Articles
Effects of temperature and dynamic controlled atmosphere storage on fruit quality and disorder incidence in ‘Gala’ apples
Article number
1456_42
Pages
321 – 326
Language
English
Abstract
Recently, there has been increasing interest in dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA) storage for apples, particularly in how it influences fruit quality during long-term storage.
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of low oxygen partial pressure storage, monitored through chlorophyll fluorescence (CF) and respiratory quotient (RQ), on the quality and physiological disorders of ‘Gala’ apples during the 2023/2024 season.
The apples were stored for 9 months under three different conditions: regular atmosphere (RA), controlled atmosphere (CA: 2 kPa O2 and 0.5 kPa CO2), and dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA: oxygen ranged from 0.15 to 0.3 kPa and 0.3 kPa CO2), at storage temperatures of 1 and 3°C. After storage, the apples underwent a supply chain simulation involving 2 weeks in RA followed by 7 days at 20°C. The results showed that RA-stored fruit had the highest respiration rate, ethylene production, and the lowest flesh firmness, while DCA and CA storage helped slow the ripening process.
Notably, DCA at 1°C resulted in the most significant retention of firmness and delayed chlorophyll degradation compared to CA and RA. Additionally, apples stored under DCA maintained higher acidity levels than those in RA and CA, regardless of temperature.
However, increased browning incidences were observed in apples stored under CA at 1°C and DCA at 3°C. Shriveling was common in CA and RA-stored apples after 9 months of storage, and this was also observed in DCA at 3°C. Furthermore, fruit cracking was noted in DCA at 3°C throughout the storage period.
The findings suggest that DCA storage at 1°C is optimal for maintaining fruit quality and reducing disorder incidence in ‘Gala’ apples.
Further research is needed to optimize DCA conditions and assess its applicability across fruit from different growing environments and seasons.
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of low oxygen partial pressure storage, monitored through chlorophyll fluorescence (CF) and respiratory quotient (RQ), on the quality and physiological disorders of ‘Gala’ apples during the 2023/2024 season.
The apples were stored for 9 months under three different conditions: regular atmosphere (RA), controlled atmosphere (CA: 2 kPa O2 and 0.5 kPa CO2), and dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA: oxygen ranged from 0.15 to 0.3 kPa and 0.3 kPa CO2), at storage temperatures of 1 and 3°C. After storage, the apples underwent a supply chain simulation involving 2 weeks in RA followed by 7 days at 20°C. The results showed that RA-stored fruit had the highest respiration rate, ethylene production, and the lowest flesh firmness, while DCA and CA storage helped slow the ripening process.
Notably, DCA at 1°C resulted in the most significant retention of firmness and delayed chlorophyll degradation compared to CA and RA. Additionally, apples stored under DCA maintained higher acidity levels than those in RA and CA, regardless of temperature.
However, increased browning incidences were observed in apples stored under CA at 1°C and DCA at 3°C. Shriveling was common in CA and RA-stored apples after 9 months of storage, and this was also observed in DCA at 3°C. Furthermore, fruit cracking was noted in DCA at 3°C throughout the storage period.
The findings suggest that DCA storage at 1°C is optimal for maintaining fruit quality and reducing disorder incidence in ‘Gala’ apples.
Further research is needed to optimize DCA conditions and assess its applicability across fruit from different growing environments and seasons.
Authors
H.P. Lwin, S. Amankona, D. Rudell, C.A. Torres
Keywords
Malus domestica, controlled atmosphere, dynamic controlled atmosphere, storage temperature, postharvest quality, internal browning
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