Summary Storage quality of minimally processed (MP) bunched onions, as affected by plastic film
packaging, was investigated to determine the optimum packing method for this vegetable
product. Five different packaging treatments, including two passive modified atmosphere
packaging (MAP), two active MAP and a moderate vacuum packaging (MVP), were used
for MP bunched onions. Quality attributes of the samples were evaluated periodically in
terms of weight loss, colour, decay ratio, microbial counts and sensory properties during
storage at 10 C for 28 days. Various sealed-packaging treatments did not significantly
influence changes in colour of white stem and green leaf tissues, flesh weight loss and
microbiological populations including mesophiles, psychrotrophs and lactic acid bacteria.
However, sensory attributes and disease incidence were affected by packaging type. MVP
with a gas-permeable plastic film retained better quality bunched onions, with reduced
microbial decay and visual sensory aspects, as compared with the other packages.