Quality and physiological changes of fennel under controlled atmosphere storage

• Published in: European food research & technology 2002-03, Vol.214 (3), p.216-220
• Main Authors: Artés, F, Escalona, V, Artés-Hdez, F
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: air; Biological and medical sciences; bulbs; carbon dioxide; cold storage; controlled atmosphere storage; fennel; flavor; Foeniculum vulgare var. vulgare; Food industries; Fruit and vegetable industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; heat production; leaves; nitrogen; odors; oxygen; shelf life; storage conditions; temperature; texture
• ISSN: 1438-2377; 1438-2385
• DOI: 10.1007/s00217-001-0432-7

Fennel (Foeniculum dulce D. C. f. vulgare Miller) 'Orion' cv was stored up to 11 days at 0 °C or 5 °C and 90–95% RH under controlled atmosphere (CA) of 5% O₂+0% CO₂ and 5% O₂+5% CO₂ (N₂ as the balance gas). In 'Clio' cv, CA of 5% O₂+5% CO₂ and 5% O₂+20% CO₂ for 14 days at 0 °C and 90–95% RH were applied. As control, cold storage in air for both cv was used. A shelf life of 3–4 days at 15 °C and 60–70% RH in air was applied. A low to moderate non-climacteric respiratory activity in both fennel cv was found. When temperature decreased from 5 to 0 °C as well as when CA was applied a decrease on respiratory activity was shown. Respiration rates in 'Orion' were always higher than in 'Clio' cv. Heat production rates under different storage conditions were calculated. No fungal attacks developed in any treatment at any moment. Both fennels cv were insensitive to low O₂ and high CO₂. No differences in visual appearance, aroma, flavour and texture after storage and shelf life on 'Orion' cv under all stated conditions were found. After shelf life in bulbs stored at 0 °C browning of the butt end cut and of the external leaves were lower in 'Clio' than in 'Orion' cv and under both CA these disorders were inhibited. After shelf life in bulbs stored at 5 °C only 'Orion' cv under 5% O₂+5% CO₂ was marketable. Quality attributes changes under CA storage, respiratory activity and heat production rates of fennel are firstly reported here.