Determination of suitable storage conditions for fresh salicornia

Salicornia with low water requirement and resistant to drought and salinity is one of the halophyte plants that grows well in saline areas with high salinity and is an important source of nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants. Due to the physiological structure of this plant, its rapid deterioration at post-harvest stages causes the destruction and degradation of its nutritional value and increases the post-harvest losses of this plant. Therefore, it is necessary to use appropriate post harvest treatments in order to increase the shelf-life and maintain the nutritional values of this plant. Since there has been no comprehensive research on the post harvest technologies of Salicornia, in order to increase the shelf-life and fresh quality of the product, so, simultaneously with the development of cultivation and production of this plant in different parts of the country, this study was carried out with the aim of investigating and introduction of the most appropriate storage conditions of this plant. Product storage at ambient temperature (25°C) showed that fresh salicornia had a good appearance and marketability only for up to 3 days. Evaluation of the appearance of salicornia and its weight loss during storage showed that at low temperature (4°C) and suitable relative humidity (90 to 95%), in comparison with temperature and environmental conditions, the apparent, physicochemical and, as a result, salicornia marketability, was better preserved and the product weight loss was lower. The effects of storage time, temperature and their interaction on Salicornia plant weight loss were significant (P<0.001). Furthermore, except for acidity, storage time had a significant effect (P<0.001) on moisture content, respiration rate, salinity and pH of the plant.