Multi-trait analysis of post-harvest storage in rocket salad (Diplotaxis tenuifolia) links sensorial, volatile and nutritional data.
Rocket salad (Diplotaxis tenuifolia; wild rocket) is an important component of ready to eat salads providing a distinct peppery flavour and containing nutritionally relevant compounds. Quality deteriorates during post-harvest, in relation to time and storage temperature amongst other factors. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are easily measurable from rocket leaves and may provide useful quality indicators for e.g. changes in isothiocyanates derived from nutritionally important glucosinolates. VOC profiles discriminated storage temperatures (0, 5 and 10°C) and times (over 14days). More specifically, concentrations of aldehydes and isothiocyanates decreased with time paralleling a fall in vitamin C and a reduction in sensorial quality at the two higher temperatures. Sulphur containing compounds rise at later time-points and at higher temperatures coincident with an increase in microbial titre, mirroring a further drop in sensorial quality thus indicating their contribution to off-odours.
School of Biosciences, Main Building, Cardiff University, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3TL, UK. Electronic address: spadaforan@cf.ac.uk.
Natasha D
ND
Spadafora
CBQF-Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Rua Arquiteto Lobão Vital, Apartado 2511, 4202-401 Porto, Portugal. Electronic address: aamaro@porto.ucp.pt.
Ana L
AL
Amaro
CBQF-Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Rua Arquiteto Lobão Vital, Apartado 2511, 4202-401 Porto, Portugal. Electronic address: mpereira@porto.ucp.pt.
Maria J
MJ
Pereira
School of Biosciences, Main Building, Cardiff University, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3TL, UK. Electronic address: mullerct@cf.ac.uk.
Carsten T
CT
Müller
CBQF-Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Rua Arquiteto Lobão Vital, Apartado 2511, 4202-401 Porto, Portugal. Electronic address: mpintado@porto.ucp.pt.
Manuela
M
Pintado
School of Biosciences, Main Building, Cardiff University, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3TL, UK. Electronic address: rogershj@cf.ac.uk.
Hilary J
HJ
Rogers
D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D019607:Brassicaceae / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000382:microbiology; D005519:Food Preservation; D005961:Glucosinolates / Q000032:analysis; D009753:Nutritive Value; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000382:microbiology; D013457:Sulfur Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D013649:Taste; D014675:Vegetables; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000032:analysis*
D005961:Glucosinolates; D013457:Sulfur Compounds; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds; D001205:Ascorbic Acid
2,4-Hexadienal (PubChem CID: 637564); 4-Oxohex-2-enal (PubChem CID: 6365145); 7-Hydroxycoumarin (PubChem CID: 5281426); Dimethyl disulphide (PubChem CID: 12232); Dimethyl sulfoxide (PubChem CID: 679); Dimethyl sulphide (PubChem CID: 1068); Diplotaxis tenuifolia; E/Z-2-hexenal (PubChem CID: 10460); E/Z-2-pentenal (PubChem CID: 12993); E/Z-3-hexenal (PubChem CID: 23234); Ferulic acid (PubChem CID: 445858); Functional and nutritional quality; Isothiocyanates; Post-harvest storage; Rocket salad; Volatile organic compounds