title: Effect of nitrogen fertilisation on the overall quality of minimally processed globe artichoke heads.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although nitrogen (N) fertilisation is essential for promoting crop yield, it may also affect the produce quality. Here, the influence of three N fertiliser rates (0 kg ha-1as a control, 200 kg ha-1and 400 kg ha-1referred to as N0, N200and N400,respectively) on the overall quality of minimally processed globe artichoke heads was investigated during refrigerated storage for 12 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Throughout the storage time, N fertilised samples had higher inulin contents than those unfertilised. In addition, the respiratory quotient of N200and N400samples was 2-fold and 2.5-fold lower than N0ones, whose values were close to the normal range for vegetables. All the samples reported good microbiological standards, although N200and N400achieved lower mesophilic and psychotropic counts than N0throughout the storage time. After 8 and 12 days of refrigerated storage, the N200samples showed the highest scores of positive sensory descriptors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A fertiliser level of 200 kg N ha-1is suitable for obtaining minimally processed globe artichoke heads with good nutritional, sensory and microbiological quality, characterised by low endogenous oxidase activities. Proper packaging systems and procedures are, however, crucial for extending the product shelf-life and, thus, promoting its exportation on a wider scale. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
authors.affiliation: Di3A - Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Alimentazione e Ambiente, University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 98, 95123, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lombardo
authors.affiliation: Di3A - Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Alimentazione e Ambiente, University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 98, 95123, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Restuccia
authors.affiliation: Di3A - Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Alimentazione e Ambiente, University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 98, 95123, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Muratore
authors.affiliation: Di3A - Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Alimentazione e Ambiente, University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 98, 95123, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Riccardo N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Barbagallo
authors.affiliation: Di3A - Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Alimentazione e Ambiente, University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 98, 95123, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Licciardello
authors.affiliation: Di3A - Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Alimentazione e Ambiente, University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 98, 95123, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pandino
authors.affiliation: Di3A - Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Alimentazione e Ambiente, University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 98, 95123, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanna O
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Scifò
authors.affiliation: Di3A - Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Alimentazione e Ambiente, University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 98, 95123, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Agata
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mazzaglia
authors.affiliation: Di3A - Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Alimentazione e Ambiente, University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 98, 95123, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ragonese
authors.affiliation: Di3A - Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Alimentazione e Ambiente, University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 98, 95123, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mauromicale
mesh_terms: D058491:Bacterial Load; D004156:Catechol Oxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D019069:Cell Respiration; D000069599:Crop Production; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D031943:Cynara scolymus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis; D005308:Fertilizers; D035264:Flowers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D005511:Food Handling; D063427:Food Quality; D061353:Food Storage; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007444:Inulin / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D058458:Nitrogen Cycle; D009753:Nutritive Value; D010860:Pigments, Biological / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012034:Refrigeration; D012677:Sensation; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D005308:Fertilizers; D010860:Pigments, Biological; D010940:Plant Proteins; D007444:Inulin; D004156:Catechol Oxidase
keywords: globe artichoke; metabolic response; microbial growth; minimal processing; nitrogen fertiliser rate; nutritional quality