Abstract
This paper aimed to evaluate the effects of storage periods on the conservation of Pachyrhizus ahipa roots at different temperatures and packaging materials. The roots were harvested, washed, packed in PVC, plastic bags, without wrappings (control) and stored in polystyrene trays in refrigerators, or cold chambers, or at room temperature. Total titratable acidity (TTA), total soluble solids (TSS), pH, as well as their ash, lipid, total carbohydrate and protein (dry basis) contents were analyzed. The lowest loss of root fresh weight was observed in the cold chamber and plastic bags. The TTA remained higher among roots stored in the cold chamber and in PVC packaging. The lowest TSS contents were observed for roots stored in the cold chamber, and these did not vary among the packing materials. The average carbohydrate content percentage for all treatments was 84.9%. The percentage of lipids was highest in roots stored at room temperature while protein and ash contents were highest in roots under refrigeration. The best storage conditions for roots are plastic bags packaging in a cold chamber, with the roots retaining appropriate quality for commercialization for up to 30 days.
Highlights
Pachyrhizus is one of the few legume genera that have edible tuberous roots with high nutritional value and a potential for large-scale cultivation (e.g. P. erosus (L.) Urban, P. tuberosus (Lam.) Sprengel and P. ahipa (Wedd.)) (Kay 1973, Sorensen et al 1997)
Five hundred P. ahipa seeds were sowed into plastic planting sacks containing sand and soil (1:1) under uncontrolled environmental conditions in a greenhouse with 50% full sunlight and daily watering; after 20 days they were transferred to planting beds to complete their development
The roots of “jacatupé” that were collected after eight months of cultivation in Mato Grosso do Sul State (MS) were much smaller than those normally harvested in São Paulo State, probably due to variations in the regional climatic and soil conditions
Summary
Pachyrhizus is one of the few legume genera that have edible tuberous roots with high nutritional value and a potential for large-scale cultivation (e.g. P. erosus (L.) Urban, P. tuberosus (Lam.) Sprengel and P. ahipa (Wedd.)) (Kay 1973, Sorensen et al 1997). Economic interest in Pachyrhizus in Mato Grosso do Sul State (Brazil) is focused on the high starch content of its roots, which has stimulated its cultivation and consumption and contributed to the sustainable development of domestic agriculture. Postharvest losses in Brazil for roots, rhizomes, and tubers have been estimated at 30.3%, and are generally caused by inadequate handling and storage, inappropriate packaging, and pathogens (Chitarra and Chitarra 2005, Cenci 2006). The present work evaluated the efficiency of different storage temperatures and different types of packaging on the post-harvest conservation of P. ahipa “jacatupé” roots
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
