Effects of washing and packing on sensory and chemical parameters in carrots (Daucus carota L)

• Published in: Journal of the science of food and agriculture 2004-07, Vol.84 (9), p.955-965
• Main Authors: Seljasen, R, Hoftun, H, Selliseth, J, Bengtsson, G.B
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 3-methyl-6-methoxy-8-hydroxy-3; 3‐methyl‐6‐methoxy‐8‐hydroxy‐3,4‐dihydroisocoumarin; 4-dihydroisocoumarin; 6-methoxymellein; Biological and medical sciences; bitterness; carrot; Carrots; CO2; cold storage; Daucus carota; digital carrot; ethanol; ethanol production; ethylene; flavor; Flavors; flavour; food composition; Food industries; Food packaging; food processing; Food science; food spoilage; food storage; fructose; Fruit and vegetable industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; glucose; hand packing; machine packing; mechanical damage; mechanical stress; microorganisms; modified atmosphere; Odors; odour; off flavors; postharvest physiology; raw vegetables; storage temperature; sucrose; Taste; terpenes; washing
• ISSN: 0022-5142; 1097-0010
• DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.1739

Carrots washed and packed by hand or machine and stored at 2, 10 or 20 °C in three different package types were analysed for taste, flavour and content of sugars, terpenes, 6-methoxymellein and ethanol as well as for ethylene, CO2 and O2 concentrations in the packages. Carrots washed by machine had increased micro-organism decay and higher sensory scores for bitter taste, aftertaste, terpene flavour and odour, green odour and earthy flavour. The ability of packages to ventilate was important to avoid anaerobic conditions that caused decreased sucrose content, increased production of ethanol and a higher intensity of ethanol flavour and sickeningly sweet taste. Increasing temperature enhanced the concentration of ethanol, CO2 and ethylene and decreased the O2 concentration as well as the content of sucrose and total sugar. High temperature also increased the intensity of ethanol flavour and odour, aftertaste, earthy flavour, terpene flavour and bitter taste. Bitter taste was positively correlated with 6-methoxymellein level, although this level was below the sensory threshold. Bitter taste, earthy flavour and aftertaste were correlated with total terpenes and several individual terpenes. Carrots washed and packed early in the long-term storage period (November) were more bitter and had a higher level of 6-methoxymellein and a higher intensity of terpene flavour and odour, green flavour and earthy flavour than those handled in January or March.