The lettuce was packaged in five different plastic films in bags forms (LDPE-50, LDPE -60, LDPE -100, BOPP-LDPE and Conservax-trade mark), under active modified atmosphere of 5% O2 and 10% CO2. It was accompanied the atmosphere changes with the determination of the O2 and CO2 concentration inside the package during the storage. The shelf life was determined through sensorial evaluation whit Descriptive Quantitative Analyses using a nine points hedonic scale to visual quality and five points hedonic scale to taste, flavor, and texture. Permeability and thickness films characteristics were analyzed. In the films with lowers permeability rates (BOPP- LDPE and Conservax) it was favored quickly cellular tissues degeneration and lettuce quality loss. The films with higher permeability rates (LDPE -50 and LDPE -60)favored quickly CO2 reduction. In spite of this, all the modified atmosphere packaging obtained the best results allowing to lettuce keep the adequate consume characteristics until ten days under storage.
Conservation; modified atmosphere; minimal process; gas permeability; shelf life; flexible films
