Visual Quality Scores Research Articles

Quality changes in packaged salad products during storage

The quality of four types of packaged salad products (retail and foodservice Garden salad, Caesar salad, and European salad) manufactured by five major processors and stored at 5 °C for 20 days was assessed. The O2 and CO2 concentrations in the bags were 0.2–1.5% and 5–30%, respectively. Overall visual quality scores were generally at or above the minimum acceptable value for salability at the “Best if Used by Date” (12–16 days after processing). Product sensory attributes (visual, flavor and textural properties) determined by a trained judge and a sensory panel significantly correlated for most of the parameters. Off-odors developed in the packages and their scores significantly correlated with ethanol and acetaldehyde concentrations in the lettuce tissue. Sugar content decreased 12% (iceberg) to 20% (romaine) from days 0 to 15. Total aerobic microbial load increased by an average of 2.5–3 log units over 20 days.

RESPONSES OF GROUNDCOVERS TO RENOVATION BY MOWING

The objectives of this study were to investigate the responses of several groundcovers to periodic mowing and determine which ones benefit from mowing in terms of aesthetic quality, density, height and thatch development. Eight species were transplanted on 30 cm centers in September. Five species had become fully grown in 10 months and were mowed to either a 5 cm or 10 cm height. Four species received a second mowing at 10 cm 8 or 11 months later. The remaining three species became fully grown in 18 or 21 months and were mowed at 10 cm at that time. Visual quality scores were recorded monthly, as were average overall plant and thatch heights. Lantana, Osteospermum and Verbena expressed little or no long-term loss in visual quality, while their height and thatch growth were controlled well when mowed in the spring-summer period. Height and thatch growth were controlled well in Drosanthemum and Aptenia, but visual quality was unacceptable. Spring mowing appears to produce reductions in height and thatch with no significant loss in quality of Myoporum and Baccharis but with significant loss in quality of Rosemarinus.