ABSTRACT
This study evaluated the behavior of sweet corn stored under ambient and refrigerated conditions, with or without precooling, using two kinds of plastic packages. A 2 x 2 x 2 in a completely randomised design factorial experiment was established. The metabolic activity was evaluated through determination of starch at the beginning of the experiment and after 24 and 48 hours of storage. For 24 hours of storage significant differences at 5% level were observed for precooling and for 48 hours treatments stored under ambient at 27o C temperature increased starch content significantly in comparison to stored under refrigerated conditions (10° C) at probability level of 1%. The concurrent use of special plastic package (poliofime, multilayer with high permeability to gases) resulted in the least starch percentage compared to those obtained with stretchable PVC.
Key words:
Zea mays L.; postharvest; package; storage