The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of ethylene and bioregulators on the respiratory activity and ethylene synthesis of minimally processed and whole beet roots. For the minimal processing, beet roots were graded for firmness, color and size, and were peeled. Roots were then sanitized, shredded (2 mm thick), rinsed and centrifuged. The following treatments were applied: ethylene (1000 µL L-1), 1-methylciclopropene (300 nL L-1) and salicylic acid (500 mg L-1). After treatments, beet roots were packed and stored at 5±1 ºC and 85±5% RH during 10 days. It was observed that salicylic acid use promoted the decrease of respiratory rates of minimally processed beet roots during all storage time. It was also noted difference between whole and minimally processed beet roots physiology. This difference was observed by the high values of respiratory activity and ethylene production rates in the minimally processed beet roots.
Beta vulgaris; methylciclopropene; salicylic acid; mechanical stress
