• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.1110-1116
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• 2003

The effects of packaging methods on the storage quality of minimally processed (prepeeled) onions were investigated to determine the optimal packing design. Various packaging treatments used for modifying headspace atmospheres included two passive MAP using LDPE and PP films, two active MAP using a gas mixture of 20% $O_2/10%\;CO_2/balance\;N_2$ and an ethylene scavenging sachet, and moderate vacuum packaging (MVP). The quality attributes of onion samples were evaluated periodically in terms of flesh weight loss, color of cut surface, decay ratio, microbial counts, and sensory properties during storage at $10^{\circ}C$ for 28 days. Packaging methods did not significantly influence surface color, weight loss, and microbiological populations of mesophiles, psychrotrophs, and lactic acid bacteria. They did, however, affect sensory characteristics as well as decay occurrence. Results indicated that seal-packaging with a gas-permeable plastic film under a mild vacuum condition could retain better onion quality in terms of microbial decay and visual sensory aspects as compared with the other packages.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.239-245
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• 2004

Storage quality of minimally processed onion as influenced by hot-water dipping was investigated to examine feasibility of mild heat treatment as efficient post-processing method. fresh onions were peeled, trimmed, and dipped in hot water at various temperatures ($50-80^{\circ}C$) for 1 min. Heat-treated onions were cooled, de-watered, packaged in low density polyethylene (LDPE) film pouches ($63\;{\mu}m\;thickness$), and stored at $10^{\circ}C$. Samples treated at higher temperatures ($70-80^{\circ}C$) showed significant increases in flesh weight loss and discoloration during storage as compared to others. Hot-water dipping remarkably reduced initial microbial load of prepeeled onions, with over 1 log cycle decrease in aerobic bacterial count. After 7 days storage, no significant differences in viable aerobe count were observed among treated and untreated samples, with both showing $10^{6}-10^{7}\;CFU/g$. For sensory attributes including discoloration, wilting, decay, and visual quality, onions treated with hot-water dipping at $60^{\circ}C$ scored highest. Results suggested hot-water dipping at specific condition as practical post-processing treatment could effectively prolong shelf life of minimally processed onion.