Physicochemical measurements in ‘Mondial Gala ®’ apples stored at different atmospheres: Influence on consumer acceptability

Abstract

Standard quality parameters, consumer acceptability, emission of volatile compounds and ethylene production of ‘Mondial Gala ®’ apples ( Malus × domestica Borkh.) were determined in relation to storage atmosphere, storage period and shelf-life period. Fruit were harvested at the commercial date and stored in AIR (21 kPa O 2:0.03 kPa CO 2) or under three different controlled atmospheres (CAs): LO (2 kPa O 2:2 kPa CO 2), ULO1 (1 kPa O 2:1 kPa CO 2), or ULO2 (1 kPa O 2:2 kPa CO 2). Fruit samples were analysed after 12 and 26 weeks of storage plus 1 or 7 d at 20 °C. Apples stored in CA maintained better standard quality parameters than AIR-stored fruit. The volatile compounds that contributed most to the characteristic aroma of ‘Mondial Gala ®’ apples after storage were butyl, hexyl and 2-methylbutyl acetate, hexyl propanoate, ethyl butanoate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl, butyl and hexyl 2-methylbutanoate. Data obtained from fruit analysis were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA). The apples most accepted by consumers showed the highest emission of ethyl 2-methylbutanoate, ethyl hexanoate, tert-butyl propanoate and ethyl acetate, in addition to the highest titratable acidity and firmness values.