Articles
Influence of preharvest Harvista™ treatment and storage conditions on DA index and weight loss of ‘Gala’ apples
Article number
1456_45
Pages
341 – 350
Language
English
Abstract
Apple ripening and storability are strongly influenced by ethylene regulation and storage atmosphere.
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of preharvest Harvista™ (1-methylcyclopropene, 1-MCP) treatment combined with ultra-low oxygen (ULO) storage on ripening progression and weight loss in ‘Gala’ apples.
The experiment was conducted during the 2022/2023 season in a commercial orchard in the Czech Republic.
Control fruits were harvested on 8 September 2022, while Harvista-treated fruits were harvested two weeks later, once they reached comparable starch degradation (index 4/10). Fruits were stored for eight months at 1.2°C and 99% relative humidity under two atmosphere regimes: regular atmosphere (RA) and ULO (2% CO2, 1% O2). Fruit ripening was assessed monthly using the DA index (ΔA = A670-A720), and weight loss was recorded using an analytical balance.
Results showed that Harvista-treated fruits, particularly under ULO conditions, exhibited minimal change in DA index (ΔDA = -0.011), indicating strong inhibition of chlorophyll degradation and delayed ripening progression.
Despite higher cumulative weight loss (0.65±0.10 kg), Harvista™ ULO fruits maintained stable DA values, suggesting that moisture loss and optical ripening were not directly linked.
In contrast, control fruits under RA showed a stronger DA decline (ΔDA = -0.389) despite lower weight loss (0.22±0.03 kg). These findings indicate that the combination of preharvest 1-MCP application and ULO storage effectively stabilizes optical ripening indicators and modifies water loss dynamics in ‘Gala’ apples.
Further research should include internal quality parameters to confirm these physiological interactions.
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of preharvest Harvista™ (1-methylcyclopropene, 1-MCP) treatment combined with ultra-low oxygen (ULO) storage on ripening progression and weight loss in ‘Gala’ apples.
The experiment was conducted during the 2022/2023 season in a commercial orchard in the Czech Republic.
Control fruits were harvested on 8 September 2022, while Harvista-treated fruits were harvested two weeks later, once they reached comparable starch degradation (index 4/10). Fruits were stored for eight months at 1.2°C and 99% relative humidity under two atmosphere regimes: regular atmosphere (RA) and ULO (2% CO2, 1% O2). Fruit ripening was assessed monthly using the DA index (ΔA = A670-A720), and weight loss was recorded using an analytical balance.
Results showed that Harvista-treated fruits, particularly under ULO conditions, exhibited minimal change in DA index (ΔDA = -0.011), indicating strong inhibition of chlorophyll degradation and delayed ripening progression.
Despite higher cumulative weight loss (0.65±0.10 kg), Harvista™ ULO fruits maintained stable DA values, suggesting that moisture loss and optical ripening were not directly linked.
In contrast, control fruits under RA showed a stronger DA decline (ΔDA = -0.389) despite lower weight loss (0.22±0.03 kg). These findings indicate that the combination of preharvest 1-MCP application and ULO storage effectively stabilizes optical ripening indicators and modifies water loss dynamics in ‘Gala’ apples.
Further research should include internal quality parameters to confirm these physiological interactions.
Authors
P. Suran
Keywords
Malus × domestica, ripeness, weight loss, DA index, postharvest quality, 1-methylcyclopropene, storage
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