Abstract
In seeking to understand the beneficial effects of controlled atmosphere (CA) storage at 20C on asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.), biochemical responses of spear tips stored in air were compared with those of spears stored under CA (2% O2, 10% CO2). CA storage prevented the rapid loss of sucrose, increased acid invertase activity and asparagine accumulation observed in the tips of spears stored in air. CA storage also delayed changes in the levels of glutamine, malic, citric and fumaric acids, compared with those in tips of air-stored spears. Elongation observed in water-fed spears in air was reduced by CA. It is proposed that CA acted by depressing metabolism to such an extent that sucrose levels were maintained in the spear tip and this, in turn, prevented the cascade of metabolic events that contribute to spear deterioration in air.
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