IMPROVED COLD STORAGE OF VEGETABLES BY TREATMENT WITH MICROBIOLOGICAL CULTURES

摘要

Bacteria of genera Mycobacterium (strains 12, 67 and 202) and Bacillus subtilis (strain 13) were found to be efficient fungicides against fungi-based phytopathogens in vegetables. Treatment of potato tubers and carrot roots with such bacterial cultures caused no negative physiological and biochemical alterations in the products, lowered losses of vitamin C in potatoes and β-carotene in carrots, and suppressed the growth of widespread pathogens causing some typical vegetable diseases encountered during cold storage. Novel technology and practical guidelines were developed for long-term refrigerated storage of potatoes by pretreatment with Mycobacterium and subsequent handling in a chilled state.