Articles
Dynamic controlled atmosphere storage of apples – a USA perspective on challenges and opportunities
Article number
1456_6
Pages
37 – 46
Language
English
Abstract
Dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA) storage technology allows the safe storage of apples at low oxygen concentrations that are close to anaerobic compensation point to control development of physiological disorders such as superficial scald and maintain quality factors.
However, with the exception of the organic apple industry, the adoption of DCA in North America has lagged behind that in Europe.
There are several reasons for the differences including: 1) the earlier availability of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) in the USA than in Europe and the positive market response to maintenance of texture and acidity of fruits throughout the marketing chain; 2) ease of use of 1-MCP compared with DCA because of the requirement for high quality storage rooms to allow low oxygen concentrations to be achieved and maintained economically; 3) continued availability of that antioxidant, diphenylamine (DPA), that controls superficial scald; and 4) limited post-storage benefits of DCA compared with 1-MCP on maintaining quality factors, especially with predominant northeast cultivars that soften rapidly after harvest.
Nevertheless, several changes are driving increasing interest in DCA storage technology.
Apart from continuing concern about the potential loss of DPA registration, changes in the cultivar mix have occurred.
Many newer cultivars such as ‘Honeycrisp’ and its progeny maintain texture characteristics after storage thereby reducing concerns about fruit softening during the marketing chain.
Also, low oxygen concentrations have been shown to control a flesh browning disorder of the major USA-grown cultivar, ‘Gala’. Finally, 1-MCP has been shown to increase internal browning incidences of some newer cultivars such as ‘NY1’ (Snapdragon®) and ‘MAIA-1’ (Evercrisp®). Consequently, interest in alternative methods such as DCA to maintain quality has increased.
A National Institute of Food and Agriculture Institute Specialty Crop Research Initiative grant that will address these issues, involving the primary investigators of physiologists (Beaudry, MI; Rudell, WA; Torres, WA), Sensory Scientists (Dando, NY) and economists (Gallardo, WA; Rickard, NY) is outlined.
However, with the exception of the organic apple industry, the adoption of DCA in North America has lagged behind that in Europe.
There are several reasons for the differences including: 1) the earlier availability of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) in the USA than in Europe and the positive market response to maintenance of texture and acidity of fruits throughout the marketing chain; 2) ease of use of 1-MCP compared with DCA because of the requirement for high quality storage rooms to allow low oxygen concentrations to be achieved and maintained economically; 3) continued availability of that antioxidant, diphenylamine (DPA), that controls superficial scald; and 4) limited post-storage benefits of DCA compared with 1-MCP on maintaining quality factors, especially with predominant northeast cultivars that soften rapidly after harvest.
Nevertheless, several changes are driving increasing interest in DCA storage technology.
Apart from continuing concern about the potential loss of DPA registration, changes in the cultivar mix have occurred.
Many newer cultivars such as ‘Honeycrisp’ and its progeny maintain texture characteristics after storage thereby reducing concerns about fruit softening during the marketing chain.
Also, low oxygen concentrations have been shown to control a flesh browning disorder of the major USA-grown cultivar, ‘Gala’. Finally, 1-MCP has been shown to increase internal browning incidences of some newer cultivars such as ‘NY1’ (Snapdragon®) and ‘MAIA-1’ (Evercrisp®). Consequently, interest in alternative methods such as DCA to maintain quality has increased.
A National Institute of Food and Agriculture Institute Specialty Crop Research Initiative grant that will address these issues, involving the primary investigators of physiologists (Beaudry, MI; Rudell, WA; Torres, WA), Sensory Scientists (Dando, NY) and economists (Gallardo, WA; Rickard, NY) is outlined.
Authors
C.B. Watkins, Y. Al Shoffe
Keywords
Malus × domestica, CA, DCA, fruit quality
Online Articles (48)