Influence of growth stage and postharvest storage on ascorbic acid and carotenoid content and visual quality of baby spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)

To investigate the variations in quality with growth stage and postharvest storage, spinach was sown on three occasions. For each occasion, the spinach was harvested at three growth stages at 6-day intervals. The second stage corresponded to a growth period used for baby spinach by commercial growers. After harvest, the leaves were stored in polypropylene bags at 2 degrees C or 10 degrees C. The highest ascorbic acid content in fresh material was found at stage I. During storage, the ascorbic acid content decreased considerably and the dehydroascorbic acid/vitamin C ratio increased. Storage at 2 degrees C gave a smaller reduction in ascorbic acid content than storage at 10 degrees C. Total carotenoid content increased or remained stable during storage. Lutein was the major carotenoid, making up about 39% of the total carotenoid content, followed by violaxanthin, beta-carotene and neoxanthin. Visual quality decreased during storage in most cases, and was correlated to initial ascorbic acid and dry matter contents. The initial AA content might therefore be used as a parameter for predicting the shelf-life of baby spinach. The results also indicate that by harvesting baby spinach a few days earlier than the current commercial stage of harvest the postharvest visual quality and nutritional quality may be improved. (c) 2005 Society of Chemical Industry.