The Use of Controlled Atmosphere Box in Sweet Cherry Storage

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine the use of controlled atmosphere (CA) box, a new technology, for sweet cherry storage. In addition, this technology was compared to normal (NA) and modified atmosphere (MAP) storages commonly used in sweet cherry preservation. The ‘0900 Ziraat’ sweet cherry variety, the most popular in Turkey, was used as the material. Fruit harvested at optimum stage were transported to the laboratory immediately, and pre-cooled at 1°C. After pre-cooling, fruit were stored at 0°C and 90±5% relative humidity (RH) for 5 weeks in NA, MAP conditions, and in CA box at 2°C. During the storage period, weight loss, fruit skin color, stem color, respiration rate, soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), gas composition of box and MAP were determined at weekly intervals. Fruit were also evaluated for sensory attributes during cold storage. Samples taken from cold storage in each week were stored for 2 days at 20°C for shelf life and then fruit were re-evaluated. According to evaluation criteria, the CA boxes gave better results than the other storage conditions at the end of the storage period of 35 days. Sweet cherry cv. ‘0900 Ziraat’ could be stored for 5 weeks in CA box and 4 weeks in MAP, with marketable quality.