INFLUENCE OF HYDRO-COOLING, STORAGE TEMPERATURE AND PVC FILM ON THE MAINTENANCE OF POSTHARVEST QUALITY OF FRESH COBS OF SUPER SWEET CORN

S.C.C. Sousa, W.R. Silva , C.C.R. Melo, J.C.C. Galvão, P.A.S. Ramos, A. Miqueloto , F.L. Finger
The fresh cob of super sweet corn is highly perishable and in a few hours loses market attributes, such as appearance and freshness. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of hydro-cooling, storage temperature and PVC films on the postharvest quality of fresh super sweet corn cobs, specifically in the weight loss of cobs’ corn and in the husk relative water content. The experiment was carried out in Coimbra, MG, Brazil, and the treatments consisted of (T1) no hydro-cooling with cob with husk by storage at 22°C; (T2) no hydro-cooling by PVC with cob without husk by storage at 22°C; (T3) hydro-cooling with cob with husk by storage at 22°C; (T4) hydro-cooling by PVC by cob without husk by storage at 22°C; (T5) no hydro-cooling with cob with husk by storage at 5°C; (T6) no hydro-cooling by PVC by cob without husk by storage at 5°C; (T7) hydro-cooling by cob with husk by storage at 5°C; (T8) hydro-cooling by PVC by cob without husk by storage at 5°C. The evaluations of fresh weight were made at 0, 4, 7 and 14 days after storage. The treatments T2 and T4 wrapped with PVC had reduced fresh weight loss during the storage. The fresh cobs stored at 5°C, wrapped with PVC, had lower fresh weight loss compared to the other treatments. PVC created a modified atmosphere which reduced water loss and hence, the fresh weight loss. At 22°C there was no influence of hydro-cooling on the relative water content, and at 5°C, no hydro-cooling treatment had higher relative water content.
Sousa, S.C.C., Silva , W.R., Melo, C.C.R., Galvão, J.C.C., Ramos, P.A.S., Miqueloto , A. and Finger, F.L. (2015). INFLUENCE OF HYDRO-COOLING, STORAGE TEMPERATURE AND PVC FILM ON THE MAINTENANCE OF POSTHARVEST QUALITY OF FRESH COBS OF SUPER SWEET CORN. Acta Hortic. 1071, 609-612
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2015.1071.79
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2015.1071.79
shelf life, fresh weight, modified atmosphere, preservation techniques, Zea mays
English

Acta Horticulturae