Comparison between conventional and vacuum storage system in cut foliage

In floriculture, marketing and product distribution are critical issues for all countries. The production area and selling markets may be very far from each others with long transportation periods. The storage and packaging systems play an important role in preserving quality and reducing costs. The aim of this work was to evaluate the possibility to use vacuum packaging for storage cut Eucalyptus parvifolia Cambage foliage without compromising the ornamental quality. Experiments were performed to compare vacuum packaging system with conventional wet storage (cut branches placed in water). Vacuum packs and cut branches were placed in water and stored at 4°C for 3, 4, 5 or 6 days. After storage the vase life was evaluated at 20°C in a postharvest evaluation room. During the experiments, vase life, relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll content, chlorophyll a fluorescence and ethylene production were determined. Results showed that short time of storage in vacuum packs slightly damaged the leaves of cut eucalyptus with chlorophyll content reduction. Cut eucalyptus conventionally stored, instead, did not show chlorophyll decline. Ethylene production, a marker of stress conditions, increased with prolonged storage. Cut branches, wet or vacuum stored for 3 days, showed the same vase life and similar quality characteristics. This period of time can be sufficient for transportation of this floriculture items and vacuum packaging can be suggested as packaging system for increasing the truck loading capacity. The increase of load per unit of surface during transport gives a significant cost reduction.