Microgreens are new and emerging products, which are young seedlings of vegetables and herbs. A
recent study showed that microgreens contain higher nutrients compared to their mature counterparts.
However, they typically have a short shelf life (1e2 days) at ambient temperature. The objective of this
study was to optimize postharvest handling conditions to reduce the quality loss and extend the shelf life
of daikon radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. longipinnatus) microgreens. Storage temperature, packaging
film, and wash treatment were investigated. Changes in headspace composition, quality index, chlorophyll
concentration, tissue electrolyte leakage, and aerobic mesophilic bacteria (AMB) and yeast & mold
(Y&M) counts were monitored periodically during storage. Results indicated that (1) storage temperature
significantly (P < 0.05) affected package atmosphere, product quality and shelf life. One degree Celsius
was the optimal temperature for storage of radish microgreens with no chilling injury observed; (2) film
oxygen transmission rate (OTR) significantly (P < 0.05) affected O2 and CO2 composition, but OTR did not
significantly affect quality attributes during 28 days of storage at 1 C; (3) Chlorine wash treatment
(100 mg/L) significantly reduced initial microbial populations by 0.5 log cfu g1, including AMB and Y&
M. However, microbial populations rebounded after day 7.