The Shelf Life of Ready-to-Cook Sweet Potato Varieties Using the Combined Effect of Vacuum-Packaging, Refrigeration, Fruit Pomace Extracts, and Organic Acids

Sweet potatoes play an important role in the global food supply, as they are rich in bioactive components and have numerous health benefits. Their minimally processed, ready-to-eat form is increasingly popular among consumers; however, discoloration and microbiological problems threaten the safety of these products. The aim of this study is to investigate the shelf life of cleaned, cut, ready-to-eat, vacuum-packed, and refrigerated Bonita (white) and Covington (orange) varieties of sweet potatoes after soaking in apple and chokeberry pomace extracts and treatment with citric and ascorbic acids. A series of microbiological and analytical tests was conducted during the storage period. The microbiological tests included the enumeration of cells of mesophilic aerobic and facultative anaerobic microbes, as well as lactobacilli, lactococci, Enterobacteriaceae, yeasts, and moulds. The analytical tests encompassed the determination of the total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, water-soluble solid content, and pH value. The prevalent microbial groups detected in the examined sweet potato varieties were lactic acid bacteria, which were present in both fresh samples and following storage. This study established that low-temperature refrigeration (5 °C), vacuum packaging, and organic acid treatment can effectively control lactic acid bacteria, which are pivotal to spoilage. The combination of preservation steps is of particular significance for ready-to-cook sweet potatoes, as this approach effectively extends the shelf life of these products.