Effect of MAP liners, hydrocooling, calcium, and source on the shelf life and quality of the autochthonous sweet cherry cultivar ‘Mokahal’

Traditional postharvest techniques pose a major constraint on enhancing the value chain for Lebanese sweet cherries (Prunus avium L.). The aim of this research was to evaluate the impact of various postharvest treatments on the shelf-life of the indigenous cultivar ‘Mokahal’. Each treatment was considered a factor, encompassing: i) fruit source with cherries taken either directly from farmers (F) or from the wholesale market (W); ii) package type testing conventional plastic container, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), and MAP combined with a humidity absorbent and SO₂ gas releaser; iii) pre-conditioning treatments with cherries subjected to hydro-cooling with or without dipping in calcium chloride.
Results revealed a significant effect of cherry source on mass loss and pedicel color, with cherries from the wholesale market exhibiting notably greater mass loss and darker pedicels.
Conversely, hydro-cooling, with or without calcium, significantly reduced mass loss, slowed skin color degradation, lowered the decay rate, and minimized increases in sugar content.
For packaging, both MAP options, with or without the additional features, delayed mass loss, slowed sensory quality decline, and mitigated increases in sugar content.
Based on these findings, it would be highly recommended to consider fresh cherries from orchard sources for a pre-conditioning treatment with hydro-cooling and calcium treatment, followed by a MAP packaging with SO₂ gas releaser, for an optimal sweet cherry shelf life.

EHC2024: International Symposium on Postharvest and Horticultural Products Quality

Y. Ghorra Chamoun, R. Hamzo, L. Chalak, M. Kharrat

postharvest, sweet cherries, shelf life, quality, Prunus avium cultivar

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2026.1458.4