Abstract
In order to preserve the quality of apple fruit, it is crucial to choose the most suitable storage technology. Nevertheless, it is also important to maintain the quality of apples during the shelf life period. In this study, changes in various biochemical quality parameters of ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Idared’ apples during a prolonged shelf life period, after conventional normal atmosphere (NA) and ultra-low oxygen (ULO) storage, were investigated. After the harvest, the fruit of examined cultivars were stored in two atmospheres for six months. Weight loss, changes in content of sugars, organic acids, total phenols, total flavonoids, pectic fractions, and antioxidant capacity were monitored. Samples were evaluated immediately after removal from the cold chambers and after 10 and 20 days of shelf life at 20 °C. ‘Golden Delicious’ apples stored in ULO exhibited better qualitative characteristics during 20 days of shelf life compared with apples of the same cultivar stored in NA. However, evaluated traits in ‘Idared’ apples from NA chambers were of higher quality in comparison with ‘Idared’ apples stored in the ULO atmosphere.
Highlights
Apple consumption has been shown to be effective in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and asthma [1,2,3]
Since ULO cold storage is expensive and not so available in developing countries, it is crucial to determine which apple cultivars must be stored under ultra-low oxygen atmosphere and which could be stored in normal atmosphere (NA) without losing quality
By monitoring the changes in several qualitative parameters of two apple cultivars, we evaluated the effects of cold storage conditions on apple quality during shelf life
Summary
Apple consumption has been shown to be effective in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and asthma [1,2,3]. The beneficial health effects of these secondary plant metabolites are being reported [5,6]. Many factors, such as genotype, ripening stage, environmental conditions, and postharvest operations, affect the chemical composition and polyphenols content [7,8]. In order to preserve the quality of apple fruit, it is crucial to apply the most suitable storage technology. It is important to minimize the loss of quality and to maintain the high nutritional value of apples during the shelf life period. There are numerous studies referring to qualitative changes in apples during long-term cold storage, whereas only few studies at room temperature have been carried out
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
