Postharvest Quality of Arugula (Eruca sativa) Microgreens Determined by Microbiological, Physico-Chemical, and Sensory Parameters

(1) Background: Cultivating microgreens is emerging as an excellent market opportunity. Their easy, short, and sustainable production methods are the main

Marina Rocha Komeroski, Thaís Benincá, Keyla Araujo Portal, Patrícia da Silva Malheiros, Tâmmila Venzke Klug, Simone Hickmann Flôres, Alessandro de Oliveira Rios

Foods · 2024 · https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13193020

Abstract

(1) Background: Cultivating microgreens is emerging as an excellent market opportunity. Their easy, short, and sustainable production methods are the main reasons they are approved by growers. However, a feature that still prevents its further spread is the microbiological risk and their rapid senescence. The present study was conducted to evaluate the post-harvest storage and shelf life of arugula microgreens in different packaging through microbiological, physico-chemical, and sensory parameters; (2) Methods: Plants were stored at 5 °C in open air, vacuum sealed, and under modified atmosphere bags and tested at 0, 3, 5, 7, and 10 days; (3) Results: Microgreens stored in all packaging were safe for consumption within ten days. Regarding physical and chemical parameters, open packaging proved to be promising, with less weight loss and slower chlorophyll degradation. The sensory analysis demonstrated that the microgreens stored in the vacuum-sealed packaging showed a decrease in quality from the fifth day onwards for all attributes. However, the MAP presented good scores with a better visual quality, similar to the fresh microgreens.

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Marina Rocha Komeroski; Thaís Benincá; Keyla Araujo Portal; Patrícia da Silva Malheiros; Tâmmila Venzke Klug; Simone Hickmann Flôres; Alessandro de Oliveira Rios (2024). Postharvest Quality of Arugula (Eruca sativa) Microgreens Determined by Microbiological, Physico-Chemical, and Sensory Parameters. Foods. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13193020 Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Hosted by EVEC Athens (microgreens.org.gr). No changes were made to this article. Provided as-is, without warranties. EVEC Athens is not affiliated with, and this copy is not endorsed by, the authors or the publisher.

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