Abstract
The goal of this study was to assess the effects of hydrocooling and plastic bag use on the postharvest quality ora-pro-nobis (Pereskia aculeata Mill.) leaves stored at 5 and 25ºC. The experiments were conducted in a split plot scheme, with treatments in plots and subplots storage time in a randomized block design. The leaf chlorophyll content, mass loss (ML), relative water content (RWC), soluble sugars levels, reducings (RED), non-reducings and starch were determined. In leaves stored at 25ºC, the ML was higher when leaves were hydrocooled. The highest RWC resulted from the use of plastic bag, which prevented the leaves from wilting for a longer period of time. The soluble sugars levels varied according to the increase or decrease in RWC. The contents of RED decreased with the time of storage at 25°C. The cold storage increased the shelf life of ora-pro-nobis by 168 hours. The hydrocooling increased the RWC of leaves, although it did not influence the shelf life. The perforated plastic bag was effective in increasing the shelf life, and when associated with hydrocooling, the plastic bags provide a lower rate of loss of fresh mass.
Highlights
The cultivation and consumption of fresh vegetables has decreased in several regions of Brazil, as a result of the increasing use of processed foods
Ora-pronobis (Pereskia aculeata Mill.) is an unconventional rustic vegetable found in many Brazilian backyards and is used in folk medicine
40 g of leaves was subjected to the following treatments: 1) Control without hydrocooling and packing; 2) Hydrocooling + perforated plastic bag; 3) Hydrocooling; and 4) Perforated plastic packaging without hydrocooling
Summary
The cultivation and consumption of fresh vegetables has decreased in several regions of Brazil, as a result of the increasing use of processed foods. Vegetables are extremely important for a well-balanced diet. This fact has led some worldrecognized agencies for hunger prevention to organize programs to promote the construction of residential gardens as a way of fighting diseases related to vitamin deficiency and obesity. Ora-pronobis (Pereskia aculeata Mill.) is an unconventional rustic vegetable found in many Brazilian backyards and is used in folk medicine. The vegetables begin an accelerated deterioration process once harvested, and the shelf life is determined by a combination of internal and external factors.
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