Sammanfattning

BACKGROUND

Babyleaf salads such as spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) and spinach beet (Beta vulgaris L. subsp. cicla var. cicla) are an important dietary source of antioxidants such as ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Such compounds may be important in disease prevention in consumers but the level of these compounds in leaves frequently declines after harvest. As such, methods to maintain antioxidant levels in fresh produce are being sought.

RESULTS

Irrigation deficits were used to apply water stress to S. oleracea and B. vulgaris plants. This treatment prevented postharvest decline of leaf ascorbic acid content in S. oleracea but not in B. vulgaris. Ascorbic acid levels in leaves at harvest were unaffected by the treatment in both species compared to well-watered controls.

CONCLUSION

We have shown that restricted irrigation provides a viable means to maintain leaf vitamin content after harvest in S. oleracea, an important finding for producers, retailers and consumers alike.

Nyckelord

spinach; spinach beet; ascorbic acid; postharvest; water stress

Publicerad i

Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture
2016, Volym: 96, nummer: 9, sidor: 2976-2980
Utgivare: Wiley-Blackwell

UKÄ forskningsämne

Trädgårdsvetenskap/hortikultur
Livsmedelsvetenskap


Publikationens identifierare

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.7464

Permanent länk till denna sida (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/76412