scale in both films. Although, visual quality scores showed similar trends at the beginning of storage, CA + E and CA + AS treated samples exhibited better quality on day 7. Samples washed in Cl showed lower microbial count numbers on washing day. However, CA + E treatment exhibited either the lowest or equivalent count numbers in both total aerobic counts and coliforms count to that of Cl until the end of storage. Considering environmental safety, our results suggest that CA + E treatment could be a useful replacement for Cl for the washing of microgreens and PE film would provide more benefits than PP for packaging microgreens.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature Cited
Ahvenainen, R. 1996. New approaches in improving the shelf life of minimally processed fruit and vegetables. Trends Food Sci. Technol. 7:179–187.
Allende A., Y. Luo, J.L. McEvoy, F. Artés, and C.Y. Wang. 2004. Microbial and quality changes in minimally processed baby spinach leaves stored under super atmospheric oxygen and modified atmosphere conditions. Postharvest Biol. Technol. 33:51–59.
Betts, G. and L. Everis. 2005. Alternatives to hypochlorite washing systems for the decontamination of fresh fruit and vegetables. p. 351–372. In: W. Jongen (ed.). Improving the safety of fresh fruit and vegetables. Woodhead Publishing, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Cameron, A., P. Talasila, and D. Joles. 1995. Predicting film permeability needs for modified atmosphere packaging of lightly processed fruits and vegetables. HortScience 30:25–38.
Christina, B.T. 2005. Efficacy of innovative anti-microbial decontamination of minimally processed vegetables. Masters Thesis, Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin, Ireland.
Gomez, P. and F. Artes. 2004. Ascorbic and citric acids to preserve quality of minimally processed green celery. Proc. IV Postharvest Iberian Symp., Oeiras, Portugal p. 369–373.
Ibrahim, T.A., B.S. Jude-ojei, E.O. Giwa, and V.T. Adebote. 2009. Microbiological analysis and effect of selected antibacterial agents on microbial load of fluted pumpkin, cabbage and bitter leaves. Res. J. Agric. Biol. Sci. 3:1143–1145.
Kim, J.G., H. Nimitkeatkai, and B.K. Das. 2010. Effect of calcinated calcium washing solution and heat treatment on quality and microbial reduction of fresh-cut lettuce and broccoli. Acta Hort. 875:237–242.
Kim, J.G., Y. Luo, and K.C. Gross. 2004. Effect of packaging film on the quality of fresh-cut salad savoy. Postharvest Biol. Technol. 32:99–107.
Kim, J.G., K.F. Yaptenco, and C.I. Lim. 2006. Effects of sanitizers on microbial growth and quality of fresh-cut carrot shreds. Hort. Environ. Biotechnol. 47:313–318.
Lee, J.S. and W.G. Pill. 2005. Advancing greenhouse establishment of radish, kale, and amaranth microgreens through seed treatments. J. Kor. Soc. Hort. Sci. 46:363–368.
Lee, J.S., W.G. Pill, B.B. Cobb, and M. Olszewski. 2004. Seed treatments to advance greenhouse establishment of beet and chard microgreens. J. Hort. Sci. Biotechnol. 79:565–570.
Lee, J.S., J.G. Kim, and S. Park. 2009. Effects of chlorine wash on the quality and microbial population of ‘Tah Tasai’ Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris var narinosa) microgreen. Kor. J. Hort. Sci. Technol. 27:625–630.
Lopez-Galvez, G., G. Peiser, X. Nie, and M. Cantwell. 1997. Quality changes in packaged salad products during storage. Zeithschrift Leb-ensmittel-Untersuchung Forschung. 205:64–72.
Martinez-Romero, D., F. Guillen, S. Castillo, D. Valero, and M. Serrano. 2003. Modified atmosphere packaging maintains quality of table grapes. J. Food Sci. 68:1838–1843.
Martinez-Sanchez, A., A. Allende, Y. Cortes-Galera, and M.I. Gil. 2008. Respiration rate response of four baby leaf Brassica species to cutting at harvest and fresh-cut washing. Postharvest Biol. Technol. 47:382–388.
McGuire, R.G. 1992. Reporting of objective color measurements. HortScience 27:1254–1255.
Murphy, C.J. and W.G. Pill. 2010. Cultural practices to speed the growth of microgreen arugula (roquette; Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa). J. Hort. Sci. Biotechnol. 85:171–176.
Nieuwenhuijsen, M.J., M.B. Toledano, and P. Elliot. 2000. Uptake of chlorination disinfection by-products; A review and a discussion of its implications for exposure assessment in epidemiological studies. J. Expo. Anal. Environ. Epidemiol. 10:586–599.
Nunes, M.C.N. and J.P. Emond. 2005. Storage temperature, p. 226–249. In: J.A. Bartz and J.K. Brecht (eds.). Postharvest physiology and pathology of vegetables. Marcel Dekker Inc., New York, USA.
Parish, M.E., L.R. Beuchat, T.V. Suslow, L.J. Harris, E.H. Garrett, J.N. Farber, and F.F. Busta. 2003. Methods to reduce/eliminate pathogens from fresh and fresh-cut produce-Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety. 2(Suppl.):161–173.
Pirovani, M.E., A.M. Piagentini, D.R. Güemes, and J.H. Di Pentima. 1998. Quality of minimally processed lettuce as influenced by packaging and chemical treatments. J. Food Quality 22:475–484.
Rahman, S.M.E., T. Ding, and D.H. Oh. 2010. Inactivation effect of newly developed low concentration electrolyzed water and other sanitizers against microorganisms on spinach. Food Control 21: [1383–1387.
Rosen, J. and A. Kader. 1989. Postharvest physiology and quality maintenance of sliced pear and strawberry fruits. J. Food Sci. 54:656–659.
Singh, N., R.K. Singh, A.K. Bhunia, and R.L. Stroshine. 2002. Effect of inoculation and washing methods on the efficacy of different sanitizers against Escherichia coli O157:H7 on lettuce. Food Microbiol. 19:183–193.
Smyth, A., J. Song, and A. Cameron. 1998. Modified atmosphere packaged cut iceberg lettuce: Effect of temperature and O2 partial pressure on respiration and quality. J. Agr. Food Chem. 46: 4556–4562.
Suslow, T. 1997. Postharvest chlorination. Basic properties and key points for effective disinfection. Univ. of California. Publ. 8003.
Wang, H., H. Feng, and Y. Luo. 2004. Microbial reduction and storage quality of fresh-cut cilantro washed with acidic electrolyzed water and aqueous ozone. Food Res. Intl. 37:949–956.
Yildiz, F. 1994. Initial preparation, handling and distribution of minimally processed refrigerated fruits and vegetables, p. 15–49. In: R.C. Wiley (ed.). Minimally processed refrigerated fruits and vegetables. Chapman & Hall, New York, USA.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Chandra, D., Kim, J.G. & Kim, Y.P. Changes in microbial population and quality of microgreens treated with different sanitizers and packaging films. Hortic. Environ. Biotechnol. 53, 32–40 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13580-012-0075-6
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13580-012-0075-6