Post Harvest Tech For Leafy Veg

Postharvest Technology for Leafy Vegetables
AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center

Shanhua, Taiwan
Postharvest Technology
for Leafy Vegetables
AVRDC-ADB Postharvest Projects

RETA 6208/6376
Antonio L. Acedo, Jr.

AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center
The leading international nonprofit organization committed to alleviating poverty
and malnutrition in the developing world through the increased production and
consumption of safe vegetables.

P.O. Box 42
Shanhua, Tainan 74199
TAIWAN
Tel: +886 6 583 7801

Fax: +886 6 583 0009
Email: info@worldveg.org
Web: www.avrdc.org
AVRDC Publication No: 10-733
Editor: Maureen Mecozzi

AVRDC Publication Team: Kathy Chen, Vanna Liu, Chen Ming-che, Shiu-luan Lu
© 2010 AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center
Project partner
Citation
Acedo AL Jr. 2010. Postharvest technology for leafy vegetables. AVRDC-ADB Postharvest Projects
RETA 6208/6376. AVRDC Publication No. 10-733. AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center, Taiwan. 67 p.
Contents
Contents ..................................................................................................................................... i
Tables .........................................................................................................................................ii
Figures........................................................................................................................................iii
Foreword.....................................................................................................................................iv
1 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................1
2 PRODUCT QUALITY AND POSTHARVEST LOSS .............................................................2

Quality Factors .......................................................................................................................2
Quality Deterioration ..............................................................................................................2
Physiological deterioration.................................................................................................2
Pathological decay.............................................................................................................5
Mechanical injury ...............................................................................................................5
Postharvest Loss....................................................................................................................5
3 POSTHARVEST TECHNOLOGIES FOR FRESH LEAFY VEGETABLES............................6

Improved Crop Variety ...........................................................................................................6
Production Factors .................................................................................................................6
Harvesting ..............................................................................................................................7
Harvest maturity.................................................................................................................7
Time of harvesting .............................................................................................................7
Harvesting method.............................................................................................................8
Field Handling ........................................................................................................................8
Packinghouse Operations ......................................................................................................9
Trimming ............................................................................................................................9
Sorting/Grading................................................................................................................10
Washing and sanitizing....................................................................................................10
Other commodity treatments ...........................................................................................11
Packaging.............................................................................................................................12
Produce packages ...........................................................................................................12
Reinforcing and handling packages.................................................................................12
Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP)...........................................................................14
Cooling and Storage ............................................................................................................15
Precooling ........................................................................................................................17
Optimum storage conditions ............................................................................................17
Cooling methods in developing countries ........................................................................18
Transport Techniques .......................................................................................................... 21
Market Handling ................................................................................................................... 22
Other PHT Developments .................................................................................................... 22
Ethylene removal from postharvest chain ....................................................................... 22
Cold chain system............................................................................................................ 23
Supply chain management .............................................................................................. 24
Economic Analysis of Postharvest Technologies ................................................................ 26
Example 1: postharvest technical advice ........................................................................ 27
Example 2: postharvest technique from exploratory investigation .................................. 27
Example 3: introduction of better postharvest material ................................................... 27
4 PROCESSING TECHNOLOGIES FOR LEAFY VEGETABLES......................................... 30

Importance of Processing .................................................................................................... 30
Commodity Considerations .................................................................................................. 30
Preprocessing Operations.................................................................................................... 30
Washing ........................................................................................................................... 30
Cutting.............................................................................................................................. 31
Blanching ......................................................................................................................... 31
Salting Technology............................................................................................................... 31
Fermentation Technologies.................................................................................................. 32
i
Basic information ............................................................................................................. 32
Sauerkraut processing..................................................................................................... 33
Kimchi processing............................................................................................................ 35
Fermented mustards and cabbage.................................................................................. 35
Pickling Technologies .......................................................................................................... 46
Drying/Dehydration Technologies........................................................................................ 46
Basic principles................................................................................................................ 46
Pre-drying operations ...................................................................................................... 47
Simple dryers................................................................................................................... 47
Producing dehydrated cabbage....................................................................................... 48
Producing dehydrated Kangkong .................................................................................... 48
Dehydrated leafy vegetables in China............................................................................. 50
Packaging dried vegetables ............................................................................................ 50
Canning Technologies ......................................................................................................... 53
Cabbage canning............................................................................................................. 53
Canning techniques for other leafy vegetables ............................................................... 54
5 SUMMARY ......................................................................................................................... 55
References ............................................................................................................................... 56
ii
Tables
Table 1. Chinese cabbage grade standards in Yunnan, China................................................ 18
Table 2. Postharvest cooling methods and suitable commodities. .......................................... 16
Table 3. Cost benefit analysis of keeping 2-3 outer leaves of Chinese cabbage during
transport compared to removing all outer leaves. .................................................................... 28
Table 4. Potential cost and benefit of using guava leaf extract and alum for bacterial soft rot
control in common cabbage. .................................................................................................... 28
Table 5. Cost-benefit analysis of using poly sacks and plastic crates for transporting
vegetables from the collecting center, Keppetipola to the central (Manning) market in Colombo,
Sri Lanka................................................................................................................................... 29
Table 7. Sample recipe for Kimchi production.......................................................................... 36
Table 8. Desired fresh and dry weight ratio after drying for some vegetables........................ 59
Figures
Figure 1. Ethylene-induced cabbage yellowing and culinary herbs epinasty, abscission and
yellowing. .................................................................................................................................. 11
Figure 2. Chilling injury development in sweet basil leaves. ...................................................... 4
Figure 3. Trimming, cleaning, and bundling leafy vegetables. ................................................... 9
Figure 4. Packaging containers for leafy vegetables. .............................................................. 13
Figure 5. Protective packaging practices. ................................................................................ 14
Figure 6. MAP practices for leafy vegetables........................................................................... 16
Figure 7. Ice packing and use of ice bottles for cooling leafy vegetables. ............................... 19
Figure 8. Simple refrigeration equipment for the storage of leafy vegetables.......................... 19
Figure 9. Low-cost evaporative cooler developed in Sri Lanka................................................ 28
Figure 10. Application of evaporative cooling and/or modified atmosphere in packing and
transport of leafy vegetables. ................................................................................................... 29
Figure 11. Traditional and innovative stacking procedures for containers of leafy vegetables 23
Figure 12. Traditional supply chain system for leafy vegetables.............................................. 25
Figure 13. Corporate supply chain system for leafy vegetables. ............................................. 26
Figure 14. Cooperative system of supply chain management. ................................................ 26
Figure 15. Myanmar government-initiated supply chain for export vegetables produced by
contract farmers and brought to the packinghouse for sorting, hydrocooling, packing in carton
box, cold storage, and transport in refrigerated trucks for cargo flight..................................... 27
Figure 16. Process flow for sauerkraut production................................................................... 42
Figure 17. Process flow for Kimchi production. ........................................................................ 36
Figure 18. Flow chart of fermented leaf mustard processing. .................................................. 45
Figure 19. Process flow for producing fermented mustard leaves. .......................................... 39
Figure 20. Lao process for producing fermented Chinese mustard......................................... 39
Figure 21. Fermentation pond/plastic barrel and earthen jar for fermented product................ 48
Figure 22. General flow chart of fermented leaf mustard processing. ..................................... 48
Figure 23. Company processing operation for fermented mustards in Thailand. .................... 49
Figure 24. Process flow for Chinese mustard fermentation technique ................................... 42
Figure 25. Process flow for Chinese mustard and cabbage fermentation . ............................ 43
Figure 26. Process flow for fermented cabbage and mustard canning................................... 45
Figure 27. Process flow for producing pickled cabbage........................................................... 46
Figure 28. Different commercial solar dryers in Thailand......................................................... 49
Figure 29. Gas- and electric-powered cabinet dryers. ............................................................. 49
Figure 30. Washing, cutting, blanching and removal of excess water in leafy vegetable for
processing to dehydrated product. ........................................................................................... 51
Figure 31. Drying leafy vegetable with or without pre-drying dextrose treatment. .................. 52
Figure 32. Sorting, packing and storage of dehydrated leafy vegetable................................. 53
iii
Foreword
Postharvest losses of vegetables contribute to food insecurity, poverty, and economic
hopelessness in developing countries. Two overriding gaps are the inadequacies in fresh
produce handling and processing, and lack of awareness and adoption of available
technologies. Bridging these gaps, which the AVRDC-ADB Postharvest Projects (RETA
6208/6376) strive to achieve, would advance the postharvest sector as a major source of
employment for millions of rural people, especially women. These are prerequisites for
sustained economic progress.
Vegetables are among the most nutritious agricultural products and are widely and preferably
consumed fresh. However, fresh vegetables are subject to rapid quality deterioration after
harvest due to their high water content, active metabolism, spoilage pathogens, and insect
pests. Processing can minimize the problem and is ideal if done without sacrificing nutritional
quality, market availability, and price of fresh produce. Many advantages of processed
products have been reported, particularly the extended availability of seasonal, perishable
products like vegetables beyond the growing season, thereby stabilizing supplies and
increasing food security. Processed products are also more stable, have improved digestibility,
and permit great diet diversity, giving consumers access to a wider choice of products and
better range of vitamins and minerals.
There are various techniques for handling fresh vegetables and producing processed products.
Knowing these technologies widens alternatives for adaptation and opens more opportunities
for innovation. This document summarizes the results of a literature search on low-cost
postharvest handling and processing technologies for tomato and chilli, the targeted vegetable
crops of the RETA 6208 project, and for selected leafy vegetables, the target crops of RETA
6376. It focuses on technologies considered for adaptation in the RETA 6208/6376 countries
(Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Vietnam). Furthermore, this report could serve as a reference for
research and development workers and institutions seeking to advance the vegetable industry
in developing countries.
Dr. Antonio L. Acedo Jr.

Dr. Katinka Weinberger
iv
1 INTRODUCTION
Leafy vegetables are important crops in Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries,
providing income to many small farmers, processors, and other entrepreneurs, and serving as
health foods for the rural and urban populace. They are rich sources of vitamins, minerals, and
dietary fiber. Leafy vegetables also play a vital role in the global drive to end “hidden
hunger”—micronutrient deficiency (Buyckx, undated). Deficiency in vitamin A is a major
problem in 37 countries, mostly in Southeast Asia and Africa, with 250,000-500,000 people,
mostly children, becoming partially or totally blind yearly. More than 2 billion people worldwide
are anemic or have insufficient iron intake. Green leafy vegetables are rich in both vitamin A
and iron. Sustainable and reliable food supply systems are needed to ensure global food
availability, access to food at the household level, and more opportunities for development of
people’s well-being. A vital strategy is to reduce postharvest losses, especially highly
perishable leafy vegetables.
Reducing postharvest losses through appropriate postharvest technologies for fresh and
processed produce would not only increase food availability to the growing world population
but also decrease the area needed for production and conserve natural resources (Kader,
2006). While there are many postharvest technologies that extend the market availability of
vegetables, the appropriateness of these technologies has to be ascertained through site-
specific and commodity-specific studies. A technology proven effective and commercially used
elsewhere is not necessarily the best for use under conditions of another country.
Technologies developed in a developing country may better suit the need of another
developing country, as they typically are much simpler and less costly than technologies
created in developed countries.
In recent years, reducing postharvest losses has become only part of efforts to improve food
availability; assuring food quality and safety are increasingly important as well. Market
demand is responding to consumers' rising nutritional expectations and awareness of food
safety. Maintaining product quality and safety can greatly determine marketing success
(Sullivan et al., 1991). Countries can increase their competitiveness and world market shares
by providing higher quality, safe products and promoting lower prices through technological
innovation.
Leafy vegetables given emphasis in this report include the leafy brassicas, such as common
cabbage, which is also known as round cabbage or head cabbage (Brassica oleracea var
capitata); Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa. var. pekinensis); bok choy or pak choi (Brassica
rapa. var. chinensis), a non-heading form of Chinese cabbage; Chinese mustard (Brassica
juncea var. rugosa); and other priority vegetables of the partners in Cambodia, Laos, and
Vietnam (e.g. amaranth, kangkong).
This report consolidates the literature search results and relevant information from papers
presented during the RETA 6376 Workshop on “Best Practices in Postharvest Management of
Leafy Vegetables in GMS Countries” held on 25-27 October 2007 in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Information and actual observations during country visits and study missions in some GMS
countries are also included. This report has three main sections. The first section provides
some basic information on leafy vegetable quality and postharvest loss, for better
understanding of the underlying reasons for the technological recommendations in fresh
produce handling and processing described in the second and third sections. The focus
throughout is on simple, low-cost methods. Other techniques and information that can be
considered in future initiatives are incorporated. In addition, sample cost-benefit analyses of
selected techniques is introduced in preparation for training on this topic, and for similar
analyses to be done for the techniques developed in the AVRDC-ADB postharvest projects.
Postharvest Technology of Leafy Vegetables 1

2 PRODUCT QUALITY AND POSTHARVEST LOSS
Quality Factors
Leafy vegetable quality is mainly based on appearance (e.g. fresh-looking, well-formed or

well-shaped, right size, right maturity, right color, turgid or not wilted, free of defects such as
rot, physical damage, yellowing, or wilting) and to a certain extent, other attributes that cannot
be seen but can be discerned by the other human senses, such as firmness, tenderness, and
taste. For common cabbage and Chinese cabbage, the heads should be light green, compact
but not overmature (no seed stalk), right size, and free of defects. Freshness of cabbages can
be tested by rubbing two heads together; if they are fresh, they will make a squeaking sound.
For other leafy vegetables, consumers seek similar visual quality attributes (freshness,
uniformity of size, shape and typical color, and free of defects). Chinese mustard should have
the typical flavor or aroma.
Concerns about food safety and nutritional value have made quality definition more complex.
Safety factors include pesticide residues (the most important safety issue among consumers),
microbial contamination (the number one safety concern among health authorities and
scientists), natural toxicants (antinutrients), natural contaminants (mycotoxins, bacterial toxins,
and heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, mercury), and environmental pollutants (Kader and
Rolle, 2004). These safety concerns, particularly microbial contamination, are the basis for the
worldwide promotion of safety standards in production (Good Agricultural Practices or GAP),
postharvest handling (Good Hygienic Practices or GHP) and processing (Good Manufacturing
Practices or GMP), which incorporate principles and recommendations from Hazard Analysis
& Critical Control Points (HACCP) and Codex Alimentarius. Quality standards compliance
would greatly raise market competitiveness and consumer confidence in the produce and its
source.
Quality Deterioration
Wilting due to water loss, senescence-associated discoloration (yellowing or browning),

mechanical injury, high respiration rate, and decay or rotting are the main causes of quality
deterioration and postharvest loss of leafy vegetables. These causes of quality loss are
physiological, pathological, and mechanical in nature.
Physiological deterioration
Water loss and wilting. Leafy vegetables are mostly water (>90%) and have the propensity to
lose water through transpiration (evaporation of water from plant tissues). Water loss is the
main cause of weight loss (loss in saleable weight) and wilting (Fig. 1). A loss of 5-10% of
fresh weight would make leafy vegetables to appear wilted and become unusable
(Kanlayanarat, 2007). Water loss also induces degradation of nutritional components (e.g.
vitamin C loss) and imposes stress (i.e. water stress) that increases respiration and ethylene
production. In pak choi, wilting is primarily due to water loss through the stomata (O’Hare et
al., 2001). Water loss was measured at 2.8% per hour at 35°C. Complete closure of all
stomata occurs between 10-15% moisture loss. Wilting occurred more rapidly in leaves with
lower initial water potential. Water potential in pak choi was highest when harvested at 0400
and 2200h.
Respiration and ethylene production. Leafy vegetables are non-climacteric, that is, they do not
exhibit a final surge in respiration and ethylene production during senescence (Jobling,
undated). Cabbages generally have lower respiration and ethylene production rates, partly
due to their morphology, in which the young inner leaves are fully covered by the more mature
outer leaves compared with Chinese kale or green mustards. However, cabbage is sensitive
to ethylene (senescence hormone), which causes yellowing, epinasty (leaf curving), and
abscission (Fig. 1) (Cantwell and Suslow, 2006; Cantwell and Reid, 2006; Jobling, undated).
In lettuce, ethylene induces russet spotting manifested as dark brown spotting of the midribs.
2 AVRDC-ADB Postharvest Projects RETA 6208/6376

A. Ethylene-induced disorders B. Bacterial soft rot, wilting and yellowing in cabbages
Figure 1. Ethylene-induced cabbage yellowing and culinary herbs epinasty, abscission

and yellowing (Cantwell & Suslow, 2006; Cantwell & Reid, 2006); bacterial soft rot in
common cabbage and Chinese cabbage; and out leaf wilting and yellowing in Chinese
cabbage (Acedo et al., 1999; Acedo et al., 2003).

Chilling injury score
Days of storage
Figure 2. Chilling injury development in sweet basil leaves (Cantwell & Reid, 2006).
(Score: 0 = no injury, 8 = severe. Score of 3: limit of commercial acceptability.)
Prolonged exposure to ethylene, as low as 0.01 ppm, could cause significant losses of fresh
produce. Ethylene easily accumulates in packages, packinghouses, storage areas, and even
markets. All plant tissues produce ethylene, although at varying levels. In markets (wholesale,
retail, distribution centers), the main sources of ethylene, in addition to the fresh produce,
include ripening fruit, decaying produce, and exhaust gases of vehicles; concentration could
reach 0.02-0.06 ppm, which can cause a 10-30% loss in product shelf life (Wills et al., 2000).
The effect of ethylene is cumulative, so continuous exposure to a low concentration
throughout marketing can cause significant harm. The loss of shelf life will be most frustrating
for the final consumer, as the loss of quality will not be obvious during marketing and retail.
Aside from accelerating aging, ethylene increases product susceptibility to decay.
In pak choi, leaf yellowing was found to be controlled by the sugar level (the main energy
substrate) rather than ethylene, which explains the poor performance of anti-ethylene agents
(e.g. 1-methylcyclopropene) in extending shelf life (O’Hare et al., 2001). Understanding this
mechanism also avoided the potentially expensive error of designing genetically modified pak
choi through manipulation of ethylene metabolism. Sugars tend to be highest in younger
leaves and lowest in leaves toward the base of stem even though the leaves may look similar
in size and appearance. As a result, shelf life was longer in younger leaves than older leaves.
Leaf yellowing may also be related to genetics (i.e. cultivars), exposure to temperature abuse
(i.e. high temperatures), and the level of stress tolerance inherent in the leaf tissue
(Kanlayanarat, 2007).
Physiological disorders. Chilling injury is induced by storage below the recommended low
temperature requirement but above the freezing point of tissues, usually between -2°C to 0°C.
In Chinese cabbage, chilling sensitivity varies with cultivar and the injury symptom is mainly
midrib discoloration, especially on outer leaves (Cantwell and Suslow, 2006). Chinese
cabbage developed patchy papery necrosis more severely at 0°C and 2°C, while none was
noted at 20°C. For tropical leafy vegetables such as kangkong and some mustard greens,
chilling injury is induced at 10°C and lower. This was shown in sweet basil leaves, which
developed chilling injury symptoms (browning of leaves and growing tip, bronzing of leaf veins,
and loss of glossy appearance of leaves) more rapidly at lower chilling temperatures (Fig. 2)
(Cantwell and Reid, 2006). For common cabbage, physiological deterioration during storage is
associated with stem or seed stalk growth (bolting), root growth, internal breakdown, leaf
abscission, discoloration, and black speck (Cantwell and Suslow, 2006).

Pathological decay
Leafy vegetables are susceptible to postharvest diseases that render the produce unfit to sell.
Postharvest diseases can be spread through field boxes contaminated by soil or decaying
produce or both, contaminated water used to wash produce before packing, decaying rejected
produce left lying around the packinghouse, and contaminated healthy produce in packages.
Microbial infection can occur both before and after harvest. The infection after harvest can be
found at any time between the field and final consumer (Kanlayanarat, 2007).
Among postharvest diseases, bacterial soft rot is the most important problem, particularly in
brassicas such as cabbages and Chinese kale (Fig. 1). It is caused by various bacterial
species including Erwinia, Pseudomonas, and Xanthomonas and is characterized by slimy
breakdown of infected tissue with offensive foul odor. The disease usually develops at the cut
portion (butt end) and injured leaves of cabbages. Other common decays in cabbage are
watery soft rot (Sclerotinia), gray mold rot (Botrytis cinerea), and alternaria leaf spot (Alternaria
spp.) (Cantwell and Suslow, 2006).
Mechanical injury
Leafy vegetables are very susceptible to mechanical injury (physical damage). Leaf tearing
and crushing, midrib breakage, and head cracking or bursting are common forms of damage.
Physical injuries increase physiological deterioration through browning as a result of oxidation
of phenolics substances, and susceptibility to decay. Postharvest rots have been found to be
more prevalent in bruised or damaged produce (Bachmann and Earles, 2000). Mechanical
damage also increases moisture loss by as much as 3-4 times more than that of undamaged
produce.
Postharvest Loss
Quality deterioration results in partial or total loss of fresh produce. It is predisposed by a

number of interacting factors, which may be preharvest, harvest and/or postharvest in origin,
such as poor crop variety, unfavorable climate, inadequate cultural practices, lack of
harvesting techniques, improper handling, and poor storage conditions. Non-technological
factors also contribute to postharvest loss, such as lack of capable human resources, lack of
knowledge about technical and scientific technologies, inefficient commercialization and
marketing systems, lack of logistical support, and lack of enabling policy for the use and
administration of human, economic, technical, and scientific resources.
Postharvest losses of leafy vegetables vary with commodity, location, growing season, and
other factors such as standards of quality and consumer preferences and purchasing power,
which differ greatly among countries and across cultures (Kader and Rolle, 2004). Postharvest
loss estimates in developing countries are alarming (e.g. 20-50% of production) but efforts are
lacking to establish the seriousness of the problem and the interventions needed.
In the AVRDC-ADB postharvest projects, postharvest losses were determined at specific

stages in the supply chain in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam and outright volume loss of
specific vegetables including the leafy types (e.g. Chinese cabbage) was estimated at an
average of 17% (Weinberger et al., 2007). The loss situation maybe more serious if qualitative
losses (e.g. loss in price due to reduced quality, loss in nutritional quality, edibility or caloric
value) were factored in. Contributing factors to these losses were identified and prioritized for
R&D interventions. In the RETA 6376 initiative, more specific assessment of postharvest loss
is being pursued, covering selected leafy vegetables in two upland areas of each country at
the farmer and processor levels.

3 POSTHARVEST TECHNOLOGIES FOR FRESH
LEAFY VEGETABLES
The farm-to-table approach (other terms: system approach, whole chain approach, supply
chain approach) is increasingly used to grow and market fresh produce. With this approach,
factors before and after harvest are taken into account to obtain the desired product quantity
and quality, reduce postharvest loss, and ensure delivery of good quality, safe produce to
consumers. Any intervention that manipulates postharvest quality and shelf life could be
considered under postharvest technology (PHT). This section introduces some production
factors that influence product quality and shelf life, and discusses PHT innovations and
recommendations, from harvesting to market handling.
Improved Crop Variety
Leafy vegetables have limited storage life even under optimum storage conditions. The
potential shelf life is partly under genetic control and can be manipulated by breeding.
Breeding leafy vegetables for long shelf life and desired shipping quality is a particular need in
developing countries with hot and humid climates where refrigerated facilities are lacking due
to the high cost. Some specific shelf-life attributes that can be manipulated through breeding
include green color retention and resistance to postharvest stress such as high temperature
and microbial infection.
More effort is now being exerted to develop vegetable varieties with desired shelf life, shipping
and processing attributes, and high levels of nutrients. Breeding leafy vegetables with high
carotenoids content has been reported and results in lettuce were promising due to observed
genetic variations in B-carotene and lutein contents (Fonseca, 2004). B-carotene and lutein
were observed to be higher in leaves with higher chlorophyll content. Other nutrients in
vegetables include those with therapeutic or pharmaceutical uses, hence the term
nutraceuticals (e.g. glucosinolates). A growing concern is placed on the possibility of
accidentally lowering beneficial non-target components while enhancing targeted ones with
new technologies.
Production Factors
Environmental conditions and cultural practices during production have tremendous effects on
produce quality, safety, and shelf life. For example, lettuce harvested during a period of rain
does not ship well and product losses are increased.
Produce stressed by too much or too little water (by irrigation or rainfall), high rates of nitrogen
fertilization, or mechanical injury (scrapes, bruises, abrasions) is susceptible to postharvest
diseases. Brassicas are prone to bacterial soft rot if nitrogen is applied as foliar feed, thus
nitrogen should be applied to the soil. This effect was not observed in pak choi (Jiang and
Pearce, 2005); nitrogen above the optimal level did not result in reduced shelf life, while
spraying nutrient solution appeared to be beneficial as it retarded yellowing. Potassium sulfate
application also enhanced chlorophyll content and extended shelf life of pak choi.
Stress during growth has different effects on produce quality and shelf life. Sustained and
intermittent water stress had mostly negative effects for pak choi (Jiang and Pearce, 2005).
Although shelf life of pak choi could be extended by these stresses, the plant fresh and dry
weights were reduced. In Chinese cabbage, water stress did not affect the water content and
weight loss during nine weeks of storage at 0°C. On the other hand, low light stress (shading)
before harvest resulted in more rapid yellowing and wilting in pak choi, and lowered the leaf
sugar, organic acids, and chlorophyll content. Increasing the period of shading before harvest
further reduced sugar content and increased moisture loss during storage.

Ensuring safety of fresh leafy vegetables also begins in the field. Outbreaks of food-borne
illnesses have been traced to contamination of produce in the field (Bachmann and Earles,
2000). Some preventive measures include (1) avoiding application of fresh animal manure or
slurries to a field or to an area immediately adjacent to a field nearing harvest maturity, (2)
cleaning equipment that has been used to apply manure on one field before moving it to
another field, (3) avoiding using irrigation water from a farm pond used by livestock, and (4)
avoiding contact of produce with soil during growth (by mulching) or harvest.
Harvesting
Harvest maturity
Quality cannot be improved after harvest, only maintained; therefore, it is important to harvest
at the proper maturity stage and at peak quality. Immature or overmature produce may not last
as long in storage as that picked at proper maturity. Common cabbage and Chinese cabbage
heads are harvested when firm and mature (Bautista and Acedo, 1987; Boyette et al., 1992;
Stephens, 2003; Cantwell and Suslow, 2006). Compactness (firmness, hardness, solidity) of
heads may be determined by hand pressure. A compact head can be only slightly
compressed with moderate hand pressure. Delaying harvest even a few days beyond maturity
can result in split or cracked heads and increased incidence of rots. Immature heads are puffy
or have hollow spaces because the inner leaves are not fully developed and hence, loosely
arranged, which make them susceptible to damage (Bautista and Acedo, 1987). When
harvested immature, yield decreases and shelf life is shorter than that of mature heads. In
certain cases, some sample heads of common cabbage or Chinese cabbage are cut
longitudinally to observe the internal stem; if the stem is too long, the head is already
overmature (Chen, 2007). Harvest maturity of other vegetables such as leafy mustards,
amaranth, and kangkong is based on plant size, number of days after planting (usually 25-30
days) and/or tenderness of leaves. They are harvested when they have developed to the
fullest size, yet not so advanced in age that the leaves are tough and the flavor is bitter.
Physiological age of the vegetable or the leaves within a plant could affect the rate of
postharvest quality loss. In pak choi, young leaves (20–25 days after emergence) are more
prone to moisture loss and subsequent wilting than older ones (40 days) (O’Hare et al., 2001).
However, older leaves turned yellow more quickly than younger leaves. This response was
related to initial sugar content, which was higher in younger leaves. In Chinese cabbage
heads, intact mature leaves had a greater tendency to yellow than the same leaves, but
detached from the head. Young leaves in intact heads began to swell and expand after one
month of storage, causing some heads to crack, leading to rapid senescence of whole heads.
Time of harvesting
The time of the day when harvesting is done also affects produce quality and shelf life. In
general, harvesting during the coolest time of the day (e.g. early morning) is desirable; the
produce is not be exposed to the heat of the sun and the work efficiency of the harvesters is
higher. If harvesting during the hotter part of the day cannot be avoided, the produce should
be kept shaded in the field to minimize product heat, weight loss, and wilting.
Research showed that harvest time of day could affect quality of pak choi but not Chinese
cabbage. Pak choi harvested at 0400h and 2000h contained the highest initial and final water
content. Leaves harvested at these times maintained highest water potential, resulting in a
slower rate of wilting than those with lower water potential (Jiang and Pearce, 2005). However,
harvesting later in the day has an added advantage because sugar levels were found to be
higher as a result of photosynthesis during the day (O’Hare et al., 2001). This could slow down
leaf yellowing in pak choi, which has been associated with sugar depletion.

Harvesting method
Harvesting is done manually, hence the harvesters have a major influence on produce quality.
They should be made aware of the importance of good sanitation practices, proper maturity
selection, and careful handling to avoid mechanical injuries.
A cabbage head is harvested by bending it to one side and cutting it with a knife, which should
be sharpened frequently to reduce effort and lessen picker fatigue. In Yunnan, China,
cabbages and other leafy vegetables are harvested and trimmed using a special knife (Fig. 3)
(Chen, 2007). The head should not be snapped or twisted, as this method damages the head
and results in inconsistent stalk length and trim. Broken stalks are also more susceptible to
decay. The stalk should be cut flat and as close to the head as possible, yet long enough to
retain two to four wrapper leaves. Extra leaves act as a cushion during handling and may be
desired in certain markets. Yellowed, damaged, or diseased wrapper leaves should be
removed. Heads with insect damage and other defects should be discarded. It is essential that
heads not harvested be left undamaged because fields may be harvested as many as three
times for maximum yield. Harvested cabbage can be placed in bags, boxes, wagons, or pallet
bins. Harvesting aids can significantly reduce labor costs, improve harvest efficiency and
cabbage quality, and speed the harvest and field handling operation.
Mustards and Chinese kale are harvested as single leaves or whole plants. Fields are usually
harvested several times, so care is needed to prevent damage to the plants. The produce
must be handled gently during harvesting and field handling to avoid physical damage.
Field Handling
The harvested produce is usually placed in collection containers, which may be plastic crates
or bamboo baskets with cotton or paper cushioning or padding (Chen, 2007). Throwing
harvested produce into the collection container or vehicle should be avoided to prevent
physical injuries. Handling aids such as boxes, farm trailer, or a simple conveyer can be used.
Exposure of harvested produce to the heat of the sun is detrimental except in a few cases.
Leafy vegetables left in the sun after harvest may reach temperatures as high as 50oC
(Kanlayanarat, 2007). High product temperature accelerates quality deterioration due to
increased water loss and respiration. If packed and transported without cooling, wilting and
other deteriorative processes rapidly set in.
Purposive water loss (2–3% water loss) may be imposed on harvested produce. In pak choi,
this can be done by laying plants under the sun for 30 minutes immediately after harvest
(Jiang and Pearce, 2005). This was found to significantly reduce mechanical damage
(snapping of turgid outer leaves) when the produce was packed into bamboo baskets.
Subsequent washing to remove dirt was able to rehydrate the produce. Wilted pak choi could
be re-hydrated (and cooled) by dipping in water and the general appearance, color, and
original weight could be restored if moisture loss was less than 10%. Rehydration and
controlled water loss led to a reduction in losses of 14.5%.
In Cambodia, the practice of leaving cabbage heads in the field for an hour or two with the cut
butt end exposed to the sun may also work for the above purpose (Vanndy and Buntong,
2007). Additionally, this practice would dry out the cut butt end of the cabbage head, thereby
depriving soft rot pathogens of water needed for their growth and development. However, the
problem of heat accumulation within the produce has to be addressed. After the treatment,
prompt transport to the packing shed should be done to dissipate field heat without the use of
water for cooling. Washing is not advisable in common cabbage. Other leafy vegetables
should be transported to the packing shed as soon as possible as they are particularly
susceptible to wilting and other damage from high temperatures.

Packinghouse Operations
Trimming
Leaves that have yellowed, show signs of disease, or have other obvious defects, and some
outer or wrapper leaves of common and Chinese cabbages are removed (Fig. 3). Removal of
the four outer leaves of pak choi heads increased shelf life to over 14 days (Jiang and Pearce,
2005). In Chinese cabbage, farmers may remove all the outer leaves before transport to
market. This is a traditional practice of some Chinese farmers, in which the outer nine leaves
of Chinese cabbage are removed at harvest. A second trim of three leaves is made to remove
mechanically damaged leaves following transport. A simple change to this practice by
removing only six leaves at harvest and leaving the other three outer leaves to protect the
head from physical injury was found to reduce losses by 22% without any decline in product
quality and increase the profits of the farmers. In common cabbage, outer leaves (wrapper
leaves) are also trimmed off except for 3-4 wrapper leaves to protect the head from injury
during handling and transport (Bautista and Acedo, 1987). However, wrapper leaves could not
fully protect the head from too much force due to impact or compression, which usually results
in head bursting. Care during handling is important.
Figure 3. Trimming, cleaning, and bundling leafy vegetables.

Table 1. Chinese cabbage grade standards in Yunnan, China (Chen, 2007)
Head
Grade Quality Specifications Tolerance
Size/Weight (kg)
Same variety; head tight or firm,
of natural color and luster, fresh,
Rotting within 1%;
clean,
First other defects not
and without rot, old stem, yellow
over 5%
leaf, peculiar smell, bolting,
wormhole and physical defect
Same variety; head tight or firm, Extra big ≥4.0 Rotting within 1%;
of natural color and luster, fresh, Big ≥3.5 weight differences
clean, and without rot, old stem, Medium ≥2.5 within 10%; other
Second
yellow leaf, peculiar smell, Small ≥1.5 defects not over
bolting, wormhole and physical Extra small ≥1.0 10%
defect
Same variety; head loose, of Rotting within 1%;
natural color and luster, fresh, weight differences
clean, and within 10%; other
Third
without rot, old stem, yellow leaf, defects not over
peculiar smell, bolting, wormhole 10%
and physical defect
In Yunnan, China, leafy vegetables are usually trimmed using a special knife (Fig. 3) (Chen
2007). Damaged and senescent leaves are removed and for some vegetables (e.g. cabbage,
Chinese cabbage), the butt is trimmed. For leaf mustards, the roots are usually retained and
cleaned by washing together with the leaves. The cleaned produce is wrapped or bundled
before packaging (Fig. 3).
Sorting/Grading
Systematic sorting or grading coupled with appropriate packaging and storage, will extend
shelf life, maintain wholesomeness, freshness, and quality, and substantially reduce losses
and marketing costs. Sorting is done to separate poor produce from good produce, and further
classify the good produce based on other quality parameters, such size (Bautista and Acedo,
1987). If this is done following quality standards set by product standards agencies or industry
requirements, the process is referred to as grading. Leafy vegetables are usually sorted or
graded based on maturity, size, shape, color, weight, and freedom from defects such as insect,
disease and mechanical damage. Table 1 shows sample grade standards for Chinese
cabbage in Yunnan, China.
In many developing countries, implementation of grade standards as well as safety standards

for leafy vegetables and other fresh horticultural produce faces formidable difficulties that
contribute to the lingering problem of high postharvest losses. Grade standards, if enforced
properly, are essential tools of quality assurance during marketing. They provide a common
language for trade among farmers, handlers, processors, and marketers; maintain orderly
marketing and equity in the marketplace; and protect consumers from inedible and poor
quality produce (Kader, 2006).
Washing and sanitizing
Most leafy vegetables are washed in clean water to remove dirt and other debris and surface
contaminants. This is especially important during rainy weather as the produce often is
contaminated with soil. In heading type of cabbages, washing is not advisable as it could favor
bacterial soft rot if the heads are not properly dried. The wrapper leaves also keep the inner
edible part clean.
Sanitation is essential to control the spread of diseases from one item to another and limit the
pathogen load in wash water or in the packinghouse air. Waterborne microorganisms,
including postharvest plant pathogens and agents of human illness, can be rapidly acquired
and taken up on plant surfaces (Kader, 2006). Natural plant surface contours, natural

openings, harvest and trimming wounds can be points of entry and provide safe harbor for
microbes.
Chlorine in the form of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) solution (e.g. Chlorox or commercial
bleach) or as a dry, powdered calcium hypochlorite, can be used in wash water as a
disinfectant. For the majority of vegetables, chlorine in wash water should be maintained in
the range of 75–150 ppm (Suslow, 1997; Bachmann and Earles, 2000). The antimicrobial
form, hypochlorous acid, is most available in water with a neutral pH (6.5 to 7.5).
Concentrations above 200 ppm may injure some vegetables (e.g. leafy greens and celery) or
leave undesirable off-flavors. A 100 ppm chlorine solution can be prepared by mixing 4
tablespoons of commercial bleach (5.25% NaOCl) per gallon of water (Bautista and Acedo,
1987). Chlorine is routinely used as a sanitizer in wash, spray, and flume waters used in the
fresh fruit and vegetable industry (Beuchat and Ryu, 1997). Antimicrobial activity depends on
the amount of free available chlorine (as hypochlorous acid) in water that comes in contact
with microbial cells.
Chlorinated water can also be used during hydrocooling, and to disinfect packinghouse,
packaging and transport facilities. Furthermore, use of sanitized wash water can help to
prevent postharvest diseases and food-borne illnesses. E. coli 0157:H7, Salmonella,
Cryptosporidium, Hepatitis, and Cyclospera are among the disease-causing organisms that
have been transferred via fresh fruits and vegetables.
A standard procedure for washing lettuce leaves in tap water was reported to remove 92.4%
of the microflora (Adams et al., 1989). Including 100 ppm available free chlorine in wash water
reduced the count by 97.8%. Adjusting the pH from 9 to 4.5-5.0 with inorganic and organic
acids resulted in a 1.5- to 4.0-fold increase in microbiocidal effect. Increasing the washing time
in hypochlorite solution from 5 to 30 minutes did not decrease microbial levels further,
whereas extended washing in tap water produced a reduction comparable to hypochlorite.
The addition of 100 ppm of a surfactant (Tween 80) to a hypochlorite washing solution
enhanced lethality but adversely affected sensory qualities of lettuce.
Hydrogen peroxide (food grade) also can be used as a disinfectant. Concentrations of 0.5% or
less are effective for inhibiting development of postharvest decay caused by a number of fungi
(Bachmann and Earles, 2000). Hydrogen peroxide has a low toxicity rating and is generally
recognized as having little potential for environmental damage. Ozone as a sanitizer may not
be practical in developing countries because of its high cost.
Other commodity treatments
Rehydration by dipping in clean water or water added with chlorine can be done to restore the
fresh and turgid appearance of some leafy vegetables such as Chinese kale, kangkong, and
mustards.
Common cabbage and Chinese cabbage can be applied with antibacterial treatments to
control bacterial soft rot. The use of saturated alum solution and lime paste has been found
very effective in controlling soft rot in common cabbage (Bautista and Acedo, 1987). Alum has
a two-fold function to control bacterial soft rot: as an antimicrobial agent by direct kill, and as a
moisture-withdrawing substance that deprives the bacterial pathogens of water. However,
alum is phytotoxic and causes black spotting on affected leaf tissues, thus care must be taken
to apply alum only on the butt end of cabbage. On the other hand, lime is only moisture-
withdrawing and usually cannot control soft rot if the pathogen already has entered into the
tissues through wounds. The use of alum is now a commercial practice of common cabbage
growers in the Philippines. Lime paste is used by commercial cabbage growers in Indonesia.
In Thailand, lime (CaCO3) paste is used in commercial packinghouses for Chinese cabbage
(Kanlayanarat, 2007). The paste is applied at the butt end and allowed to dry before packing.
Other potential low-cost techniques to control bacterial soft rot in cabbages include the use of
botanicals or leaf extracts from plants that are known to be edible or consumed as medicinal
plants. One effective treatment is the use of guava leaf extract, the effect of which in common
cabbage and Chinese cabbage was comparable to alum treatment (Acedo et al., 1999, 2003;

Acedo and Capuno, 2004). Cabbages treated with guava leaf extract were free of bacterial
soft rot, while untreated heads all developed soft rot symptoms after pathogen inoculation,
which resulted in trimming losses of more than 30%. Other plants known to be edible or
medicinal, such as oregano, milkweed (local medicinal plant used to contain dengue fever)
and lemon grass were less effective. After treatment, the applied extract or substance (alum or
lime) requires proper drying before packing.
Packaging
Proper packing is essential to maintain the freshness of leafy vegetables. Packaging should
be designed to prevent premature deterioration in product quality, in addition to serving as a
handling unit (Bautista and Acedo, 1987). Packages should prevent or reduce physical injury
during transit and handling, provide ventilation to hasten cooling and escape of heat caused
by respiration, and reduce water loss from the produce (Gast, 1991). Some packages promote
sale of the produce.
Produce packages
Different kinds of containers are used for leafy vegetables, depending on the market and
value of the produce. For export and high-value leafy vegetables, more rigid and presentable
but expensive containers are used, such as foam box and cartons (Fig. 4). For the local
markets, bamboo baskets of different sizes and shapes are used.
Rigid containers (plastic or wooden crates, cartons) are far much better than non-rigid
containers (mesh bags, plastic bags) for protection of produce from damage during handling
and transport. Rigid packages are also easier to stack or palletize. The different packages are
described as follows:
Basket: Usually refers to containers made of woven materials, which may be bamboo,
rattan or plastic strips.
Box: Usually refers to containers made of corrugated fiberboard or Styrofoam. It may

be a two-piece telescoping box, or a carton that closes with top flaps. The contents
can be place-packed with liners and layer dividers, or bulk-filled.
Crate: Usually refers to a wooden or plastic container. Wooden crates are usually
wire-bound and may be collapsible.
Plastic containers, a relatively new type of container, have good stacking strength and are
water-resistant. Plastic crates for handling and transportation of vegetables wer introduced
recently in some developing countries. In Nepal, plastic crates are increasingly used by
farmers and traders, particularly in situations where their return and reuse can be guaranteed;
the crates have been reported to reduce postharvest losses and improve quality and safety of
vegetables (Adhikari, 2006). In Sri Lanka, losses of vegetables were reduced from 30% with
the use of poly sacks to 5% with the use of plastic crates (Fernando, 2006).
Reinforcing and handling packages
Telescoping construction, dividers, and corner reinforcement are ways that boxes have been
made stronger. Container liners and cushions minimize physical injuries. Containers need to
be vented to effectively lower and maintain produce temperature for storage (Gast, 1991).
Vents allow cold air to be forced more quickly through the containers and produce. Vents also
allow the heat built up by respiration to escape. Produce exposed to high temperatures in
unvented containers will usually have a shorter shelf life. A well-made container has uniform
venting, so when it is stacked the vents will match other containers. Matching is important so
cold air can be pulled through a whole stack of containers. Too much venting weakens a
container, while too little venting restricts the airflow through it. A good rule of thumb is to have
5% of the container sides and/or ends vented. A few large vertical vents are better than many
small round ones.

A container with liners and vertical dividers will eliminate the beneficial effects of vents. An
alternative way is to wrap the produce individually. Wrapping produce reduces vibration and
impact damage. Old newsprint and brown paper can be used as wrapping materials. Some
vegetables such as mustard greens and kale may be bundled before wrapping and packing.
Palletization or unitized handling (stacking containers on standard size pallets) reduces the
number of times an individual container is handled, and reduces damage to the contents.
Container sizes should fit standard pallet sizes.
Figure 4. Packaging containers for leafy vegetables.

Figure 5. Protective packaging practices.
In GMS countries, some techniques to reduce damage and improve shelf life of packed leafy
vegetables include the use of newsprint or sack liners and cotton-cloth covers, use of paper
and stretchable foam cups to wrap cabbages individually or in groups, and special
arrangements of Chinese kale or mustard inside the container to protect the leaves from
damage and water loss (Fig. 5) (Buntong and Vanndy, 2007; Chen, 2007; Thanh, 2007).
Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP)
MAP is very effective in retaining freshness and extending shelf life of fresh produce by
maintaining the green color, inhibiting water loss, reducing loss due to product respiratory heat,
and maintaining the natural fresh taste of produce. MAP is exemplified by the use of polymeric
film as packing material, which can be employed during transport and storage. Plastic films
can be used to pack specific volumes of produce, as individual wrapping, or as container
liners (Fig. 6).
Low density polyethylene (PE) film is generally used for packing fresh vegetables and fruit
owing to its high permeability and softness compared with high density PE (Somjate, 2006).
PE can be sealed easily, has good O2 and CO2 permeability, low temperature durability, good

tear resistance, and good appearance. It is therefore used for the production of MAP, which
can be manipulated to match the characteristic respiration of produce by reducing O2 levels to
slow down the rates of respiration and senescence. However, high-density PE also has been
found to markedly reduce water loss of produce (Ben Yehoshua, 1978).
Since PE bags are non-rigid, product volume per bag should be limited. In a study on packing
5, 10, and 15 kg Chinese kale per PE bag, it was found that losses due to weight loss,
bruising and trimming increased with increasing product volume and were about 5.6%, 6.9%
and 13.1%, respectively (Amuttiratana and Passornsiri, 1992).
Plastic film packaging in pak choi effectively reduced moisture loss and wilting and was
considerably more effective than manual misting or treating leaves with anti-transpirant
chemical (O’Hare et al., 2001). Plastic packaging maintains a very high RH, which
necessitates sanitary washing before packing to avoid bacterial rot. In another MAP trial under
supermarket conditions (ambient temperature of 28°C) using plastic film wrap (clingwrap), it
was found that semi-packed pak choi (two-thirds of leaves exposed) performed better than
fully packed and non-packed pak choi (Jiang and Pearce, 2005). Although the fully packed
produce had less water loss, it tended to have more rot. Supermarkets preferred the semi-
pack option from an aesthetic standpoint, as the fully packed produce tended to fog due to
moisture condensation. In Chinese cabbage, plastic film wrap was similarly effective in
reducing moisture loss from outer leaves. However, rot develops if the heads are mechanically
damaged.
In Thailand, commercial supermarket MAP practice for cabbage and Chinese cabbage
includes the use of perforated plastic bags (4-8 holes at 5 mm diameter) or individual
o
wrapping with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film at shelf temperature of 7 C (Kanlayanarat, 2007).
For Chinese kale, perforated plastic bags (4-8 holes) or PE bags with one open end are used.
If perforated plastic bags are used, the number of holes should not be excessive, as the leafy
vegetable will still easily wilt. If the number of perforations is too few, water will condense at
the surface of the plastic bag, favoring disease development.
Cooling and Storage
Cooling is the foundation of produce quality protection. It extends shelf life by reducing the
rate of physiological change (i.e. rate of respiration and transpiration) and retarding the growth
of spoilage microorganisms. Because every degree of reduction from ambient temperature
increases storage life, every form of cooling is beneficial, even if it is not optimum; simple low-
cost cooling or refreshing the product is better than no cooling at all. Ways of cooling fresh
produce include (1) keeping out of direct sun; (2) using natural cooling, such as harvesting
during the cool early morning hours, opening stores for ventilation during the cool of the night,
using the cool temperature of high altitudes or a natural source of cold water when available;
(3) evaporative cooling obtained by drawing dry air over a moist surface; (4) mechanical
refrigeration; and (5) cooling promptly after harvest by appropriate precooling methods. Some
cooling and storage recommendations and simple techniques are described by Kitinoja and
Kader (2003).

Figure 6. MAP practices for leafy vegetables.
Table 2. Postharvest cooling methods and suitable commodities (Sullivan et al., 1996).
Cooling Commodities Comments
method
Hydrocooling Most leafy vegetables, fruits Very fast cooling; uniform cooling in bulk if properly used,
and fruit-type vegetables, but may vary extensively in packed shipping containers;
sweet corn, snap beans daily cleaning and sanitation measures essential; product
must tolerate wetting; need water-tolerant shipping
containers
Forced-air Most fruits, berries, fruit- Much faster than room cooling; cooling rates uniform if
cooling type vegetables, tubers, properly used. Container venting and stacking
(pressure and vegetables not requirements are critical to effective cooling. Economical
cooling) susceptible to chilling injury and efficient.
Package icing Most vegetables Fast cooling; limited to commodities that can tolerate
water-ice contact; water-tolerant shipping containers are
essential. Economical and efficient.
Room cooling All commodities Too slow for many perishable commodities. Cooling rates
vary extensively within loads, pallets, and containers.
Vacuum cooling Leafy vegetables, iceberg Commodities must have a favorable surface-to-mass
lettuce ratio for effective cooling. Causes about 1% weight loss
for each 6°C cooled. A procedure that adds water during
cooling prevents this weight loss, but equipment is more
expensive, and water-tolerant shipping containers
needed.
Transit cooling
Mechanical All commodities Cooling in most available equipment is too slow and
refrigeration variable; generally not effective for field heat removal.
Top-icing and Most vegetables Slow and irregular, top-ice weight reduced net payload;
channel-icing water-tolerant shipping containers needed.

Precooling
Precooling has been reported as among the most efficient quality enhancements for
commercial producers and was found to rank as the most essential of the value-added
marketing activities, especially if cold storage facilities are available (Sullivan et al., 1996).
Research confirms that lowering the respiration rate of fresh vegetables is essential to
preserving market quality and the most important technology for lowering respiration rates
remains proper precooling of produce within hours of harvest.
Proper precooling preserves product quality by: (1) inhibiting the growth of decay producing
microorganisms; (2) restricting enzymatic and respiratory activity; (3) inhibiting water loss; and
(4) reducing ethylene production. There are different precooling methods (Table 2) and among
these, forced-air cooling and hydrocooling were found to be the most effective and economical
in preserving optimum quality and increasing market life.
Rapid cooling either by hydrocooling alone or in combination with package icing (ice packing)
is essential to maintain the quality of leafy vegetables. Hydrocooling by dipping in cold water is
simpler, but hydrocooled produce must be kept cool in order to prolong shelf life. Hydrocooling
o o
Chinese kale in 4 C water for 5–10 minutes prior to 7 C storage was found to reduce water
loss and yellowing and extend shelf life (Kanlayanarat, 2007). In pak choi, ice packing is a
cheap form of cooling to extend shelf life but has not been widely adopted because growers
were seldom in a position to easily access the loose ice and plastic packing containers
required, which would lead to additional costs. Furthermore, the effect of ice is transitory;
without proper insulating material, it melts quickly and the temperature returns to near ambient
(Jiang and Pearce, 2005). Some of these constraints have been addressed through the use of
ice bottles (see below). Cabbages can be precooled to 400F before transport to improve shelf
life and reduce rot (Sanders, undated).
Optimum storage conditions
If produce is to be stored, it is important to begin with a high quality product. Damaged or

diseased produce must be separated or discarded and containers must be well ventilated and
strong enough to withstand stacking. Damaged produce will spoil and induce spoilage in the
rest of the crop. Proper storage practices include temperature control, relative humidity control,
air circulation and maintenance of space between containers for adequate ventilation, and
avoiding incompatible product mixes.
Temperature is the most important environmental factor that influences the deterioration of
harvested commodities (Kader, 2006). The optimum storage temperature for most temperate
or semi-temperate/subtropical leafy vegetables, such as many brassicas, is close to 0°C while
o
tropical produce, >10 C. Relative humidity (RH) can influence water loss, decay development,
and incidence of some physiological disorders. Condensation of moisture on the commodity
(sweating) for a long time favors decay development. For most leafy vegetables, RH
requirement usually ranges from 90-98%. (Kader, 2002; Kader and Rolle, 2004). Optimum
temperature is achieved by mechanical refrigeration. In refrigerated chambers, RH can be
increased by (1) adding moisture (water mist or spray, steam) to air by humidifiers; (2)
regulating air movement and ventilation; (3) maintaining temperature of the refrigeration coils
within about 1oC of the air temperature; (4) providing moisture barriers that insulate walls of
storage rooms and transit vehicles; or (5) wetting the floor.
Cabbages and other semi-temperate brassicas can be stored at 0-2.5°C with 95-98% RH
(Boyette et al, 1992; Cantwell and Suslow, 2006; Cantwell and Reid, 2006; Sanders,
undated); for tropical produce (e.g. mustard greens, kangkong), a temperature above 10°C,
usually 13°C, is recommended. Higher temperatures accelerate physiological deterioration
and quality loss. In lettuce, higher storage temperature (10°C) hastened chlorophyll and
carotenoid loss compared with low temperature (4°C) while anthocyanin and phenolics
contents were unaffected (Ferrante and Maggiore, 2007). Chlorophyll-a fluorescence was
used to rapidly and non-destructively determine the effects of storage time and temperature
on lettuce leaf quality.

Exposure to alternating cold and warm temperatures may result in moisture accumulation on
the surface of produce (sweating), which may hasten decay. Different commodities stored
together should be capable of tolerating the same temperature, RH and level of ethylene in
the storage environment. High ethylene producers, such as ripe bananas, apples, cantaloupe,
can stimulate undesirable physiological changes in color, flavor, and texture in ethylene
sensitive commodities, such as leafy vegetables.
A farmer who can cool and store produce has greater market flexibility because the need to
market immediately after harvest is eliminated. The challenge, especially for small farmers, is
the set-up cost.
Cooling methods in developing countries
Use of ice. In developing countries, ice packing or top icing is increasingly used for leafy
vegetables due to increasing availability of ice (Fig. 7). Ice packing can be used to cool
vegetables during transport, distribution and storage. In tropical climates, the temperature in a
box of leafy vegetables may increase to 35-40°C when sealed in the afternoon and
transported the following morning. Ice packing can lower the temperature to 20-25°C (Huang,
2006). It was also found effective in reducing leaf yellowing, wilting, and trim loss. For
vegetables sensitive to chilling injury or that are damaged when in direct contact with ice, such
as amaranth, a layer of newspaper can be placed between layers of vegetables and ice.
Thickness of the alternating layers of vegetables and ice depends on the type of vegetable,
ambient temperature, and distance or the time to the market. During transport and sale at the
market, the ice melts. Leafy vegetables are sprayed repeatedly with water, especially at
destination markets, to maintain low temperatures and prevent wilting or softening.
In Yunnan, China, ice bottles are used by commercial growers as a simple technique for
cooling produce in containers and preventing direct contact of produce with the ice (Fig. 7)
(Chen, 2007). A simple refrigerating unit also has been developed for fresh vegetables (Fig. 8).
Evaporative cooling storage. Refrigerated facilities are expensive in terms of set-up and
operational cost. Alternative storage methods are therefore important in developing countries
and one of these is evaporative cooling storage. An evaporative cooler (EC) developed in
India, the Zero Energy Cool Chamber, is an on-farm, low-cost, environmentally friendly cool
chamber, was made from locally available material (Ahsan, 2006). Temperatures within the
chamber were reduced by as much as 17–18°C, with more than 90% RH during peak summer
periods. It increased shelf life and reduced wastage of fruit (banana, mango, oranges, limes,
and grapes) and vegetables (tomato and potato). A similar zero-energy storage structure was
developed in Nepal (Adhikari, 2006). The structure is constructed using brick and sand,
rectangular in shape, and has dimensions of 75 cm x 50 cm x 75 cm. Its outer and inner walls
made of bricks are separated by a 10 cm space filled with sand, which is frequently watered to
maintain a temperature of 7–10°C and RH of >85%. It increased shelf life and reduced losses
of vegetables including leafy type such as cabbage, capsicum, and leafy vegetables. In Sri
Lanka, a low cost evaporative cooler was also developed (Fig. 9) and introduced to retail
o
traders (Fernando, 2006). Temperatures inside the cooler are 5-7 C lower than ambient and
RH ranges from 90–95%. It has a capacity of 100 kg vegetables and can be used for
temporary storage of unsold produce. It reduced losses from 20% to 5%.

Figure 7. Ice packing and use of ice bottles for cooling leafy vegetables.
Figure 8. Simple refrigeration equipment for the storage of leafy vegetables.

Figure 9. Low-cost evaporative cooler developed in Sri Lanka (Fernando, 2006).
Other simple and low-cost evaporative cooling structures were described previously (Acedo
and Thanh, 2006), some of which were tested by partners in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam
for tomato and chilli storage. The box-type evaporative coolers with moist jute sack walling
and the other with moist rice hull wall inserts, as described in this report, were found to be
equally effective in inhibiting wilting and reducing weight loss, resulting in doubling of shelf life
of pechay (Brassica napus var. chinensis) (Acedo, 1997). Intermittent exposure to light was
found to reduce leafy yellowing, which is a problem of continuous holding inside the
evaporative cooler. Later, postharvest lighting also was found to affect the shelf life of pak choi
(Jiang and Pearce, 2005). Leaves stored at 10°C under normal fluorescent lighting had a shelf
life of 10 days, compared with 8.2 days for leaves stored in the dark. However, high intensity
lighting (metal halide and high-pressure sodium) reduced shelf life to about 6 days due to heat
damage.
Evaporative cooling principle can also be employed during packaging and transport. For
example, Chinese kale dipped in water for rehydration is packed right away in the container
while still wet to provide water for evaporation and cooling (Fig. 10). This technique can be
used during transport of produce and after arrival at the destination market; however, the
produce has to be taken out from the container because prolonged exposure to wet condition
favors decay development. Covering the container with wet cloth (Fig. 10) can also cool the
produce. In addition, the transport load can be transformed into an evaporative cooling and/or
modified atmosphere chamber by lining it with wet cloth and/or plastic film (Fig. 10) (Chen,
2007).

Figure 10. Application of evaporative cooling and/or modified atmosphere in packing
and transport of leafy vegetables.
Transport Techniques
Minimizing losses during transport necessitates special attention to vehicles, equipment,

infrastructure, and handling. Fresh produce is transported using both refrigerated and non-
refrigerated vehicles. Non-refrigerated vehicles are generally open-sided trucks, with wire
mesh frames. This type of transport is inexpensive and convenient, and usually is used in
developing countries. Fresh produce must not be watered prior to loading, as this will lead to
decay, rotting, and extensive losses. Major causes of losses are improper handling during
loading and unloading; over loading without separation of produce, which leads to overheating
and mechanical injury to produce at the bottom of the stack; rough roads; and lack of

ventilation of the produce. Postharvest operations must address these problems. Refrigerated
transport facilities become necessary for fresh produce destined for niche and international
markets.
For maximum shelf life and quality, leafy vegetables should not be stored or transported in
trucks where there are mixed loads containing ripening fruit such as apples, pears, mangoes,
tomatoes, or bananas. Because of their soft and delicate texture, leafy vegetables should be
handled gently to minimize mechanical injury.
Stacking of containers in the transport load provides one of the major challenges to reduce
mechanical injury. This is a particular problem for vegetables such as cabbages packed in
baskets or big plastic bags (Fig. 11). An innovative but very simple technique to reduce
damage due to compression of produce is the provision of wooden dividers separating the
layers of containers in the transport load (Fig. 11).
Market Handling
At destination markets, the produce may again undergo cleaning, sorting, packing and storage.
Most postharvest measures described above could be applied at this stage.
Other PHT Developments
Ethylene removal from postharvest chain
Ethylene, being a senescence hormone, is destructive to the quality of leafy vegetables as it

accelerates different deteriorative processes. Ethylene removal from the postharvest chain,
therefore, has far-reaching benefits. Preventing ethylene buildup around the product in
packages and during storage, transport, and marketing is often the simplest method of
reducing the damaging effects of ethylene. For ethylene-sensitive products such as leafy
vegetables, it is important to avoid storing them with products that produce high levels of
ethylene. Increasing the ventilation rate of the storage area is another way of reducing
ethylene around fresh produce.
Ethylene can be removed through different chemical processes. Potassium permanganate is

usually used because it reacts with ethylene to produce carbon dioxide and water. To scrub
the air efficiently, it is best to spread the potassium permanganate over as large a surface
area as possible, either in trays or within highly permeable bags.
An ethylene scrubber made of potassium permanganate impregnated onto clay-ash chip (a

propriety Philippine product) has been developed. Ayoub et al (1987) also tested ethylene-
absorbing blankets containing alumina coated with potassium permanganate in two mixed
loads of fruits and vegetables in two marine containers shipped from California to South Korea.
The total produce lost in the container without ethylene scrubbing was 2,645 lbs (out of 16,070
lbs) valued at $928, which is much higher than the $160 cost of the ethylene scrubbers. The
technical and economic feasibility of preventing ethylene damage was similarly demonstrated
in lettuce using ethylene scrubber (Thompson et al., 1989) and by separating ethylene-
generating produce from ethylene-sensitive produce during transport (Jordan et al., 1987).

Figure 11. Traditional and innovative stacking procedures
for containers of leafy vegetables.
Cold chain system
As with refrigerated storage, the cold chain system is not a low-cost technology, but is
introduced here for future consideration as a joint government-private sector initiative. Cold
chain systems preserve the freshness of produce from harvesting through marketing and
delivery to the consumer and have a tremendous impact on fresh produce marketing (Ho,
2006). The economic impact of cold-chain systems is due to (1) increased consumer
satisfaction as a result of improved freshness and keeping quality of produce; (2) price
stabilization and continuity of supply; (3) reduced total marketing expenses due to reduced
product losses; increased net quantities of fresh produce and reduced unit marketing and
garbage disposal costs; and (4) improved quality and competitiveness of farm produce,
thereby contributing to increased farmer income.
Some developing countries, such as Indonesia and Philippines, are starting to adopt the cold
chain approach and adapt it to their needs. In the Philippines, small vegetable growers in
different villages of a highland province in Bukidnon (located in the southern islands
collectively called Mindanao) penetrated institutional markets (e.g. a fast-food chain) in Cebu

(one of the islands in the central part collectively called Visayas) and Manila (the country’s
center located in the northern part collectively called Luzon) through clustering and application
of the cold chain system (Rapusas, 2006). Previously, selling lettuce to local traders was
difficult because of low prices and 25% of the weight deducted as an allowance for trimmings,
despite the fact that the lettuce was of good quality. An alternative market was sought by the
grower, who began supplying 200 kg of lettuce on a weekly basis to fast-food outlets in Cebu,
and later, in Manila—the latter requiring air transport of 400 kg lettuce weekly. Apart from the
high cost of air freight, lettuce delivered to the processor did not meet the 61% yield specified
in the marketing contract, owing to the need for 16-20% trimming.
Attaining the high quality standards of the fast-food processor was a formidable challenge for
the grower. A further challenge was that of supplying a 20-foot refrigerated van with 3.5 metric
tons of lettuce on a weekly basis. Clusters of lettuce growers were then formed and shared
production technologies and quality standards. With the use of refrigerated transport, the
trimmings were significantly reduced to a maximum of 10% and the processor’s yield recovery
specification of 61% was successfully met. To further improve the lettuce supply chain,
government agencies provided assistance in terms of equipment support—a 10-foot
refrigerated truck, a 20-foot refrigerated van or container, and a precooler—to complete the
cold chain system.
Operational steps are as follows: (1) harvested lettuce heads are immediately brought to the
packinghouse for cleaning (wiping with a cloth to remove soil and other dirt particles), sorting,
air drying (about 2 hours) and anti-browning treatment (using citrus or “calamansi” juice, alum,
or ascorbic acid applied to the cut portion of the lettuce); (2) selected heads are carefully
arranged into nestable and vented plastic crates (11.5 kg capacity) with a brown paper lining
for every two layers with each layer consisting of 12 heads; (3) cluster growers transport the
packed produce to a consolidation area using a rented 20-foot refrigerated van, especially for
growers located far from this area; (4) the consolidated packed produce is transported in
refrigerated containers to a city pier for loading into the ship en route to Manila (shipping time
from the consolidation area up to the buyer/processor takes 40 hours). The achievements of
the five-grower lettuce cluster have provided the impetus for other independent, small lettuce
growers to join the cluster. This development has given the cluster a window of opportunity to
expand its production volume and, in turn, its captive market.
Supply chain management
A system approach to producing and marketing fresh leafy vegetables is essential to raise
farm productivity and profitability and ensure the sustainability and reliability of supply chains.
Different supply chain systems exist in developing countries, and in general, they can be
grouped into traditional and progressive supply chains.
Traditional supply chain. Many supply chains that involve small farmers in rural areas fall
under this category. Farmers are at the mercy of middlemen who usually dictate product
prices and who may have contract-like agreements with the farmers. The middleman receives
the crop and sells it in a wholesale market to wet markets and to supermarkets (Fig. 12)
(Kanlayanarat, 2007). The farmer also may sell the crop directly to the market. This supply
chain is a low-technology system, usually with no temperature control, and relies on selling the
produce within one day after harvest. Product losses may be very high, particularly during
adverse weather conditions.
Progressive supply chain. The cold chain system described above is one example of
progressive supply chains, which harness technological developments and market
requirements to create marketing advantage and opportunities.
Food corporations (e.g. supermarket chains) and multinational companies develop their own
supply chain system to serve better the needs of their customers and therefore ensure
profitability of their business ventures. In Thailand, for example, a food corporation supplies
vegetables to its chain of supermarkets by getting supplies from its contract farmers, who
grow vegetables following recommended production practices (Fig. 13) (Kanlayanarat, 2007).
Pricing of farmers’ produce depends on prevailing market price. Depending on the crop, the

harvested produce is sorted and packed on-farm and brought to the company’s headquarters
for subsequent distribution. Other crops are brought to the company’s packinghouse for
grading using the company’s quality standards, packing, and holding or storage. The
packinghouse is located near the company’s headquarters and distribution center. If
distribution cannot be done on the same day of arrival, storage is done in the company’s
central cold room. The produce is distributed to supermarket outlets in refrigerated trucks and
displayed on refrigerated shelves.
Another Thailand initiative to improve leafy vegetable supply chain management in the
northern highlands of Chiang Mai capitalizes on the cooperative system with outside support
(Royal Project Foundation) (Kanlayanarat, 2007). The vegetables include cabbages and other
temperate types produced following research-based recommendations. The farmers harvest
their own vegetables and deliver them to 37 fully equipped collection centers (Fig. 14). The
vegetables then go through the following processes: checking for quantity and quality;
cleaning, trimming, checking for chemical residues such as fertilizer and pesticides (if found to
be unsafe, the produce is rejected); packing; pre-cooling (if needed); and storage in cold
rooms. Each postharvest center has fairly extensive infrastructure and equipment, such as
conveyors, carts, crates, measuring devices, displays showing quality guidelines, and cutting
and trimming devices. At least one pre-cooling facility is used.
Crops are cooled in different ways. The center has also a cold room for storing perishable
crops before transport. Small refrigerated trucks then collect the produce from each center
and take it to the packinghouse in Chiang Mai. This is a large, central collection point usually
employing more than a hundred people. Produce is processed and packed to a high standard
of efficiency and hygiene. At the packinghouse, produce is checked for quality, trimmed,
washed, checked for all chemical residues, and then packed again. Low grade or excess
produce is usually sent for food processing. The packed produce is transported to Chiang Mai,
Bangkok, or regional markets.
Like the local postharvest centers, the packinghouse is fully equipped and has cold storage
facilities. The packinghouse itself is temperature and humidity controlled to reduce crop
wastage. Whether the produce is destined for Chiang Mai, Bangkok or regional markets, the
produce is transported by large refrigerated trucks. When the produce arrives at the Bangkok
Distribution Center, the delivery is again checked for quantity and quality, as some produce
may have been damaged in transit. After quality check up, the produce is stored in cold rooms.
From there, the produce is transported to Doi Kham Stores or to third-party retailers and
wholesalers.
Figure 12. Traditional supply chain system for leafy vegetables.

Figure 13. Corporate supply chain system for leafy vegetables.
Figure 14. Cooperative system of supply chain management.
In Myanmar, a government initiated and owned corporation operates a supply chain for
vegetables for export (Kyaw, 2007). It has a packinghouse equipped with three cold rooms
each with 10-ton capacity, hydrocooling facility and other postharvest equipment including
packaging area (Fig. 15). Packaging containers, such as cartons are fabricated and supplied
by a contracted company. Upon arrival in the packinghouse, the vegetables produced by
contract growers, such as lettuce and broccoli, are sorted, precooled with 1oC water
containing a disinfectant, air-dried, packed in air-tight plastic bags before putting into cartons,
stored in the cold room (if delivery within the day could not be done), and transported in
refrigerated trucks for cargo flights.
Economic Analysis of Postharvest Technologies
The development, introduction, and use of a certain technology have economic,

environmental and social impacts (Jiang and Pearce, 2005). Economic impacts are usually
changes in profitability due to higher demand and/or bigger markets, lower costs, higher yields,
and/or better quality. Environmental impacts are effects on the natural system, such as
reduced waste and pollution or improved environmental quality. Social impacts may include
enhanced networking, empowerment of the most disadvantaged groups, recognition of gender
contributions, and the development of human and social capital. Environmental and social
impacts may be quantified in monetary terms, but in many cases they do not have market
values. Some impacts cannot be realized immediately after an intervention has been
developed or introduced. Only potential impacts can be evaluated and so, certain
assumptions and projections have to be made.

For postharvest technologies developed or technological recommendations introduced,
economic impacts are mainly longer shelf life, better quality and/or lower losses of the produce,
which lead to higher profitability. For these techniques, cost-benefit analysis can be performed
and from this, the return on investment or the cost/benefit ratio can be estimated. Three
examples are given below.
Example 1: postharvest technical advice
The postharvest intervention was given as simple advice to retain 2-3 wrapper leaves in
Chinese cabbage instead of removing all outer leaves as traditionally practiced. The
technique reduced losses from 28.5% for the traditional practice to 6.3% for the introduced
technique, which resulted to a net profit that far exceeded the additional cost (Table 3).
Example 2: postharvest technique from exploratory investigation
The use of botanical extracts as alternative to alum for cabbage soft rot control was explored.
Experiments were conducted and the most effective treatment (guava leaf extract, 1:1
extract:water ratio) showed complete control of the disease in contrast to 100% infection of
untreated heads that resulted in trimming losses of 34.8%. (The cost and benefit are only
potential.) The potential net benefit again far exceeded the cost of the technique (Table 4).
Example 3: introduction of better postharvest material
The use of plastic crates as packaging material for vegetables was introduced and reduced
losses to 5%, down from 30% for the usual practice of using polyethylene sacks (Fernando,
2006). Cost benefit analysis is shown in Table 5, which illustrates that using plastic crates can
increase profitability.
Figure 15. Myanmar government-initiated supply chain for export vegetables produced
by contract farmers and brought to the packinghouse for sorting, hydrocooling,
packing in carton box, cold storage, and transport in refrigerated trucks for cargo flight.

Table 3. Cost benefit analysis of keeping 2-3 outer leaves of Chinese cabbage during
transport compared to removing all outer leaves (modified from Jiang and Pearce,
2005).
Particulars Unit Traditional practice Keeping 2-3 outer leaves
Losses
-2nd day % 28.5 6.2
-3rd day % 28.6 6.4
-Average % 28.5 6.3
Weight of Chinese cabbage kg 1000.00 1000.00 (1156 kg shipped)
-Wasted kg 285.35 62.00
-Sold kg 714.65 938.00
-Revenues @ 0.60 yuan/kg yuan 428.79 562.80
Cost
-Transportation cost yuan 33.00 37.50
-Additional labor (loading etc.) yuan 6.00 6.00
-Total costs yuan 39.00 43.50
Net profit (revenues-total cost) yuan 389.79 519.30
1 USD = 8 Chinese yuan or RMB (Renminbi)
Table 4. Potential cost and benefit of using guava leaf extract and alum for bacterial
soft rot control in common cabbage (Acedo et al., 1999).
Particulars No treatment Guava leaf extract Alum treatment
% Trimming losses due soft rot

-Trial 1 30.9 0 0
-Trial 2 38.6 0 0
-Average 34.8 0 0
Weight of Chinese cabbage, kg 1000 1000 1000
-Wasted 348 0 0
-Sold 652 1000 1000
-Revenues @ 30 pesos/kg 19,560 30,000 30,000
Cost, pesos
-Treatment cost (materials, labor) 0 100 120
-Trimming cost (labor) 150 0 0
-Total costs, pesos 150 100 120
Net profit (revenues-total cost), pesos 19,410 29,900 29.880
1 USD = 52 Philippine peso (PHP)

Table 5. Cost-benefit analysis of using poly sacks and plastic crates for transporting
vegetables from the collecting center, Keppetipola to the central (Manning) market in
Colombo, Sri Lanka (Fernando, 2006).
Particulars Use of poly sacks Use of plastic crates
1) Capacity per truck load

- Number of units transported 80 bags 125 crates
- Average weight of vegetables per unit 50 kg 20 kg
- Total capacity 4,000 kg 2,500 kg
2) Unit price of a package LKR 30.00/bag 527.00/crate
3) Lifespan of package 2 journeys 240 journeys
4) Farm-gate purchasing price, LKR 25.00/kg 27.00/kg
5) Transport cost LKR
- Keppettipola to central market LKR 2,500.00 2,500.00
- Return journey LKR 625.00*
6) Handling charges LKR 6.00 6.00
7) Selling price of vegetables LKR 30.00 37.00
Capital cost
-Total cost of packages LKR 2,400.00 65,876.00
Fixed cost
-Depreciation of packages LKR 1,200.00 274.00
Variable
-Total transport cost LKR 2,500.00 3,125.00
-Loading and unloading cost LKR 960.00 1,500.00
-Cost of vegetables LKR 100,000.00 67,500.00
Total cost LKR 104,660.00 72,399.00

Total revenue LKR 120,000.00 92,500.00
Net profit LKR 15,340.00 20,100.00
* Empty crates occupy 1/4 of the total truck capacity 1USD = 100 LKR.
Losses of vegetables were reduced from 30% with poly sacks to 5% with plastic sacks.

4 PROCESSING TECHNOLOGIES FOR LEAFY
VEGETABLES
Importance of Processing
Processing is an important value-added activity that stabilizes and diversifies food supplies
and creates employment and income opportunities. It can minimize the high perishability
problem of leafy vegetables. Many advantages of processed products have been reported,
particularly the extended availability of seasonal, perishable products beyond the growing
season. Processed products are also more stable, have improved digestibility, and permit
great diet diversity, giving consumers access to a wider choice of products and a better range
of vitamins and minerals.
Drying, salting, fermenting, and pickling leafy vegetables, the focus of this section, are the
simplest processing methods that do not require sophisticated equipment. However, shelf life
of salted or fermented vegetables is short, from several days to a few weeks. To increase
shelf life, preservative solution is used, together with vacuum packing or bottling with heat
processing.
Commodity Considerations
Leafy vegetables are low in acid and sugar compared with most fruits and so, they vary in
processing requirements for salting, fermenting, pickling, drying, packing, and freezing
(Diamante, 2007). For example, fermented leafy vegetables are mixed with salt to promote the
growth of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), which give the characteristic sourness to the product.
Leafy vegetables need to be blanched (with water or steam) prior to drying, canning/bottling or
freezing. The purpose of blanching is to inactivate the enzymes catalase and peroxidase,
which cause deterioration of vegetables during further processing. Blanching must be properly
done to preserve the green color (chlorophyll), otherwise chlorophyll is broken down to
phaeophytin, which imparts brown color to over-blanched vegetables. Dehydrated leafy
vegetables are usually dried to very low moisture (5% or less) to slow down deterioration
during subsequent storage. Canned leafy vegetables are processed with high heat processing
o
(above 100 C) because of their low acidity compared with most canned fruits, which are acidic
and require temperatures lower than 100oC. There is little difference in processing
requirements for fruit and vegetables with respect to freezing.
Preprocessing Operations
Washing
Vegetables may be washed with water in three different ways: soaking, washing by agitation,
and spraying (Diamante, 2007). Washing vegetables with water can be manual or
mechanized, depending upon the scale of operation. Soaking is not in itself an effective
means of removing dirt but it is useful as a preliminary treatment to washing by spray or
agitation. If the vegetables are agitated in water, the efficiency of the soaking process is
greatly enhanced. Washing by means of water spray is by far the most satisfactory method.
Vegetables that are heavily contaminated with soil or other objectionable material should first
be soaked thoroughly to loosen adhering soil before washing under spray. The efficiency of a
spray of water for washing depends upon the pressure of the water, its volume, and also the
distance of the spray nozzle from the vegetable to be washed. Spray washer pressures vary
between 60 to 200 psi. The process removes most of the soil and many of the insects from the
leaves.

Cutting
Leafy vegetables require different cutting methods. For example, cabbage heads may be
sliced into quarters as in the case in Cambodia (Buntong and Vanndy, 2007). In some
instances, cabbages for fermenting and drying are shredded into fine slices (1/32 to ¼ inch
wide). Generally when the leafy vegetables readily soften after blanching, there is no need to
cut or shred them prior to fermenting or drying. This is the case for leaf mustards as practiced
in many Greater Mekong Subregion countries such as Yunnan, China (Hong, 2007), Laos
(Chanthasombath, 2007), Thailand (Srilaong, 2007), and Vietnam (Thanh, 2007). However,
there are fermentation procedures that require slicing of mustard leaves (Thanh, 2007).
Blanching
Leafy vegetables must be heated to a minimal temperature to inactivate natural enzymes

before processing or storing, even when processed as frozen product (Diamante, 2007). This
special heat treatment to inactivate enzymes is known as blanching. Blanching is not
indiscriminate heating. Too little is ineffective, and too much damages vegetables by
excessive cooking, especially when the fresh character of the vegetable is to be preserved by
further processing.
Two of the more heat-resistant enzymes in vegetables are catalase and peroxidase. If these
are destroyed, then other enzymes that contribute to deterioration will be inactivated also.
Effective heat treatments for inactivating catalase and peroxidase in different vegetables are
known, and sensitive chemical tests have been developed to detect the amounts of these
enzymes that might survive the blanching treatment.
o
Cabbage for canning is water-blanched at 100 C for 1-1.5 minutes while cabbage for drying is
steam-blanched for about 4-5 minutes. Spinach for canning is water-blanched at 76.7oC for
about 6 minutes or at 100oC for 1.5 minutes, while spinach for drying is steam-blanched for
about 3-5 minutes. For other leafy vegetables such as Chinese kale and Chinese mustard,
blanching may be done in 100oC water for about 1.5 minutes or by steaming for 3-5 minutes.
Other blanching techniques require water temperatures lower than 100oC.
Salting Technology
Salting is done to draw water from the vegetables, impart a salty taste, inhibit or kill some of
the microorganisms on the vegetables, and permit the survival of useful microorganisms.
Useful microorganisms (e.g. LAB) produce acids and flavor compounds by fermentation of
sugars in the vegetables.
A salting technology for Chinese cabbage was developed in Australia to supply the Japanese
market with a raw material for pickled vegetable (Thompson et al., 2001). This was done to
avoid the use of complex packaging and storage requirements for live, fresh product. The
value of whole, fresh vegetables often does not justify the use of quicker, but far more
expensive, air transit. The salted Chinese cabbage produced by this technology conformed to
Japanese market requirements and trial export shipments were well received. The technique
involves the following procedure:
o
 Cabbages are cooled to 5 C; overmature and damaged wrapper leaves are removed.
 The produce is cut into half longitudinally through the stem and leaf petioles, but not
the majority of leaf-blade material.
 The halves are torn apart and immersed for 5 minutes in a 200–300 ppm sodium
hypochlorite solution at 5oC.
 Following chlorine disinfection, the halves are rinsed in 5oC tap water and shaken to
remove excess water before transfer to salting tubs (inner tub dimensions:
length-upper 56 cm, base 52 cm; width-upper 36.5 cm, base 32.5 cm; depth-20
cm).
 During packing and layering into tubs, salt is sprinkled onto the stem/leaf-petiole area
at the rate of 5% by weight.

 5% salt solution at 5oC is added to tubs at the rate of 15% cabbage weight.
 Cabbages are placed under pressure with surface weight for 16 hours at an air
temperature of either 4oC or ambient (i.e. 15o to 25oC).
 The pressure employed at 4oC is 175% of total cabbage weight per tub, or
approximately 1.2 kPa pressure.
 If higher room temperatures are used, the pressure should be higher, approximately
1.6 kPa (processors can determine if low temperature or high pressure is
easier to achieve in their factory).
 After 16 hours, 25% of surface weight is removed and approximately 10% (by
cabbage weight) additional volume of salt solution is added.
 After 4 days, the salt solution is drained and the cabbage halves are vacuum-sealed
in barrier-film bags.
 The product is now ready for immediate consumption or additional processing.
o
Otherwise, storage should be continued at 4 C.
The abovementioned salting technology could be adapted by Asian countries, such as those
in the Greater Mekong Subregion, that have a competitive edge in serving international
markets such as Japan and South Korea.
Fermentation Technologies
Fermented vegetables are foods in which the acid is produced from sugar in the food product
by fermentation with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) (Diamante, 2007). Nearly all vegetables can be
fermented by LAB. They contain sugars and are nutritionally adequate as substrate for growth
of LAB and other microorganisms. Relatively few species of bacteria are responsible for the
fermentation of the majority of vegetable products. They develop in a natural sequence of
species. The relative role of each species is governed primarily by environmental conditions.
Lactic acid fermentation enhances the nutritional value of a food product through increased
vitamin levels and improved digestibility. It is extremely important in meeting the nutritional
requirements of a large proportion of the world’s population.
Basic information
Kyi (2007) reviewed some basic information on the fermentation process:
Desirable fermentation. It is essential with any fermentation process to ensure that only the
desired bacteria, yeast or mold start to multiply and grow on the substrate (the produce).
These organisms suppress other microorganisms, which may be pathogenic, may cause food
poisoning, or may spoil the fermentation process, resulting in an end product which is neither
expected nor desired. Most food-spoilage organisms cannot survive in either alcoholic or
acidic environments. Therefore, the production of both these end products can prevent food
from spoilage and extend shelf life.
Lactic acid fermentation is carried out under three basic types of conditions: dry salted, brined,
and non-salted condition. Salting provides a suitable environment for LAB to grow, which
imparts the acid flavor. Any variety of common salt is suitable as long as it is pure; impurities
or additives can cause problems. Salt with chemicals to reduce caking should not be used as
they make the brine cloudy. Salt with lime impurities can reduce the acidity and shelf life of the
final product; iron impurities can result in blackening of product; magnesium impurities impart
a bitter taste; and carbonate impurities cause soft texture of product.
Dry-salted fermentation. Dry salt is used and extracts the juice from the vegetable, producing
brine. The vegetable is prepared, washed in potable cold water, and drained. For every 100
kg of vegetables, 3 kg of salt is needed. The vegetables are placed in a layer about 2.5 cm
deep in a fermentation container. Salt is sprinkled over the vegetables. Another layer of
vegetables is added and more salt is added. This is repeated until the container is three-
quarters full. Cloth is placed over the vegetable and a weight is added to compress the
vegetable and assist in the formation of brine, which takes about 24 hours. As soon as the
brine is formed, fermentation states and bubbles of carbon dioxide begin to appear.

Fermentation takes between 1-4 weeks, depending on the ambient temperature. Fermentation
is complete when no more bubbles appear, after which the product can be mixed with vinegar,
oil, and spices.
Brine-salted fermentation. Brine is used for leafy vegetables that contain less moisture. A
brine solution is prepared by dissolving salt in water (15-20% salt solution). Fermentation
takes place well in a brine of about 20° salometer. As a rough guide, a fresh egg floats in a
10% brine solution. Properly brined vegetables will keep well in vinegar for a long time. The
duration of brining is important to the overall keeping quality. The vegetable is immersed in the
brine and allowed to ferment. The strong brine solution draws sugar and water out of the
vegetable, decreasing the salt concentration. It is crucial that the salt concentration does not
fall below 12%, otherwise the condition does not allow for fermentation. To achieve this, extra
salt is added periodically to the brine mixture.
Once the vegetable has been brined and the container sealed, microorganisms will rapidly
develop in the brine. Natural controls that affect microbial population during fermentation
include the concentration of salt, temperature of the brine, availability of fermentable materials,
and the numbers and types of microorganisms present at the start of fermentation. The
duration of fermentation is correlated with the concentration of salt in the brine and its
temperature.
Most vegetables can be fermented at 12.5-20°C. At higher salt level of up to about 40°C
salometer, the sequence is skewed towards the development of homo-fermentation,
dominated by Lactobacillus plantarum. At the highest concentration of salt (about 60°C
salometer), lactic fermentation ceases to function and if any acid is detected during brine
storage, it is acetic acid, presumably produced by acid-forming yeasts that are still active at
this salt concentration.
Non-salted fermentation. Some vegetables are fermented by LAB without prior addition of salt
or brine. Non-salted products include gundruk (consumed in Nepal), sinki, and other wilted
fermented leaves. The fermentation process relies on the rapid colonization of produce by
LAB, which lower the pH and make the environment unsuitable for growth of spoilage
organisms. Oxygen is also excluded. Restriction of oxygen ensures that yeasts do not grow.
Sauerkraut processing
Sauerkraut or kraut, originally a German fermented cabbage, is prepared from sound, well
matured common cabbage heads (Diamante, 2007; Sasitorn, 2007). Cabbages with 24% total
sugars are suitable for sauerkraut production. Generally, good quality raw material contains up
to 30-60 mg/100 g of vitamin C. Sauerkraut can be prepared whole or shredded. However,
shredded sauerkraut is more common for the industry due to its good quality and uniform
fermentation.
The sauerkraut processing flow is shown in Figure 16. After delivery, cabbages are
transported via conveyer to the coring machine. Then the cored head is trimmed (removing
outer leaves and bad spots) and cut/shredded before transport to fermentation vat. Salt (2-
3%) is added evenly as the shredded cabbages are distributed in the vat. This allows the
product to be cured by natural fermentation. Immediately after adding salt, juice is released
from cabbage. This “early brine” may be withdrawn from the vat to assure a maximum filling of
cabbage into the vat. After the vat is filled, it is covered with a plastic sheet that is weighed
with water. After four or more weeks, the fermentation is considered complete, when the
finished product contains not less than 1.5% of acid, expressed as lactic acid. Fermentation
temperature is at 20-25°C in the first phase and needs to be lowered then to 14-18°C. In the
early stage of fermentation, most LAB are hetero-fermentative (gas-forming) species such as
Leuconostoc mesenteroides. The carbon dioxide creates an anaerobic environment that
promotes the desirable lactic acid bacteria. After 8 days of fermentation, most LAB are homo-
fermentative (non-gas-forming) species such as Lactobcillus plantarum. Other LAB species in
sauerkraut production are Lactobcillus brevis and Pediococcus cerevisiae.

Cabbage head
Trim green, broken, and dirty leaves
Remove core
Shredding
Add salt on the shreds
Place shreds in a jar
Cover jar tightly (airtight)
Ferment
Sauerkraut
Figure 16. Process flow for sauerkraut production

(Diamante, 2007; Sasitorn, 2007).
Shelf life of the finished product after completion of fermentation (i.e. after the estimated six
weeks period) depends on the storage temperature. The finished product shelf life at 15°C is
about six months while at 20°C, 2-3 months. The product maybe canned using sufficient
thermal processing to assure preservation in hermetically sealed containers (cans, jars, or
flexible pouches), or it may be packaged in sealed containers and preserved with or without
the addition of sodium benzoate or any other ingredient approved by food safety authorities.
At small scale and in traditional processing, shredded sauerkraut can be obtained by using
simple available glass jars or rigid receptacles (plastic jars, earthenware jars) from a minimum
size of 2-3 kg up to practical commercial size of 10-15 kg. For whole sauerkraut production,
prepared whole cabbages are put into fermentation vats and 5-6% salt concentration brine is
poured on top. The fermentation conditions are the same for shredded sauerkraut. To assure
a uniform fermentation and to avoid a strict anaerobic (butyric) fermentation, it is necessary to
apply "aeration" by turning over the cabbages every 2-3 days at the beginning of the
fermentation, and then every 5-7 days thereafter.
In some countries, sauerkraut juice is produced for its dietetic value (lactic acid and vitamin C
content) and its refreshing taste. The juice, which is the result of the fermentation of lactic acid
from cabbage mainly from sliced sauerkraut, is used. The juice must be the result of a normal
lactic fermentation, i.e. without butyric fermentation or other deterioration. A good quality juice
must have an acidity of 1.4% lactic acid and a content of maximum 2.5% salt. This is obtained
by mixing various sauerkraut qualities. The collected juice is heated slightly to eliminate CO2
gas and to obtain protein coagulation. Filtration of juice is the next step, followed by filling in
container, closing and pasteurization at 75-80°C for 4-5 minutes.

Kimchi processing
Kimchi is a Korean fermented Chinese cabbage, which is usually sliced thicker than
sauerkraut (Diamante, 2007; Sasitorn, 2007). It is probably the most important processed food
product in Korea as it is eaten with most meals. Production is estimated at over one million
tons, mainly at household level. Daily consumption is estimated at 150 to 250 grams per
person. There are almost 200 types of kimchi available in the market. However, the most
popular type of kimchi is baechu kimchi, which is made from Chinese cabbage. Baechu kimchi
can be prepared using whole cabbage (tongbaechu kimchi) or chopped/cut cabbage
(matbaechu kimchi). Essential processing steps that can affect kimchi quality are selection
and formulation of raw ingredients, salting, rinsing and draining, pretreatment of sub-
ingredient and mixing process, placing in fermentation vessel, and fermentation (Fig. 17)
(Diamante, 2007; Sasitorn, 2007).
Good quality Chinese cabbage, with light-green colored soft leaves and compact structures
with no defects, are required for production of kimchi. After grading and washing, the cabbage
is cut lengthwise into 2 to 4 parts and treated with dry salt for several hours or with 10% brine
for 10 hours. For chopped kimchi, the cabbage is cut 3-5 cm and macerated in 8-15% salt
solution for 2-7 hours. Maceration is the most important step for taste, texture, fermentation,
and preservation. The macerated cabbage is rinsed several times with fresh water to remove
excessive salt and drained to remove extra water. A pre-mixture of spices and other
ingredients (Table 6) are packed between layers of cabbage leaves. The stuffed cabbages are
placed in a jar (crock) to allow facultative anaerobic condition for fermentation. Traditionally, to
maintain consistent low temperature, the crock is buried underground up to the neck and the
lid is covered with straw until the kimchi is needed.
Kimchi fermentation is carried out by various microorganisms present in the raw materials and
ingredients used, especially LAB. Among the 200 bacteria isolated from kimchi, the important
microorganisms in fermentation are Lactobacillus plantarum L., Brevis, Streptococcus faecalis,
Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Pediococcus pentosaceus. After fermentation, the product
can be left to mature for several weeks if refrigeration is available. If stored under warm
conditions, the kimchi deteriorates rapidly. To assure good quality of kimchi, the final salt
concentration of the product is adjusted to 2.2-3.0% (w/w).
Fermented mustards and cabbage
Fermented mustard leaf is a well-known indigenous fermented food product found in many
countries including GMS countries. In Taiwan, most of harvested leaf mustards are dry-salted
in wells or vats for fermentation to prepare the pickle product. After fermentation, the
yellowish pickles with crispy texture and sound and pickle flavor, are called Hum-choy.
General processing steps of leaf mustard pickles are shown in Figure 18 (Sasitorn, 2007).
The mature leaf mustard are washed, cut, and wilted in the sun for a day. Then they are
trimmed and placed in fermentation wells or vats. Prior to deposition of the first layer of leaf
mustard in an upright position, dry salt is spread at the base of the well. For the following
layer, the leaf mustard is deposited at inverted position and each layer is spread with dry salt
and pressed tightly. At the top of the well, the leaf mustard is covered with a heavy-duty plastic
film and weights. After 3 days, water is drawn out of vegetable and the level of leaf mustard is
lowered. Further deposition of mustard and salt are repeated 2-3 times and finally covered
and sealed with a heavy-duty plastic film and pressed with stones for long term fermentation
(2-6 months).

Chinese cabbage
Remove green, broken and dirty leaves
Remove core
Slice Dissolve salt in water
Cabbage slices Mix cabbage slices in a jar
Cover jar tightly
Drain the brine solution
Other ingredients Mix cabbage with other ingredients
Ferment
Kimchi
Figure 17. Process flow for Kimchi production (Diamante, 2007; Sasitorn, 2007).
Table 7. Sample recipe for Kimchi production (Diamante, 2007; Sasitorn, 2007).
Particular Description
A. Composition B. Process
3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon pickling salt 1. Dissolve the 3 tablespoons salt in water. Put the
6 cups water cabbage into a large bowl, a crock, or a non-
2 lbs Chinese cabbage, cut into 2-inch reactive pot, and pour the brine over it. Weigh the
squares cabbage down with a plate. Let the cabbage stand
6 scallions, cut into 2-inch lengths, then for 12 hours.
slivered
1 1/2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger 2. Drain the cabbage, reserving the brine. Mix the
2 tablespoons ground dried hot pepper (or cabbage with the remaining ingredients, including
other mildly hot ground red pepper) the 1 teaspoon salt. Pack the mixture into a 2-
quart jar. Pour enough of the reserved brine over
1 teaspoon sugar
the cabbage to cover it. Push a freezer bag into
the mouth of the jar, and pour the remaining brine
into the bag. Seal the bag. Let the Kimchi ferment
in a cool place, at a temperature no higher than
o
20 C (68°F), for 3 to 6 days, until the Kimchi is as
sour as you like.
3. Remove the brine bag, and cap the jar tightly.

Store the kimchi in the refrigerator, where it will
keep for months.

Mature leaf mustards

Washing/cutting

Sun-drying (1 day)

Trimming and shipping to fermentation vats

Spreading dry salt at the base of vats

(A)Deposition of leaf mustard (upright position)

(B)Spreading dry salt onto leaf mustard (9-15% w/w)

(C) Deposition of leaf mustard (inverted position)

(D)Coverage with plastic film and weights (3 days)

Repeat (A)-(D) 2 or 3 times

Coverage and sealing with heavy-duty plastic film and weights

Fermentation (2-6 months)

Fermented leaf mustard

Partially dried (sun drying)

Inner parts of leafs Outer parts of leaf

 
Cutting into stripes Further sun drying
 
Packing into jars or bottles Wrap wilted leafs a balls
 
Pressing/capping /sealing Packing in plastic bag
 
Aging bottom up (2 months) Mei-kan-choy

Fu-choy
Figure 18. Flow chart of fermented leaf mustard processing (Sasitorn, 2007).
Microorganisms associated with fermentation include Lactobacillus spp., Pediococcus spp.

and Leuconostoc mesenteroides. The products can be either marketed for consumer demand
or hermetically sealed in sterilized cans or pouches for local and overseas marketing.
Fermented leaf mustard can be used as raw material for fu-choy and mei-kan-choy production
(Figure 18). Fu-choy is a product with unique flavor and aroma that went through an in-
container secondary fermentation. For fu-choy production, fermented mustard leaf is partially
dried (sun drying), then the stems and the inner leaves are cut into thin strips and packed
tightly in glass bottles or other types of containers. The neck of container is filled with the
partially dried leaves originating from outer leaves and followed by sealing. The bottles or jars
undergo secondary fermentation in a bottom-up position for 2-3 months. The products are

stable at ambient temperature with shelf life of several months to a year. Mei-kan-choy, an
intermediate moisture fermented product, is usually made from the sun-dried outer leaves of
leaf mustard pickle.
Figure 19 shows another process for leaf mustard fermentation (Diamante, 2007). The
mustards are first washed very well and the roots and old leaves are removed. Salt is then
sprinkled to the leaves to induce wilting. For a kilogram of mustard leaves, boil 1 cup of rice
water (from washing) with ¼ cup salt and cool. The wilted mustard leaves are placed in a jar
and the rice water washing mixture is added. The leaves are weighted down so that they are
thoroughly submerged in the salt solution and stored at room temperature. After a week or so,
the fermented mustard leaves should be sour. This processing procedure is similar to the Lao
technique for fermented Chinese mustard production with some modifications (Fig. 20)
(Chanthasombath, 2007). After adding salt to the mustards, they are mixed with hand
pressure to squeeze out the water from the mustards, which is then discarded. In addition, the
rice wash water is not cooked and chili is added prior to fermentation in jars. The fermented
product is usually marketed immediately due to short shelf life of 1-3 days.
In Yunnan, China, mustards are exposed to the sun for 1-2 days to reduce water content and
make them soften or flaccid in order to avoid breaking or tearing of leaves and stems during
subsequent operations (Hong, 2007). Washing in fresh water is then done to remove dust and
other extraneous materials. Excess water on the leaf surface is removed by shaking manually.
The vegetable is placed into a suitable container, added with salt (about 15% of the total
volume of produce), hot pepper powder, ginger, and monosodium glutamate. They are then
mixed, twisted and kneaded to allow maximum absorption of the condiments. The vegetable is
put into prepared a pond (Fig. 21A) or plastic jar disinfected with alcohol (Fig. 21B), covered
and pressed with weights for fermentation. The fermentation period varies from 3–4 days in
summer and 6–7 days in winter. The vegetable has to be turned periodically to allow uniform
fermentation and dissipate the heat and bad smell. Turning the vegetable is done 3-4 times
during the fermentation period. The fermented vegetable is transferred from the fermentation
pond to pots or plastic barrels and covered with the salty liquid (Fig. 21C). The pot must be
airproof and placed in a shaded area or cold room.
In Thailand, another processing procedure for leaf mustard fermentation is employed by a

SME company that is GMP certified (Srilaong, 2007). The mature leaf mustard (60-70 days
after cultivation) is cut and transported to the production plant or left in the field for a day to dry
(especially during the rainy season). The mustards are then trimmed and transferred to
fermentation well or tank in a layer-by-layer arrangement, brine solution is aded, and the
vegetable is pressed tightly. A heavy plastic sheet with weights is placed on the top layer as a
cover. In general, the longer the fermentation period, the higher the salt concentration used.
The concentration of brine solution is about 20% and the duration of fermentation depends on
the desired characteristic of final product. After fermentation, the mustards are washed and
while washing, cleaning and sorting are done. The selected product is then weighed, placed in
plastic pouches or bags, sauce with preservative is added, and the product is vacuum-packed.
Shelf life is one year. Figures 22-23 show the processing procedures.

Harvested mustard
Washing
Roots/old leaves removed
Add salt on the leaves Cooked rice water washing with salt
Place wilted leaves in jar Cooled salt solution
Cover jar tightly (airtight)
Ferment (duration varies)
Fermented mustard leaves
Figure 19. Process flow for producing fermented mustard leaves (Diamante, 2007).
Figure 20. Lao process for producing fermented Chinese mustard (Chanthasombath,
2007).

Figure 21. Fermentation pond/plastic barrel and earthen jar for fermented product
(Hong, 2007).
Cut mature leaf mustard and transport to processing plant
Trim and place in fermentation tank
Add 20% of brine solution or dry salt
Cover with plastic sheet with weights
1 night 3 months – 1 year
Transfer to sauce, 4-5 days* Wash 3 times with tap water
Pack in plastic bag or vacuum pack Adjust pH for 1 night
Market Wash again with tap water and drain
Filling in plastic bag with sauce
Vacuum pack
Pack in transportation box
Market
Figure 22. General flow chart of fermented leaf mustard processing (Srilaong, 2007).
*Composition of sauce depends on the processor. In general, it contains monosodium
glutamate (MSG), acidifying agent (citric acid), firming agent (calcium chloride), sugar, herbs,
spice (chili), vinegar, and soy sauce or fish sauce.

Figure 23. Company processing operation for fermented mustards in Thailand.
Quality standards for fermented leaf mustard have been developed by Thai Industrial
Standard Institute (1980). Standards specifications are as follows:
Definition: Leaf mustard pickle is a product from green leaf mustard (Brassica juncea)
Ingredients of sauce: Water, soy sauce or fish sauce, vinegar, salt, sugar and
additives such as chili, herbs, etc.
pH of finished product: < 4.5
Additives: MSG < 0.25%; no artificial coloring; no preservatives
Acidifying agent: acetic acid, citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, ascorbic
acid
Firming agent: NaCl < 1,000 mg/kg or CaCl2 < 350 mg/kg
Contamination: tin < 250 mg/kg
Microorganism: Total plate count < 1×103 colonies/ g of sample; Coliform < 3/ g
sample; Yeast and fungi < 100 colonies/ g of sample
Fermented mustards may be displayed bare in the market or packed in different kinds of
containers (Figure 23). Packaging materials may include plastic bags tightened with rubber
bands for local market, plastic bags under vacuum and heat seal, tin cans with easy open lids,
and retort pouch for thermal processing. The main problem of fermented leaf mustard
production is the quality of raw material, especially during the rainy season. Leaf mustards
produced in the rainy season develop a soft texture in contrast to mustards produced in winter.
Some processors solve this problem by adding chemicals during the fermentation process.
In Vietnam, RIFAV has developed a fermentation technique for Chinese mustard (Fig. 24-25)
(Thanh, 2007). The specifications of the technique are as follows:
a) Chinese mustard is usually harvested at late stage of maturity to ensure the soluble
solids of 8-10%, of which sugar is about 4%, protein 1-2%—the most appropriate
condition for lactic fermentation. Too old outer and too young leaves as well as rotten
and heavily damaged leaves are sorted out. The upper parts of the leaves are cut and
sorted aside. Too long leaves are cut into shorter sections. The leaves are washed
with clean water to remove foreign matter, dust, and surface microorganism. The
leaves are then dried by leaving in shade with natural air circulation until there is no
excess water on leaf surface. Proper weighing is done for accurate preparation of
mixture recipe. The weighed vegetable is loaded into a container such as plastic,
glass, porcelain, or earthenware jars.
b) Dry salt without contaminating matter is used to prepare a 12-15% solution.

c) After loading into containers together with the salt solution, the vegetable is covered
by a plastic or bamboo grid to keep it soaked in the solution.
d) The vegetable is pressed by putting a load or weight to ensure full immersion in the
salt solution. The load weight is roughly 50% of total vegetable weight.
e) Fermentation takes about 6-8 days. Care must be taken to ensure that foreign
matters and other contamination sources do not fall into the container. If there are
black scum on product surface during fermentation and storage, remove it
immediately and clean the container accordingly.
The above procedure could also be followed for common cabbage fermentation.
Chinese mustard
Sorting and grading
Trimming
Washing
Surface drying
Weighing
Container loading
Covering
Filling
Pressing
Storage
Immediate consumption Semi-produce for further processing
Figure 24. Process flow for Chinese mustard fermentation technique (Thanh, 2007).

Figure 25. Process flow for Chinese mustard and cabbage fermentation (Thanh, 2007).
RIFAV has also developed a canning technique for both fermented Chinese mustard and
common cabbage to improve product shelf life (Thanh, 2007). Fermented leafy vegetables
usually have a very short shelf life, up to 3-4 days. Packing in airtight pasteurized/sterilized
containers like jars, cans, or even plastic pouches can increase shelf life for up to six months.
The canning technique shown in Figure 26 has the following specifications:
a) Good quality fermented head cabbage and Chinese mustard must be used.
b) Washing is done by soaking in clean water for 5-10 minutes to remove possible
contaminating matters.
c) Surface drying is done by natural air by leaving the fermented vegetables in a

shaded place until there is no water on the product surface.
d) Containers are cleaned and pasteurized. Empty jars and plastic pouches are
cleaned by brushing and sterilizing using steam.
e) The jars/pouches are carefully loaded to full capacity with the fermented vegetable.
f) Ingredients (salt, food-grade acid and preservatives): The concentration of solution

depends on the acidity and salt content of the fermented vegetables. In most cases,
the solution contains 0.5% acidity and 4% salt. Dissolve the ingredients in water, mix
well, filter to remove dust and other foreign matter, and boil. The containers with
fermented vegetables are filled with filtered solution. The solution temperature at filling
o
should be around 80 C. The filling volume should be as much as 40% compared to
the container net weight. To avoid re-contamination of products, the containers should
be capped/sealed as soon as possible. In most cases, capping is done manually. For
plastic pouches, sealing is done by vacuum plastic sealer.
g) Pasteurization: The pasteurization regime for glass jars (500 ml volume) is as

follows:
20’ – 20’ – 30’
----------------
78oC
The pasteurization regime for plastic pouches (500 g) is as follows:
15’ – 20’ – 30’

----------------
78oC

h) Cooling: After pasteurization, the products should be cooled down as soon as
possible until the containers’ surface temperature reaches about 40oC.
i) Temporary storage: As usually practiced, the products are subjected to temporary

storage for at least two weeks to examine any possible latent defects.
j) Labeling and packing: After temporary storage, defect-free containers can be

labeled and packed into carton boxes for distribution and marketing.
In Cambodia and Myanmar, fermented common cabbage is also produced, but there is a
problem with short shelf life (Buntong and Vanndy, 2007; Kyi, 2007). The cabbage is cleaned
and washed, good quality heads selected, sliced or shredded, salt added at 2.5%, and placed
in jars for fermentation for 2-4 weeks. After fermentation, lactic acid concentration should
range from 1-2% (Kyi, 2007). The fermented product is then packed in glass jars or marketed
and displayed in open basins.

1. Fermented
vegetables
2. Washing
3. Surface drying
4. Loading in jars 3a. Cleaning and

or plastic pouches sterilization
5. Filling 5a. Mixing and 3a1. Plastic

filtration pouches
6. Capping or 5b. Ingredients 3a2. Jars and

sealing caps
7. Pasteurization
8. Cooling
9. Temporary
storage
10. Labeling and

packing
11. Marketing
Figure 26. Process flow for fermented cabbage and mustard canning (Thanh, 2007).

Pickling Technologies
Pickled vegetable may be defined as a food to which an edible acid, for example, lactic acid or
acetic acid in the form of vinegar, has been added (Diamante, 2007). It does not require
fermentation treatment. For cabbages, pickling may first involve shredding of selected leaves
to produce 1/32 inch leaf shreds (Figure 27). The shreds are then acidified with citric acid
and/or vinegar to about 0.5-0.7% acid expressed as lactic acid, sweetened to a desirable
degree (5-10% added sugar), and heated in boiling water to attain a closing temperature of
74-77oC. The usual procedure is to place the acid-sugar solution in water in the bottom of
each bottle and then add the blanched shredded cabbage to fill the bottle. This is followed by
heat processing and subsequent cooling with tap water.
Cabbage head
Remove green (wrapper), broken and dirty Leaves
Remove core
Shredding Acid-sugar solution
Cabbage shreds Bottling cabbage shreds in solution
Heat-process in boiling water
Pickled cabbage
Figure 27. Process flow for producing pickled cabbage (Diamante, 2007).
Drying/Dehydration Technologies
Basic principles
Dehydration or drying is the simplest and most natural form of food processing (Srilaong,
2007). It preserves fresh produce by removing most of its free water. Reducing the water
content of the produce slows the rate of respiration, enzymatic action, and overall
deterioration rate, making the product less susceptible to decay and facilitating transport and
long-term storage. It also reduces the cost of packaging, handling, storing, and transporting
the material by converting it to a dry solid, thus reducing its weight and volume. While all
vegetables can be dried, not all would be of high quality and good taste when dried.
Most vegetables are dried to <5% moisture (Diamante, 2007). The vegetables can dry
naturally in the sun (direct solar drying), via solar assisted methods (indirect solar drying), or
with added ventilation and heat to speed the process (electric, gas, diesel or solar cell
powered drier). Drying in the sun is the least expensive method, and quite viable if the climate
is hot and dry during harvest time. However, it is the slowest method and often results in
products of lower overall quality. Pre-drying treatments, such as steam or boiling water
blanching and ascorbic acid dips, can help in reducing losses of flavor, color, and nutritional

quality during the drying process. Value can be added to dried vegetables by enhancing flavor
during drying, such as by adding spices.
In general, during drying, the ambient air is heated and the heated air is brought into contact
with food to remove moisture. When the air passes through the heater, the temperature of the
air increases and the relative humidity decreases. The hot air will then pass through a bed of
moist food and gives up heat that is used to evaporate free water from the food.
Proper drying requires knowledge of three fundamental parameters (Kyi, 2007):
 The added thermal energy which heats the product and sets the water migrating
towards its surface and turning into water vapor:
 The capacity of the surrounding air to absorb the water vapor given off by the
product: The capacity depends on the percentage of moisture already present
in the air before it enters the dryer and on the air temperature;
 The velocity of the air going over the product’s surface must be high (up to a certain
limit) especially at the beginning of the drying process, in order to take the
moisture away rapidly
Drying has to occur rapidly to avoid the product from going moldy, but not so rapidly that a
crust forms on the product surface. The temperature also must not be too high, because the
product may blacken and spoil.
To dry the product properly, the characteristics of the fresh product have to be taken into
account as well as those expected of the final product (texture, color, specific taste). In
addition, the quality of the fresh and dried produce before and after drying must be known.
Dehydrated vegetables are used in dry soup mixes, canned soups and sauces, frozen entrees,
processed meats, baby food, dairy products and seasoning blends.
Pre-drying operations
Washing using clean water or water with disinfectant is done to remove dirt, surface
microorganism, and other debris (Kyi, 2007; Srilaong, 2007). Inedible parts are removed and
the produce is sorted to choose the best raw material for drying without undesirable changes.
It may then be cut into cubes, slices, strips, or filets to reduce drying time and preserve taste
and texture quality attributes. Blanching, sulfuring and other pre-drying treatments improve the
storage potential and taste of the dried product. Blanching may be done using boiling water or
steam. Blanching decreases the microbial population on the surface of fresh produce and
helps retain bright color, good texture, and fresh flavor after processing. Steam blanching
usually takes longer, but results in less loss of vitamins than boiling water blanching. After
blanching, the produce must be cooled with cold water.
Simple dryers
Solar drying. The simplest method for solar drying is to lay produce directly upon a flat black
surface and allow the sun and wind to dry the crop (Srilaong, 2007). Solar drying works best in
a hot and dry climate. When drying produce in the sun, the produce is exposed to the sun for
the first 2-3 days, and then transferred to a ventilated shady spot to complete drying. In
locations with a high relative humidity, solar drying may take too long to produce a high quality
product.
Solar dryers have glass or clear plastic windows that cover the produce, providing some
protection from insects while capturing more of the heat of the sun. To improve drying
efficiency, some sort of structure must be used to capture solar radiation (Srilaong, 2007).
Figure 28 shows examples of solar dryers used commercially in Thailand.
Oven drying. If the weather does not permit solar drying, vegetables can be dried in a large
gas or electric oven (Fig. 29). Drying time can be reduced if ventilation is increased by using a

small fan placed outside the oven. Rotating the tray every 3-4 hours within the oven and
turning the produce occasionally promote uniform drying.
Producing dehydrated cabbage
In the Philippines, dehydrated cabbage is processed by first removing the wrapper leaves and
those that are damaged or discolored (De Leon et al., 1988). Each head is then sliced into
quarters and the core is removed. The quartered cabbage is sliced, shredded to ¼ inch
thickness, and steamed for 4 minutes. The blanched shreds are spread on trays, then dried in
a cabinet dryer at 60-70oC until moisture content drops to 5-6%. The dried shreds are cooled
and packed in thick polyethylene or polypropylene bags.
In India, blanched cabbage shreds are soaked in 3% salt plus 6% sucrose for 12-16 hours at
4oC to markedly reduce shrinkage, improve rehydration without affecting palatability, and
increase shelf life of dried product.
In Myanmar, the cabbage is washed with clean water and cut into thin slices (about 4 mm
thick) (Kyi, 2007). The slices are blanched before drying, such as by dipping in boiling water
for 3 minutes or steaming for 5 seconds. Sodium bicarbonate can be added to the boiling
water (10 gm per liter). However, it is not recommended for slow drying because of the risk of
the blanched cabbage becoming fermented. The maximum drying temperature is 55oC and
the final moisture content should be 4%. End of drying may be determined when the leaves
become hard and brittle. The drying ratio is 1:18.
Producing dehydrated Kangkong
Dehydrated kangkong in the Philippines is processed by first detaching the leaves from its
stem (De Leon et al., 1988). The leaves are blanched in boiling water with 0.02% MgO for
about 3 minutes. The blanched leaves are spread on trays, and then dried in a cabinet dryer
at 60-70oC until 5-6% moisture. The dried leaves are cooled and packed in thick polyethylene
or polypropylene bags. The dehydrated kangkong leaves can be stored for up to 4 months.

Tunnel solar dryer
Commercial solar dryer
Solar greenhouse dryer
Figure 28. Different commercial solar dryers in Thailand (Srilaong, 2007).
Figure 29. Gas- and electric-powered cabinet dryers (Diamante, 2007).

Dehydrated leafy vegetables in China
China is the world’s largest producer and exporter of dehydrated leafy vegetables (Hong,
2007). Prior to drying, the raw material is selected and graded based on dimension, weight,
appearance, and maturity stage. Overmature, insect-damaged, diseased, mechanically
damage, malformed and off-types are discarded. Dimension grading is based on size, length,
and thickness. Maturity of produce is mainly determined based on appearance.
The selected vegetable is washed to remove adhering dust, soil, surface microorganisms, and
pesticide residues. Leafy vegetables are washed by spray water or in a pond of water added
with 600 ppm chlorine, 0.5%-1.0% hydrochloric acid or 0.05%-0.1% potassium permanganate
(Fig. 30). The internal stem and leaves of common cabbage are eliminated during washing.
Sometimes a washing machine is used to clean some vegetables.
The vegetable is cut before further processing. Different cutting machines are used depending
on the desired shape and size of the product (Fig. 30). Tough stems of some leafy greens are
also trimmed off.
o o
Blanching is done using a water temperature of 85-95 C instead of 100 C. The vegetable is
conveyed to a steam-generating machine or immersed in hot water for about 2 to 3 minutes or
longer depending on the type of produce (Fig. 30). From the heat treatment chamber, the
vegetable flows out into the ice water for immediate cooling. Excess water is removed by hand
with the aid of mesh screen or by using a centrifuge.
After cooling, the blanched vegetable is placed on a stainless steel screen, plate, or tray with
small holes, and put in the drying chamber supplied with hot steam (Fig. 31). The steam rises
from the bottom to dry the product. The temperature is set at about 85oC and then lowered
gradually to 50oC. Drying may take 5-6 hours. For uniform drying, the vegetable is turned
during drying using a spade or fork. In other processing companies, leafy vegetables such as
common cabbage are treated with 10% dextrose solution for 30 min before drying. In northern
China, the vegetable is often dried using a kang, a local oven made of bricks and mud heated
by coal. Table 8 shows the desired fresh and dry weight ratio after drying of some leafy
vegetables and other types of vegetables.
The dried vegetable is sorted on a sorting table to cull out partially dried, off-sized,
agglomerated products as well as foreign material, usually with the use of detecting
equipment such as magnifying glasses, vibration filters, metal detectors or X-ray machines
(Fig. 32). The selected product is placed in a big plastic bag for about 1-3 days to allow over-
dried product to absorb moisture. Finally, the dried product is packed in plastic bags at specific
o
weights, placed in cartons, and stored at 0-5 C and below 65% RH.
Packaging dried vegetables
The dried products can be packed in airtight jars, plastic or glass bottles, or plastic bags (Kyi,
2007; Srilaong, 2007). The container should be filled with the dried produce as full as possible
to remove air before sealing. Heat- or vacuum-sealing plastic bags can further extend shelf life
of the dried product. The packed produce should be kept in a cool, dark, dry place.

Figure 30. Washing, cutting, blanching and removal of excess water in leafy vegetable
for processing to dehydrated product (Hong, 2007).
Table 8. Desired fresh and dry weight ratio after drying for some vegetables (Hong,
2007).
Vegetable Fresh/dry rate Vegetable Fresh/dry rate
Common cabbage 14-20:1 Carrot 10-16:1
Spinach 16-20:1 Tomato 18-20:1
Onion 12-16:1 Pea 7-14:1
Potato 5-7:1 Pumpkin 14-16:1
Hot pepper 3-6:1

Figure 31. Drying leafy vegetable with or without pre-drying dextrose
treatment (Hong, 2007).

Figure 32. Sorting, packing and storage of dehydrated leafy vegetable (Hong, 2007).
Canning Technologies
Canning is a major method of preserving foods but requires relatively high initial investment
(Diamante, 2007). Canning is founded on the basic premise of destruction of microorganisms
by heat and prevention of contamination. It has been proven that bacterial cells and spores
are destroyed at a constant uniform rate by heat. This rate is characteristic for a given
microorganism and for a given food in which it is heated. The constant is referred to as the
specific heat resistance of a microorganism.
In conventional canning, the food is placed inside containers, the air is removed by vacuum or
exhausting, and the cans are hermetically sealed. The cans are placed in a retort and
sterilized with steam as shown in Figure 10. The rate at which heat penetrates into the product
in the can must be measured from the slowest heating part of the can. These data are then
integrated with the thermal resistance constants of the target microorganism and a process
time is calculated.
The containers used in commercial canning consist primarily of enamel-coated steel, tin-
coated steel, and glass. Plastic containers and other flexible packaging materials with
laminated layers of different functional properties for protecting the food and suitable for heat
processing have been used recently. For products that are corrosive to tin, there are a variety
of lacquers or coatings that can be applied on the tin layer, giving extra protection. Many
containers are made of aluminum plate coated with epoxy resin.
Vegetables differ from fruit in chemical composition and therefore require different canning
conditions. The acidity of vegetables is generally much lower than that of fruits, and they may
contain more heat-resistant soil organisms than fruit. Many vegetables require more cooking
than fruit to develop their most desirable flavor and texture. For these reasons, canned
vegetables in general require more severe processing than fruit.
Cabbage canning
Small cabbage heads are cut into sections and blanched at 100oC for 1-1.5 minutes or until
soft. The cabbage while still hot is filled into cans and hot 2% brine is added. For No. 2 ½ cans

(401 x 411) (4 1/32 inches diameter and 4 11/32 inches height) with an initial temperature of
60oC, the process usually takes 40 minutes at about 116oC.
Canning techniques for other leafy vegetables
A similar canning procedure usually is followed for other leafy vegetables, with differences in
the temperature and heating time. For spinach leaves, for example, the leaves are first
thoroughly washed and then sorted out to remove defective leaves, weeds, and trash. The
leaves are blanched in 77oC water for about 6 minutes. While still hot, the blanched leaves are
packed into cans, and hot 2% brine is added. For No. 2 ½ cans (401 x 411) with an initial
temperature of 60oC, the process takes about 95 minutes at 116oC.

5 SUMMARY
Postharvest technologies are essential for leafy vegetables, most of which are very highly
perishable and prone to physical and biological damage during handling and marketing.
Several simple and low-cost techniques are available, even in Greater Mekong Subregion
countries, and can be given as a simple advice or adapted and optimized to suit situations in
individual countries. Simple, low or no-cost, effective techniques exist, and the challenge to
technology developers, extension workers, governments, and the private sector is to promote
and encourage adoption among farmers and small-scale processors to achieve the ultimate
goal of development efforts.

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Postharvest Technology for Leafy Vegetables

AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center

AVRDC-ADB Postharvest Projects

Antonio L. Acedo, Jr.

AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center

Tel: +886 6 583 7801

AVRDC Publication No: 10-733

Editor: Maureen Mecozzi

© 2010 AVRDC - The World Vegetable Center

2 PRODUCT QUALITY AND POSTHARVEST LOSS .............................................................2

3 POSTHARVEST TECHNOLOGIES FOR FRESH LEAFY VEGETABLES............................6

4 PROCESSING TECHNOLOGIES FOR LEAFY VEGETABLES......................................... 30

Dr. Antonio L. Acedo Jr.

Postharvest Technology of Leafy Vegetables 1

Leafy vegetable quality is mainly based on appearance (e.g. fresh-looking, well-formed or

Wilting due to water loss, senescence-associated discoloration (yellowing or browning),

2 AVRDC-ADB Postharvest Projects RETA 6208/6376

Figure 1. Ethylene-induced cabbage yellowing and culinary herbs epinasty, abscission

Postharvest Technology of Leafy Vegetables 3

(Score: 0 = no injury, 8 = severe. Score of 3: limit of commercial acceptability.)

4 AVRDC-ADB Postharvest Projects RETA 6208/6376

Quality deterioration results in partial or total loss of fresh produce. It is predisposed by a

In the AVRDC-ADB postharvest projects, postharvest losses were determined at specific

Postharvest Technology of Leafy Vegetables 5

Improved Crop Variety

6 AVRDC-ADB Postharvest Projects RETA 6208/6376

Postharvest Technology of Leafy Vegetables 7

8 AVRDC-ADB Postharvest Projects RETA 6208/6376

Figure 3. Trimming, cleaning, and bundling leafy vegetables.

Postharvest Technology of Leafy Vegetables 9

In many developing countries, implementation of grade standards as well as safety standards

Washing and sanitizing

10 AVRDC-ADB Postharvest Projects RETA 6208/6376

Other commodity treatments

Postharvest Technology of Leafy Vegetables 11

Box: Usually refers to containers made of corrugated fiberboard or Styrofoam. It may

Reinforcing and handling packages

12 AVRDC-ADB Postharvest Projects RETA 6208/6376

Figure 4. Packaging containers for leafy vegetables.

Postharvest Technology of Leafy Vegetables 13

Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP)

14 AVRDC-ADB Postharvest Projects RETA 6208/6376

Cooling and Storage

Postharvest Technology of Leafy Vegetables 15

16 AVRDC-ADB Postharvest Projects RETA 6208/6376

Optimum storage conditions

If produce is to be stored, it is important to begin with a high quality product. Damaged or

Postharvest Technology of Leafy Vegetables 17

Cooling methods in developing countries

18 AVRDC-ADB Postharvest Projects RETA 6208/6376

Figure 8. Simple refrigeration equipment for the storage of leafy vegetables.

Postharvest Technology of Leafy Vegetables 19

20 AVRDC-ADB Postharvest Projects RETA 6208/6376

Minimizing losses during transport necessitates special attention to vehicles, equipment,

Postharvest Technology of Leafy Vegetables 21

Other PHT Developments

Ethylene removal from postharvest chain

Ethylene, being a senescence hormone, is destructive to the quality of leafy vegetables as it

Ethylene can be removed through different chemical processes. Potassium permanganate is

An ethylene scrubber made of potassium permanganate impregnated onto clay-ash chip (a

22 AVRDC-ADB Postharvest Projects RETA 6208/6376

Cold chain system

Postharvest Technology of Leafy Vegetables 23