Quality and physiological responses of two late-season sweet cherry cultivars ‘Lapins’ and ‘Skeena’ to modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) during simulated long distance ocean shipping

Abstract

The production and export of late season sweet cherry cultivars continues to increase in the US Pacific Northwest (PNW). Major postharvest quality deterioration during long distance ocean shipping include flavor loss, off-flavor development, skin darkening, pedicel browning, pitting, and decay. In this research, three modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) liners with varied gas permeability were evaluated for their effect on quality deterioration and physiological changes of ‘Lapins’ and ‘Skeena’ during a simulated transit of 6 weeks at 0°C. Results showed that MAP2 (O2 6.5–7.5%, CO2 8.0–10.0%) reduced ascorbic acid (AsA) loss and lipid peroxidation, maintained flavor by retarding titratable acid loss and bitter taste formation, and kept brighter color by retarding anthocyanin synthesis compared to the macro-perforated polyethylene liner after 4 and 6 weeks. In contrast, MAP1 (O2 12.0–13.5%, CO2 5.0–7.0%) had little benefit on maintaining fruit flavor and skin color. MAP3 (O2 0.5–1.5%, CO2∼10%), on the other hand, showed greater benefits in most of the quality attributes; however, fruit exhibited anaerobic off-flavor from a significant accumulation of ethanol, especially in ‘Skeena’. All three MAP liners reduced pedicel browning and decay but did not affect pitting and splitting. In conclusion, only the MAP with the most appropriate gas permeability, which maintained O2 6.5–7.5% and CO2 8.0–10.0%, slowed down fruit senescence and maintained quality with respect to flavor and skin color of the late season sweet cherry cultivars after long distance ocean shipping.