Optimum harvest maturity and storage time of sweet corn are important for farmers to maximize profit by selling good quality produce. In this study, these parameters were determined by evaluating the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of three commercial varieties of shrunken 2 sweet corn as affected by harvest maturities (18, 20 and 22 days after 100% silking) and period of storage (1,3,5 days). As harvest maturity was extended, mass, total soluble solids and force gauge values generally increased while tenderness decreased. Conversely regardless of variety, the mass, TSS, tenderness and sensory characteristics decreased while mass loss and hardness increased with period of storage. Period of storage had negative correlations with TSS and sensory characteristics. On the other hand the more tender the kernel, the sweeter, juicer and more acceptable it was. No substantial relationship was found between TSS and perceived sweetness and tenderness. On the other hand, vitamin A content was not affected by harvest maturity. The results of the study showed that harvest maturity and period of storage had an effect on some of the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of sweet corn while the physicochemical and sensory characteristics also affect each other.

Physicochemical and Sensory Characteristics of Three Varieties of Shrunken 2 Sweet Corn (Zea mays L.) as Affected by Harvest Maturity and Period of Storage

Download

9 downloads0.00 KB