Influence of packaging systems and storage conditions on quality attributes, antioxidant capacity, and microbial stability of garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) microgreens

Abstract

Garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) microgreens are highly nutritious but extremely perishable, and information on the combined effects of packaging film type, modified-atmosphere strategy, and storage temperature on physicochemical and microbial quality parameters have not been comprehensively evaluated. This study investigated the effects of five packaging treatments, storage temperature (4 and 12 °C), and storage duration (3, 5, and 15 days) on the physicochemical properties, antioxidant capacity, and microbial quality of cress microgreens. Moisture loss in control samples reached 5–6 %, whereas polypropylene-based active modified-atmosphere packaging (PP-MP1) retained up to 98.52 % moisture at 4 °C. Weight loss increased 1.55-fold at 12 °C, while PP-MP1 limited losses to 3.50 %. Chlorophyll degradation reached 35–40 % in controls but was reduced to 15–20 % in PP-MP1. Ascorbic acid loss was limited to 15–20 % under PP-MP1 compared with 35–40 % in controls. Total phenolic content declined by 10–15 % in PP-MP1 versus 25–30 % in controls. Antioxidant activity after 15 days was highest in PP-MP1 at 4 °C (43.36 %). Microbial counts ranged from 0.61 to 5.20 log CFU g⁻¹, with the lowest values consistently observed in PP-MP1. These results demonstrate that polypropylene-based active modified-atmosphere packaging combined with cold storage is an effective postharvest strategy for extending shelf life and maintaining the quality and safety of cress microgreens.