Accuracy, reliability, and timing of visual evaluations of decay in fresh-cut lettuce
Fig 1
Differences in decay of fresh-cut lettuce stored in modified atmosphere packages (MAP) at 3.5°C.
The decay rating on the 0 to 10 scale corresponds to the estimated percentage of decayed tissue divided by ten. Note that the tissue samples were removed from MAP bags before photographing them. At times, decay can be accompanied by a profound cell lysis. The photograph at the lower-right corner shows the tissue sample with most or all of the cells already disrupted. This sample was photographed while still inside the MAP bag; therefore, a plastic mesh bag can be seen above the cell lysate. The mesh bag was used to keep fresh-cut tissue together during sample preparation.