Effect of Different Plastic Liners on the Quality of Fresh-Cut Jew’s Mallow Leaves (Corchorus olitorius L.) During Storage under Different Temperatures
Nawaf Abu-Khalaf
Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie, Tulkarm, Palestine.
Mohammed Almasri
Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture, Ramallah, Palestine.
Ahmed Hajjaj
Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture, Ramallah, Palestine.
Naser Abbadi
Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture, Ramallah, Palestine.
Hakam Salah
Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture, Ramallah, Palestine.
Jawad Zakarne
Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture, Ramallah, Palestine.
Jamil Harb
Birzeit University, Ramallah, Palestine.
Mazen Salman *
Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie, Tulkarm, Palestine.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The postharvest quality of Jew’s mallow was tested using two types of plastic liners and two temperatures, 4ºC and 10ºC. The plastic liners were normally sealed low density polyethylene and modified atmosphere package. Six quality parameters (weight loss, chlorophyll content, decay level, dryness level, yellowing level and chilling injury) were studied. It was found that Jew’s mallow leaves had a longer shelf life at 4ºC than at 10ºC. Modified atmosphere package liner showed a good result with respect to decay level. The shelf life was two weeks.
Keywords: Jew’s mallow, Corchorus olitorius L., Palestine, weight loss, chlorophyll content, chilling injury, yellowing, dryness, decay