Jun Pill Baek

Selection of Non-Perforated Breathable Film to Enhance Storability of Cherry Tomato for Modified Atmosphere Storage at Different Temperatures

This study was conducted to find out the appropriate packaging materials to extend the storability and maintain the quality of cherry tomato for modified atmosphere (MA) storage. Tomatoes were grown by hydroponic at a plastic house in Gangwon Province. Light red maturity stage tomatoes were harvested and packed with MA condition (10,000; 20,000; 40,000; 60,000; 80,000; and 100,000cc/m².day.atm O₂ permeability film) and perforated film to store at 5℃, 11℃ and 24℃. The fresh weight loss was less than 0.6% in all non-perforated breathable films at 5℃, 11℃, and 24℃, but perforated film had less than 2.93% at 5℃, 13.29% at 11℃ and 27.24% at 24℃. The 20,000cc at 5℃ and 11℃, and the 40,000cc film at 24℃ balanced optimum carbon dioxide and oxygen concentration in the package to maintain quality. The 10,000cc film was appeared the significantly highest ethylene concentration at 5℃, 11℃, and 24℃, this film had the lowest O₂ permeability. Visual quality, firmness, and soluble solids were maintained in 20,000cc films both at 5℃ and 11℃, the 40,000cc film at 24℃. There was no any trend in titratable acidity and vitamin C content of treated packed film types and temperatures at cherry tomatoes packages. Therefore, the appropriate MA condition for 5℃ and 11℃ is 20,000cc/m².day.atm O₂ permeability film; for 24℃ it is 40,000cc/m².day.atm O₂ permeability film because those films extended the storability through the firmness, soluble solids as well as visual quality.

Cherry tomato qualities affected by foliar spraying with boron and calcium

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of foliar spraying with boron and calcium on the qualities of light red maturity-stage ‘Unicorn’ cherry tomato. Increased cell -wall compactness was observed after boron (B) + calcium (Ca) treatment. The respiration rate was lowest in B + Ca-treated tomato fruits at harvest time and after storage. Firmness increased and was retained during the storage period in B + Ca treated tomato fruits. The least fresh weight loss and best shelf life were observed in B + Ca-treated tomato fruits. The vitamin C content was higher in B + Ca-treated tomato fruits than in the control. These results indicate that B + Ca treatment increases cell -wall compactness, reduces the respiration rate, reduces fresh weight loss, increases shelf life, maintains flesh firmness, and increases vitamin C content in cherry tomato.

Effects of 1-MCP and MA Storage Treatments for Long-Term Storage of Asparagus Spears

This study was conducted to identify the effects of 1-MCP and the storage methods for maintaining the quality of asparagus spears. Asparagus spears treated 1-MCP stored in MA condition and perforated film (conventional condition) and 1-MCP non-treated used as control. The treated asparagus was stored at 4C for 40 days. The fresh weight loss rate was less than 0.2% in all MA (Modified atmosphere) storage treatments, including the 1-MCP treatment, and 1-MCP shown the less fresh weight loss rate in perforated film storage after 20 days storage. The carbon dioxide concentration within a package was 5-12% in MA storage, which is whith the tolerated range of maximum CO2 content of asparagus spears in recommended CA or MA conditions. The oxygen content was maintained between 5 to 15% in MAP treatments. The ethylene content was lowest at the MA storage with 1MCP treatment. Visual quality, off-flavor, soluble solid contents, and hue angle on the final storage day were higher in MA storage and the 1-MCP treatment and conventional MA storage did not show any significant differences. These results suggest that the 1-MCP treatment did not significantly affected the quality and storability of asparagus spears. Additional key words : Carbon dioxide, Ethylene, Off-flavor, Visual quality.