Effect of Temperature and CO2 on Postharvest Changes of Fiber Content and Storage Life of Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.)

Abstract

The effect of temperature and CO2 on postharvest changes in fiber content of green spears of asparagus was studied. Asparagus spears were purchased from Hoob-Ka-Pong Agricultural Cooperative, Amphur Cha-um, Petchaburi province and shipped by truck in foam boxes with contact icing. The spears were stored in plastic baskets, folded plastic bags and sealed plastic bags which were added with CO2 at initial concentrations of 0 (no CO2 adding), 5, 10 and 20% and held at 1ºC (62% RH), 5ºC(64% RH), 9 ºC (68% RH) and room temperature (27.8 ºC and 71.8% RH). The results showed that lower temperatures and higher concentrations of CO2 retarded the increment of fiber content. The spears stored in 10 and 20% CO2 at 1 ºC had storage life of 40 days while spears in plastic baskets at room temperature had storage life of 2 days.