Postharvest fresh weight losses and skin isotherms in onion bulbs

Abstract

Cured onion (Aliium cepa L.) bulbs were stored for 30 days at temperatures of 20, 25, 30 and 35ºC and relative humidity ranging from 33 to 97%. Rates of fresh weight losses were higher when bulbs were stored at humidities below 55% or above 75%. Bulb skin water content increased drastically when the storage relative humidity was higher than 75%. Bulbs stored at relative humidity below 55% developed skin cracks. The optimum storage conditions were obtained at 20ºC and relative humidity ranging from 55% to 70%.