Calcium Treatments Affect Storage Quality of Shredded Carrots

Abstract

ABSTRACT Carrot shreds, sticks and slices were dipped in solutions of CaCl 2 alone, or with chlorine and stored at 0, 5 or 10°C to determine the effects of calcium (Ca) on storage quality. A 0.5% or 1% CaCl 2 treatment maintained firmness and reduced microbial growth of carrot shreds at all temperatures. These treatments also resulted in lower tissue pH than in the water‐dipped controls. Treatments increased Ca content slightly in sticks and slices and substantially in shreds and had no effect on storage quality of sticks or slices.