Effects of spearmint essential oil on the storability of two onion (Allium cepa L.)‎ cultivars under different storage conditions

Abstract EN

This investigation was carried out in the season of 2010 to detect the effect of the application of mint essential oil on the storability of two onion cultivars namely Baftaim 'S' and Texas Early Yellow Grano in the cold store and traditional store.

In both types of store, mint essential oil was applied in forty five days intervals to Baftaim 'S' and Texas Early Yellow Grano.

It was found that the application of mint essential oil had improved the storability of Texas Early Yellow Grano in the cold store by decreasing the bulb sprouting and lowering the loss in fresh weight compared to Baftaim 'S'.

It had no effect on dry matter and total soluble solids in both cultivars.

In the traditional store, it had no effect on the storability of both cultivars.

This result indicates that the application of mint oil is more effective when combined with low temperature storage, and in low dry matter cultivars such as Texas Early Yellow Grano.