Effect of polyethylene package thickness on physiological deterioration in cassava roots

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) cv. Baiana roots were packed in 50 µ, 100 µ and 150 µ thickness poliethylene bags and stored in room conditions. At zero, three, six and nine days during the storage period, evaluations were made in five roots of each treatment. It was concluded that during the storage period a decrease was observed in total C vitamin, ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acid contents, while physiological deterioration values, peroxidase activity, total phenolics and their dimeric, oligomeric and polimeric forms (control and 50 µ package) of phenolics, were increased. The increase in the thickness of the poliethylene bags caused reductions in peroxidase activity, dehydroascorbic acid % C vitamin ration and physiological deterioration.