Babalar M, Daneshvar H, Díaz‐Pérez JC, Nambeesan S, Tabrizi L, Delshad M. Effects of organic and chemical nitrogen fertilization and postharvest treatments on the visual and nutritional quality of fresh-cut celery (
Apium graveolens L.) during storage.
Food Sci Nutr 2022;
11:320-333. [PMID:
36655095 PMCID:
PMC9834880 DOI:
10.1002/fsn3.3063]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The shelf life of horticultural commodities depends on pre- and postharvest factors, such as soil fertilization and postharvest handling. The current study aimed to evaluate fresh-cut celery's postharvest quality as affected by the rate and type (organic and chemical) of nitrogen (N) fertilizer and postharvest treatments. Celery ('Tall Utah') crop was grown in a field in Karaj, Iran. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three replications and seven preharvest (fertilizer), and five postharvest treatments. Organic fertilizers were vermicompost (VER) and bio-organic fertilizer [farmyard and livestock manure plus Trichoderma harzianum (COM)]. Chemical fertilizers were urea (46% N) at high rate [322 kg·ha1 N (UREA_HIGH)], optimal rate [196 kg·ha-1 N (UREA_OPT)], and low rate [138 kg·ha-1 N (UREA_LOW)]; ammonium nitrate [35% N (AN)] at 196 kg·ha-1 N; and treatment without fertilization was used as a control. Postharvest treatments included plastic packaging (PP), hydrocooling (HC), blanching (B), and edible coating of psyllium seed mucilage (EC). After postharvest treatments, celery petioles were stored (0-2°C, 85%-90% RH) for 4 weeks and evaluated weekly for quality attributes. Organic fertilizers and UREA_LOW were the most effective treatments in reducing the changes in color, weight loss, titratable acidity (TA), pH, and total soluble solids (TSS) of fresh-cut celery. Organic fertilizers enhanced the vitamin C content, total phenols, and antioxidant activity in celeries. As postharvest treatments, hydrocooling, plastic packaging, and blanching maintained chroma and hue values. Blanching had the greatest effect on the L* value. Hydrocooling increased celery's TA, TSS, and vitamin C content and reduced weight loss and pH during storage. Thus, celery quality was improved when grown under low or adequate N fertilization. Hydrocooling was an effective postharvest treatment for preserving fresh-cut celery quality during storage.
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