Microbial populations of fresh-cut spinach leaves affected by controlled atmospheres
Isabelle Babic and A. E. Watada
Postharvest Biology and Technology Vol: 9 Issue: 2 Pages: 187-193.
1996
บทคัดย่อ
The effect of controlled atmospheres (CA) containing low oxygen and high carbon dioxide at low temperatures on micro-organisms on fresh-cut spinach leaves was studied. Control samples in air were compared with those kept in 0.8% O2-N2 or 0.8% O2-10% CO2-N2 at one of two temperatures, 5 and 10°C, for 9 or 7 days, respectively. The populations of various micro-organisms on the leaf surfaces were assessed, but coliforms and lactic acid bacteria were not detected and yeast remained uniformly low. At 5°C, CA decreased micro-organisms growth by between 10- and 100-fold, except for lactic acid bacteria and yeasts. At a temperature of 10°C, populations increased regardless of the atmospheric composition to 10-100 times those at the lower temperature. Thus, low oxygen atmospheres could be used to control spoilage micro-organisms on cut spinach leaves for at least 7 days, so long as the storage does not exceed 5°C.