Evaluation of quality, phenolic and carotenoid composition of fresh-cut purple polignano carrots stored in modified atmosphere

Purple Polignano carrot is a traditional Italian landrace cultivated in Apulia region rich in antioxidants and with a high nutritional value. On the other hand, these carrots showed a high perishability. The postharvest behaviour of fresh-cut purple Polignano carrots stored in open bags (AIR) or passive modified atmosphere (pMA) was studied, analysing the main qualitative parameters and the polyphenols and carotenoids profile. The storage in pMA allowed to preserve visual quality and respiration rate better than the storage in AIR. Polyphenols (hydroxycinnamic acids, their derivatives and anthocyanins) increased during storage of about 249 % in samples stored in pMA and of about 306 % in those stored in AIR at 4 °C during the first 4 days of storage, respect to fresh carrots. Instead, carotenoids mean content in carrots just after harvest (6.28 ± 0.48 mg kg-1 fw) did not change significantly during storage at 4 °C (both in AIR or pMA). According to our results, pMA resulted a valid solution to cold store fresh-cut purple Polignano carrots until two weeks, preserving quality and nutritional value.