Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
The effects of γ-ray irradiation and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on watercress (Nasturtium officinale R.
Br.) phenolic compounds were evaluated after 7-day storage at 4 °C. Irradiation doses of 1, 2 and 5 kGy were
tested, as well as vacuum-packaging and MAP enriched with 100% N2 and Ar. A non-irradiated, air-packaged
control was included in all experiments. p-Coumaric acid was the most abundant compound in fresh watercress,
followed by quercetin-3-O-sophoroside and isorhamnetin-O-hydroxyferuloylhexoside-O-hexoside. Four kaempferol
glycoside derivatives were identified for the first time in this species. In general, flavonoids predominated
over phenolic acids. Samples stored under vacuum and irradiated at 2 kGy revealed lower phenolic levels. Arenriched
MAP and control conditions preserved the initial phenolic content. The 5 kGy dose also maintained
concentrations of flavonoids and total phenolic compounds, but increased the phenolic acids content.
Additionally, flavonoids were found strongly correlated to DPPH% scavenging activity and β-carotene bleaching
inhibition capacity.
Description
Keywords
HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS Modified atmosphere packaging Nasturtium officinale Phenolic compounds Post-packaging irradiation Refrigerated storage
Pedagogical Context
Citation
Pinela, José; Barros, Lillian; Barreira, João C.M.; Carvalho, Ana Maria; Oliveira, M. Beatriz P.P.; Santos-Buelga, Celestino; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R. (2018). Postharvest changes in the phenolic profile of watercress induced by post-packaging irradiation and modified atmosphere packaging. Food Chemistry. ISSN 0308-8146. 254, p. 70-77