Dynamic controlled atmosphere monitored by respiratory quotient as a new method to store pears: Effect on the volatile compounds profile and general quality

Abstract

Pears (Pyrus communis) are climacteric fruit that require storage under appropriate conditions to extend availability and delay ripening. This study evaluated the production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and the physicochemical quality of ‘Santa Maria’ and ‘Rocha’ pears after storage in a controlled atmosphere (CA) or dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA), monitored by respiratory quotient (RQ). The pears, harvested from an orchard in São Joaquim (Santa Catarina State), were stored at − 0.5 °C in CA (2.0 kPa O2) and DCA with RQ levels of 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4, all under 1.0 kPa CO2. ‘Santa Maria’ pears were stored for four months, and ‘Rocha’ pears for six months, followed by seven days at 20 °C before quality analysis. Storage of ‘Santa Maria’ pears in CA resulted in fruit with a more yellow skin color, lower flesh firmness, and higher ethylene production, while ‘Rocha’ pears in CA retained higher flesh firmness and produced less ethylene at 4 and 7 days at 20 °C compared to DCA conditions. Storage conditions did not significantly affect soluble solids and acidity. In ‘Rocha’ pears, DCA, regardless of RQ, suppressed the production of butyl acetate, hexyl acetate, pentyl acetate, methyl acetate, and propyl acetate, while in ‘Santa Maria’ pears, esters such as butyl acetate and hexyl acetate were less affected. In conclusion, no significant differences were found between the DCA-RQ levels evaluated in this research in maintaining physicochemical quality and VOCs production. However, DCA suppressed VOCs production in both ‘Santa Maria’ and ‘Rocha’ pears compared with CA storage.