Chemical Changes in Okra Stored in Air and Controlled Atmosphere

Abstract

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) pods stored In a controlled atmosphere (CA) of 5% O 2 and 10% CO 2 at 11 ± 1C and in air at the same temperature (RA) were compared to determine the effects of the two storage environments on changes in sugars, organic acids, proteins and amino acids, and ascorbic acid contents within the tissue. Pods were sampled at 3-day intervals for 12 days. CA-stored pods generally had greater retention of sugars, soluble proteins, and amino acids than RA-stored pods. Citric, malic, and ascorbic acids contents of CA pods also declined more slowly than those of RA pods.