Black Cumin Essential Oil Vapor Delays Postharvest Chlorophyll Loss in Garden Cress (Lepidium sativum L.)

Purpose: In this study, the effect of different concentrations of black cumin oil vapor on the quality of garden cress leaves during postharvest storage was investigated.

Research Method: Three different doses of black cumin oil vapor including 11.4 ppm (CO1); 22.7 ppm (CO2) and 45.5 ppm (CO3) were used to treat garden cress leaf. The samples only water vapor-treated were taken as control (C). After the treatments, the samples were stored in a cold room set at 2±1°C temperature and 85-90% RH for 15 days. Color values, chlorophyll content, chlorophyll SPAD, electrolyte leakage, and weight loss were determined at three days intervals during storage.

Findings: The results of the study have shown that the black cumin oil vapor treatment maintained the green color and increased chlorophyll content of the garden cress leaves. According to these results, it was also found that 22.7 ppm and 45.5 ppm concentrations were more effective than an 11.4 ppm dose.

Originality/Value: According to the results, the black cumin oil treatments, especially high doses, have been successful in preventing chlorophyll losses. It is concluded that spraying the black cumin vapor to garden cress before marketing will extend the storage life of garden cress leaves.