Articles
Source of variation in the concentration of ethylene in commercial CA storage environment of apples
Article number
1456_31
Pages
237 – 244
Language
English
Abstract
This study examined the sources of variation in ethylene concentration within the storage atmosphere of apples treated with 1-MCP. It also explored the relationship between ethylene levels in the controlled atmosphere (CA) and fruit firmness following storage.
The CA rooms were situated in the 18 largest apple warehouses across Brazil’s three main growing sites.
A data set of 125-259 rooms storing ‘Gala’ and 64-149 rooms storing ‘Fuji’ was assessed per year.
The data sets of ethylene concentrations determined during 1-MCP application and monthly along storage were analyzed separately.
Ethylene concentration was higher in rooms storing ‘Gala’ apples compared to those storing ‘Fuji’ apples during the 1-MCP application as well as throughout CA storage.
The ethylene levels varied across harvest years, among storage rooms within the same year, and notably between warehouses.
Most rooms exhibited ethylene levels between 1 and 10 μL L‑1 for both cultivars during storage.
However, approximately 5% of the ‘Gala’ chambers had ethylene concentrations exceeding 50 μL L‑1. A significant correlation was observed between the ethylene concentration measured during the 1-MCP application and the levels recorded after storage for rooms storing ‘Gala’. Distinct patterns of change in ethylene concentration were noted throughout the storage period for both cultivars.
For ‘Gala’ apples, 15.4% of the storage rooms exhibited an increase in ethylene concentration, while 65% showed a decrease during storage.
In contrast, 19% of the rooms storing ‘Gala’ showed no change or an inconsistent change in ethylene concentration.
The low correlation between ethylene concentration within storage environment and fruit firmness limits the use of absolute ethylene measures to schedule the opening time of the storage room for fruit marketing, particularly for apples treated with 1-MCP.
The CA rooms were situated in the 18 largest apple warehouses across Brazil’s three main growing sites.
A data set of 125-259 rooms storing ‘Gala’ and 64-149 rooms storing ‘Fuji’ was assessed per year.
The data sets of ethylene concentrations determined during 1-MCP application and monthly along storage were analyzed separately.
Ethylene concentration was higher in rooms storing ‘Gala’ apples compared to those storing ‘Fuji’ apples during the 1-MCP application as well as throughout CA storage.
The ethylene levels varied across harvest years, among storage rooms within the same year, and notably between warehouses.
Most rooms exhibited ethylene levels between 1 and 10 μL L‑1 for both cultivars during storage.
However, approximately 5% of the ‘Gala’ chambers had ethylene concentrations exceeding 50 μL L‑1. A significant correlation was observed between the ethylene concentration measured during the 1-MCP application and the levels recorded after storage for rooms storing ‘Gala’. Distinct patterns of change in ethylene concentration were noted throughout the storage period for both cultivars.
For ‘Gala’ apples, 15.4% of the storage rooms exhibited an increase in ethylene concentration, while 65% showed a decrease during storage.
In contrast, 19% of the rooms storing ‘Gala’ showed no change or an inconsistent change in ethylene concentration.
The low correlation between ethylene concentration within storage environment and fruit firmness limits the use of absolute ethylene measures to schedule the opening time of the storage room for fruit marketing, particularly for apples treated with 1-MCP.
Authors
L.C. Argenta, M.R.B. Pontel, R.M. Wood, F.A.M. Terra, D.A. Neuwald
Keywords
1-MCP, controlled atmosphere, ethylene, Malus × domestica Borkh., quality
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