Quickly the lettuce gets brown when stored, but avoiding it can be simpler than you think.
The answer to this small problem is in sight of everyone, in any kitchen: paper towels They help prolong the freshness of the green leaf, reveals a new study.
The secret is in the way paper towels absorb the humidity in excess. Although lettuce needs some moisture to stay crispy, excess causes the opposite effect, accelerating the rotting and darkening of the leaves.
Once placed in the fridge, lettuce releases moisture during the cooling process. When lining the storage container with paper towels – or even directly the vegetable drawer – this moisture is absorbed, preventing it from accumulating on the leaves and accelerating deterioration.
However, it is important to wash and dry the lettuce well before keeping itreinforces the.
The method can be easily tested at home: just keep a portion of lettuce with paper towels and another without, and comparing the time each remains fresh.
From the scientific point of view, the darkening of lettuce is the result of a chemical phenomenon known as “Enzymatic Darkening”similar to what happens in the apples. When the plant is cut and exposed to oxygen, the polyphenol oxidase enzyme comes into action, oxidizing polyphenols and giving rise to compounds such as benzocnone. When they contact the amino acids present in the plant, dark pigments are made that make the brown leaves.
Another study, at the Food Chemistry in 2023, reveals that the darkening of the lettuce stem after harvest is due to the release of fluid and latex from cut cells, which triggers other chemical reactions.
The good news is that the cold Sprinkle the activity of these enzymes, which are temperature -sensitive proteins. By combining storage in a cold environment with the use of paper towels, it is possible to conserve lettuce for longer, keeping it fresh and appealing for broad days.
