Super Atmospheric O2 Packaging Maintains Postharvest Quality of Cherry (P runus avium L.) Fruit

Abstract

The effect of super atmospheric O2 packaging on the quality and physiological character of cherry fruits in Wenchuan County in Sichuan province was investigated at 4C and at a relative humidity of 70 ± 1%. The results showed that, compared with control (air packaging), super atmospheric O2 packaging effectively delayed the respiration peak of cherry fruits, markedly inhibited (P < 0.05) ethylene production for the first 4 days of storage, effectively maintained firmness and soluble protein and sugar contents, and significantly delayed (P < 0.05) the increase of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activities except for days 2 and 8 of storage. However, the vitamin C contents of cherry fruits packaged by super atmospheric O2 declined much more than control. Therefore, combined with the technique of vitamin C protection, super atmospheric O2 packaging will be a prospective way to extend the postharvest quality of cherry fruits. Practical Applications Cherry fruits usually have a short shelf life because of quality deterioration. In this study, super atmospheric O2 packaging effectively inhibited the respiration of cherry fruits, maintained firmness and soluble protein and sugar contents, and significantly reduced polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activities. If combined with the technique of vitamin C protection, super atmospheric O2 packaging will be a prospective way to extend postharvest quality of cherry fruits in the future.