Volatile Production and Decay During Storage of Cucumbers Waxed, Imazalil-treated, and Film-wrapped

Abstract

Film-wrapped cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.) stored 14 or 21 days at 7°C plus 3 days at 21° had less weight loss than nonwrapped cucumbers but not less than waxed or wrapped/waxed cucumbers. Waxed cucumbers, however, had an increased incidence of decay 3 days after transfer to 21°, from a 14- and 21-day storage period at 7°. Wrapped cucumbers had a higher incidence of decay than nonwrapped cucumbers only after 21 days of storage at 7°. Dipping of cucumbers in imazalil (IM) reduced the incidence of decay during all storage periods. While wrapping cucumbers did not increase volatile production, waxing increased emanations of acetaldehyde, ethanol, and methanol, indicating anaerobic respiration. Chemical names used: l-[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(2-propenyloxy)ethyl]-1H-imidazole (imazalil).