Quality Changes in Diced Onions Stored in Film Packages

Abstract

ABSTRACT Effects of a potassium permangenate gas absorbent and storage at 2°C on quality changes in modified atmosphere packaged diced onions was studied. A 3 mil packaging film resulted in equiIibrated O 2 of 2.65% and CO 2 level of 3.65%. Gas absorbent resulted in reduced ethylene, carbon dioxide and sulfur volatiles. Maximum shear force values and total phenolics increased during storage, but were not affected by gas absorbent. Glucose and fructose concentrations declined within one day after processing, which coincided with an increase in sucrose. Sugar concentrations remained stable thereafter, and were not affected by gas absorbent. Microbe colony forming units (CFU) increased during storage to 5.8 in controls and 7.1 (log CFU/g) in absorbent treated samples after 10 days at 2°C.