Extend Storage Life Research Articles

The Antioxidant Defense System during Lanzhou Lily Scales Storage Is Modulated by Hydrogen Sulfide

As an important gaseous regulator, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is involved in various aspects of plant processes, including seed germination, stomatal movement, and postharvest senescence. The preservation capacity of Lanzhou lily (Lilium davidii var. unicolor Salisb) scales fumigated with or without exogenously applied sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS, a H2S donor) was investigated in the current study. Results indicate that NaHS fumigation was able to extend storage life and elicit endogenous H2S production of postharvest Lanzhou lily scales with an optimal concentration at 0.8 mM. Moreover, exogenously applied NaHS (0.8 mM) led to higher soluble sugar, soluble protein, and ascorbic acid levels and lower total phenolic and flavonoid contents compared with those of the control. The application of 0.8 mM NaHS also reduced the lipid peroxidation level and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in scales, as indicated by the lower malondialdehyde (MDA) content, relative conductivity, lipoxygenase (LOX) activity, O2− production rate, and hydrogen per-oxide (H2O2) content. Further, scales treated with 0.8 mM NaHS exhibited significantly higher activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and ascorbic acid peroxidase (APX). Collectively, our data provide new insight into how the postharvest senescence of Lanzhou lily scales might be alleviated by H2S by enhancing antioxidant defense systems.

1H-Cyclopropabenzene and 1H-Cyclopropa[b]naphthalene Fumigation Suppresses Climacteric Ethylene and Respiration Rates and Modulates Fruit Quality in Long-term Controlled Atmosphere-Stored ‘Gold Rush’ Pear Fruit

‘Gold Rush’ pear (Pyrus communis L.) is a russet-coloured fruit with soft buttery textured flesh and is gaining wide popularity in Australia and other countries along with other pear cultivars. The fruit are sensitive to ethylene, and exposure even at very low concentrations significantly reduces the storage duration as well as fruit quality during storage. The efficacy of two new ethylene antagonist compounds, namely, 1H-cyclopropabenzene (BC) and 1H-cyclopropa[b]naphthalene (NC), as well as 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) in regulating ethylene production, respiration rates and maintaining the fruit quality of ‘Gold Rush' pear during 150 d and 200 d of controlled atmosphere (CA) storage (2.3 ± 0.5% O2 and 0.4 ± 0.15% CO2 and 0.50 ± 0.71 °C) was investigated. The pear fruit was fumigated with 1 µM BC (0.09 µL L−1) or 1 µM NC (0.14 µL L−1) or 18 µM 1-MCP (1 µL L−1) for 18 h at room temperature and the untreated fruit was considered as the control. Following 150 d and 200 d CA storage, the fruit fumigated with BC and NC exhibited significantly reduced ethylene and respiratory climacteric peak rates and they were lowest in the fruit treated with 1-MCP. The pear fruit fumigated with ethylene antagonists (BC, NC and 1-MCP) exhibited lower physiological loss of weight (PLW) (up to 2.06 times) and higher fruit firmness (up to 1.07 times) throughout the CA storage period, compared to the control fruit. The fruit fumigated with BC and NC had lower levels of SSC, glucose and sorbitol compared to other treatments. There was no significant effect of ethylene antagonist treatments on levels of individual organic acids, total phenols, ascorbic acid and total antioxidant capacity of the fruit pulp. Therefore, new ethylene antagonist compounds, BC and NC, exhibit the potential to act as ethylene antagonists in long-term CA-stored ‘Gold Rush’ pears to retard the fruit ripening process, extend storage life and maintain the fruit quality. The effectiveness of the different concentrations of BC and NC in suppressing ethylene production in different cultivars of pears warrants further investigation.

Slurry ice as an alternative cooling medium for fish harvesting and transportation: Study of the effect on seabass flesh quality and shelf life

The objective of the study was to investigate the efficiency of slurry ice during harvesting and transportation of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) to retain flesh quality and extend shelf life, compared with conventional flake ice. Fish was slaughtered and transported in different mixtures of slurry ice and conventional flake ice (C: slaughtered and transported in 100% flake ice-Control samples, SC: slaughtered in 100% slurry ice and transported in 100% flake ice, S50: slaughtered and transported in 50% slurry ice-50% flake ice, S100: slaughtered and transported in 100% slurry ice) and subsequently stored under controlled isothermal conditions at 0 °C for shelf life modelling and flesh quality evaluation (proteolytic enzymes). The replacement of conventional flake ice with slurry ice as a slaughtering method led to improved quality stability during subsequent refrigerated storage and shelf life extension, in terms of microbial growth, flesh quality and sensory degradation of fish. Based on microbial growth, the shelf life of C samples was found to be 19 days, whereas the shelf life of S50/S100 and SC was 21 and 25 days, respectively, showing that the replacement of flake ice with slurry ice resulted in 2–6 days shelf life extension of whole sea bass stored at 0 °C. The use of slurry ice at slaughter and flake ice in transportation was accompanied by low activities and late peaks of all four enzymes that is expected to lead to delayed proteolytic degradation and extended freshness.

Antifungal Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC)-Lipid Composite Edible Coatings and Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) to Reduce Postharvest Decay and Improve Storability of ‘Mollar De Elche’ Pomegranates

Pomegranate exhibits important postharvest quality losses that limit its storage potential, caused mainly by weight loss, chilling injury and fungal diseases. In this work, we evaluated the effect of novel hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) edible coatings (ECs) formulated with three different lipids (beeswax (BW), carnauba wax, and glycerol monostearate), as hydrophobic components, and two different GRAS salts (potassium bicarbonate (PBC) and sodium benzoate (SB)), as antifungal ingredients, to control weight loss and natural fungal decay of ‘Mollar de Elche’ pomegranates during storage at 20 °C. Afterwards, selected antifungal ECs and commercial modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) films were assayed alone or in combination to control natural decay and preserve fruit quality of pomegranates stored at 5 °C for 4 months plus 1 week at 20 °C. Results showed that ECs amended with SB reduced pomegranate latent infections caused by Botrytis cinerea and wound diseases caused by Penicillium spp. Moreover, MAP technologies were confirmed as an efficient mean to preserve freshness, prevent fruit shriveling and rind browning, and reduce fungal decay, thus extending storage life of pomegranates. The combination HPMC-BW-SB + MAP was the most promising treatment as it reduced weight loss and decay, without negatively affecting the fruit physicochemical and sensory quality.

Potential of Aloe vera gel coating for storage life extension and quality conservation of fruits and vegetables: An overview.

Aloe vera (ALV) with its unique nutritional profile is being used for food, health, and nutraceutical industries globally. Due to its organic nature, ALV gel coating has created lot of interest for exploring its potential in extending the shelf and storage life of fresh produce. ALV gel coating plays imperative role in delaying fruit ripening by lowering ethylene biosynthesis, respiration rate, and internal metabolic activities associated with fruit softening, color development, enzymatic browning, and decay. ALV gel coating reduces the microbial spoilage due to its antifungal properties and maintains visual appearance, firmness, sugar: acid ratio, total antioxidants, and phenolic contents with conserved eating quality. ALV coated fruits and vegetables showed reduced weight loss, superoxide ion ( ), hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ), ion leakage, and soluble solids content and exhibited higher acidity, anthocyanins, ascorbic acid, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities. It also delayed the enzymatic browning by inducing peroxidase (POD) activity during storage. Recent local studies also revealed that ALV gel coating markedly conserved higher consuming quality and extended storage period (>1.34-fold) of different fruits and vegetables. Overall, Aloe vera gel coating alone or in combination with other organic compounds has shown great potential as a food-safe and eco-friendly coating for maintaining the quality of fruits and vegetables over extended period and reducing postharvest losses in the supply chain. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: ALV gel is a plant-based natural coating of eco-friendly nature. The present review summarizes the updated information of ALV gel coating application, methods of extraction, combinations with other postharvest coatings, and its impact on quality of various fruits and vegetables. It also provides future insights for the development of commercially applicable ALV gel coating protocols through simulation studies. So, being a natural coating, ALV gel has tremendous potential to be used in fruit and vegetable industries around the globe.

Paper-containing 1-methylcyclopropene treatment suppresses fruit decay of fresh Anxi persimmons by enhancing disease resistance

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this work was to evaluate the potential application of papers containing 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) postharvest treatment for suppressing fruit decay of fresh Anxi persimmons and its possible mechanism. Materials and methods Anxi persimmon fruit were treated with papers containing 1-MCP at the dosage of 1.35 μL/L and stored at 25 ± 1 °C and 85 per cent relative humidity for 35 days. During storage, the fruit decay rate and lignin content were evaluated, and the content of total phenolics, the activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD), chitinase (CHI), and β-1,3-glucanase (GLU) were determined by spectrophotometry. Results The 1-MCP–treated persimmons displayed a lower fruit decay rate, but higher contents of lignin and total phenolics, higher activities of PAL, PPO, POD, CHI, and GLU. Conclusions The treatment with 1-MCP could inhibit the fruit decay of postharvest Anxi persimmons, which might be because 1-MCP enhanced fruit disease resistance by increasing the activities of disease resistance-associated enzymes and retaining higher contents of disease resistance-related substances in postharvest fresh Anxi persimmons. These findings indicate that papers containing 1-MCP at the dosage of 1.35 μL/L have potential application in suppressing fruit decay and extending storage life of postharvest fresh Anxi persimmons.

Assessment of suitable seed treatment for improving storage potential of groundnut and sesame seeds

Groundnut and sesame are the economic commercial crops of India and need special attention for extended storage life due to its high demand and lesser multiplication ratio. The storage of oil seed is most critical both due to the presence of glycerides and amenability to fungal infections. The freshly harvested seeds of groundnut cv. TMV 13 obtained from Oilseeds Research Station, Tindivanam formed the base material for the study. The experiment was conducted at Oilseeds Research Station, Tindivanam during 2016-2017. The groundnut pods with initial moisture content of 8.0 per cent were conditioned to various treatments viz., T1- Control; T2 – Seeds treated with Halogen Vapour @3g/kg of seed; T3 – Seeds treated with Halo Polymer @3ml/kg of seed. After treating the seeds, the seeds were dried to the moisture content of eight per cent and packed in Super Grain Bag. Seeds were evaluated at bimonthly interval upto 6 six months of storage and from seventh month onwards it has been evaluated at monthly basis for its quality parameters viz., Germination Percentage, Root length (cm), Shoot length (cm), Dry matter production (g 10 seedling -1), Vigour index, Electrical Conductivity (dsm-1), Oil Content (Per cent) and Field Emergence (%). The groundnut as well as sesame seed treated with Halo polymer @3 ml/kg of seeds stored in super grain bag maintained better vigour and viability upto 10 months compared to other treatments under ambient condition. The groundnut maintained 53% and sesame maintained 85% at the end of ten months of storage.

Quality and microbial inactivation of powdered Irvingia gabonensis using moringa and different storage materials

A biological approach can be used to maintain the quality of food products for an extended storage life. In this research, the effects moringa parts (B), botanical concentration (C) and, storage material (S) on the quality and microbial inactivation were investigated for storage of powdered Irvingia gabonensis. The products were mixed with different parts of the powdered B (leaf, seed and bark) to form varying C (10− 20ppm); and then stored in different S (calabash, sisal and jute sacks) for 3 months. The proximate and microbial compositions of the stored products were determined using standard methods. Results show that the proximate, total coliform, viable and fungi counts decreased with C (p< 0.05). Also, the effect was more pronounced in the product stored in the jute sack treated with the 20ppm powdered moringa leaf. This can therefore be used for storing powdered Irvingia gabonensis.

Application of Gum Arabic and Methyl Cellulose Coatings Enriched with Thyme Oil to Maintain Quality and Extend Shelf Life of "Acco" Pomegranate Arils.

The effects of gum arabic (GA; 1.5% w/v) and methyl cellulose (MC; 1% w/v) enriched with thyme oil (TO; 0.25 and 0.5% v/v) on the quality of “Acco” pomegranate arils were studied. Coating treatments, namely, MC, MC + TO0.5%, MC + TO0.25%, GA, GA + TO0.5% and GA + TO0.25% were applied on arils by dipping, and evaluations were made on physicochemical and microbiological quality, phytochemicals and antioxidant capacity of arils stored (5 ± 1 °C, 95 ± 2% RH) for 16 days. Dipping arils in GA or MC, both containing TO (0.5% v/v) significantly (p < 0.0001) reduced weight loss and enhanced antioxidant activity (FRAP) (p = 0.0014). However, dipping arils in GA combined with TO (0.25% v/v) had the highest influence on reducing aril respiration rate compared with other treatments. Overall, results showed that application of coatings (GA + TO0.5% and GA + TO0.25%) reduced total yeast and mould and total plate counts and maintained quality up to 8 days of storage. These findings suggest that either GA + TO0.5% or GA + TO0.25% coatings have the capability to extend storage life of “Acco” pomegranate arils.

A review on extending storage life of kinnow

Kinnow is an important crop widely cultivated in the north western part of India. Shelf life is an important part of kinnow mandarin and is possible only by using various organic, inorganic and growth regulators. Kinnow fruits are attractive because of its orange yellow colour rind and gains better market potential that helps to obtain assured income by growers. So in this current review put an effort to address the role of various waxes, packaging materials, fungicides, and plant extracts helps in an extending the storage life of kinnow. Kinnow fruits acquire greater demand in Indian markets as well as in foreign nationals.

Nanocomposite of Graphene Oxide Encapsulated in Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA): Pre-Modification, Synthesis, and Latex Stability

The compatibility of graphene oxide with its dispersion medium (polymer) plays a critical role in the formation of nanocomposite materials with significant property improvements. Environmentally friendly miniemulsion polymerization, which allows a formation of nanoencapsulation in an aqueous phase and high molecular weight polymer/composite production is one promising method. In this study, we screened a series of amphiphilic modifiers and found that the quaternary ammonium (ar-vinyl benzyl) trimethyl ammonium chloride (VBTAC) pending carbon double bonds could effectively modify the graphene oxide (GO) to be compatible with the organophilic monomer. After that, free radical miniemulsion polymerization successfully synthesized stable latex of exfoliated poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/ GO nanocomposite. The final latex had an extended storage life and a relatively uniform particle size distribution. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of this latex and its films indicated successful encapsulation of exfoliated nano-dimensional graphene oxide inside a polymer matrix.

Effect of ozone treatments on the removal of pesticide residues and postharvest quality in green pepper.

The use of ozone as a tool in the storage of some horticultural produces is recommended for all steps from harvest to consumption. However, little is known about its effects on the removal of pesticides and postharvest physiology of fresh peppers. In the present study, the effects of ozone treatment on the removal of pesticides, storage life and quality of green peppers were investigated. Malathion, emamectin benzoate and acetamiprid were applied to pepper plants before harvest. Residue contents of peppers were measured at harvest time and after all treatments to determine the effect of ozone on the removal of pesticide residues. Peppers were subjected to four treatments: immersion in ozonated water (2ppm) and only tap water (control) for 10min, exposure to 2ppm ozone gas in air and only air (control) for 45min. Treated peppers were stored at 20°C and 60 ± 5% relative humidity for 8days, and some quality analyses were performed during storage. Ozonated water decreased, remarkable, pesticide residues in peppers compared to harvest time, but there was no meaningful changes in the samples treated with ozone in air. Ozone treatments suppressed clearly respiration rates and decreased weight losses of peppers compared to control groups. Ozonated water also maintained green color of peppers, with minimum change in h° values. Additionally, sensory quality of peppers was retarded by ozone application during storage. These findings revealed that ozone could be an alternative treatment to extend storage life of green peppers and remove pesticide residues.

Browning of Early and Late-Harvested ‘Empire’ Apples Affected by Cold Storage and 1-MCP

The effects of harvest time, 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and air storage time on the susceptibility of flesh browning in ‘Empire’ apples were studied during a seven-day shelf life period after air storage at 0.5 °C for seven months. Early- or late-harvested ‘Empire’ apples without 1-MCP increased production of ethylene, respiration rates and internal ethylene concentration during the shelf life. Respiration rates increased in the late-harvested fruit for the shelf life period with/without 1-MCP treatment. The 1-MCP-treated fruit was approximately 10 N firmer than fruit not treated with 1-MCP at an early harvest for the entire shelf life duration. Peroxidase activity and percent change in electrical conductivity in the flesh were elevated in late-harvested fruit for the shelf life duration, whereas polyphenol oxidase activities were found to be stimulated by 1-MCP treatment, regardless of harvest time. Late-harvested fruit treated with 1-MCP exhibited increased susceptibility to flesh browning during shelf life, mostly due to reduction of the antioxidant defense mechanism of the fruits to stress in extending storage life, increasing polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity and electrolyte leakage rate.

Influence of Different Modified Atmosphere Packaging on Quality Characteristics of Wonderful Pomegranate Arils

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is one of the most favorite fruits which consumed fresh or processed into juice due to its nutritional quality. Fresh cut pomegranate arils have become popular for their ease of eating, highest value, unique properties and health benefits. This study was conducted during the two successive seasons 2017 and 2018. Data revealed all packaging materials in combination with gelatin recorded high score of visual quality along the storage period, after 18 days at 5 ± 1 °C compared with the control. Coating arils in alginate at 3% with Packing in silver nano bag was the effective MPA bags in maintaining taste, aroma and overall acceptability. Also, it recorded the higher value of anthocyanin, vitamin C and antioxidant activity whereas decreased pectinase activity. On the other hand, coating arils in alginate at 3% with packing in Xtend bag (XT) was prefer ablein maintained brightness score and produced lower loss in weight % and oxygen levels inside the package. It could be concluded that coating arils of Wonderful pomegranate in alginate solution 3% then stored in silver nano bag (SN) technology was more effective method to extend storage life of fresh cut pomegranate aril during cold storage.

Экструдированные стартовые комбикорма для клариевого сома

Industrial fish-breeding is a promising trend for freshwater aquaculture development. The production of clarid catfish in Kazakhstan has advantages over traditionally grown fish species (trout, sturgeon) due to their valuable edible qualities. Clarid catfish grows very quickly even at high seeding densities, is undemanding to the environment, resistant to diseases, and effectively assimilates food. When growing clarid catfish in water recycling systems it is possible to refuse using oxygen equipment, because the fish species can use atmospheric air for breathing. As a result, the construction of such plants can save up to 40% of capital investments. In the course of the research, the physiological nutritional requirements of clarid catfish juveniles were established. Based on the data obtained there have been developed two extruded starter compound feed recipes for clarid catfish juveniles containing protein/fat 53.5 : 11.4 and 61.85 : 5.82 and energy exchange energy value varying within 16.46 - 17.12 MJ/kg. There have been conducted the production tests on assessing the efficiency of the developed compound feed and their intake by larvae and clarid catfish fry in the fish farms of “Kapshagayskoye NVH-1973”, LLP and “HalykBalyk”, LLP. The feed Aller Agua (Denmark) served as a control feed for comparing the nutritional and consumer qualities of the developed feed for trout. The determined feeding ratio of the developed feed did not exceed 0.93 units, it was insignificantly inferior to the import feed. The fry survival rate made 76% when using both the control and developed feed. The compound feeds for clarid catfish juveniles were developed by extruding, which allowed to obtain increased digestibility, water resistance and extended storage life. Introducing these feeds into the fish breeding practice will help to increase the efficiency of clarid catfish fry growth and expand opportunities of aquaculture facilities.

STUDY OF CHITINASE AND CHITINOLYTIC ACTIVITY OF LACTOBACILLUS STRAINS

The increasing consumer demand for less processed and more natural food products – while improving those products’ quality, safety, and shelf-life – has raised the necessity of chemical preservative replacement. Biopreservation refers to extended storage life and enhanced safety of foods using the natural microflora and (or) their antibacterial products. Chitinolytic enzymes are of biotechnological interest, since their substrate, chitin, is a major structural component of the cell wall of fungi, which are the main cause of the spoilage of food and raw plant material. Among the several organisms, many bacteria produce chitinolytic enzymes, however, this behaviour is not general. The chitinase activity of the lactic acid bacteria is scarcely known and studied.The aim of the present study was to select Lactobacillus strains that have genes encoding chitinase, furthermore, to detect expressed enzymes and to characterise their chitinase activity. Taking into consideration the importance of chitin-bindig proteins (CBPs) in the chitinase activity, CBPs were also examined. Five Lactobacillus strains out of 43 strains from 12 different species were selected by their chitinase coding gene. The presence of the chitinase and chitin-biding protein production were confirmed, however, no chitinolytic activity has been identified.

More research less waste

More research less waste

Fabrication of a high tensile and antioxidative film via a green strategy of self-growing needle-like quercetin crystals in cassia gum for lipid preservation

Although active packaging materials have attracted many attentions, weak mechanical and barrier properties from active-ingredient addition need to be resolved. Here, a bio-degradable and anti-oxidative packaging film with a high tensile strength and a low permeability was prepared by self-growing needle-like quercetin in cassia gum solution during drying. Stereoscopic (SM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the quercetin was distributed evenly in needle-like ∼50-nm-diameter crystals in the film for an addition lower than 3.0%; and formed an urchin-like crystal when the addition was equal to or greater than 3.0% and the distribution was uneven. The needle-like quercetin crystal could enhance the mechanical and barrier properties, however, the urchin-like crystals contributed negatively. As quercetin dosage increased from 0% to 2.5%, tensile strength (TS) increased from 22.08 to 47.19 MPa, water vapor permeability (WVP) decreased from 2.16 to 1.45 g m−1 s−1 Pa−1 and oxygen permeability (OP) decreased from 1.69 to 1.20 cm3 mm m−2 day−1, respectively. The composite film exhibited an excellent ultraviolet resistance and antioxidative performances for DPPH, ABTS•+, •HO and O2•- free radicals, and the corresponding scavenging activities were 80.07%, 92.15%, 124.42% and 96.92% in ethanol simulant, respectively. Its practical application in packaging pork lard showed that the cassia gum–quercetin film could delay oxidation and extend storage life. Therefore, the films prepared may provide guidelines for active packaging films that simultaneously with high mechanical and barrier properties.

Effect of ultraviolet treatment on shelf life of fresh lotus root.

The potential use of ultraviolet (UV)-C (254nm) to extend postharvest shelf life of fresh unprocessed lotus root (Nelumbo nucifera G.) was determined. UV treatment for 30 and 60min effectively reduced weight loss, improved moisture, color retention, and soluble solids of samples when stored at 25°C for 15days. Microbial growth inhibition of UV was evidenced by 1.8 and 1.0 log reductions in the 30 and 60min-treated samples. Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity and total phenol contents (TPCs) detected in lotus root were higher, while oxidative enzymes peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) were inhibited by UV treatment. Gallic acid, gallocatechin, and catechin levels were increased in 30min-treated samples by about 0.9, 13.4, 8.0mg/100g. The results suggest that extension of postharvest storage life by UV-C is most likely through the protective roles exerted from stimulation of the phenylpropanoid pathway in the treated roots. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Unlike previous studies that are mainly focused on shelf life extension of processed products of the rhizome, this study determines the potential use of a nonchemical and ecologically friendly ultraviolet (UV-C) treatment to extend shelf life of intact uncut fresh lotus root. Our results demonstrated that UV-C treatment significantly prolonged the shelf life of lotus root. Use of this method is promising as a treatment to improve postharvest storage life of fresh lotus root, to improve its export potential and help to address unmet local demands for the crop.

Storage regimes to allow softening in a processing apple treated with 1-methylcyclopropene

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of storage regime and postharvest 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment timing on softening of ‘Northern Spy’ apples, to determine if ideal firmness for processing could be achieved after storage while at the same time maintaining fruit quality and extending storage life. Over 4 yr of study, ‘Northern Spy’ apples with or without 1-MCP (1 μL L−1) were held for up to 12.5 mo at 0 °C–1 °C in the following regimes: (1) controlled atmosphere (CA) with or without 2 wk post-storage ambient air; (2) ambient air or CA; (3) CA with up to 6 mo delayed 1-MCP treatment; (4) delayed CA establishment for up to 4 mo; (5) delayed 1-MCP treatment in combination with delayed CA establishment for 1 or 2 mo. 1-MCP treatment at harvest consistently enhanced firmness retention, which remained too high for processing. Delayed 1-MCP treatment allowed more firmness loss but fruit remained firmer than those not treated, and these apples would be acceptable for subsequent processing (∼67–72 N). 1-MCP-treated fruit developed higher incidence of core browning than those not treated, especially after 6 mo of storage. However, this is not a major problem for processing because core tissue is removed. Delayed CA within any regime did not result in apples with firmness values acceptable for processing, while additional air storage for 2 wk at 0 °C after CA had no significant effect. Overall, delayed 1-MCP treatment with no delay in CA provided the most acceptable apple firmness for processing.