3.4. Color
The effect of both sodium hypochlorite and MAP on the color
of fresh-cut cilantros was determined by monitoring the changes in L*, a* and b* color values (Table 1). L* value
(lightness of the sample) decreased for all the samples
during their shelf life. Higher decrease in L* value of
control sample was observed during storage study. Sodium
hypochlorite dipping treatment was better than MAP
in maintaining the L* value of fresh-cut cilantro. Decrease
in L* value of combined treated (T2) sample was slower
than the other T1, NT1 and NT2 samples. Threshold value for
L* is around 49 which indicates visual color changes. Visual
color change was observed below 49 which was compared
with fresh cilantro sample. The a* value (redness when
positive or greenness when negative) also showed a
decreasing trend during storage period. Reduction in b*
value (yellowness when positive or blueness when negative)
was also observed during the storage. This shows that, fresh
cut sodium hypochlorite treated fresh-cut cilantros packed
under MAP resulted in the best maintenance of L*, a* and b*
values at 25 days of storage. These differences can be
observed in Fig. 3, where it is shown that the combined
treated sample maintained their color throughout the
storage period.