VEGETABLE
SUSCEPTIBILITY
High
Artichoke
High
Asparagus
High
Broccoli
Fairly resistant
Brussels sprouts
Moderate
Cabbage
Moderate
Carrot
Moderate
Cauliflower
High
Celery
High
Corn, sweet
Moderate
Endive
High
Green beans
High
Lettuce
Moderate
Onions
Moderate
Peas
Moderate
Radish
Moderate
Spinach
Fairly resistant
Turnip
Figure 5-3. Susceptibility of vegetables to freeze injury.
5-7.
CHILL INJURY OF FF&V
a. General. Chill injury is exposure of the product to a temperature above its
freezing point, but below the temperature normally recommended for storage of the
item. The extent of the injury to the product will depend upon time and temperature.
b. Susceptibility to Chill Injury. Chill injury affects only certain vegetables,
mainly those which had their origins in the tropics or in the subtropics. Susceptible
plants that originated in temperate zones are dormant during the cold season.
c. Signs of Chill Injury. The signs of chill injury are as follows:
(1) Decay. Chilled vegetables decay readily because the low temperature
reduces the resistance of cells to invasion by pathogens. Decay can spread rapidly in
severely chilled vegetables because the pathogens are growing on dead or dying tissue.
MD0723
5-8