Title: Effect of hyperbaric treatment on respiration rates and quality attributes of sweet corn

Authors: Pansa Liplap; Clément Vigneault; Peter Toivonen; Jérôme Boutin; G.S. Vijaya Raghavan

Addresses: Department of Bioresource Engineering, Macdonald Campus, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Québec, H9X 3V9, Canada; Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 430 Boul. Gouin, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec, J3B 3E6, Canada ' Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 430 Boul. Gouin, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec, J3B 3E6, Canada; Department of Bioresource Engineering, Macdonald Campus, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Québec, H9X 3V9, Canada ' Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, P.O. Box 5000, 4200 Highway 97, Summerland, BC, V0H 1Z0, Canada ' Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 430 Boul. Gouin, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec, J3B 3E6, Canada ' Department of Bioresource Engineering, Macdonald Campus, McGill University 21111 Lakeshore, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Québec, H9X 3V9, Canada

Abstract: Effects of three-day hyperbaric and low temperature treatment on the respiration rates and quality attributes of sweet corn were studied. Quality attributes were also monitored over four days of storage at ambient conditions. Best results were obtained from cold storage at 0°C, but hyperbaric treatment showed positive effects on quality retention of sweet corn. An inverse relationship was observed between the pressure levels applied and respiration rates. The higher the pressure applied, the lower the respiration rates. Fresh weight, TSS and kernel colour were better retained as the applied pressure level increased. However, husk colour became paler with an increase in pressure level. After storage, the measured quality attributes were not evidently affected by pressure treatments. Even though hyperbaric treatment was not as effective as the cold temperature storage condition in extending sweet corn shelf life, promising results were observed for a short-term storage without refrigeration.

Keywords: hyperbaric pressure; low temperature; sweet corn quality; respiration rate; respiratory quotient; quality attributes; shelf life; cold storage; short-term storage; postharvest technology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPTI.2013.059295

International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, 2013 Vol.3 No.3, pp.257 - 271

Received: 26 Apr 2013
Accepted: 13 Aug 2013
Published online: 05 Jul 2014 *

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