Evaluation of okra (cv. A5) and spinach beet (cv. Pusa Bharati) or enhancing shelf life using different storage conditions for the benefit of marginal farmers

Abstract

Vegetables sustain huge post-harvest losses owing to their highly perishable nature. Due to complex management challenges, marginal farmers face issues during post-harvest management and cannot get desirable remuneration. The present study assessed the effect of storage conditions on the commonly consumed vegetables, okra (cv. A5) and spinach beet (cv. Pusa Bharati) for prolonging the shelf life and analyzing the cost-benefit ratio. The vegetables were stored at ambient temperature (T₀), Zero Energy Cool Chamber (ZECC) (T₁), and Cold Chamber (T₂), and their physiochemical parameters, overall acceptability and cost-benefit ratio were recorded at regular intervals for two consecutive years. An upward trend in physiological loss in weight (PLW) and spoilage was observed under all settings. However, the rate of PLW and spoilage was rapid in T₀. Among the three conditions, minimum physiological loss in weight of 8.48% and 7.88% was recorded in okra and spinach beet, respectively, in the T₁ during the storage period. Similarly, maximum firmness was observed in T1 with spoilage of 12.9% and 6% on day 3 in okra and spinach beet, respectively. The recorded ascorbic acid content on day 3 in T₁ and T₂ had no notable difference in okra whereas maximum retention of ascorbic acid content was observed in T₁ with values of 76.93 mg/100g on day 3 in spinach beet. The benefit-cost ratio was calculated as >1 in ZECC storage, showing positive results for both vegetables. It was concluded that okra and spinach beet can be stored in ZECC for 5 and 3 days, considering the quality and the PLW.