Two shoots (six to eight leaves each) were
sealed per 20 × 20-cm package constructed
from 127-μm-thick, low-density polyethylene
film using a Magneta 620 heat sealer. Shoots with bruised or damaged leaves were not used.
Four 26.5-gauge needle holes ( » 0.4 mm in
diameter) were punched through each package
to facilitate O2 and CO2 exchange. The
entire procedure of harvesting and packaging
took < 90 min in all experiments (harvesting,
30 rein; packaging, 60 rein). Basil packages
were held in darkness under black plastic for
the duration of all experimen