EFFECT OF STORAGE TEMPERATURE AND PACKAGING METHOD ON THE DECAY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF FRESH LEAVES OF GYNURA BICOLOR D.C

Abstract

Effects of temperature and packaging on the decay and physiology of Gynura bicolor D.C were investigated using selected fresh leaves of G. bicolor packed (half opened, half closed) in plastic bags, and then stored at 0C, 10C and 20C, respectively. The results showed that less water loss and tissue decay, smaller change of peroxidase activity and malondialdehyde and O2-content, slower respiratory and relative leakage rate, higher catalase (CAT) activity and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were found in G. bicolor stored at 0C. Closed packaging could somewhat benefit low temperature effect on the weight loss, tissue decay, CAT and SOD activity. Therefore, 0C combined with closed packaging was sufficient to extend storage life to 20 days and prevent decay of G. bicolor. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Gynura bicolor D.C is nourishing but just originally grown in the southern part of China. Closed packaging combined with low temperature is an efficient technique to be used for keeping high quality of leaves, extending storage life and preventing decay of the leaves of G. bicolor. Therefore, this technique is appropriate to store and transport G. bicolor, and could also be recommendable to other leafy vegetables.