Articles
CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE STORAGE OF ‘OPAL STAR’ FEIJOA
Article number
876_55
Pages
401 – 408
Language
English
Abstract
Feijoas (Acca sellowiana) have a short harvest season and a limited postharvest life.
In order for the New Zealand feijoa industry to export to distant markets a postharvest life of at least 6 weeks is required.
Controlled atmosphere (CA) storage of Opal Star feijoa fruit was evaluated as a means of extending postharvest life.
Fruit quality changes were measured when fruit were stored in air or in four CA atmospheres (a matrix of two levels of oxygen (2 and 5 kPa) and two levels of carbon dioxide (0 and 3 kPa)) at 4°C for up to 10 weeks.
Fruit weight loss during 10 weeks in CA at 4°C was 1.5-2% of initial weight.
Firmness of fruit stored in air or in CA with 3 kPa CO2 decreased from about 18 N at harvest to ~ 9 N after 10 weeks at 4°C. Firmness declined at a lower rate for fruit under CA conditions with 0 kPa CO2 (~ 14 N after 10 weeks). Total soluble solids decreased as storage time and subsequent shelf life increased.
Air stored fruit were less green (lower hue°) after 8 weeks storage.
Individual fruit from all treatments, including fruit stored in air, developed an external discolouring injury after 6 weeks at 4°C. CA appears to offer some benefits for increasing the storage life of Opal Star feijoa but further investigation is required to explore efficacy under commercial conditions.
In order for the New Zealand feijoa industry to export to distant markets a postharvest life of at least 6 weeks is required.
Controlled atmosphere (CA) storage of Opal Star feijoa fruit was evaluated as a means of extending postharvest life.
Fruit quality changes were measured when fruit were stored in air or in four CA atmospheres (a matrix of two levels of oxygen (2 and 5 kPa) and two levels of carbon dioxide (0 and 3 kPa)) at 4°C for up to 10 weeks.
Fruit weight loss during 10 weeks in CA at 4°C was 1.5-2% of initial weight.
Firmness of fruit stored in air or in CA with 3 kPa CO2 decreased from about 18 N at harvest to ~ 9 N after 10 weeks at 4°C. Firmness declined at a lower rate for fruit under CA conditions with 0 kPa CO2 (~ 14 N after 10 weeks). Total soluble solids decreased as storage time and subsequent shelf life increased.
Air stored fruit were less green (lower hue°) after 8 weeks storage.
Individual fruit from all treatments, including fruit stored in air, developed an external discolouring injury after 6 weeks at 4°C. CA appears to offer some benefits for increasing the storage life of Opal Star feijoa but further investigation is required to explore efficacy under commercial conditions.
Authors
A.S. Al-Harthy, A.R. East, E.W. Hewett, A.J. Mawson
Keywords
modified atmosphere, Acca sellowiana, pineapple guava, oxygen, carbon dioxide
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