Articles
Understanding the impact of ethylene hotspots within fresh fruit pack-house
Article number
1348_40
Pages
291 – 296
Language
English
Abstract
Ethylene management is crucial along the postharvest value chain of fruit.
Accumulation of ethylene along the pack-house could exert numerous detrimental effects on the desired postharvest quality attributes (such as flesh/peel discoloration, tissue softening, and rapid senescence). This study investigated possible ethylene concentration hotspots along the processing chain within the pack-house for fresh and long-term storage apples.
Three pack-houses (PAC-1, PAC-2, and PAC-3) were examined along two ethylene measuring cycles (June/July and September/October). The results obtained showed that ethylene concentrations were significantly higher in the June/July cycle in comparison to the September/October cycle (p<0.05). Lowest ethylene concentration was observed in September/October, when apples from long-term controlled atmosphere (CA) stored with or without 1-MCP treatment were processed.
An annotated heat map of ethylene concentration in the pack-house adequately described hotspots.
Highest ethylene concentration of 4680 ppb was found in an empty regular atmosphere (RA) or ripening room (>5°C), which previously contained freshly harvested apples.
Ethylene accumulation/hotspots were also found in the load-out area during peak periods with vehicle movements.
These results demonstrate the need for a better understanding of ethylene hotspots within the pack-houses, in order to ensure effective management.
Accumulation of ethylene along the pack-house could exert numerous detrimental effects on the desired postharvest quality attributes (such as flesh/peel discoloration, tissue softening, and rapid senescence). This study investigated possible ethylene concentration hotspots along the processing chain within the pack-house for fresh and long-term storage apples.
Three pack-houses (PAC-1, PAC-2, and PAC-3) were examined along two ethylene measuring cycles (June/July and September/October). The results obtained showed that ethylene concentrations were significantly higher in the June/July cycle in comparison to the September/October cycle (p<0.05). Lowest ethylene concentration was observed in September/October, when apples from long-term controlled atmosphere (CA) stored with or without 1-MCP treatment were processed.
An annotated heat map of ethylene concentration in the pack-house adequately described hotspots.
Highest ethylene concentration of 4680 ppb was found in an empty regular atmosphere (RA) or ripening room (>5°C), which previously contained freshly harvested apples.
Ethylene accumulation/hotspots were also found in the load-out area during peak periods with vehicle movements.
These results demonstrate the need for a better understanding of ethylene hotspots within the pack-houses, in order to ensure effective management.
Publication
Authors
A.N. Nsumpi, Z.A. Belay, W.J. Botes, O.J. Caleb
Keywords
anti-fungal treatment, fruit quality and safety, decay, synergistic effects
Groups involved
- Division Plant Genetic Resources, Breeding and Biotechnology
- Division Tropical and Subtropical Fruit and Nuts
- Division Temperate Tree Fruits
- Division Temperate Tree Nuts
- Division Vine and Berry Fruits
- Division Ornamental Plants
- Division Vegetables, Roots and Tubers
- Division Plant-Environment Interactions in Field Systems
- Division Greenhouse and Indoor Production Horticulture
- Division Postharvest and Quality Assurance
- Division Precision Horticulture and Engineering
- Division Horticulture for Human Health
- Division Sustaining Horticulture in a Changing World
- Division Landscape and Urban Horticulture
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