Application of low concentrations of ozone during the cold storage of table grapes

Abstract

The control by ozone of postharvest decay of table grapes, caused by Botrytis cinerea and other pathogens, was evaluated in chambers and commercial storage facilities. Ozone at 0.100μL/L or higher inhibited the spread of gray mold among stored grapes. Ozone diffusion into many types of commercial packaging was measured. Boxes made of uncoated paper corrugate inhibited diffusion more than those composed of coated paper corrugate, plastic corrugate, hard plastic, or expanded polystyrene. Internal packaging of hard plastic clamshell containers inhibited diffusion less than low density polyethylene cluster bags. Atmospheres of 0.100μL/L ozone in the day and 0.300μL/L at night reduced the natural incidence of gray mold by approximately 65% after 5–8 weeks of storage. Its effectiveness to control postharvest decay was compared to sulfur dioxide fumigation. After 68 days at 1°C the incidence of gray mold among grapes stored in air, ozone, or with weekly sulfur dioxide fumigation was 38.8%, 2.1%, and 0.1%, respectively. However, decay by other fungi, such as Alternaria spp. and Penicillium spp., was controlled by sulfur dioxide, but not by ozone. In some tests, rachis appearance was moderately harmed by ozone. The combination of ozone use in storage following a single initial sulfur dioxide fumigation, or its use in between biweekly sulfur dioxide fumigations, controlled both gray mold and other pathogens and matched the commercial practice of initial and weekly sulfur dioxide fumigation. The use of both gases in this way reduced sulfur dioxide use greatly. Differences in flavor of grapes treated with ozone were not detectable compared to those stored in air, and grapes treated with ozone were preferred over those treated with sulfur dioxide.