Use of TD-GC–TOF-MS to assess volatile composition during post-harvest storage in seven accessions of rocket salad (Eruca sativa)

Abstract

HighlightsWe present a robust method for VOC analysis from rocket salad packaging headspace.TD-GC–TOF-MS putatively identified 39 volatile compounds.VOC profiles for Eruca sativa varied significantly between accessions.Isothiocyanate compounds degrade significantly over shelf-life.Changes in VOC profiles could provide a useful tool for assessment of leaf quality.

Volatile organic compounds as markers of quality changes during the storage of wild rocket

“…2f). Others also report high variations between replicate samples in the VOC analysis (Bell et al, 2016;Luca et al, 2016) but the reasons for this result are not well understood. To overcome these challenges in the analysis, the release rates of VOCs over time were studied ( Table 2).…”

“…As a part of the development of such a new quality monitoring approach, various sampling methods have been established to collect VOCs released from leafy green vegetables. These methods included nondestructive sampling of VOCs from the headspace of intact leafy green vegetables by solid-phase microextraction (SPME), solidphase extraction (SPE), and static headspace sampling (Luca, Bach, & Edelenbos, 2015b;Luca, Mahajan, & Edelenbos, 2016;Nielsen et al, 2008), and sampling of VOCs from the headspace of wounded leaves (Bell, Spadafora, Müller, Wagstaff, & Rogers, 2016;Cozzolino et al, 2016). After collection, as a general approach, VOCs are separated and measured by means of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).…”

“…VOCs are released from leafy green vegetables in response to genotype, storage time, storage temperature, microbial load, headspace gas composition and O 2 availability (Bell et al, 2016;Cozzolino et al, 2016;Luca et al, 2016;Nielsen et al, 2008). However, little is known about the generation of VOCs and the relationships between VOCs and quality changes of leafy green vegetables.…”

Changes in rocket salad phytochemicals within the commercial supply chain: Glucosinolates, isothiocyanates, amino acids and bacterial load increase significantly after processing

“…The majority of rocket ( Eruca sativa & Diplotaxis tenuifolia ) consumed in the UK is imported from Italy (Bell, Spadafora, Müller, Wagstaff, & Rogers, 2016). In 2015 sales of bagged rocket salad in the UK increased 3.9% on the previous year (Dr. Lorraine Shaw, Bakkavor, Spalding, UK; personal communication, 2016) and this trend is expected to continue in future.…”

“…There has been little research into how nutritional traits are affected by the industrial supply chain in leafy salads. Studies have covered parts of the supply chain for different Brassicaceae , such as effects of cutting and washing (Martínez-Sánchez et al, 2008), post harvest storage (Bell et al, 2016), and packaging treatments (Rangkadilok et al, 2002). …”