EFFECT of MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE PACKAGING ON GLUTATHIONE and ASCORBIC ACID CONTENT of ASPARAGUS SPEARS

Abstract

Asparagus (Asparagus Officinalis L.) spears were packaged in ordinary and microperforated oriented polypropylene (OPP) films and were stored at 15C and 75% RH for up to 10 days. CO 2 concentrations ranged from 15.5 to 23% at 10 days of storage. Weight loss was less than 1.2% in microperforated film packages compared with 15% in air storage under similar conditions. Ascorbic acid content was found to be adversely affected at all the O 2 levels (1-6%) prevailing in microperforated film packages, but it was retained to the extent of 45-55% of its original concentration in ordinary OPP film packaged asparagus. The O 2 concentrations in microperforated film packages were also associated with higher glutathione concentrations in packed asparagus spears. Results of the study indicated that to preserve ascorbic acid and glutathione simultaneously in stored asparagus through MAP under high CO 2 and low O 2 conditions, O 2 concentration levels must be selected between 1 and 6% in such a way so as to get acceptable retention levels of ascorbic acid and glutathione.