Shelf-life extension of American fresh ginseng by controlled atmosphere storage and modified atmosphere packaging

American ginseng roots were treated with an antimicrobial agent, and stored under various CA (2, 5, and 8% CO2) or MA conditions to extend the shelf-l ife. Changes in respiration rates during CA storage, gas composition in pac kages, saponin and free sugar content, and other quality factors were monit ored during storage. The respiration rate of ginseng increased rapidly duri ng the first month of high CO2 CA storage and then slowly decreased to stab le levels after 3 mo storage. In MA studies, the equilibrium CO2 concentrat ion was attained after 20 days. There were no noticeable changes In appeara nce, saponin content and free sugars after 3 mo CA (5% CO2) storage and MA packages.