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Commercial packaging options for beit alpha cucumbers grown under protected protected culture

S.A. Sargent, A.J. Fox, and S.C. Stapleton

Proceedings of 26th International Horticultural Congress. Volume of Abstract . Toronto, Canada, 11-17 August, 2002. Abstract S09-P-196. pp. 269.

2002

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Commercial Packaging Options for Beit Alpha Cucumbers Grown Under Protected Culture

Beit Alpha-type cucumbers show promise as a new greenhouse crop. They are significantly smaller than European greenhouse types (125 to 175 mm in length, 22 to 30 mm in diameter), have a thin, delicate epidermis, and are seedless, firm and flavorful. Although retailers have shown interest in marketing Beit Alpha types, lack of commercial handlign recommendations has led to significant postharvest losses. Chilling injury occurs during storage below 10 oC. ‘Sarig’ cucumbers were stored at 12.5 oC for 21 d in five commercial packages: mineral-oil based wax in waxed, corrugated carton; unwaxed on stretch-film overwrapped tray (OWT); unwaxed in small (n=3) (SC) or large (n=6)(LC), rigid, “clamshells”. Acceptable quality was maintained up to 14 d in all treatments; by 21 d, all fruits remained firm, but had a “grassy” off-flavor, and unwaxed fruits stored at 15 C developed bitterness in locular gel. Small, corky growths also appeared by 21 d, irrespective of treatment or temperature. Unwaxed fruits stored at either temperature lost up to twice the fresh weight (2.0 to 2.3%) as those stored in SC, LC or OWT, and about 50% more than waxed. In all treatments, after 14 and 21 d, external color became slightly more yellow (lower hue angle) and brighter (higher chroma value). Internal color (cross-section) became more yellow after 7 d at 12.5 oC, but did not change up to 21 d at 15 oC. Slight condensation in SC, LC and OWT did not promote decay. For small operations , the clamshell was considered the best option, minimizing weight loss and providing protectionduring handling.