Enzymatic action and microbial growth degrade the quality of fresh-cut lettuce. Browning, a bad smell, and softening during storage are the major forms of quality deterioration. Health-oriented consumers tend to avoid foods treated with chemicals to maintain their freshness. This study was conducted to evaluate the change in the quality of fresh-cut lettuce with combined low-temperature blanching (LB) and ultrasonication (US). The optimum condition was selected using the response surface methodology (RSM), through a regression analysis with the following independent variables; the ultrasonication time (X1), blanching temperature (X2), blanching time (X3), and dependent variable; ΔE value (y). It was found that the condition with the lowest ΔE value occurred with combined 90s US and 45℃ 90s LB (US+LB). The combined treatment group (US+LB) was stored at 10℃ for 9 days with the control group and each single-treatment group, with low-temperature blanching and ultrasonication. Overall, the US+LB group had a significantly high L* value, which indicates significantly low a*, b*, ΔE, browning index, PPO, and POD activity values, and a low total bacteria count (p < 0.05). The US+LB group also had the highest sensory score (except for aroma and texture; p > 0.05).

Quality changes in fresh-cut potatoes during storage at after treatment with low-temperature blanching and antibrowning agents were studied. Fresh-cut potatoes were treated by dipping for 1.5 min in a browning inhibitor solution containing 0.5% (w/v) ascorbic acid, 0.5% (w/v) citric acid, 0.5% (w/v) sodium chloride, 0.1% (w/v) trehalose, and 0.005% (w/v) biotin, at , with subsequent cooling for 1.5 min and storage at . The browning properties of fresh-cut potatoes were examined by measurement of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity and total phenolic content. Changes in quality attributes over a 14-day period were assessed in terms of titratable acidity, pH, water-soluble solid level, and gas analysis at . During storage, PPO activity increased, with the lowest activity seen after about 7 days of storage. Treatment with antibrowning solution at increased visual sensory attributes during storage. Low-temperature blanching in distilled water more effectively inhibited browning compared with exposure to browning inhibitor solution, as assessed after 7 days of storage. Fresh-cut potatoes respired aerobically after different treatments during storage at .