The influence of CA storage on selected quality traits of carrot cultivars with different root colours

Abstract

The in uence of controlled atmosphere storage on selected quality traits of carrot culti-vars with different root colours. Carrot cultivars with various root colours are gaining popularity in Europe. Most such crops need to be stored for a period of several months, which causes quality degradation. The objective of the study was to determine the in uence of long-term cold storage under different atmospheric compositions on certain physical and chemical quality parameters of carrots of various colours. Carrots with orange ('Nebula' F 1 , 'Perfekcja', 'Interceptor' F 1), purple orange ('Purple Haze'), purple ('Deep Purple' F 1), yellow ('Mello Yello') and white ('White Satin' F 1) roots were stored for 6 months in a cold store at a temperature of 0-1°C and 95% RH, under controlled atmosphere (CA) with the following gas compositions: 5% CO 2 + 10% O 2 , 2% CO 2 + + 5% O 2 , 5% CO 2 + 5% O 2 and 0% CO 2 + 21% O 2 (ambient atmosphere). Quality parameters of the roots were determined directly after harvest and after storage: CIE L*a*b* parameters, soluble solids, nitrate, total carotenoid and-carotene content, and radical-scavenging activity (with the DPPH method). During storage of the carrots, soluble solids content showed a tendency to increase, while total carotenoid,-carotene and nitrate contents tended to decrease. The results showed a signi cant positive in uence of CA storage on the delay of quality degradation of carrots, compared with regular cold store conditions. In particular, storage under CA resulted in decreased negative root colour changes, decreased carotenoid losses and increased radical-scavenging activity of the purple-coloured cultivars. The best results were obtained after storage under a gas composition of 5% CO 2 + 10% O 2 .