The behavior of biodegradable and biodesintegrable packaging materials was studied for the storage at 0ºC of whole celery plants. Individual plants were wrapped with the following films: Mater‑bi Z (biodegradable). Ecostar 15% (biodesintegrable) and PVC (non‑degradable). The total storage period was 28 days, and samples were taken every 7 days. Pan of each sample was analized immediately and the remaining part transferred to 20ºC, kept at that temperature for 7 days to simulate a commercialization period and then analized. We determined weight loss variations, texture, chlorophyll content and composition of the atmosphere developed inside the package.
It was found that celery plants kept commercial quality even after 28 days of storage at 0ºC, regardless of the film used. In all samples removed over the storage period at 0ºC and kept at 20ºC for 7 days, a considerable quality decrease was observed. The damage was caused by a rapid decrease in chlorophyll content (particulary in plants wrapped with Ecostar) and by the weight losses found, which were highest in plants covered with Mater‑bi Z film.
However, when the exposure to 20ºC (2-3 days) was shorter, the plants wrapped with PVC and Ecostar 15% film kept commercial quality.