VEGETABLE CONSERVATION PROCESS

Abstract

The present invention refers to a process for the conservation of vegetables which comprises the steps of selecting a vegetable, performing a first immersion of the vegetable in a first solution which is an antioxidant solution comprising citric acid and ascorbic acid, performing a second immersion in a second solution which is an antioxidant solution comprising citric acid, ascorbic acid and sodium chloride, cook in a third solution comprising citric acid, ascorbic acid and sodium chloride, hydrocooling the vegetable with the third solution, perform a third immersion in a fourth solution which is an edible coating solution, bag the vegetable, and perform a seal with active or passive modified atmosphere or a vacuum seal.

Claims

1-16. (canceled)

17. A process for vegetable conservation comprising the steps of: performing a first immersion of a vegetable in a first antioxidant solution comprising citric acid and ascorbic acid; performing a second immersion in a second antioxidant solution comprising citric acid, ascorbic acid and sodium chloride; cooking said vegetable in a third solution comprising citric acid, ascorbic acid and sodium chloride; hydrocooling the vegetable with the third solution; performing a third immersion into a fourth edible coating solution; bagging the vegetable; and sealing the bag with an active modified atmosphere, a passive modified atmosphere or at vacuum.

18. A process according to claim 17, where the vegetable is selected from the group comprising: varieties of Cynara scolymus; species and varieties of the Capsicum genus; varieties of Pisum sativum; varieties of Asparagus officinalis; and varieties of Phaseolus Vulgaris.

19. A process according to claim 17, wherein the vegetable is subjected to at least one of: washing, disinfecting or peeling prior to the first immersion.

20. A process according to claim 19 where washing is performed with a food detergent and disinfecting is performed with peracetic acid.

21. A process according to claim 17, wherein the first antioxidant solution comprises said citric acid at a concentration of between 0.5% to 1.5% relative to the total weight of the first solution and said ascorbic acid at a concentration of between 0.1% up to 1% relative to the total weight of the first solution.

22. A process according to claim 17, wherein the second antioxidant solution comprises said citric acid at a concentration of between 0.1% up to 1% in relation to the total weight of the second solution; said ascorbic acid at a concentration of between 0.1% to 0.5% relative to the total weight of the second solution and said sodium chloride at a concentration of between 0.5% up to 1% in relation to the total weight of the second solution.

23. A process according to claim 17, wherein the third solution comprises said citric acid at a concentration of between 0.1% to 0.5% relative to the total weight of the third solution; said ascorbic acid at a concentration of between 0.05% to 0.15% relative to the total weight of the third solution; and said sodium chloride at a concentration of between 0.1% to 0.5% relative to the total weight of the third solution.

24. A process according to claim 17, where said vegetable is cooked at a temperature between 85 to 105° C. for a time range of between 4 to 20 minutes.

25. A process according to claim 17, wherein the vegetable is hydrocooled until the temperature of the vegetable is less than 6° C.

26. A process according to claim 17, wherein the fourth edible coating solution comprises a combination of ascorbic acid and calcium at a concentration of between 10 to 16% in relation to the total weight of the fourth edible coating solution, where ascorbate ions and calcium ions are present in a ratio of 1.5:1 to 3:1, respectively.

27. A process according to claim 17, wherein the fourth edible coating solution comprises a combination of ascorbic acid and calcium at a concentration of between 10 to 16% relative to the total weight of the fourth edible coating solution, where ascorbate ions and calcium ions are present at a ratio of 1.5:1 to 3:1, respectively, and chitosan at a concentration of between 0.4% to 0.6% relative to the total weight of the fourth edible coating solution.

28. A process according to claim 17, where in the third immersion the fourth edible coating solution is at a temperature below 6° C.

29. A process according to claim 17, wherein said bag is sealed with the active modified atmosphere by injecting a mixture of gases at a concentration of between 50 to 70% of the bag consisting of 2 to 6% of O.sub.2, 8 to 12% of CO.sub.2, and 82 to 90% of N.sub.2.

30. A process according to claim 17, wherein said vegetable is a V range vegetable.

31. A process according to claim 17, wherein said vegetable is a ready to eat vegetable.

32. A process according to claim 17, wherein said vegetable is a ready to use vegetable.

33. A process according to claim 17, further comprising the steps of storing and transporting said bagged vegetable.

34. A process according to claim 33, wherein said bagged vegetable is stored and transported at a temperature below 5° C.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0057] FIG. 1. Ranking analysis results of the visual appearance on bag of example 1.

[0058] FIG. 2. Shelf life results of 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms of example 1.

[0059] FIG. 3. Color evaluation results of the of artichoke bottoms in 5.sup.th Range of example 1.

[0060] FIG. 4. Taste assessment results of the of artichoke bottoms in 5.sup.th Range of example 1.

[0061] FIG. 5. Texture evaluation results of the artichoke bottoms in 5.sup.th Range of example 1.

[0062] FIG. 6. Odor assessment results of the artichoke bottoms in 5.sup.th Range of example 1.

[0063] FIG. 7. Ranking analysis results of the visual appearance on bag of example 2.

[0064] FIG. 8. Shelf-life results of the 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms of example 2.

[0065] FIG. 9. Color evaluation results of the 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms of example 2.

[0066] FIG. 10. Taste assessment results of the 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms of example 2.

[0067] FIG. 11. Texture assessment results of the 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms of example 2.

[0068] FIG. 12. Odor assessment results of the 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms of example 2.

[0069] FIG. 13. Ranking analysis results of the visual appearance on bag of example 3.

[0070] FIG. 14. Shelf-life results of the 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms of example 3.

[0071] FIG. 15. Color evaluation results of the 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms of example 3.

[0072] FIG. 16. Taste assessment results of the 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms of example 3.

[0073] FIG. 17. Texture assessment results of the 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms of example 3.

[0074] FIG. 18. Odor assessment results of the 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms of example 3.

[0075] FIG. 19. Ranking analysis results of the visual appearance on bag of example 4.

[0076] FIG. 20. Shelf life results of the 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms of example 4.

[0077] FIG. 21. Color evaluation results of the 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms of example 4.

[0078] FIG. 22. Taste assessment results of the 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms of example 4.

[0079] FIG. 23. Texture assessment results of the 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms of example 4.

[0080] FIG. 24. Odor assessment results of the 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms of example 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

[0081] 5.sup.th Range products are those foods that can be made up of several raw or pre-cooked ingredients, mostly vacuum-packed, that have received a pasteurization or other low-intensity thermal treatment, whose sensory and nutritional quality is similar to that of the freshly made product, and can be consumed quickly without the application of a prolonged preparation processes. The Shelf life of these products can vary between 2 and 6 months (in refrigeration), and up to 12 months depending on the intensity of the heat treatment applied.

[0082] Ready to Eat foods are an innovative proposal from the food industry, based on the new consumer trends in the most demanding markets, such as Europe, North America and Japan, and which is committed to a new way of offering the product. These ready to eat products only need a few minutes in an oven or microwave to be consumed.

[0083] Ready-to-use foods are foods, such as vegetables, that are easy to eat and do not require an additional procedure to incorporate them into the preparation of meals.

[0084] The present invention refers to a process for the conservation of vegetables, the process comprises the following steps: [0085] a. select a vegetable, [0086] b. carry out a first immersion of the vegetable in a first solution which is an antioxidant solution, [0087] c. carry out a second immersion into a second solution which is an antioxidant solution, [0088] d. cook in a third solution, [0089] e. hydrocool the vegetable with the third solution, [0090] f. carry out a third immersion into a fourth solution that is an edible coating solution, [0091] g. bag the vegetable, and [0092] h. seal the bag.

[0093] In an embodiment, the vegetable, or raw material, has to be fresh, clean and free of defects, that is, free of necrosis and in a suggested size of about 5 to 15 cm, where bigger or smaller sizes can be used. In a more preferred embodiment, the vegetable is selected from the following group, but not limited to: varieties of Cynara scolymus “artichoke”; species and varieties of the Capsicum genus; varieties of Pisum sativum such as green peas, pea, sweet pea or snow pea; varieties of Asparagus officinalis “asparagus”; varieties of Phaseolus Vulgaris such as fine and extra fine pods; the raw material can also refer to fruits.

[0094] In an embodiment, the vegetable is stored, washed, and disinfected, where the storage of raw material is done at a temperature of approximately 15 to 25° C., where other vegetables are stored at temperatures below 5° C., as appropriate. Washing is done with a detergent, preferably detercan® at a concentration of at least 0.25% for at least 8 minutes. Disinfection is performed with disinfectants suitable for vegetables, preferably with peracetic acid at a concentration of 100 ppm for at least 5 minutes. In some embodiments a peeling is performed, such as a cut or removal of the leaves or the skin of the raw material.

[0095] In an embodiment, the first immersion of the raw material is carried out in a first antioxidant solution comprising citric acid and ascorbic acid, preferably, the citric acid is present in a concentration of at least 0.5% up to 1.5% in relation to the total weight of the first solution, and the ascorbic acid is present in a concentration of at least 0.1% to 1% in relation to the total weight of the first solution; even more preferably, citric acid and ascorbic acid are present in a concentration of approximately 0.8 to 1.2% for citric acid and 0.4 to 0.6% for ascorbic acid, both in relation to the total weight of the first solution. The first immersion is carried out for at least 3 minutes, preferably for at least 5 minutes.

[0096] In another embodiment, the bottoms are formed after the first immersion, where the preferred size of the bottoms is around 5 to 10 cm.

[0097] In one embodiment, the second immersion of the raw material is carried out in a second antioxidant solution comprising citric acid, ascorbic acid and sodium chloride, preferably, the citric acid is present in a concentration of at least 0.1% up to 1% in relation to the total weight of the second solution, the ascorbic acid is present in a concentration of at least 0.1% up to 0.5% in relation to the total weight of the second solution, and sodium chloride is present in a concentration of at least 0.5% up to 1% in relation to the total weight of the second solution; even more preferably, citric acid, ascorbic acid and sodium chloride are present in a concentration of approximately 0.4 to 0.6%, 0.2 to 0.3%, and 0.65 to 0.85%, respectively, in relation to the total weight of the second solution. The second immersion is carried out for at least 5 minutes, preferably for at least 8 minutes.

[0098] In one embodiment, cooking is carried out in a third solution comprising citric acid, ascorbic acid and sodium chloride, preferably cooking is carried out at a temperature of at least 85° C. to 105° C., for a time of 4 to 20 minutes; in a preferred embodiment, citric acid is present in a concentration of 0.1% to 0.5% in relation to the total weight of the third solution, ascorbic acid is present in a concentration of 0.05% to 0.15% in relation to the total weight of the third solution, and sodium chloride is present in a concentration of 0.1% to 0.5% in relation to the total weight of the third solution; even more preferably, citric acid, ascorbic acid and sodium chloride are present in a concentration of approximately 0.1 to 0.3, 0.08 to 0.12, and 0.2 to 0.4%, respectively, in relation to the total weight of the third solution.

[0099] In one embodiment, hydrocooling is carried out in the third solution comprising citric acid, ascorbic acid and sodium chloride, where the temperature of the vegetable or the bottoms is sought to reach a temperature of between 2 and 10° C.

[0100] In one embodiment, a third immersion is carried out in a fourth solution which is an edible coating solution comprising a combination of ascorbic acid and calcium at a concentration of 10 to 16% in relation to the total weight of the fourth solution, where the ascorbate ions and the calcium ions are in a ratio of 1.5:1 to 3:1, respectively, preferably at a ratio of 2:1 to 2.5:1, respectively.

[0101] The ascorbic acid and calcium in the fourth solution also refer to ions of the same, to isomers of ascorbic acid such as erythorbic acid and their respective salts. The combination of ascorbic acid and calcium of the fourth solution also refers to a salt of both such as calcium ascorbate.

[0102] In another embodiment, the third immersion is carried out in a fourth solution which is an edible coating solution comprising chitosan at a concentration of between 0.1 to 1% in relation to the total weight of the fourth solution, preferably at a concentration of between 0.4 to 0.6%.

[0103] In another embodiment, a third immersion is carried out in a fourth solution which is an edible coating solution comprising a combination of ascorbic acid and calcium, and chitosan, where the combination of ascorbic acid and calcium is at a concentration of 10 to 16% in relation to the total weight of the fourth solution, where the ascorbate ions and the calcium ions are in a ratio of 1.5:1 to 3:1, respectively, preferably at a ratio of 2:1 to 2.5:1, respectively; and chitosan is at a concentration of 0.1 to 1% in relation to the total weight of the fourth solution, preferably at a concentration of 0.4 to 0.6%.

[0104] The third immersion is carried out in the fourth solution at a temperature below 6° C., for a time of at least 8 minutes.

[0105] In another embodiment, the coating solution is drained, at a temperature of at least approximately 5 to 20° C., for at least 5 minutes, with about 1 minute on each side.

[0106] In one embodiment, bagging is done preferably in bags suitable for the bagging of fresh vegetables, such as but not limited to flexible bags of 70 microns.

[0107] In an embodiment, the bags are sealed preferably with an active modified atmosphere, which includes an injection of a gas mixture into the bag, at a concentration of between 50 to 70% consisting of 2 to 6% O.sub.2, 8 to 12% CO.sub.2, and 82 to 90% N.sub.2. At the end of this step, the finished product is obtained.

[0108] In another embodiment, the finished product is stored, preferably at a temperature below 5° C., and even more preferably between 1 and 3° C.

[0109] In another embodiment, the finished product is transported at a temperature below 5° C., preferably between 1 and 3° C.

[0110] The process of the present invention allows a shelf life duration of the 5.sup.th Range vegetables, when there are 0, 1, 2 or more interruptions in the cooling chain, preferably up to 2 interruptions, of at least 5 days, preferably at least 20 days, and even more preferably for at least 30 days. In some embodiments, at least 45 days of useful shelf life is achieved.

EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS

Physicochemical Criteria

[0111] Raw material: pH, % Salt, % Acidity, and ° Brix.

[0112] Process: bottom thickness, pH, % salt, titratable acidity, and ° brix.

[0113] Finished product: gross weight, net weight, pH, % salt, and ° brix.

Sensory Criteria of the Finished Product

[0114] Texture, flavor, color, smell, and appearance.

Microbiological Criteria for Raw Material and Finished Product

[0115]

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Microbiological criteria Microbiological criteria U.S. EU Peru Mesophilic aerobes (Cfu /g) <10,000 — <10,000 Escherichia coli (Cfu /g) <100 <10 <10 Coliforms (Cfu /g) <100 <100 <100 Staphylococcus aureus Absence Absence <10 (Cfu /g) Molds (Cfu /g) <10,000 <1000 — Yeasts (Cfu /g) <10,000 <1000 — Salmonella sp. Absence Absence Absence

Example 1. 5.SUP.th .Range Artichoke Test, No Cold Chain Interruption (October 2019)

[0116] The shelf life assessment test was performed for 30 days, at a storage temperature of between 1 to 3° C. without cold chain interruption.

[0117] Design: Table 2 shows the treatments design for testing without cold chain interruption. Treatments M1 to M4 correspond to ready to eat artichoke, while the M5 treatment corresponds to ready to use artichoke.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Uninterrupted cold chain test. First Second Edible Immersion Immersion Cooking Coating No Bag (T = ~20° C., (T = ~20° C., (T = Hydrocooling (T = ~2-3° C., Sample bottoms number Field tmin = ~5′) tmin = ~5′) ~100° C.) (T = ~3-5° C.) t = ~3′) Packaging M1 90 30 A Citric Acid Citric acid t = 12′ Citric acid Sol. 13-15% Active 0.8-1.2% 0.4-0.6%, 0.1-0.3%, of Ascorbic modified and Ascorbic Ascorbic Acid Acid and atmospheres Ascorbic Acid 0.2- 0.08-0.12% calcium, Acid 0.4- 0.3% and and sodium Ascorb ion 0.6% sodium chloride 0.2- ratio from chloride 0.4% 2:1 to 2:5. M2 90 30 A 0.65-0.85% Sol. mixture 13-15% Ascorbic Ac. and calcium, Ascorb:Ca ion ratio from 2:1 to 2:5 + chitosan 0.4 to 0.6% M3 90 30 B Sol. 13-15% Ascorbic Ac. and calcium, Ascorb:Ca ion ratio from 2:1 to 2:5. M4 90 30 B Sol. mixture 13-15% Ascorbic Ac. and calcium, Ascorb:Ca ion ratio from 2:1 to 2:5. + chitosan 0.4 to 0.6% M5 36 12 B t = 5′  Sol. 13-15% Ascorbic Ac. and calcium, Ascorb:Ca ion ratio from 2:1 to 2:5. T: temperature, t = time, Ascorb:Ca = ratio of ascorbate and calcium ions

Results

Raw Material

[0118] Raw material (artichoke) Field A: Artichokes from Field A have on average, an equatorial diameter of about 9.28 cm; pH 6.16; 0.47% sodium chloride; 0.20% titratable acidity and 12.50° Brix. Regarding the microbiological analysis, they have an average of 88×10.sup.4 Cfu/g of mesophilic aerobes, 12×10.sup.4 Cfu/g of Coliforms, 12×10.sup.3 Cfu/g of Molds and 17×10.sup.3 Cfu/g of Yeasts. [0119] Raw material (artichoke) Field B: Artichokes from Field B have on average, an equatorial diameter of about 9.84 cm, pH 6.25, 0.40% sodium chloride, 0.16% titratable acidity and 14.50° Brix. Regarding the microbiological analysis, they have an average of 12×10.sup.5 Cfu/g of mesophilic aerobes, 16×10.sup.4 Cfu/g of Coliforms, 18×10.sup.3 Cfu/g of Molds and 32×10.sup.4 Cfu/g of Yeasts.

Visual Appearance of Bags

[0120] FIG. 1 shows the results obtained from the evaluation of the visual appearance of a bag of 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms by means of a ranking order. On day 30, treatments M1 and M3 showed better visual appearance followed by treatment M2 and M4. While the M5 treatment showed better visual appearance on day 1, however, it lost visual quality over time.

Shelf Life of 5.SUP.th .Range Artichoke Bottoms

[0121] FIG. 2 shows the results obtained from the sensory evaluation of 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms by means of a hedonic scale. All the ready-to-eat treatments (M1, M2, M3 and M4) and ready-to-use M5 reached 32 days of shelf life in all the parameters evaluated: physical-chemical, microbiological and sensory.

Color Assessment of the 5.SUP.th .Range Artichoke Bottoms

[0122] FIG. 3 shows the results obtained from the sensory—color evaluation of the 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms by means of a hedonic scale, all the ready to eat treatments M1, M2, M3 and M4 and ready to use M5 did not show significant differences between treatments during the 32 days of sensory evaluation.

Taste Assessment of 5.SUP.th .Range Artichoke Bottoms

[0123] FIG. 4 shows the results obtained from the sensory—flavor evaluation of the 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms by means of a hedonic scale, the ready to eat treatments M1, M2, M3 and ready to use M5 did not present significant differences between treatments during the 32 days of sensory evaluation. While the ready-to-eat M4 treatment with edible coating: mixture of a solution of 13-15% of ascorbic acid and calcium with ionic ratio ascorbate:calcium from 2:1 to 2:5 + chitosan 0.4 to 0.6%, maintains its sensory quality until day 25, then loses sensory-flavor quality, ending with an acceptance of 5 by the panelists (neither like nor dislike it), being very close to the established acceptance limit of 4.5.

Evaluation of the Texture of 5.SUP.th .Range Artichoke Bottoms

[0124] FIG. 5 shows the results obtained from the sensory—texture evaluation of the 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms by means of a hedonic scale, it can be appreciated that there is a direct relationship between texture and flavor (see FIG. 4), therefore, if the texture of the artichoke is fibrous the characteristic flavor of the artichoke is distorted. On the other hand, the ready to eat treatments M1, M2, M3 and ready to use M5 did not show significant differences between treatments during the 32 days of sensory evaluation. While the ready to eat M4 treatment with edible coating: a mixture of a solution of 13-15% of ascorbic acid and calcium with ionic ratio ascorbate:calcium from 2:1 to 2:5.+chitosan 0.4 to 0.6%, maintains its sensory quality until day 25, then it loses sensory quality ending with an acceptance of 5 by the panelists (neither like nor dislike it) being very close to the established acceptance limit of 4.5.

Evaluation of the Smell of 5.SUP.th .Range Artichoke Bottoms

[0125] FIG. 6 shows the results obtained from the sensory—odor evaluation of the 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms by means of a hedonic scale, the ready to eat treatments M1, M2, M3 and ready to use M5 did not present significant differences between treatments during the 32 days of sensory evaluation. While the ready-to-eat M4 treatment with edible coating: mixture of a solution of 13-15% of ascorbic acid and calcium with ionic ratio ascorbate:calcium from 2:1 to 2:5. +chitosan 0.4 to 0.6%, maintains its sensory quality until day 25, then loses sensory quality ending with an acceptance of 4.5 by the panelists being at the established acceptance limit.

Example 2. 5.SUP.th .Range Artichoke Test, No Cold Chain Interruption (November 2019)

[0126] The shelf life assessment test was performed for 30 days, at a storage temperature of between 1 to 3° C. without cold chain interruption.

[0127] Design: Table 3 shows the treatments design for testing without cold chain interruption. Treatments M1 to M4 correspond to ready to eat artichoke, while the M0 treatment corresponds to ready to use artichoke.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Uninterrupted cold chain test. First Second Immersion Immersion Cooking Edible Coating No Bag (T = ~20° C., (T = ~20° C., (T = ~100° Hydrocooling (T = ~2-3° C., Sample bottoms number Field tmin = ~5′) tmin = ~5′) C.) (T = ~3-5° C.) t = ~3′) Packaging M1 60 20 A Citric acid Citric acid t = 11′ Citric Acid Sol. 13-15% of Active 0.8-1.2% 0.4-0.6%, 0.1-0.3%, Ascorbic Acid modified and Ascorbic Ascorbic Acid and calcium, atmospheres Ascorbic Acid 0.2- 0.08-0.12% Ascorb:Ca ion Acid 0.4- 0.3% and and sodium ratio from 2:1 0.6% sodium chloride 0.2- to 2:5. M2 60 20 A chloride 0.4% Sol. mixture 0.65-0.85% 13-15% Ascorbic Ac. and calcium, Ascorb:Ca ion ratio from 2:1 to 2:5 + chitosan 0.4 to 0.6% M3 90 30 B Sol. 13-15% Ascorbic Ac. and calcium, Ascorb:Ca ion ratio from 2:1 to 2:5. M4 90 30 B Sol. mixture 13-15% Ascorbic Ac. and calcium, Ascorb:Ca ion ratio from 2:1 to 2:5. + chitosan 0.4 to 0.6% M0 21 7 B t = 5′  Sol. 13-15% Ascorbic Ac. and calcium, Ascorb:Ca ion ratio from 2:1 to 2:5. T: temperature, t = time

Results

Raw Material

[0128] Raw material (artichoke) Field A: Artichokes coming from Field A have an equatorial diameter of about 10.00 cm, being unable to perform the destructive physical-chemical analysis (pH, % Salt, titratable acidity and ° Brix) due to the low availability of raw material. Regarding the microbiological analysis, they have an average of 49×10.sup.4 Cfu/g of mesophilic aerobes, 71×10.sup.3 Cfu/g of Coliforms, 18×10.sup.3 Cfu/g of Molds and 56×10.sup.3 Cfu/g of Yeasts. [0129] Raw material (artichoke) Field B: Artichokes from Field B have an equatorial diameter of 8.89 cm, pH 6.33, 0.10% sodium chloride, 0.16% titratable acidity and 9 ° Brix, field B meets all established physical-chemical parameters. Regarding the microbiological analysis, they have an average of 16×10.sup.4 Cfu/g of mesophilic aerobes, 47×10.sup.2 Cfu/g of Coliforms, 10×10.sup.2 Cfu/g of Molds and 38×10.sup.2 Cfu/g of Yeasts.

[0130] In addition, the microbiological parameters for both fields are within the limits allowed by the Peruvian regulations.

Visual Appearance of the Bags

[0131] FIG. 7 shows the results obtained from the evaluation of the visual appearance of a bag of 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms by means of a ranking order, on day 31, the ready to eat treatments M1 and M2 showed a better visual appearance followed by the M4 treatment and the ready to use M0 treatment. While the ready to eat M3 treatment is losing visual quality over time.

Shelf Life of 5.SUP.th .Range Artichoke Bottoms

[0132] FIG. 8 shows the results obtained from the sensory evaluation of 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms by means of a hedonic scale, all the ready to eat M1, M3 and M4 treatments reached 32 days of shelf life in all parameters evaluated: physical-chemical, microbiological and sensory.

[0133] As for the ready-to-eat M2 treatment, 31 days were reached for sensory and physical-chemical parameters and 24 days for microbiological parameters. Likewise, the microbiological analysis to the ready to use M0 treatment was only performed on day 31, having abnormal values, however, this treatment reached 31 days in the physical-chemical and sensorial parameters.

Color Assessment of the 5.SUP.th .Range Artichoke Bottoms

[0134] FIG. 9 shows the results obtained from the sensory—color evaluation of the 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms by means of a hedonic scale, all the ready to eat treatments M1, M2, M3 and M4 and ready to use M0 did not show significant differences between treatments during the 32 days of sensory evaluation.

Taste Assessment of 5.SUP.th .Range Artichoke Bottoms

[0135] FIG. 10 shows the results obtained from the sensory—flavor evaluation of the 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms by means of a hedonic scale, the ready to eat treatments M1, M2, M3, M4 and ready to use M0 loose sensory—taste quality without significant differences between treatments during the 24 days of sensory evaluation. On day 31, samples of the M0, M1 and M2 treatments did not present significant differences between treatments, while the ready-to-eat M4 treatment with edible coating: mixture of a solution of 13-15% of ascorbic acid and calcium with ionic ratio ascorbate:calcium from 2:1 to 2:5 +chitosan 0.4 to 0.6%, loses sensory-flavor quality, ending up with an acceptance of 5 by the panelists (neither like nor dislike it), being very close to the established acceptance limit of 4.5.

Evaluation of the Texture of 5.SUP.th .Range Artichoke Bottoms

[0136] FIG. 11 shows the results obtained from the sensory—texture evaluation of the 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms by means of a hedonic scale, it can be appreciated that there is a direct relationship between texture and flavor (see FIG. 10), therefore, if the texture of the artichoke is fibrous the characteristic flavor of the artichoke is distorted. On the other hand, the ready to eat treatments M1, M2, M3 and ready to use M0 lose sensory—texture quality and did not show significant differences between treatments during the 31 days of sensory evaluation. While the ready-to-eat treatment M4 with edible coating: mixture of a solution of 13-15% of ascorbic acid and calcium with ionic ratio ascorbate:calcium from 2:1 to 2:5 +chitosan 0.4 to 0.6%, lose sensory quality ending with an acceptance of 5 by the panelists (neither like nor dislike it) being very close to the established acceptance limit of 4.5.

Evaluation of the Smell of 5.SUP.th .Range Artichoke Bottoms

[0137] FIG. 12 shows the results obtained from the sensory—odor evaluation of the 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms by means of a hedonic scale, the ready to eat treatments M1, M2, M3, M4 and ready to use M0 lose sensory-texture quality and did not show significant differences between treatments during the 31 days of sensory evaluation.

Example 3. 5.SUP.th .Range Artichoke Test, No Cold Chain Interruption (December 2019)

[0138] The shelf life assessment test was performed for 30 days, at a storage temperature of between 1 to 3° C. without cold chain interruption.

[0139] Design: Table 4 shows the treatments design for testing without cold chain interruption. Treatments M1 to M4 correspond to ready to eat artichoke, while treatments M5 and M6 correspond to ready to use artichoke.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Uninterrupted cold chain test. First Second Immersion Immersion Cooking Edible Coating No Bag (T = ~20° C., (T = ~20° C., (T = ~100° Hydrocooling (T = ~2-3° C., Sample bottoms number Field tmin = ~5′) tmin = ~5′) C.) (T = ~3-5° C.) t = ~3′) Packaging M1 90 30 A Citric Acid Citric acid t = 11′ Citric acid Sol. 13-15% of Active 0.8-1.2% 0.4-0.6%, 0.1-0.3%, Ascorbic Acid modified and Ascorbic Ascorbic Acid and calcium, atmospheres Ascorbic Acid 0.2- 0.08-0.12% Ascorb:Ca ion (AMA) Acid 0.4- 0.3% and and sodium ratio from 2:1 0.6% sodium chloride 0.2- to 2:5. M2 90 30 A chloride 0.4% Sol. mixture 0.65-0.85% 13-15% Ascorbic Ac. and calcium, Ascorb:Ca ion ratio from 2:1 to 2:5 + chitosan 0.4 to 0.6% M3 90 30 B Sol. 13-15% Ascorbic Ac. and calcium, Ascorb:Ca ion ratio from 2:1 to 2:5. M4 90 30 B Sol. mixture 13-15% Ascorbic Ac. and calcium, Ascorb:Ca ion ratio from 2:1 to 2:5. + chitosan 0.4 to 0.6% M5 90 30 B t = 5′  Sol. mixture 13-15%     Ascorbic Acid and calcium, Ascorb:Ca ion ratio from 2:1 to 2:5. + chitosan 0.4 to 0.6% M6 90 30 B Sol. 13-15% Ascorbic Ac. and calcium, Ascorb:Ca ion ratio from 2:1 to 2:5. T: temperature, t = time

Results

Raw Material

[0140] Raw material (artichoke) Field A: Artichokes coming from Field A have an equatorial diameter of about 8.24 cm, pH 6.29, 0.10% sodium chloride, 0.13% titrable acidity and 11° Brix, field A meets all established physical-chemical parameters. Regarding the microbiological analyses, they have on average, 25×10.sup.5 Cfu/g of mesophilic aerobes, 21×10.sup.5 Cfu/g of Coliforms, 35×10.sup.2 Cfu/g of Molds and 11×10.sup.4 Cfu/g of Yeasts. [0141] Raw material (artichoke) Field B: Artichokes from Field B have an equatorial diameter of 8.35 cm, pH 6.55, 0.10% Salt, 0.10% titrable acidity and 4° Brix, a brix lower than stipulated for the raw material is presented. Regarding the microbiological analyses, they have on average 22×10.sup.5 Cfu/g of mesophilic aerobes, 40×10.sup.4 Cfu/g of Coliforms, 30×10.sup.2 Cfu/g of Molds and 12×10.sup.3 Cfu/g of Yeasts.

Visual Appearance of Bags

[0142] FIG. 13 shows the results obtained from the evaluation of the visual appearance of a bag of 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms by means of a ranking order, on day 31, treatments M1 and M5 showed a better visual appearance followed by treatment M2 and treatment M3. While the M4 treatment was evaluated up to day 16 due to microbial growth problems in the artichoke bottoms, as well as in the M6 treatment the presence of colonies in the bottoms arises on day 23, the last day of evaluation.

Shelf Life of 5.SUP.th .Range Artichoke Bottoms

[0143] FIG. 14 reports the results obtained from the sensory, physical-chemical and microbiological evaluation carried out for 30 days to the 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms. The M1 treatment reached 30 days of shelf life in all the evaluated parameters: physical-chemical, microbiological and sensory. The Ready to eat treatments M2 and M3 reached 30 days of shelf life in the physical-chemical and sensorial parameters, while in the microbiological parameter they reached 23 days of shelf life. The Ready to eat treatment M4 reached 16 days of shelf life in all the evaluated parameters: physical-chemical, microbiological and sensory. On the other hand, only physical-chemical and sensory analyses were carried out in the ready to use treatments M5 reaching 30 days, while the ready to use treatment M6 reached 23 days because it showed growth of colonies on the surface of the bottoms.

Color Assessment of the 5.SUP.th .Range Artichoke Bottoms

[0144] FIG. 15 shows the results obtained from the sensory—color evaluation of the 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms by means of a hedonic scale, all the ready to eat treatments M1, M2 and M3, and ready to use M5 did not show significant differences between treatments during the 30 days of sensory evaluation maintaining their sensory-color quality. While the ready to eat M4 and ready to use M6 treatments were only analyzed until they showed the presence of colonies on the surface of the artichoke bottoms on day 16 for M4 and day 23 for M6.

Taste Assessment of 5.SUP.th .Range Artichoke Bottoms

[0145] FIG. 16 shows the results obtained from the sensory—flavor evaluation of the 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms by means of a hedonic scale, the ready to eat treatments Ml, M2 and M3 and ready to use M5 lose sensory-flavor quality without showing significant differences between treatments during 30 days of sensory evaluation. The ready to eat M4 and ready to use M6 treatments in field B were only analyzed until they showed the presence of colonies on the surface of the artichoke bottoms on day 16 for M4 and on day 23 for M6.

Evaluation of the Texture of 5.SUP.th .Range Artichoke Bottoms

[0146] FIG. 17 shows the results obtained from the sensory—texture evaluation of the 5th Range artichoke bottoms by means of a hedonic scale, it can be appreciated that there is a direct relationship between texture and flavor, therefore, if the texture of the artichoke is fibrous the characteristic flavor of the artichoke is distorted. On the other hand, the ready to eat treatments M1, M2, M3 and ready to use M5 lose sensory—texture quality and did not show significant differences between treatments during the 30 days of sensory evaluation. On the other hand, the ready to eat treatments M4 and ready to use M6 were only analyzed until they showed the presence of colonies on the surface of artichoke bottoms on day 16 for M4 and on day 23 for M6.

Evaluation of the Smell of 5.SUP.th .Range Artichoke Bottoms

[0147] FIG. 18 shows the results obtained from the sensory—odor evaluation of the 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms by means of a hedonic scale, the ready to eat treatments M1, M2 and M3 and ready to use M5 lose sensory-odor quality and did not show significant differences between treatments during the 30 days of sensory evaluation. However, the ready to eat M4 and ready to use M6 treatments were only analyzed until they showed the presence of colonies on the surface of the artichoke bottoms on day 16 for M4 and on day 23 for M6.

Example 4. 5.SUP.th .Range Artichoke Test, No Cold Chain Interruption (January 2020)

[0148] The shelf life assessment test was performed for 30 days, at a storage temperature of between 1 to 3° C. without cold chain interruption.

[0149] Design: Table 5 shows the treatments design for testing without cold chain interruption. Treatments M1 to M4 correspond to ready to eat artichoke, while the M5 and M6 treatments correspond to ready to use artichoke.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Uninterrupted cold chain test. First Second Immersion Immersion Cooking Edible Coating No Bag (T = ~20° C., (T = ~20° C., (T = ~100° Hydrocooling (T = ~2-3° C., Sample bottoms number Field tmin = ~5′) tmin = ~5′) C.) (T = ~3-5° C.) t = ~3′) Packaging M1 90 30 A Citric Acid Citric acid t = 11′ Citric acid Sol. 13-15% of Active 0.8-1.2% 0.4-0.6%, 0.1-0.3%, Ascorbic Acid Modified and Ascorbic Ascorbic Acid and calcium, Atmospheres Ascorbic Acid 0.2- 0.08-0.12% Ascorb:Ca ion (AMA) Acid 0.4- 0.3% and and sodium ratio from 2:1 0.6% Sodium chloride 0.2- to 2:5. M2 90 30 A Chloride 0.4% Sol. mixture 0.65-0.85% 13-15% Ascorbic Ac. and calcium, Ascorb:Ca ion ratio from 2:1 to 2:5 + chitosan 0.4 to 0.6% M3 90 30 B Sol. 13-15% Ascorbic Ac. and calcium, Ascorb:Ca ion ratio from 2:1 to 2:5. M4 90 30 B Sol. mixture 13-15% Ascorbic Ac. and calcium, Ascorb:Ca ion ratio from 2:1 to 2:5. + chitosan 0.4 to 0.6% M5 90 30 B t = 5′  Sol. mixture 13-15% Ascorbic Ac. and calcium, Ascorb:Ca ion ratio from 2:1 to 2:5. + chitosan 0.4 to 0.6% M6 90 30 B Sol. 13-15% Ascorbic Ac. and calcium, Ascorb:Ca ion ratio from 2:1 to 2:5. T: temperature, t = time

Results

Raw Material

[0150] Raw material (artichoke) Field A: Artichokes coming from Field A have an equatorial diameter of 7.27 cm, pH 6.48, 0.29% Salt, 0.32% titrable acidity and 19.7° Brix, field A meets all the established physical-chemical parameters. Regarding the microbiological analyses, they have on average, 11×10.sup.5 Cfu/g of mesophile aerobes, 49×10.sup.4 Cfu/g of Coliforms, 23×10.sup.3 Cfu/g of Molds and 20×10.sup.3 Cfu/g of Yeasts. [0151] Raw material (artichoke) Field B: Artichokes from Field B have an equatorial diameter of 7.36 cm, pH 6.61, 0.33% Salt, 0.16% titrable acidity and 16.7° Brix, field B meets all the established physical-chemical parameters. Regarding the microbiological analyses, they have on average 44×10.sup.5 Cfu/g of mesophilic aerobes, 13×10.sup.6 Cfu/g of Coliforms, 35×10.sup.4 Cfu/g of Molds and 29×10.sup.4 Cfu/g of Yeasts.

[0152] The microbiological parameters for both fields are within the limits allowed by Peruvian regulations.

Visual Appearance of Bags

[0153] FIG. 19 shows the results obtained from the evaluation of the visual appearance of a bag of 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms by means of a ranking order, during the 22 days of evaluation, the ready to use treatments M5 and M6 showed better visual appearance. The ready to eat treatment M4 has a good visual appearance, however, some samples of this treatment showed microbial growth, so it was only used for the visual appearance analysis and was discarded for the sensory analysis.

Shelf Life of 5.SUP.th .Range Artichoke Bottoms

[0154] FIG. 20 reports the results obtained from the sensory, physical-chemical and microbiological evaluation carried out for 30 days on the 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms. The ready to eat treatments M1, M2 and M3 reached 22 days of shelf life in the microbiological and sensory parameters, while the physical-chemical parameters reached 15 days. The Ready to eat treatments M4 reached 22 days in the microbiological parameters (showed colony growth on the surface of the artichoke bottoms), reached 15 days in the physical-chemical parameters (the pH decreased and the percentage of acidity increased) and sensory parameters (no sensory evaluation was carried out after day 22). On the other hand, only physical-chemical and sensory analysis were carried out in the ready to use treatments M5 and M6, reaching 22 days in the sensory analysis and 15 days in the physical-chemical analysis.

Color Assessment of the 5.SUP.th .Range Artichoke Bottoms

[0155] FIG. 21 shows the results obtained from the sensory—color evaluation of the 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms by means of a hedonic scale, all the ready to eat treatments M1, M2 and M3 and ready to use M5 and M6 did not show significant differences between treatments during the 22 days of sensory evaluation maintaining their sensory-color quality. The M4 treatment was only analyzed until day 15, because on day 22 it showed colony growth on the surface of the artichoke bottoms. Sensory evaluations were not performed on all treatments on day 30 because of microbial growth on the surface of the bottoms in all samples.

Taste Assessment of 5.SUP.th .Range Artichoke Bottoms

[0156] FIG. 22 shows the results obtained from the sensory—flavor evaluation of the 5.sup.th Range bottoms by means of a hedonic scale, the ready to eat treatments M1, M2 and

[0157] M3 and ready to use M5 and M6 lose sensory-flavor quality without showing significant differences between treatments during 22 days of sensory evaluation. The ready to eat treatment M4 was only analyzed until day 15, because on day 22 it showed colony growth on the surface of the artichoke bottoms. Sensory evaluations were not performed in all treatments on day 30 because of microbial growth on the surface of the bottoms in all samples.

Evaluation of the Texture of 5.SUP.th .Range Artichoke Bottoms

[0158] FIG. 23 shows the results obtained from the sensory—texture evaluation of the 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms by means of a hedonic scale, it can be appreciated that there is a direct relationship between texture and flavor, therefore, if the texture of the artichoke is fibrous the characteristic flavor of the artichoke is distorted. On the other hand, the ready to eat treatments M1, M2 and M3 and ready to use M5 and M6 lose sensory-texture quality and did not show significant differences between treatments during the 22 days of sensory evaluation. On the other hand, the ready to eat treatment M4 was only analyzed until day 15, because on day 22 it showed colony growth on the surface of the artichoke bottoms. Sensory evaluations were not performed on all treatments on day 30 because of microbial growth on the surface of the bottoms in all samples.

Evaluation of the Smell of 5.SUP.th .Range Artichoke Bottoms

[0159] FIG. 24 shows the results obtained from the sensory—odor evaluation of the 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms by means of a hedonic scale, the ready to eat treatments M1, M2 and M3 and ready to use M5 and M6 lose sensory-odor quality and did not show significant differences between treatments during the 22 days of sensory evaluation. However, the ready to eat treatment M4 was only analyzed until day 15, because on day 22 it showed colony growth on the surface of the artichoke bottoms. Sensory evaluations were not performed on all treatments on day 30 because of microbial growth on the surface of the bottoms in all samples

Example 5. 5.SUP.th .Range Artichoke Test, with Cold Chain Interruption (September 2018)

[0160] The shelf life of 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms for export is evaluated by simulating the conditions of air transport, where one or more interruptions in the cold chain are produced, regularly occurring after 4 days (12 to 24 hours) of being processed and a possible second interruption on the 18.sup.th day, simulating the temperature and time that can occur from purchase to consumption.

[0161] Evaluations to the product were made within the objective of reaching 30 days of shelf life stored in refrigeration from 1 to 3° C. producing 3 storage conditions: no interruption, 1 interruption and 2 interruptions of cold chain.

Interruptions

[0162] M.sub.7 and M.sub.10: No cold chain interruption.

[0163] M.sub.8 and M.sub.11: Cold chain interruption day 4 for 24 hours

[0164] M.sub.9 and M.sub.12: Cold chain interruptions day 4 and 18 for 24 hours

Experimental Design

[0165]

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Interrupted cold chain test. First Second Cooking Immersion Immersion (T = ~100° Edible Coating Bag (T = ~20° C., (T = ~20° C., C., t = Hydrocooling (T = ~2-3° C., Sample number tmin = ~5′) tmin = ~10′) ~3′-3.2′) (T = ~10-15° C.) t = ~3′) Packaging M7  35 Citric Acid 0.8- Sol. 1-4% of Citric acid Water chitosan 0.5 to 1.5% Vacuum M8  32 1.2% and Ascorbic Acid 0.1-0.3%, Packaging (VP) M9  20 Ascorbic Acid and calcium, Ascorbic M10 35 0.4-0.6% Ascorb:Ca ion Acid 0.08- Active M11 32 ratio from 2:1 to 0.12% Modified M12 20 2:5. and Atmospheres sodium (AMA) chloride 0.2-0.4% T: temperature, t = time, t min = minimum time, each bag has 3 bottoms

TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Cold chain interruptions. Evaluation days** 1 2 7- 8- 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Sample Sept Sept 9-Sept 10-Sept 11-Sept 12-Sept 13-Sept 14-Sept 15-Sept 16-Sept 17-Sept 18-Sept 19-Sept 20-Sept 21-Sept M.sub.7 X X X X M.sub.8 ◯ X X X X M.sub.9 ◯ M.sub.10 X X X X M.sub.11 ◯ X X X X M.sub.12 ◯ Evaluation days** 16 17 22- 23- 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Sample Sept Sept 24-Sept 25-Sept 26-Sept 27-Sept 28-Sept 29-Sept 30-Sept 1-Oct 2-Oct 3-Oct 4-Oct 5-Oct 6-Oct M.sub.7 X X X X X X M.sub.8 X X X X X M.sub.9 ◯ X X X X X M.sub.10 X X X X X X M.sub.11 X X X X X M.sub.12 ◯ X X X X X ◯ = Cold Interruption; X = evaluation

[0166] The 5.sup.th RANGE—AMA (Active Modified Atmospheres) treatment of artichoke bottoms in their 3 storage conditions, without interruption M10, one interruption M11 and two interruptions M12 of the cold chain) using a mixture of citric and ascorbic acid (first immersion), a mixture of a solution of 1-4% of ascorbic acid and calcium with ionic ratio ascorbate:calcium from 2:1 to 2:5 (second immersion) a mixture of citric acid, ascorbic acid and sodium chloride for scalding (blanching), chitosan solution or chitosan at 0.5-1.5% (edible coating) and packaged with an injection of 50-70% gas mixture (2 to 6% O.sub.2, 8 to 12% CO.sub.2, and 82 to 90% N.sub.2) in a flexible bag with a thickness of 100 microns; reached the 30 day goal only in the physical-chemical (pH and gross weight loss) and microbiological parameters (microbiological criteria of the “ready to eat”—5.sup.th Range category), as far as the sensory parameters (values higher than 4.5) it was possible to reach 22 days for uncooked samples and 30 days for cooked samples.

[0167] The 5.sup.th RANGE—VP (Vacuum Packing) treatment of artichoke bottoms in their 3 storage conditions, without interruption M7, one interruption M8 and two interruptions M9 of the cold chain using a mixture of citric and ascorbic acid (first immersion), a mixture of a solution of 1-4% of ascorbic acid and calcium with ascorbate:calcium ionic ratio of 2:1 to 2:5 (second immersion), mixture of citric acid, ascorbic acid and salt for scalding (blanching), 1% chitosan solution (edible coating) and vacuum packed in a 70 microns thick flexible bag; reached the 30 day target only in the physical-chemical (pH and gross weight loss) and microbiological parameters (microbiological criteria of the “ready to eat”—5.sup.th Range category), as far as sensory parameters (values higher than 4.5) 7 days were reached for uncooked and cooked samples.

Example 6. 5.SUP.th .Range Artichoke Test, with Cold Chain Interruption (November 2018)

[0168] The shelf life of 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms for export is evaluated by simulating the conditions of air transport, where one or more interruptions in the cold chain are produced, occurring regularly after 4 days (of 16 hours) of being processed and a possible second interruption on the 18.sup.th day (of 6 hours), simulating the temperature and time that can occur from purchase to consumption.

[0169] Product evaluations were made within the objective of reaching 30 days of shelf life stored in refrigeration from 1 to 3° C. providing 3 storage conditions: no interruption, 1 interruption and 2 interruptions of cold chain.

Interruptions

[0170] M.sub.10, M.sub.13 and M.sub.16: No cold chain interruption.

[0171] M.sub.11, M.sub.14 and M.sub.17: Cold chain interruption day 4 for 24 hours

[0172] M.sub.12, M.sub.15 and M.sub.18: Cold chain interruption day 4 and 18 for 24 hours

Experimental Design

[0173]

TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 Interrupted cold chain test First Second Cooking- Immersion Immersion Blanching Hydro- (T = ~5-8° (T = ~5-8° (T = ~90- cooling Bag C., t min = C., t min = 95° C., t = (T = Edible Coating Sample number ~5′) ~10′) ~3′-3.2′) ~3-5° C.) (T = 2-3° C., t = ~2′) Packaging M10 26 Citric Acid Citric acid Citric acid Water Sol. 13-15% Ascorbic Active M11 23 0.8-1.2% 0.4-0.6%, 0.1-0.3%, Ac. and calcium, Modified M12 19 and Ascorbic Ascorbic ascorb:Ca ion ratio Atmospheres Ascorbic Acid 0.2- Acid 0.08- from 2:1 to 2:5. (AMA) M13 26 Acid 0.4- 0.3% and 0.12% Citric acid 0.6%, M14 23 0.6% sodium and Ascorbic Acid 0.8% M15 19 chloride sodium and chitosan 0.5-0.7% M16 26 0.65- chloride Sol. 13-15% Ascorbic Passive M17 23 0.85% 0.2-0.4% Ac. and calcium, Modified M18 19 ascorb:Ca ion ratio Atmospheres from 2:1 to 2:5. (PMA) T: temperature, t = time, t min = minimum time, each bag has 3 bottoms

TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 9 Cold chain interruptions. Evaluation days** 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 9- 10- 11- 12- 13- 14- 15- 16- 17- 18- 19- 20- 21- 22- 23- 24- Sample Nov Nov Nov Nov Nov Nov Nov Nov Nov Nov Nov Nov Nov Nov Nov Nov M10 X X X M11 ◯ X X M12 ◯ M13 X X X M14 ◯ X X M15 ◯ M16 X X X M17 ◯ X X M18 ◯ Evaluation days** 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 Sample 25-Nov 26-Nov 27-Nov 28-Nov 29-Nov 30-Nov 1-Dec 2-Dec 3-Dec 4-Dec 5-Dec 6-Dec 7-Dec 8-Dec 9-Dec 10-Dec M10 X X X M11 X X X M12 ◯ X X X X M13 X X X M14 X X X M15 ◯ X X X X M16 X X X M17 X X X M18 ◯ X X X X ◯—Cold Interruption; X—evaluation

[0174] The 5.sup.th RANGE—AMA treatment of artichoke bottoms in their 3 storage conditions, without interruption (M10), one interruption (M11) and two interruptions (M12) of the cold chain, using a mixture of citric and ascorbic acid (first immersion), a mixture of citric acid, ascorbic acid and sodium chloride (second immersion), a mixture of citric acid, ascorbic acid and sodium chloride for scalding (blanching), a mixture of a solution of 13-15% of ascorbic acid and calcium with an ascorbate:calcium ionic ratio from 2:1 to 2:5 (edible coating) and packaged with an injection of 50-70% of gas mixture (2-6% O.sub.2, 8-12% CO.sub.2 and 82-90% N.sub.2) in a flexible bag with a thickness of 70 microns. The M10 treatment reached the goal of 30 days of shelf life in the physical-chemical and sensory parameters in uncooked and cooked samples; while the microbiological parameter was 18 days. As for the M11 and M12 treatments, they reached 19 days of shelf life in the microbiological and physical-chemical parameters, while in the sensory parameters both the uncooked and cooked samples of the M11 treatment reached 12 days. A sensorial evaluation was not carried out in the M12 treatment because the samples were discarded at the 19.sup.th day together with the M11 samples due to microbiological problems of the raw material, which became evident in the finished product. According to the schedule, the evaluation should have been performed on the 19.sup.th day.

[0175] The 5.sup.th RANGE—AMA treatment of artichoke bottoms in its 3 storage conditions, without interruption (M13), one interruption (M14) and two interruptions (M15) of the cold chain, using a mixture of citric and ascorbic acid (first immersion), a mixture of citric, ascorbic acid and sodium chloride (second immersion), mixture of citric acid, ascorbic acid and sodium chloride for scalding (blanching), chitosan solution-Acids (edible coating) and packed with an injection of 50-70% gas mixture (2-6% O.sub.2, 8-12% CO.sub.2 and 82-90% N.sub.2) in a flexible 70 micron thick bag; The M13 sample reached the goal of 30 days of shelf life in the physical-chemical and sensory parameters in uncooked and cooked samples; while the microbiological parameter was 18 days. As for the M14 samples, they reached 19 days of shelf life in the microbiological, physical-chemical and sensory parameters in both uncooked and cooked samples. The M15 samples reached 19 days of shelf life in the microbiological and physical-chemical parameters and no sensory evaluation was performed because the samples were discarded on the 19.sup.th day together with the M14 samples due to microbiological problems of the raw material, which became evident in the finished product. According to the schedule, the evaluation should have been performed on the 19.sup.th day.

[0176] The 5.sup.th RANGE—AMP treatment of artichoke bottoms in their 3 storage conditions, without interruption (M16), one interruption (M17) and two interruptions (M18) of the cold chain, using a mixture of citric and ascorbic acid (first immersion), mixture of citric acid, ascorbic acid and sodium chloride (second immersion), mixture of citric acid, ascorbic acid and sodium chloride for scalding (blanching), 13-15% of ascorbic acid and calcium with an ascorbate:calcium ionic ratio from 2:1 to 2:5 (edible coating) and packaged in an Xtend bag with micro-perforations; the M16 treatment reached a 13-day shelf life for physical-chemical, microbiological and sensory parameters in uncooked and cooked samples. The M17 treatment reached a shelf life of 12 days in the physical-chemical and microbiological parameters, while in the sensory parameters it was 6 days in uncooked and cooked samples. As for the M18 treatment, no evaluation was carried out because the samples were discarded on the 13.sup.th day together with the M17 samples due to microbiological problems of the raw material, which became evident in the finished product. According to the schedule, the evaluation should have been carried out on the 19.sup.th day.

Example 7. 5.SUP.th .Range Artichoke Test, with Cold Chain Interruption (December 2018)

[0177] The shelf life of 5.sup.th Range artichoke bottoms for export is evaluated by simulating the conditions of air transport, where one or more interruptions in the cold chain were produced, occurring regularly after 4 days (of 16 hours) of being processed and a possible second interruption on the 19.sup.th day (of 6 hours), simulating the temperature and time that can occur from purchase to consumption.

[0178] Product evaluations were made within the objective of reaching 30 days of shelf life stored in refrigeration from 1 to 3° C. producing 3 storage conditions: no interruption, 1 interruption and 2 interruptions of cold chain.

Interruptions

[0179] M.sub.2, M.sub.5 , M.sub.6 and M.sub.9: No cold chain interruption.

[0180] M.sub.3 and M.sub.7: Cold chain interruption at 4.sup.th day (16 hours).

[0181] M.sub.4 and M.sub.8: 2 Cold chain interruptions at 4.sup.th day (16 hours) and 19.sup.th day (6 hours).

Experimental Design

[0182]

TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 10 Interrupted cold chain test. Packaging (gas mixture injection: 2 to 6% O.sub.2, 8 First Second Edible to 12% Immersion Immersion Blanching Coating CO.sub.2, and (T = ~20° C., (T = ~20° C., (T = ~90-95° (T = ~2-3° 82 to 90% tmin = tmin = ~5 C., t = ~3.2 Hydrocooling C., t = ~3 N.sub.2) ~5 min) min) min) (T = ~3-5° C.) min) Treatment Sample Active Citric Acid Citric acid Citric acid Citric acid 0.1- Sol. 13-15% No M.sub.2 Modified 0.8-1.2% 0.4-0.6%, 0.1-0.3%, 0.3%, Ascorbic Chitosan M.sub.3 Atmospheres and Ascorbic Ascorbic Ascorbic Acid Ac. and M.sub.4 (AMA) Ascorbic Acid 0.2- Acid 0.08- 0.08-0.12% calcium, Acid 0.4- 0.3% and 0.12% and and sodium Ascorb:Ca 0.6% sodium sodium Chloride 0.2- ion ratio chloride Chloride 0.4% from 2:1 to 0.65-0.85% 0.2-0.4% 2:5. Chitosan With M.sub.5 0.4- Chitosan 0.8%//Citric ac. 0.4- 0.8%// Ascorbic ac. 0.6-1% Sol. 5-7% Citric acid Citric acid 0.1- Chitosan With M.sub.6 Ascorbic 0.1-0.3%, 0.3%, 0.4- Chitosan M.sub.7 Ac. and Ascorbic Ascorbic Acid 0.8%//Citric M.sub.8 calcium, Acid 0.08- 0.08-0.12% ac. 0.4- Ascorb:Ca 0.12% and and sodium 0.8%// ion ratio sodium chloride 0.2- Ascorbic from 2:1 to chloride 0.4% ac. 0.6-1% 2:5. 0.2-0.4% Sol. 4-8% Citric acid Citric acid 0.1- Chitosan With M.sub.9 calcium 0.1-0.3%, 0.3%, 0.4- Chitosan ascorbate Ascorbic Ascorbic Acid 0.8%//Citric Acid 0.08- 0.08-0.12% ac. 0.4- 0.12% and and sodium 0.8%// sodium chloride 0.2- Ascorbic chloride 0.4% ac. 0.6-1% 0.2-0.4% T: temperature, t = time, t min = minimum time, each bag has 3 bottoms.

TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 11 Cold chain interruptions. Evaluation days** 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 15- 16- 17- 18- 19- 20- 21- 22- 23- 24- 25- 26- 27- 28- 29- 30- Sample Dec Dec Dec Dec Dec Dec Dec Dec Dec Dec Dec Dec Dec Dec Dec Dec M2 X X X M3 ◯ X X M4 ◯ M5 X X X M6 X X X M7 ◯ X X M8 ◯ M9 X X X Evaluation days** 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 31- 1- 2- 3- 4- 5- 6- 7- 8- 9- 10- 11- 12- 13- 14- Sample Dec Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan M2 X X X M3 X X X M4 ◯ X X X M5 X X X M6 X X X M7 X X X M8 ◯ X X X M9 X X X ◯ = Cold Interruption; X = evaluation

[0183] The 5.sup.th RANGE—AMA treatment of artichoke bottoms in their 3 storage conditions: no interruption (M2), one interruption (M3) and two interruptions (M4) of the cold chain; using a mixture of citric and ascorbic acid (first immersion), a mixture of citric, ascorbic acid and sodium chloride (second immersion), a mixture of citric, ascorbic acid and sodium chloride for scalding (blanching), a mixture of citric, ascorbic acid and sodium chloride (hydrocooling), 13-15% of ascorbic acid and calcium with an ascorbate:calcium ionic ratio from 2:1 to 2:5 (edible coating) and packaged with an injection of 50-70% of gas mixture (2-6% O.sub.2, 8-12% CO.sub.2 and 82-90% N.sub.2) in a flexible bag of 70 microns thickness; AMA M2 samples reached the goal of 31 days of shelf life in all evaluated parameters (physical-chemical, microbiological and sensory) in uncooked and cooked samples. As for the AMA M3 and AMA M4 samples, they reached 28 days of shelf life in the physical-chemical and sensory parameters in both uncooked and cooked samples, while the microbiological parameter in the AMA 3 and AMA M4 samples reached 24 and 20 days of shelf life, respectively. This 5.sup.th RANGE-AMA treatment started with an average sensory score of 6.73 in uncooked samples and 6.95 in cooked samples and ended with an average score of 5.83 in uncooked samples and 5.73 in cooked samples.

[0184] The V RANGE—AMA treatment of artichoke bottoms without interruption (M5); using a mixture of citric and ascorbic acid (first immersion), a mixture of citric, ascorbic acid and salt (second immersion), a mixture of citric, ascorbic acid and sodium chloride for scalding (blanching), a mixture of citric acid, ascorbic and sodium chloride (Hydrocooling), Chitosan/Acid solution (edible coating) and packed with an injection of 50-70% gas mixture (2-6% O.sub.2, 8-12% CO.sub.2 and 82-90% N.sub.2) in a flexible 70 micron thick bag; the AMA M5 samples reached the target of 31 days of shelf life in all parameters evaluated: physical-chemical, microbiological and sensory, both in uncooked and cooked samples.

[0185] The 5.sup.th RANGE—AMA treatment of artichoke bottoms in its 3 storage conditions: no interruption (M6), one interruption (M7) and two interruptions (M8) of the cold chain; using a mixture of citric and ascorbic acid (first immersion), 5-7% ascorbic acid and calcium with an ascorbate:calcium ionic ratio of 2:1 to 2:5 (second immersion), a mixture of citric acid, ascorbic acid and sodium chloride for scalding (blanching), Chitosan/Acids solution (edible coating) and packed with an injection of 50-70% of gas mixture (2-6% O.sub.2, 8-12% CO.sub.2 and 82-90% N.sub.2) in a flexible 70 micron thick bag. The AMA M6 samples reached the 31-day shelf life goal in all evaluated parameters (physical-chemical, microbiological and sensory) in uncooked and cooked samples. As for the AMA M7 and AMA M8 samples, they reached 28 days of shelf life in the physical-chemical and sensory parameters, both in the uncooked and cooked samples, while the microbiological parameter in the AMA 7 and AMA M8 samples reached 24 and 20 days of shelf life, respectively. This 5.sup.th RANGE—AMA treatment, started with an average sensory score of 6.95 in uncooked samples and 6.93 cooked samples, and ended with an average score of 6.33 in uncooked samples and 5.6 in cooked samples.

[0186] The 5.sup.th RANGE—AMA treatment of artichoke bottoms without interruption (M9); using a mixture of citric and ascorbic acid (first immersion), solution of 4-8% of calcium ascorbate (second immersion), mixture of citric, ascorbic acid and sodium chloride for scalding (blanching), mixture of citric acid ascorbic and sodium chloride (Hydrocooling), Chitosan/Acid solution (edible coating) and packed with an injection of 50-70% gas mixture (2-6% O.sub.2, 8-12% CO.sub.2 and 82-90% N.sub.2) in a flexible 70 micron thick bag; the AMA M9 samples reached the 31-day shelf life goal in all parameters evaluated: physical-chemical, microbiological and sensory, both in uncooked and cooked samples.

[0187] The results of the sensory evaluation indicate that the decreasing trend of sensory quality of the two treatments 5.sup.th RANGE—AMA (M2, M3 and M4) and 5.sup.th RANGE—AMA (M6, M7 and M8) in their three storage conditions: no interruption, one interruption and two cold chain interruptions is similar throughout their evaluation, maintaining a range between approximately 7 to 5.5 being indifferent to the cold chain interruptions. However, the uncooked samples of the 5.sup.th Range—AMA treatment (M6, M7 and M8) have better sensory acceptance by the panelists and the cooked samples of this treatment are similar to the cooked and uncooked samples of the 5.sup.th Range—AMA treatment (M2, M3 and M4).