Articles
Anaerobic metabolism in apple cultivars as affected by storage conditions
Article number
1396_40
Pages
293 – 300
Language
English
Abstract
The occurrence of anaerobic metabolism in apple fruit can be a result of advanced fruit senescence, the development of storage disorders, or may be induced by non-optimal storage conditions, especially in low oxygen settings.
This study investigated the accumulation dynamics of anaerobic metabolites acetaldehyde, ethanol and ethyl acetate, in the apple cultivars Santana, Braeburn, Jonagold, Red Prince and Fuji during 8 months of storage followed by 7 d shelf life.
Fruit were stored in i) cold storage regular atmosphere (RA), ii) controlled atmosphere (CA), iii) dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA-CD), and iv) dynamic controlled atmosphere + temperature (DCA-CD Plus). Moreover, the role of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) applications on anaerobic metabolism was investigated.
Volatile compounds were extracted by solid-phase microextraction on sample headspace (HS-SPME) and analysed using GC/MS. The apple cultivars showed different anaerobic metabolism intensities and varied in their sensitivity to the storage conditions.
Ethyl acetate was generally found in higher quantities than acetaldehyde and ethanol.
DCA-stored fruit exhibited indications of hypoxia, as evidenced by elevated levels of acetaldehyde, ethanol, and ethyl acetate, suggesting a shift toward anaerobic metabolism.
Due to the cytotoxic nature of these fermentative products, this presents the risks of damaged fruit tissue and the development of off-flavors.
However, anaerobic metabolite levels remained below critical odor thresholds cited in literature.
Ethyl acetate is also an important aroma compound, and ethanol serves as substrate for ethyl ester synthesis.
Limited induction of anaerobic respiration in DCA-CD storage could consequently improve aroma development in apple fruit. 1-MCP application decreased anaerobic metabolism intensity, presumably due to an inhibited conversion of pyruvate to acetaldehyde.
RA storage was associated with an increased accumulation of fermentative products most likely as a result of advanced fruit senescence.
This study investigated the accumulation dynamics of anaerobic metabolites acetaldehyde, ethanol and ethyl acetate, in the apple cultivars Santana, Braeburn, Jonagold, Red Prince and Fuji during 8 months of storage followed by 7 d shelf life.
Fruit were stored in i) cold storage regular atmosphere (RA), ii) controlled atmosphere (CA), iii) dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA-CD), and iv) dynamic controlled atmosphere + temperature (DCA-CD Plus). Moreover, the role of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) applications on anaerobic metabolism was investigated.
Volatile compounds were extracted by solid-phase microextraction on sample headspace (HS-SPME) and analysed using GC/MS. The apple cultivars showed different anaerobic metabolism intensities and varied in their sensitivity to the storage conditions.
Ethyl acetate was generally found in higher quantities than acetaldehyde and ethanol.
DCA-stored fruit exhibited indications of hypoxia, as evidenced by elevated levels of acetaldehyde, ethanol, and ethyl acetate, suggesting a shift toward anaerobic metabolism.
Due to the cytotoxic nature of these fermentative products, this presents the risks of damaged fruit tissue and the development of off-flavors.
However, anaerobic metabolite levels remained below critical odor thresholds cited in literature.
Ethyl acetate is also an important aroma compound, and ethanol serves as substrate for ethyl ester synthesis.
Limited induction of anaerobic respiration in DCA-CD storage could consequently improve aroma development in apple fruit. 1-MCP application decreased anaerobic metabolism intensity, presumably due to an inhibited conversion of pyruvate to acetaldehyde.
RA storage was associated with an increased accumulation of fermentative products most likely as a result of advanced fruit senescence.
Authors
K. Khera, F.R. Thewes, F. Büchele, A. Patrudkar, A. Brackmann, M.H. Hagemann, A.A. Saquet, D.A. Neuwald
Keywords
Malus domestica Borkh., acetaldehyde, ethanol, ethyl acetate, GC/MS, DCA-CD, Braeburn, Jonagold, Pinova, Red Prince, Santana
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