Y. Ueda et al., QUALITY AND STORABILITY OF SPINACH GROWN ON A SOLUTION CULTURE (NFT) IN SUMMER AND WINTER, Engei Gakkai Zasshi, 67(3), 1998, pp. 446-452
Quality and storability of spinach cultivars grown on solution culture
method known as Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) during the summer and w
inter months were studied. The temperature of the nutrient solution wa
s kept constant or non-controlled. 1. Cultivars frown in winter weighe
d more than those grown in summer. Some cultivars were grown fully in
summer, and the growth was improved by cooling the solution of the cul
ture. 2. There were not much difference on ascorbic acid and chlorophy
ll contents at harvest time between summer-and winter-grown spinach. 3
. Quality, based on freshness of spinach. declined equally during stor
age of both summer and winter spinach: Shelf life was estimated to be
around 12 days at 8 degrees C. Ascorbic acid content was decreased gra
dually, corresponding to the decrease in quality and chlorophyll conte
nt in winter spinach, whereas in summer spinach. ascorbic acid content
was almost disappeared within 5 days of storage although the quality
and chlorophyll content remained high.