Question
My research work is using Modified Atmosphere Packaging to extend the shelf life of organic baby corn and I want some information about its chilling injury and suitable film. (A.W.)
Answer
Corn or baby corn is not chilling sensitive and should be kept as close as possible to 0°C. Regarding MAP, oxygen concentrations in the range of 3-5% and carbon dioxide in range of 5-10% are conditions that are usually reported as beneficial to quality and shelf-life. Below are some references on corn. I doubt that conditions for baby corn would differ.
- Aharoni, Y., Z. Copel, M. Gil and E. Fallik. 1996. Polyolefin stretch films maintaining the quality of sweet corn during storage and shelf-life. Postharvest Biol. Tech. 7: 171-176.
- Brecht, J.K. 1998. Fresh-cut sweet corn kernels. Citrus and Vegetable Magazine 63(7): 36-37.
- Deak, T., E.K. Heaton, Y.C. Hung and L.R. Beauchat. 1987. Extending the shelf life of fresh sweet corn by shrink-wrapping, refrigeration, and irradiation. J. Food Sci. 52(6): 1625-1631.
- Manleitner, S., F. Lippert and G. Noga. 2003. Post-harvest carbohydrate change of sweet corn depending on film wrapping material. Acta Hort. 600: 603-605.
- Morales, Castro, J., M.A. Rao, J.H. Hotchkiss, and D.L. Downing. 1994. Modified atmosphere packaging of sweet corn on cob. J. Food Proc. Preserv. 18: 279-293.
- Riad, G.S., J.K. Brecht and S.T. Talcott. 2003. Browning of fresh-cut sweet corn kernels after cooking is prevented by controlled atmosphere storage. Acta Hort. 628: 387-394.
- Risse, L.A. and R.E. McDonald. 1990. Quality of supersweet corn film-overwrapped in trays. HortScience 25(3): 322-324.
- Rodov, V., A. Copel, M. Aharoni, Y. Aharoni, A. Wiseblum, B. Horev, and Y. Vinokur. 2000. Nested modified-atmosphere packages maintain quality of trimmed sweet corn during cold storage and the shelf life period. Postharvest Biol. Tech. 18: 259-266.
I hope this is helpful. –