Controlled Atmosphere Conditions Research Articles

Mango value chain improvement through postharvest research and development: a developing country case study

Pakistan is one of the major mango-producing and -exporting countries in the world. During 2007-15, significant postharvest research and development (R&D) work was conducted under the Australian-funded ASLP mango supply chain management/value chain improvement projects (two phases). The project started by laying a postharvest foundation R&D infrastructure in 2007. Fruit quality losses in supply chains were documented. Protocols were developed for maturity testing, de-sapping, storage/sea-freighting, and ripening and postharvest disease management of major mango cultivars. Quantity loss (unmarketable fruit) was around 20% while quality loss (affecting price) was 65 and 70% in Sindhri and Samar Bahisht Chaunsa mango, respectively. Sap burn and postharvest diseases were the most important fruit quality issues at retail. Cultivars differed in terms of fruit harvest maturity indicators, postharvest treatment response, controlled atmosphere conditions and temperatures for storage and ripening. Besides physical de-sapping (on racks), lime wash (de-stemming and dipping fruit in 0.5% lime solution for 2-3 min) was also found to be effective, with morning being the best time for fruit picking. Significant relationships of production locality, orchard management, nutrition (Ca, B and K) and pre-cooling were found with postharvest disease incidence. Postharvest hot-water fungicidal dip of Scholar (active ingredient (a.i.) fludioxonil), Amistar (a.i. azoxystrobin) and Sportak (a.i. procholaz) gave significant fruit disease control. An integrated approach of good production practices, right maturity, correct postharvest fungicidal treatments and pre-cooling was an effective strategy for reducing disease incidence and maintaining better shelf-life at retail. On the basis of R&D and interventions, significant improvement was brought to the local mango industry and export. Sindhri mangoes were sea-freighted commercially to the EU and UK with good fruit quality outturn and overall postharvest life of 40-45 days.

Heat- and Gas-Induced Transformation in CH3NH3PbI3 Perovskites and Its Effect on the Efficiency of Solar Cells

Following the remarkable success of the application of CH3NH3PbI3 perovskites in photovoltaics, a great focus has been placed on their stability to improve their optoelectronic properties and seek commercial production. To gain a better understanding of their thermal stability, we investigated the chemical, morphological, and photovoltaic transformations of CH3NH3PbI3 perovskites under elevated temperatures and various controlled atmospheric conditions (vacuum, 1 mbar O2, and 1 mbar H2O). A temperature-dependent study showed that CH3NH3PbI3 decomposed to PbI2 with the release of CH3NH2 and HI under low-temperature annealing (25–150 °C). Further annealing resulted in the formation of metallic lead (Pb0) under vacuum and Pb oxides and hydroxides under an O2 or H2O pressure. Moreover, the sublimation of Pb-based compounds occurred at temperatures above 150 °C, causing structural changes, which resulted in a decrease in the power conversion efficiency of the solar cell. A time-dependent study showed that, com...

Different Oxygen Transmission Rate Packing Films During Modified Atmosphere Storage: Effects on Asparagus Spear Quality

The aim of this study was to determine suitable oxygen transmission rate (OTR) films for modified atmosphere (MA) storage of asparagus spears (Asparagus officinalis L.), and to examine the related changes in asparagus spear quality. Asparagus spears were packed with 10,000, 20,000, 40,000, 70,000, and 100,000 cc/m2·day·atm OTR film treatments for MA storage, and perforated film (conventional storage) was used as the control. The fresh weight loss rate was less than 1% in all OTR film treatments but not in the control. In all OTR film treatments, ethylene content rapidly increased on the first day of storage, and gradually decreased thereafter to 2.0 μL·L-1 by the final storage day. In the 10,000 cc and 20,000 cc OTR film treatments, carbon dioxide content was maintained within the permissible range for asparagus spears under recommended controlled atmosphere (CA) and MA conditions (5-12%). The oxygen content was maintained between 12% and 20% in all OTR film treatments. Hue angles and total chlorophyll content were highest in the 10,000 cc OTR film treatment in both tips and stems. Visual quality was maintained at a saleable level only in the 10,000 cc OTR film treatment until the final storage day (25 days). Based on sensory evaluation, the least off-odor was detected in the 10,000 cc OTR film treatment, and the most in the control treatment. While the soluble solids content decreased with all film treatments, it was maintained at the highest level in the 10,000 cc OTR film treatment. Vitamin C content decreased with all film treatments during storage, but was maintained at higher levels in the 10,000, 20,000, and 40,000 cc OTR film treatments. The firmness of tips and stems increased with storage duration in all film treatments, stems were firmer under the perforated film, 10,000, and 20,000 cc OTR film treatments. Given these results, the 10,000 cc OTR film treatment is considered the most appropriate for MA asparagus spear storage since visual quality and soluble solids content were maintained, and fresh weight loss, vitamin C content, off-odor, and yellowing were suppressed during storage.

Design and Development of Instrumentations for the Preparation of Platinum Single Crystals for Electrochemistry and Electrocatalysis Research. Part 2: Orientation, Cutting, and Annealing

In this contribution, which is the second paper in a series, we report on the design and development of several pieces of equipment, which facilitate the preparation of a hemispherical single crystal with a desired crystallographic surface structure starting with a spherical Pt single crystal. The pieces of equipment include a dual, high-resolution charge-coupled device (CCD)-based camera for acquiring Laue X-ray back-scattering patterns to orient spherical single crystals, a precision custom-designed jig for cutting and polishing pre-oriented single crystals, and an induction annealing system with controlled gaseous atmosphere for obtaining well-ordered and defect-free single crystal surfaces. Firstly, the paper describes the dual CCD camera setup, which allows acquiring, processing, and analyzing Laue back-scattering patterns in a digital format. The single crystal holder comprising a goniometer, the CCD-based detection system, and an optomechanical system together allow simple, adaptable, quick, and accurate single crystal orientation. Secondly, the paper presents details of a high-precision jig used in the cutting and polishing of single crystals. The jig setup includes a goniometer supporting a holder in which a single crystal is mounted and two micrometers. It maintains the desired single crystal surface parallel to the polishing disk on which abrasive materials are dispersed and polishing cloths are mounted. The micrometers allow monitoring the polishing rate and maintaining the desired single crystal surface exactly parallel to the polishing disk. Thirdly, the paper describes details of the annealing system. It consists of an induction-annealing furnace with a custom-made coil, a custom-designed quartz cell that facilitates single crystal annealing under controlled atmosphere conditions. Optimization of the induction annealing parameters and conditions, which determine the final quality of single crystal surfaces, is described in detail. Finally, the paper explains the unique aspects of this setup and methodically describes the operating procedures required to obtain a hemispherical single crystal with an atomically flat surface.

Respiration rate and ethylene metabolism of ‘Jonagold’ apple and ‘Conference’ pear under regular air and controlled atmosphere

ABSTRACT The 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) oxidase activity, ethylene production, CO2 release and O2 uptake of ‘Jonagold’ apple and ‘Conference’ pear were investigated during regular air and controlled atmosphere storage. Storage conditions tested at 0 °C during 6 months, with a further 10 d shelf-life in air at 20 °C were: 0.5 kPa O2 + 6.0 kPa CO2; 3 kPa O2 + 6 kPa CO2; 1 kPa O2 + 3 kPa CO2; 1.5 kPa O2 + 1.5 kPa CO2; 0.5 kPa O2 + 0.5 kPa CO2 and 2 kPa O2 + 1 kPa CO2. Apple and pear kept in regular air showed higher ACC-oxidase activity, ethylene production and respiration rates. Under controlled atmosphere, lower O2 and/ or higher CO2 partial pressures strongly inhibited ACC-oxidase activity and ethylene production of apple and pear. Agreeing with ACC-oxidase activity and ethylene production, respiration rate was affected by the controlled atmosphere in a similar manner. The controlled atmosphere condition of 0.5 kPa O2 + 6.0 kPa CO2 showed the strongest suppression in ethylene production, respiration and generated higher values in the respiratory quotient. However, fruit metabolism was strongly suppressed in ‘Jonagold’ than in ‘Conference’, persisting a strong residual effect of controlled atmosphere during the full 10 d shelf-life in apple.

Dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA): interaction between DCA methods and 1-methylcyclopropene on ‘Fuji Suprema’ apple quality

The objective of the present work was to evaluate the appropriate respiratory quotient (RQ) value to achieve a safe lowest oxygen limit (LOL), during storage of ‘Fuji Suprema’ apples, in dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA), treated with or without 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP). The apples were stored in DCA-RQ, a new technology for storing fruits, and were compared with the HarvestWatch™, a system based on chlorophyll fluorescence DCA (DCA-CF), and static controlled atmosphere. DCA-RQ1.5 is the most suited for the storage of ‘Fuji Suprema’ apples. In this condition fermentative products were induced, which reduced ethylene production and respiration rate; however, it did not increase physiological disorders, and the concentration of ethyl acetate was below the odour threshold. 1-MCP application maintained higher flesh firmness and reduced the anaerobic metabolism, although it decreased fruit quality due to the occurrence of cavities, therefore its application is not recommended for ‘Fuji Suprema’ apple stored in DCA conditions.

Quality and bioaccessibility of total phenols and antioxidant activity of calçots (Allium cepa L.) stored under controlled atmosphere conditions

Calçots are the floral stems of the second-year onion (Allium cepa L.) resprouts with economic importance in Spain, where they are usually consumed roasted. The effect of two controlled atmospheres (CA) of 2.0% O2+3.5% CO2 (CA1), 1.0% O2+2.0% CO2 (CA2) and air at 1°C for 60 d on the physicochemical, nutritional and sensory quality of calçots were studied. In addition, the total phenolic content (TPC) and the antioxidant activity (AA) of roasted calçots were evaluated after an in vitro gastrointestinal (GI) digestion. Both CA regimes reduced the respiration rate of the stored product without causing physiological disorders. The TPC and AA of calçots increased during storage. Storage for 60 d in CA2 resulted in the highest AA by DPPH assay, whereas calçots stored in air for 60 d showed the highest TPC and AA by FRAP assay. Calçots stored in air for 30 d and fresh harvested sample presented the highest total flavonoids values. After 30 d of storage, calçots stored in CA had a higher liking degree than calçots stored in air. The AA of digested calçots decreased drastically after in vitro GI digestion in comparison to the non-digested samples. However, TPC increased after digestion. Roasted calçots stored in CA1 for 30 d showed the highest TPC and AA retention in the intestinal phase. CA could be a postharvest strategy for the storage of calçots.

Application of low-field MRI for quality assessment of ‘Conference’ pears stored under controlled atmosphere conditions

A novel, non-destructive, and cost-effective method to evaluate internal disorders occurring in ‘Conference’ pears stored under controlled atmosphere (CA) is described. A low-field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system operating at 0.2T was used to determine water content in the fruit, and to distinguish damaged and healthy tissues by exploiting the differences of their relaxation times. The extent of damage was evaluated quantitatively by applying a proper segmentation technique to the T1-weighted images, followed by separate calculation of the volumes of browning tissue and internal voids. The dynamics of the induced changes within the microstructure of the fruit as a function of the CA storage time was analyzed by repeating the measurements periodically during a six-month storage.

Effect of antibrowning dips and controlled atmosphere storage on the physico-chemical, visual and nutritional quality of minimally processed "Rojo Brillante" persimmons.

The combined effect of antibrowning dips and controlled atmosphere storage on fresh-cut "Rojo Brillante" persimmon quality was investigated. Persimmon slices were dipped in 10 g L-1 ascorbic acid, 10 g L-1 citric acid or water and were stored in different controlled atmospheres at 5 ℃. Controlled atmosphere conditions were 21 kPa O2 + 10 kPa CO2 (Atm-B), 21 kPa O2 + 20 kPa CO2 (Atm-C), 5 kPa O2 + 10 kPa CO2 (Atm-D) and 5 kPa O2 in the absence of CO2 (Atm-E). Air (Atm-A) was used as a control. Atmospheres with high CO2 concentrations induced darkening, associated with a flesh disorder known as "internal flesh browning". Only the samples placed in Atm-E, and treated with 10 g L-1 ascorbic acid or 10 g L-1 citric acid, controlled enzymatic browning, reduced firmness loss and prevented the "internal flesh browning" disorder. The maximum limit of marketability was achieved in the samples treated with 10 g L-1 citric acid and stored in Atm-E for nine storage days at 5 ℃. The total vitamin C, free radical scavenging activity, total phenolic content and total carotenoids of the fresh-cut "Rojo Brillante" persimmons were affected by maturity stage at harvest, whereas antibrowning dips and controlled atmosphere storage had no clear effect.

Storability of “Jonagold” Apple Fruit under Extreme Controlled Atmosphere Conditions

Storability of “Jonagold” Apple Fruit under Extreme Controlled Atmosphere Conditions

Controlled atmosphere maintains native and cultivated yerba mate quality during shelf life after long-term storage

Yerba mate shows social and economic importance for the Southern Latin American countries due to its easy production and large market range. However, there is a problem to harvest the yerba mate at the correct period and to store it until processing and marketing. Thus, the aim of this paper was to evaluate the interaction among the storage in controlled atmosphere, effect of cultivation form and shelf life period on yerba mate quality after long-term controlled atmosphere storage. The experiment was conducted in a factorial arrangement (3 controlled atmosphere conditions × 2 cultivation forms × 4 weeks of shelf life). Native yerba mate, stored under controlled atmosphere, showed higher chlorophyll concentration as compared to the cultivated one. Carotenoid concentration increased up to the third week of shelf life and thereafter remained constant, if the yerba mate was stored under ambient conditions. Oxygen partial pressure lowering allows long-term yerba mate storage, keeping its quality during four shelf life weeks at 20 °C. Controlled atmosphere is an efficient technique for yerba mate quality keeping during long-term storage and shelf life, allowing the harvest of the raw material at the correct period and the maintenance of its quality until processing and marketing. The cultivation form has a significant effect on the storage and shelf life potential of yerba mate stored under controlled atmosphere.

Pre-storage conditioning ameliorates the negative impact of 1-methylcyclopropene on physiological injury and modifies the response of antioxidants and γ-aminobutyrate in ‘Honeycrisp’ apples exposed to controlled-atmosphere conditions

Controlled atmosphere (CA) storage limits ethylene-related ripening of apple fruit, but can promote the development of CA-related injury. CA-related injury can be exacerbated by the ethylene antagonist, 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP). The main objective of this study was to investigate the impact of pre-storage conditioning, 1-MCP and elevated CO2 on the development of CA-related injury and oxidative stress metabolites in ‘Honeycrisp’ (Malus×domestica Borkh.) apple fruit. Upon harvest, fruit were treated with or without 1μLL−1 1-MCP for 24h, and then transferred to CA (2.5kPa O2 and 2.5kPa or 0.03kPa CO2) at 3°C (no conditioning) or conditioned at 10°C for 5d prior to CA. Apples were CA-stored for up to 35 weeks. CA-related injury occurred with storage under both CA regimes, regardless of 1-MCP and conditioning, whereas 1-MCP exacerbated the negative impact of elevated CO2 on this disorder, approximating an 80% incidence, which was coincident with a 400% increase in γ-aminobutyrate (GABA). By comparison, pre-storage conditioning reduced the negative impact of 1-MCP on the incidence of CA-related injury at 2.5kPa CO2 by nearly 80%, and this was associated with a dramatically lower GABA concentration. Overall, rapid declines in total ascorbate and ascorbate/dehydroascorbate ratios were evident with storage, regardless of treatment. Transient declines in total glutathione and glutathione/glutathione disulphide ratios were more rapid and sustained for longer periods of time in conditioned than non-conditioned fruit. There were dramatic shifts in the levels of phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated pyridine dinucleotides with storage duration, regardless of treatment, resulting in elevated ratios of NADPH/NADP+ and NADH/NAD+ after 35 weeks, especially for conditioned fruit subjected to elevated CO2. Canonical powered partial least squares analysis revealed that metabolite profiles changed with storage period and treatment, and were most divergent during elevated CO2 storage. Moreover, CA-related injury was strongly associated with changes in GABA, and moderately linked to total glutathione and glutathione redox status.

Atmosfera controlada associada ao 1-metilciclopropeno na preservação da qualidade de kiwi ‘tewi’

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar os efeitos de diferentes tecnologias de armazenamento na qualidade físico-química de kiwis da cultivar Tewi. Após a colheita, parte dos frutos foi submetida ao tratamento com 1-metilciclopropeno (1-MCP) e, posteriormente, frutos tratados e não tratados foram submetidos a diferentes condições de armazenamento, conforme segue: armazenamento em temperatura ambiente (20 °C ± 0,5 °C) durante 12 dias; armazenamento refrigerado (0°C ± 0,5°C) com ou sem controle da atmosfera (3 KPa O2 e 5 KPa CO2), e com ou sem absorção de etileno durante dois e quatro meses. Foram avaliadas a firmeza de polpa, o teor de sólidos solúveis e a acidez titulável. Verificou-se que, independentemente da tecnologia de conservação, houve uma diminuição na firmeza de polpa já aos dois meses de armazenamento, sendo a condição atmosfera controlada associada ao uso do 1-MCP a mais eficaz na retenção desse atributo. Frutos mantidos em temperatura ambiente apresentaram relação direta entre a redução da firmeza de polpa e o aumento do índice de sólidos solúveis; no entanto, após o armazenamento, essa relação nem sempre ocorreu. A maior acidez titulável foi verificada em frutos que receberam 1-MCP. Kiwis ‘Tewi’ apresentam bom potencial de conservação, podendo permanecer armazenados por até quatro meses em atmosfera controlada associada ao controle do etileno pelo uso de 1-MCP ou por absorção do etileno.

Effects of Controlled Atmosphere Conditions on Storability of Libyan ‘Hurra’ Soft Date Cultivar

Effects of Controlled Atmosphere Conditions on Storability of Libyan ‘Hurra’ Soft Date Cultivar

1-methylcyclopropene effects on volatile profile and quality of 'Royal Gala' apples produced in Southern Brazil and stored in controlled atmosphere

ABSTRACT: Apple volatile aroma depends of complex interaction among organic compounds. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) application on volatile profile and quality on 'Royal Gala' apples produced in Southern Brazil and stored under controlled atmosphere condition (CA; 1.0kPa O2+1.2kPa CO2; 0.5±0.1°C; 94±1% relative humidity). Volatile profile was determined after eight month of CA storage plus 7 days of shelf life via solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometer. In the volatile profile were identified 8 esters, 11 alcohols, 6 aldehydes, 6 acids, 2 ketones, 1 ether and 1 terpene. 1-MCP application reduced significantly the main volatile compounds production by 'Royal Gala' apples produced in Southern Brazil. Its application decreases significantly the esters production, especially 2-methyl-butyl acetate and hexyl acetate, compared to 'Royal Gala' apples storage under CA. 1-methylcyclopropene application decrease ethylene production and respiration rate. Apples treated with 1-MCP exhibit higher hexanal and 2(E)-hexenal production.

Synthesis of a low loss Mn–Zn ferrite for power applications

Current market trends of the switching power supplies industry require even lower energy losses in power conversion systems with maintenance of satisfactory initial permeability levels. Typical operation conditions refer to a frequency of 100kHz, an induction level of 200mT and a steady state temperature of 100°C. In this work the development of a polycrystalline Mn–Zn ferrite material that exhibits initial relative magnetic permeability above 2500 and very low power losses at 100kHz, 200mmT and 100°C is presented. The Mn–Zn ferrite samples were prepared by the conventional solid state reaction method. Sintering was performed under controlled atmosphere conditions. The combinatorial role of TiO2 and CoO together with Zn content, as well as the effects of the process parameters on the magnetic performance of the Mn–Zn ferrite was evaluated. It is shown that the development of the adequate polycrystalline microstructure that is characterized by (a) high sintered density, (b) homogenous grain size that is free of morphological or chemical pinning defects and (c) high resistivity grain boundary structure, can be achieved by means of appropriate compositional and dopant adjustment, anisotropy control and specific resistivity optimization. The newly developed Mn–Zn ferrite is characterized by high sintered density of 4.91g/cm3, initial magnetic permeability of 2512 (at 10kHz, 0.1mT, 25°C), high saturation magnetic flux density of 560mT (at 10kHz, 1200A/m, 25°C) and very low power losses (Pv) of 224mW/cm3 (at 100kHz, 200 mT, 100°C) combined with very low power losses of 470mW/cm3 even at room temperature, establishing it as ideal for power applications.

Stochastic modelling for virtual engineering of controlled atmosphere storage of fruit

Long term storage of pear fruit requires low temperature and conventionally uses controlled atmosphere (CA) conditions to reduce respiration and consequent quality loss. Sub-optimal storage conditions may lead to physiological disorders and loss of product. Stochastic variability of the properties of fruit introduces uncertainty in storage design and operations and could result in severe quality loss. Taking such variability into account in simulation models for virtual engineering will allow to assess the uncertainty of the process and determine confidence limits for the operation. Gas exchange in pear fruit during controlled atmosphere storage was studied using a continuum diffusion–respiration model, taking into account stochastic variation of the 3D morphology, the diffusivity of oxygen and carbon dioxide and the maximal respiration rate. Different geometries were generated using a statistical shape generation algorithm for 3D morphology, that was automatically incorporated into the gas exchange model. Similarly, tissue diffusivity was computed using a 3D tissue microstructure database. Simulation results showed that internal O2 and CO2 gas profiles in fruit were highly affected by variation of diffusivities, maximal respiration rate and the 3D morphology of fruit. The model was further used to evaluate incidence to fermentation at different reduced O2 levels of storage condition. The risk of fermentation inside the fruit predicted by the gas exchange model rapidly increased in response to decreasing external O2 levels. The virtual simulation tool confirms that picking time and fruit size are important criteria for proper control of CA storage. While applied here to pear fruit, it can easily be extended to other commodities.

Forced-air, vacuum, and hydro precooling of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis cv. Freemont): Part II. Determination of quality parameters during storage

Cauliflower heads, which were precooled using four different methods including vacuum, forced-air, and high and low flow hydro precooling, were stored under controlled atmosphere and room conditions. Controlled atmosphere conditions (CA) were as follows: 1°C temperature, 90 ± 5% relative humidity, and 0:21 [(%CO2:%O2) – (0:21) control] atmosphere composition. Room conditions (RC) were: 22±1°C temperature and 55-60% humidity. Various quality parameters of the cauliflower heads were assessed during storage (days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35) under controlled atmosphere and room conditions (days 0, 5, and 10). During storage, weight loss, deterioration rate, overall sensory quality score, hardness, and colour (L, a, b, C and α) were evaluated. In the present study, the strength and quality parameters of cauliflower under CA and RC conditions were obtained. Vacuum precooling was found to be most suitable method before cauliflower was submitted to cold storage and sent to market. Furthermore, the storage of cauliflower without precooling resulted in a significant decrease in quality parameters.

English

Summary Commercial postharvest applications of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) to retain quality of ‘Jonagold’ apples of different harvest maturities and stored in air and controlled atmosphere conditions were investigated in three consecutive seasons in Southwest Germany. This cultivar is widely planted and most popular in this fruit-growing region. Fruit samples were removed from storage at bi- or three-monthly intervals during maximal 9 months storage periods. Thereafter, fruit were frequently evaluated over up to 10 days at 20°C to link instrumental data of ex-store fruit quality to sensory descriptions from consumer preference surveys. Fruit quality declined with storage duration; however, the degree of quality loss was much less severe under all storage conditions when fruit was treated with 1-MCP. Ethylene-dependent ripening processes such as softening, yellowing of the background colour and loss of titratable acidity were significantly more reduced in 1-MCP-treated ‘Jonagold’ apples than in untreated controls, concomitantly with lower rates of fruit respiration and fruit ethylene production. Data showed a good agreement between instrumental measurements and consumer scores for all evaluated fruit quality parameters. We conclude that flesh firmness and titratable acidity were the most important drivers of consumer preference. Interestingly, consumers, regardless of age and gender, preferred 1-MCP-treated fruit held in ultra-low oxygen storage. Although sensory evaluation studies are time-consuming and might have some flaws when attempting to generate representative results from consumer taste panels, they are a useful tool to assess product quality and consumer preference.

Respiratory quotient: innovative method for monitoring ‘Royal Gala’ apple storage in a dynamic controlled atmosphere

Apples (Malus domestica, Borkh.) which are not stored at low temperature or in a properly controlled atmosphere (CA) may have a high metabolic rate during the postharvest stage resulting in losses in quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of ‘Royal Gala’ apple fruit stored in accordance with a new method of dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA).The respiratory quotient (RQ) was monitored at two temperatures which were then compared using a commercially available technology based on chlorophyll fluorescence DCA (DCA-CF) and static CA. Ethylene production and respiration rates were lower in apples stored in DCA than in CA, as a result of lower 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase activity, especially in apples stored in DCA-RQ2. Flesh firmness of apples stored in DCA did not differ from those stored in CA. Apples stored at 1 °C had less flesh breakdown occurrence and a high percentage of healthy fruit. ‘Royal Gala’ stored at DCA-RQ2 had less flesh breakdown than apples stored in CA; however, the apples stored in DCA-CF did not differ from those stored in DCA-RQ2 and CA. Apples stored at the highest RQ value (6 and 4), especially at 0.5 °C, had low O2 injury occurrence after storage. However the increase in temperature to 1.0 °C, reduced the occurrence of this disorder. Therefore, storage in DCA-RQ2 at 1 °C or DCA-CF at 0.5 °C are the recommendations of preference for ensuring maintenance of quality in ‘Royal Gala’ apples after eight months of storage.