Availabilities of red light-emitting diodes as light source for low light irradiation and mineral nutrient supply using nutrient gel during low temperature storage of postharvest chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium L.)

摘要

Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium L.), a kind of fresh culinary herb, harvested and packed in transparent polystyrene packages in a commercial operation was stored at 3 deg C for 27 d under different light conditions (dark, D; low light irradiation (LLI: a photosynthetic photon flux density of 1 #mu#mol m-(-2)S-(-1)) using red light-emitting diodes, R; LLI using a white fluorescent lamp, W) with application of agar-gel containing (C) or not containing (N) mineral nutrients to the stem cut-end. The color difference (#DELTA#E*ab) value, measured through the upper cover of the package, of the leaves of chervil in RC and WC were significantly lower than the other treatments on the last day of storage (day 27). The #DELTA#E*ab values in RC and WC were kept at less than 3 (an inappreciable change-level by the naked eye) until day 21 and 24 respectively, while those in DN, DC, RN and WN were day 9, day 8, day 16 and day 16, respectively. A five-rank subjective visual quality score of chervil on day 27 in RC was significantly higher than WC, and those in RC and WC was significantly higher than RN WN respectively. These results indicate that red light-emitting diodes were more effective than the white fluorescent lamp as a source for LLI, and the presence of mineral nutrients in the gel was essential for the best performance of LLI for preservation of the visual quality of postharvest chervil during low temperature storage.