Influence of an O3-atmosphere storage on microbial growth and antioxidant contents of globe artichoke as affected by genotype and harvest time

We investigated the effects of storage at 4 °C under ozone-enriched atmospheres onmicrobiological quality and antioxidant content of three globe artichoke cultivars ('Violet de Provence','Tema 2000' and 'Apollo'), harvested at different times (winter, early-spring, late-spring), immediatelytreated under real industrial operation conditions and analysed after 0, 3 and 7 days of storage.Response of cultivars to postharvest treatments strictly depended upon harvest time. The reduction ofboth mesophilic bacteria and yeasts and moulds was significant in heads stored under ozone-enrichedatmosphere for 3 or 7 days with major reductions for 'Tema 2000' and 'Apollo' harvested in winter andearly-spring, respectively. Ozone-treated heads of 'Violet de Provence' and 'Apollo' reported a majorascorbic acid retention and a higher total polyphenols content in winter and early-spring harvests, respectively. Finally, regardless of the harvest time, the exposure of globe artichoke heads to an ozoneenrichedatmosphere should not exceed 3 days in order to preserve the antioxidant content andmaintain the microbiological standards.