Storage of cut spray type chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflorum Tzvelev) by active modified atmosphere packaging

Abstract

Storage of cut spray type chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflorum Tzvelev) by modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) using polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) film was studied. The 2% O2 atmosphere reduced the respiration rate of cut chrysanthemum 50%. The passive MAP, in which low O2 atmosphere is established through respiration, did not create an environment of less than 10% O2 even when thick PE film bag was used. In the active MAP, the internal atmosphere was replaced with N2-enriched 2% O2 gas provided with a gas separation membrane-N2 generator; this established the desired atmosphere rapidly and successfully. The active MAP of cut chrysanthemum, harvested at a partly open stage, delayed the further opening of the flower and bud during storage for 10 days at 10 °C. The vase life of active MAP stored chrysanthemum was 13-15 days after exposure to the air at 20 °C; those of wet-stored and perforated bag-stored were 6 and 7 days, respectively. The vase life of passive MAP, using PP and PE was 7 days. Leaf analysis revealed that under active MAP, the green color intensity and ascorbic acid content were retained longer compared with the other storage methods tested; active MAP prolongs the vase life of cut chrysanthemums.