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Retention of Folate, Carotenoids, and Other Quality Characteristics in Commercially Packaged Fresh Spinach
Author(s) -
Pandrangi S.,
LaBorde L.F.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of food science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1750-3841
pISSN - 0022-1147
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2621.2004.tb09919.x
Subject(s) - spinach , carotenoid , food science , chemistry , vitamin c , chlorophyll , nutrient , pigment , horticulture , biology , biochemistry , organic chemistry
The effect of storage temperature (4 °C, 10 °C, and 20 °C) on retention of folate, carotenoids, and other quality characteristics in commercially packaged fresh spinach were determined. Based on visual color and appearance, spinach was unacceptable after 8 d, 6 d, and 4 d at 4 °C, 10 °C, and 20 °C, respectively. Color differences (AE), chlorophyll degradation, fresh weight loss, and microbial populations increased at all storage temperatures and occurred more rapidly at higher temperatures. Peroxidase activity increased but was not significantly ( P > 0.05) affected by storage temperature. Lipoxygenase activity was unaffected by storage time or temperature. Substantial losses of nutrients occurred at each storage temperature. Only 53% of folate in packaged spinach was retained after 8 d, 6 d, and 4 d at 4 °C, 10 °C, and 20 °C, respectively. Carotenoid losses increased with temperature with only 54%, 61%, and 44%, respectively, of initial detected levels remaining. Vitamin and quality changes were unaffected by presence or absence of packaging.