Effect of postharvest mechanical stress on quality and storage life of Chinese cabbage cv. Yuki

Abstract

The effects of 3 common handling procedures and mishaps (dropping, compression and trimming) applied to Chinese cabbage cv. Yuki [Brassica campestris L. ssp. pekinensis (Lour.) Olsson] were compared to unstressed control cabbages. Heads were mechanically stressed by dropping from 50 cm onto a hard floor, by prolonged compression under 3 kg of weight before storage, or by repeated trimming of the outer leaves during storage. Cabbages were stored at 2°C for 9 weeks. Market quality of cabbages was not affected by the mechanical stresses, but storage for 9 weeks reduced marketable quality. Heads that were repeatedly trimmed produced less ethylene at the end of the storage period compared to the start, and less ethylene than the other treatments (due to the removal of outer senescing and rotting leaves); however, marketable yield was not improved.