The effect of refrigerated storage was evaluated on onion shelf-life and quality of fresh-cut products. ´Superex´ onions, commercial type, were stored in a cold room at 10°C and 60% RH for 1; 16; 31; 61, and 91 days. During these days, samples of bulbs were minimally processed and stored at 11°C and 61% RH. These products were evaluated on alternated days, for loss of fresh mass and appearance and every 2-3 days for color (luminosity, Hue angle, and chromaticity), soluble solids (SS) and titratable acidy (TA) contents and alliinase activity. Bulbs storage reduced the fresh-cut weight loss during storage, until the senescence aggravating, observed in bulbs stored for 91 days. Minimally processed products maintained appropriate appearance until 12th-13th day, but in products produced with bulbs stored for 91 days, this time was 9 days. During this time, fresh-cut products turned to yellow, with decrease in SS contents, increase in TA, and reduction in aliinase activity. During the storage, bulbs increased the aliinase activity. Onions 'Superex' may be stored at 10ºC and 60% RH during 61 days to make minimally processed products, which have 13 days of shelf life at 11ºC and 61% RH.
Allium cepa; minimally processed; pungency; shelf-life
