The evaluation of leaf surface
browning index was based on a scale from 1 to 5 (Rico et al., 2008),
where 1 ¼ no browning, 3 ¼ moderate/vascular bundles reddishbrown
and 5 ¼ severe browning for individual leaves. The assay
was repeated three times measuring the browning index independently
for each trial on three different bags (N ¼ 9).
Then, browning index evaluation was conducted by four panelists
in a blind manner.
At the end of trials, results from panelists, were merged so final
values represent the average round off decimals to scored values. As
concerns microbiological data, microbial population were
expressed as average values ± standard deviation.