Minimally processed butternut squash shelf life

Commercial Bio-Packaging to Preserve the Quality and Extend the Shelf-Life of Vegetables: The Case-Study of Pumpkin Samples Studied by a Multimethodological Approach

A multidisciplinary protocol is proposed to monitor the preservation of fresh pumpkin samples (FP) using three commercial polymeric films: A made of biodegradable cellophane from regenerated cellulose pulp; B from corn starch, cassava and eucalyptus, C made of polylactic acid from corn starch, and a polyethylene film used as reference (REF). Chemical, mechanical and microbiological analyses were applied on packaging and fresh and packaged samples at different times. After an 11-day period, NMR spectroscopy results showed a sucrose increase and a malic acid decrease in all the biofilms with respect to FP; fructose, glucose, galactose levels remained quite constant in biofilms B and C; the most abundant amino acids remained quite constant in biofilm A and decreased significantly in biofilm B. From microbiological analyses total microbial count was below the threshold value up to 7 days for samples in all the films, and 11 days for biofilm C. The lactic acid bacteria, and yeasts and molds counts were below the acceptability limit during the 11 days for all packages. In the case of biofilm C, the most promising packaging for microbiological point of view, aroma analysis was also carried out. In this paper, you can find all the analysis performed and all the values found.

Effect of natural antimicrobial agent (MicroGARD) combined with edible coating (NatureSeal) treatment on fresh-cut butternut squash

To improve fresh-cut produce quality and shelf life, 0.5% or 1.0% MicroGARD^® 730 (MG) as a natural alternative to synthetic chemical preservatives, 2.5% NatureSeal^® (NS) product (vitamin/mineral-based blends), 0.5% MG combined with 2.5% NS, and 1% MG combined with 2.5% NS were used to treat fresh-cut butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata). The 240 g samples were put into food grade bags and stored at 4 or 7 °C. Microbial population, including aerobic plate counts (APCs), yeast and molds, total coliforms, and quality parameters, including head space O₂ /CO₂ concentration in package, pH, soluble solids, color, and conductivity, were evaluated after 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 20 days of storage. Results showed that after 6 days of storage at 7 °C, APC of check and control samples reached to 2.6 × 10⁸ and 1.5 × 10⁷ CFU/g, respectively; while they were kept at 10⁴ CFU/g (3 to 4 log reduction) in the squash samples treated with 0.5% or 1% MG combined with NS at 7 °C. Similar results were found on squash samples stored at 4 °C for 9 days. The cut squash treated with MG combined with NS had APC ≤ 10⁷ CFU/g at 4 °C for about 20 days compared to 9 days in controls or 0.5% MG-treated samples, and 12 days in 1% MG-treated or NS-treated samples, respectively. Considering overall quality and extended shelf life, MG combined with NS was recommended to apply to cut squashes stored at 4 °C. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This research provided useful information and practical treatment application for developing fresh-cut produce with good quality and extended shelf life up to 20 days at 4 °C.

Effect of edible coatings based on alginate/pectin on quality preservation of minimally processed 'Espada' mangoes

The aims of the study were to develop and apply alginate and pectin-based edible coatings on minimally processed mango (Mangifera indica L.) variety 'Espada'. A full experimental design was performed using alginate, pectin and glycerol concentrations as independent variables and total soluble solids as response variable. Minimally processed mango was immersed in each film forming solution, calcium chloride and glycerol solutions pretreated with 1% (w/v) solution of ascorbic acid, dried at 25 ± 2 °C for 24 h and then refrigerated at 8 ± 1 °C for 14 d. Based on the results of the experimental design, the following formulations were evaluated: 2% (w/v) alginate/3% (w/v) pectin (with and without glycerol) and 3% (w/v) alginate/0.5% (w/v) pectin (with and without glycerol). Fruits coated with biopolymers had lower total soluble solids content and titratable acidity compared to the control group. The formulation containing 2% (w/v) alginate, 3% (w/v) pectin and 5.5% (w/v) glycerol showed the best performance for long-term refrigerated storage of minimally processed mango for a period of 16 d.