The determination of low oxygen threshold in garlic scapes during controlled atmosphere storage

BACKGROUND Garlic scapes are susceptible to browning and rot during storage. In order to extend the storage time, controlled or modified atmosphere storage is usually used to maintain postharvest quality. However, low O-2 or high CO2 damage easily occurs during atmosphere storage due to its respiration and unsuitable packaging. Therefore, the identification of low O-2 threshold signal has been an urgent issue during atmosphere storage. This work investigated the quality changes and threshold signal during the controlled atmosphere storage of garlic scapes by the detection of ethanol and chlorophyll fluorescence. RESULTS The results showed that 7% CO2/3% O-2 treatment could effectively slow down the decrease of chlorophyll and ascorbic acid, inhibit the accumulation of ethanol and maintain good sensory quality. Under dynamic atmosphere, garlic scapes had a tolerable minimum O-2 threshold of 1.5% by the detection of ethanol, respiratory quotient and chlorophyll fluorescence F0. However, no obvious fluorescence F-v/F-m breakpoint was detected during dynamic atmosphere storage. CONCLUSIONS Ethanol and chlorophyll fluorescence F-0 could be used as an indicator of low O-2 damage during atmosphere storage of garlic scapes. The tolerable low O-2 threshold was 1.5% O-2 for garlic scapes storage. This work provided a new insight into the preservation of garlic scapes during atmosphere storage. (c) 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Automated summary

This study investigated the quality changes and threshold signal during controlled atmosphere storage of garlic scapes using the detection of ethanol and chlorophyll fluorescence. The results showed that a 7% CO2/3% O-2 treatment effectively slowed down the decrease of chlorophyll and ascorbic acid, inhibited the accumulation of ethanol, and maintained good sensory quality. Ethanol and chlorophyll fluorescence F-0 were found to be indicators of low O-2 damage during atmosphere storage of garlic scapes. The tolerable low O-2 threshold was determined to be 1.5% O-2 for garlic scapes storage. This study provided new insights into the preservation of garlic scapes during atmosphere storage.