Articles
Effect of delayed cooling and delayed controlled atmosphere on internal browning and fruit quality of ‘Fuji’ apples
Article number
1456_19
Pages
147 – 154
Language
English
Abstract
Internal browning (IB) is a major challenge for the long-term storage of ‘Fuji’ apples, particularly since extended storage is necessary to ensure profitable returns.
This study investigated the effect of cooling delay treatments on the development of IB and fruit quality in ‘Fuji’ apples during the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
Apples were stored in controlled atmosphere (CA) conditions (0.5 kPa CO2, 1.5 kPa O2 at -0.5°C) for 4 and 6 months, followed by 6 weeks of simulated shipping and handling at 0°C, and a 7-day simulated shelf-life at 20°C. The cooling delay treatments included delays of 0, 4, 12, and 28 h at room temperature after harvest.
These were followed by 3 weeks of storage in regular atmosphere (RA) at 0.5°C before CA storage commenced.
Fruit evaluations involved determining the external and internal defects that manifested, maturity and quality indices as well as biochemical measurements after each delay treatment was applied, after CA storage and after simulated shelf-life.
The type of IB that manifested were found to be CO2 injury.
In 2021 no CO2 injury was observed, and low levels of bitter pit incidence was noted in the fruit that received the longest delayed cooling treatment.
Firmness was lower for fruit that received a delayed cooling treatment.
In 2022, fruit stored for 4 months developed slightly higher CO2 injury compared to fruit stored for 6 months after the shipping and shelf-life period, regardless of cooling treatments.
Four month stored fruit was associated with a higher internal ethylene concentration and lower firmness, compared to 6 month stored fruit.
Overall, the findings highlighted the critical importance of rapid cooling after harvest to maintain fruit quality.
Storage duration was a critical factor in disorder development and quality.
Harvest maturity should be further investigated.
This study investigated the effect of cooling delay treatments on the development of IB and fruit quality in ‘Fuji’ apples during the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
Apples were stored in controlled atmosphere (CA) conditions (0.5 kPa CO2, 1.5 kPa O2 at -0.5°C) for 4 and 6 months, followed by 6 weeks of simulated shipping and handling at 0°C, and a 7-day simulated shelf-life at 20°C. The cooling delay treatments included delays of 0, 4, 12, and 28 h at room temperature after harvest.
These were followed by 3 weeks of storage in regular atmosphere (RA) at 0.5°C before CA storage commenced.
Fruit evaluations involved determining the external and internal defects that manifested, maturity and quality indices as well as biochemical measurements after each delay treatment was applied, after CA storage and after simulated shelf-life.
The type of IB that manifested were found to be CO2 injury.
In 2021 no CO2 injury was observed, and low levels of bitter pit incidence was noted in the fruit that received the longest delayed cooling treatment.
Firmness was lower for fruit that received a delayed cooling treatment.
In 2022, fruit stored for 4 months developed slightly higher CO2 injury compared to fruit stored for 6 months after the shipping and shelf-life period, regardless of cooling treatments.
Four month stored fruit was associated with a higher internal ethylene concentration and lower firmness, compared to 6 month stored fruit.
Overall, the findings highlighted the critical importance of rapid cooling after harvest to maintain fruit quality.
Storage duration was a critical factor in disorder development and quality.
Harvest maturity should be further investigated.
Authors
A. Kriegler, W.J. Botes, M. Jooste, E.M. Crouch
Keywords
bitter pit, controlled atmosphere storage, CO2 injury, postharvest
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