Quality, Sensory Analysis and Shelf Life of Ready-To-Use Fresh-Cut Zucchini Flowers Stored in Different Film Packaging

Riccardo Massantini, Mariateresa Cardarelli and Maria Teresa Frangipane ()
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Riccardo Massantini: Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), University of Tuscia, Via San Camillo de Lellis, 01100 Viterbo, VT, Italy
Mariateresa Cardarelli: Department of Agriculture and Forest Sciences (DAFNE), University of Tuscia, Via San Camillo de Lellis, 01100 Viterbo, VT, Italy
Maria Teresa Frangipane: Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), University of Tuscia, Via San Camillo de Lellis, 01100 Viterbo, VT, Italy

Agriculture, 2022, vol. 12, issue 11, 1-10

Abstract: To maintain the shelf life of fresh-cut zucchini flowers, low temperatures and wrapping with plastic film have been used. In this study, storage at 5 °C for 8 days has been studied, using polyester (an oxygen permeability reduction of 63%) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) with an oxygen permeability reduction of 24%. In addition, the novelty was investigating the possibility of introducing washing into the process, a rather difficult operation given the high sensitivity of this product to handling. The washing of flowers could ease the consumption of fresh-cut zucchini flowers as they are ready-to-use. The following measurements were carried out: respiration rate, color, firmness, pH, and sensory analysis. The findings showed the polyester film allows the best conservation, representing a barrier to gas diffusion and maintaining an atmosphere rich in CO 2 and poor in O 2 . The flowers kept a better texture than those wrapped in LDPE. Using polyester film packaging, sensorial and structural characteristics were maintained for a longer period, and the aspect of the ready-to-use fresh-cut zucchini flowers was satisfying until day 5.

Keywords: pumpkin flowers; Cucurbita pepo L.; fresh-cut; shelf life; vegans (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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