| Beet roots cv. Early Wonder were graded for firmness, color and size, and were peeled inside a cold room (10ºC). Roots were then shredded (2 mm thick), sanitized for 6 minutes (NaClO/200 mg L-1), rinsed and centrifuged. Fresh-cut beet roots were then treated for 5 minutes with citric acid in the following concentrations: 0 (control), 500; 1,000; 1,500 and 2,000 mg L-1. The material was centrifuged again, placed in trays, wrapped with PVC plastic film, and stored at 5ºC and 85-90% HR for 10 days. Every two days, treatments were analyzed for respiratory activity and betacyanin and betaxanthin contents. The application of citric acid caused the reduction of respiratory rate in the fresh-cut tissue. In the second day of storage, control showed the highest... |
