QUALITY CHANGES IN DICED ONIONS STORED IN FILM PACKAGES

Effects of a potassium permangenate gas absorbent and storage at 2 deg rees C on quality changes in modified atmosphere packaged diced onions was studied. A 3 mil packaging film resulted in equilibrated O-2 Of 2 .65% and CO2 level of 3.65%. Gas absorbent resulted in reduced ethylen e, carbon dioxide and sulfur volatiles. Maximum shear force values and total phenolics increased during storage, but were not affected by ga s absorbent. Glucose and fructose concentrations declined within one d ay after processing, which coincided with an increase in sucrose. Suga r concentrations remained stable thereafter, and were not affected by gas absorbent. Microbe colony forming units (CFU) increased during sto rage to 5.8 in controls and 7.1 (log CFU/g) in absorbent treated sampl es after 10 days at 2 degrees C.