Ultrasound treatment to modified atmospheric packaged fresh-cut cucumber: Influence on microbial inhibition and storage quality

Highlights

• Ultrasound treatments inhibited microorganisms in fresh-cut cucumber during storage.

• Ultrasound treatment maintained good quality attributes of fresh-cut cucumber.

• Ultrasound treatment decreased water mobility by LF-NMR and MRI analysis.

• Ultrasound treatment enhanced the preservation of fresh-cut cucumber under MAP.

Abstract

Influence of ultrasound treatment on microorganisms and the quality of modified atmospheric packaged fresh-cut cucumber during storage were investigated. Fresh-cut cucumber was treated with ultrasound (US, 20 kHz) in different time (5, 10 and 15 min) and then modified atmospheric packaged as well as stored at 4 °C for 15 d. The results showed that US treatment inhibited the growth of total number of colonies, mold and yeast in modified atmospheric packaged fresh-cut cucumber during storage. US treatment for 10 min effectively reduced the loss of weight, firmness, total soluble solids and total color change (ΔE), the increase of MDA content and the degradation of ascorbic acid content and flavor, as well as decreased water mobility and maintained cell wall integrity in fresh-cut cucumber during storage. Therefore, these results demonstrated that US treatment was helpful for inhibiting microorganisms and improving storage quality, and could be an effective method to enhance the preservative effect of modified atmospheric packaged fresh-cut cucumber.