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Effect of organic agronomic techniques and packaging on the quality of lamb's lettuce
Author(s) -
Ceglie Francesco G,
Amodio Maria Luisa,
de Chiara Maria Lucia V,
Madzaric Suzana,
Mimiola Giancarlo,
Testani Elena,
Tittarelli Fabio,
Colelli Giancarlo
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.8989
Subject(s) - postharvest , modified atmosphere , amendment , organic matter , environmental science , organic farming , compost , organic production , organic product , biodegradable waste , manure , horticulture , agronomy , chemistry , waste management , food science , shelf life , biology , engineering , ecology , organic chemistry , political science , law , agriculture
BACKGROUND This research focused on the effect of organic production systems on initial quality and postharvest performance of lamb's lettuce leaves stored in air or under modified atmosphere at refrigerated temperature. Different strategies of organic soil fertility management were compared under the same environmental conditions: (i) a simplified organic production system based on organic commercial fertilizers to recover crop uptake (SB); (ii) an organic production system based on organic matter amendment mainly supplied by animal manure (AM); and (iii) an organic production system based on organic matter amendment supplied by green waste compost (AC). Fully developed lamb's lettuce leaves were harvested and then packed into perforated bags (control in AIR) or in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and stored at 4 °C. RESULTS At harvest, the yield of lamb's lettuce in the AM and AC systems was higher than that in SB. Phenol and dehydroascorbic acid accumulation was observed in the system with the lowest initial supply of organic amendment (SB). Regarding the effect of packaging, AIR conditions maintained the initial quality attributes for a longer period than MAP, which developed off‐odours above the threshold of acceptability at 11 days, irrespective of the production system used. CONCLUSION In general, the initial differences among the production systems were minimal during the postharvest storage. As for the tested packaging systems, AIR successfully maintained the initial quality attributes for a longer period than the MAP. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry