Replacement of postharvest moisture loss by recharging and its effect on subsequent moisture loss during short-term storage of carrots.

摘要

Replacing postharvest moisture loss in carrots (Daucus carota cv. Caro-choice) by single and repeated recharging (rehydration in water) treatments was investigated. The interaction between the duration of recharging and temperature during recharging, and the effects of these treatments on moisture loss during subsequent short-term storage were also studied. Carrot mass gain increased with increasing duration of single recharging treatments. Carrots that had lost 2.96% of their mass during storage at 13deg C and 35% RH regained up to 83% of the mass during recharging for 12 hours. Longer rechargings had little additional effect. Recharging at 13degree C and 26degree C was more effective at replacing water than recharging at 0degree C. The rate of moisture loss (percent/day) during subsequent storage was not affected by recharging duration or temperature during recharging. With repeated recharging every 3.5 days, increasing the recharging duration by up to 9 hours increased carrot mass gain. Most of the mass gain occurredfollowing 0-7 days of storage. These treatments, did not affect the rate of moisture loss during subsequent storage. It is suggested that the beneficial effect of recharging on carrot quality is due to replacement of the lost moisture, and not to a decrease in moisture loss during storage following recharging. Abrading the root surface increased mass loss in non-recharged carrots and increased mass gain during recharging. It is suggested that recharging could prove useful in extending the shelf life ofcarrots.