Months Of Controlled Atmosphere Storage Research Articles

Nitric oxide reapplication during controlled atmosphere storage impacts on oxidative stress and volatiles production in 'Cripps Pink' apples

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) reapplied during controlled atmosphere (CA) storage on oxidative stress defense mechanisms and on profile of volatile compounds of 'Cripps Pink' apples. Fruit were treated with NO at 0, 1, 2, 5, or 10 μL L−1 every seven days during CA storage (0.8 kPa of O2, <0.5 kPa of CO2, at temperature of 1.5 ± 0.2 °C, and 94 ± 2% RH). Fruit were evaluated after 8 months of CA storage, followed by seven days of shelf life. In general, linear and quadratic models adjusted to quantitative levels of NO showed increased contents of total phenolic compounds (in the pulp and peel tissues), increased activity of catalase, reduced activity of lipoxygenase, reduced content of H2O2, reduced lipid peroxidation and ethylene production in the fruit with the increase of NO concentrations. NO treatment had no effect in the total antioxidant activity and in the activity of the enzymes superoxide dismutase and peroxidase in the fruit. The increase of NO concentrations reduced the volatile compounds butyl acetate, hexyl acetate, 2-methylbutyl acetate, ethyl butanoate, til 2-methylbutanoate, and 1-butanol in the pulp of the fruit. The results show that weekly application of NO at ∼6 μL L−1 during CA storage of 'Cripps Pink' apples improved the mechanisms to protect the fruit from oxidative stress, but it might impair the production of the main esters associated with aroma.

Aminoethoxyvinylglycine and low oxygen controlled atmosphere storage shift functional microbiomes of ‘Gala’ apples

The complexity and interconnected dynamics of postharvest microbial communities require whole-microbiome characterization to fully understand relationships among pathogens, biocontrol, and fruit quality. This study investigated the effects of the preharvest plant growth regulator aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG, 0.25 g L−1), which inhibits ethylene production, and low O2 (0.5 % and 2 %) controlled atmosphere (CA) storage compared with air storage, on the surface microbiome of ‘Gala’ apples stored at 0.5 °C. AVG and low O2 concentrations affected bacterial but not fungal communities. Bacterial but not fungal diversity decreased after 9 months of CA storage. Microbial genera with potential biocontrol functions such as Pseudomonas and Aureobasidium were found across all time points and treatments. The microbiomes detected in CA stored fruit were the most different from those in air stored fruit late in storage. At this time, metagenome prediction methods found that low O2 fruit may harbor bacteria with fewer gene pathways using O2 as a reactant compared to fruit in air storage. The results indicate that storage conditions influence the composition, diversity, and function of microbiomes inhabiting fruit surfaces, which provide a greater basis for understanding biocontrol and pathogen population dynamics in a more holistic manner.

Effects of multiple 1-methylcyclopropene treatments on apple fruit quality and disorders in controlled atmosphere storage

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of multiple 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatments on fruit quality and disorder development in apples, with a second 1-MCP treatment applied after several months of controlled atmosphere (CA) storage. ‘McIntosh’, ‘Empire’, and ‘Northern Spy’ apples were harvested from commercial orchards and cooled overnight to 3°C. 1-MCP (1μLL−1) was applied 2d after harvest and then again to half of the fruit after 4 months of CA storage. ‘Northern Spy’ apples also received a single 1-MCP treatment after 4 months of CA storage. Similar fruit from all cultivars were also not treated with 1-MCP. ‘McIntosh’ and ‘Empire’ were held at 3°C and ‘Northern Spy’ at 0°C for 9 months in CA storage (2.5kPa O2+2kPa CO2 for ‘Empire’, 2.5kPa CO2 for ‘Northern Spy’, and 2.5 up to 4.5kPa CO2 for ‘McIntosh’). Overall, 1-MCP reduced internal ethylene production, and improved firmness and acidity retention in all apple cultivars. The addition of a second 1-MCP treatment after 4 months of CA storage further improved firmness retention in ‘McIntosh’ and late harvested ‘Empire’ apples after 7d at room temperature. ‘Northern Spy’ apples treated with 1-MCP had lower incidence of external CO2 injury, regardless of 1-MCP treatment timing. Multiple 1-MCP treatments had varying effects on the incidence of core browning; late-harvested ‘McIntosh’ treated twice with 1-MCP exhibited the highest incidence of core browning, while late-harvested ‘Empire’ treated twice had less core browning than those not treated. ‘Northern Spy’ treated only at harvest time had more core browning compared to those treated only or also after 4 months of CA storage and non-treated fruit. 1-MCP treatment had no significant effect on the incidence of internal browning in ‘McIntosh’ or ‘Empire’ apples. These results suggest that a second application of 1-MCP after 4 months of CA storage may improve firmness retention in some cultivars during holding at room temperature, but it can also have variable responses associated with susceptibility to disorders, especially when holding apples in long-term CA storage.

An economic analysis of harvest timing to manage the physiological storage disorder firm flesh browning in ‘Empire’ apples

Firm flesh browning of ‘Empire’ apple (Malus sylvestris (L.) Mill var. domestica Borkh.) fruit is a major cause of revenue loss for growers and storage operators. In this study, the economic impact of harvest date on revenue based on percentage pack-out (fruit size/weight and red coloration) and disorder incidence has been investigated using a budgeting model. Fruit were harvested from a commercial orchard weekly for three weeks; H1 (one week before normal harvest), H2 (normal harvest), and H3 (one week after normal harvest). Fruit samples were either untreated or treated with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and stored under controlled atmosphere (CA) conditions (2kPa O2; 2kPa CO2) at 0.5°C and 2°C. Field bins of fruit were used to assess pack-out percentages. Flesh browning was low at H1 and unaffected by 1-MCP treatment, whereas incidence was highest in fruit from H3, and especially in 1-MCP treated fruit stored at 2°C. The enterprise budget model shows that net profits for a one hectare high density planting vary slightly between fresh-marketed fruit in the fall, and for fruit stored after nine months in CA storage, both with and without 1-MCP treatment. Net profits from one hectare are higher for H3 when fruit are marketed in the fall, in comparison to the normal harvest (H2), but at harvest, pack-out was substantially lower for fruit from H1. Fruit quality and pack-out percentages after storage depended not only on the harvest date but also on storage temperature and 1-MCP treatment. Therefore, there is an economic tradeoff between harvest date, occurrence of flesh browning, and likely net profits to producers of ‘Empire’ apples.

Effects of Rapid Consecutive Postharvest 1-Methylcyclopropene Treatments on Fruit Quality and Storage Disorders in Apples

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of rapid consecutive 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatments on apple quality and disorders in storage. ‘McIntosh’ and ‘Spartan’ apples were harvested twice from commercial orchards and 1-MCP (1 μL·L−1) was applied postharvest either 1 day after harvest or 1 and 2 days after harvest. Similar fruit from both cultivars were also not treated with 1-MCP, plus an additional treatment of 2 μL·L−1 (double rate) 1-MCP was used on ‘McIntosh’. Fruit were held in either air storage at 0.5 °C for three or six months or in controlled-atmosphere (CA) storage for six or nine months. Overall, 1-MCP treatment improved firmness and acidity retention and reduced internal ethylene in both cultivars. However, ‘Spartan’ stored in CA often maintained these attributes without 1-MCP. ‘McIntosh’ apples treated twice with 1-MCP were often firmer than those treated just once. All 1-MCP treatments substantially reduced superficial scald and there was no difference in scald incidence among the treatments. Core browning was generally reduced by 1-MCP, but fruit treated once with 2 μL·L−1 or twice with 1 μL·L−1 1-MCP sometimes had higher incidence than fruit treated only once with 1 μL·L−1. ‘Spartan’ treated twice with 1-MCP also had higher incidence of internal browning after nine months. 1-MCP increased the incidence of external CO2 injury in ‘McIntosh’ from the first harvest, with fruit treated with 2 μL·L−1 having the highest incidence after six months of CA storage and those treated once with 1 μL·L−1 having the highest incidence after nine months. Storage rots were greatest after six months of air storage and 1-MCP treatments usually reduced the incidence, regardless of treatment. These results suggest that using more than the traditional single application of 1 μL·L−1 1-MCP may improve firmness retention, but there is also some risk associated with increased disorders, especially when storing apples long-term, such as for six months in air or nine months in CA storage.

Diphenylamine Metabolism in ‘Braeburn’ Apples Stored under Conditions Conducive to the Development of Internal Browning

Diphenylamine metabolism and ethylene action were evaluated as factors influencing the development of 'Braeburn' apple internal browning and cavitation during cold storage. Apples treated with the antioxidant diphenylamine (DPA) and/or the ethylene action inhibitor 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) were held at 1 degrees C for up to 6 months in air or a controlled atmosphere (CA) containing 1 kPa of O2 and 3 kPa of CO2. Cortex tissues from fruit without disorders as well as from symptomatic and asymptomatic areas of fruit with disorders were analyzed for DPA and DPA derivative content. Internal browning and cavities developed in control and 1-MCP-treated fruit stored in CA, whereas air-stored and CA fruit treated with DPA or with DPA and 1-MCP prior to storage did not develop disorders. Depending on the storage regimen and duration, less DPA was detected in 1-MCP-treated fruit. The 4-hydroxydiphenylamine (4OHDPA) content of control fruit decreased during air storage duration but increased between 2 and 4 months in CA storage. 4OHDPA content in 1-MCP-treated fruit increased with storage duration in CA but not air. N-Nitrosodiphenylamine (NODPA) was detected after 2 months in control fruit stored in air or CA and in 1-MCP-treated fruit stored in CA, and NODPA content in control fruit was higher compared to that in 1-MCP-treated fruit. Accumulation of 4-methoxydiphenylamine (4MeODPA) in control fruit stored in air increased with storage duration, but 4MeODPA content did not change in 1-MCP-treated fruit stored in air or CA. 2-Nitrodiphenylamine content was reduced by prestorage treatment with 1-MCP, but storage environment and duration had no effect on its accumulation. The results indicate that CA storage increases the risk of disorder development in 'Braeburn' apples, that DPA can prevent disorder development, and that the content of DPA and DPA derivatives is influenced by storage environment and ethylene action. A clear relationship between DPA derivative formation and storage conditions that promote internal browning was not apparent.

Harvest and Postharvest Quality of Short-day Onions in Variety Trials in Georgia, 2000–03

Short-day onion (Allium cepa) variety trials were conducted in southeastern Georgia from 2000–03. Data collected and evaluated included total yield, graded yield, harvest date, number of seedstems, number of doubles, number of onion centers, bulb shape, disease incidence, bulb pungency, and storability in controlled atmosphere (CA) storage. Fifty-eight varieties were evaluated in the trials with 10 varieties appearing in all 4 years. Twenty-nine varieties appeared only once in the trials. Eight varieties had jumbo yields (≥3-inch diameter) that were not significantly different from the greatest jumbo yielding variety in 2 of the 4 years of testing and included `Century', `EX 19013', `Georgia Boy', `Mr. Buck', `Sapelo Sweet', `Savannah Sweet', `Sweet Vidalia', and `WI-609'. Early season varieties were strongly daylength dependent with foliar lodging occuring early and uniformly. Late season varieties were more prone to bacterial infection particularly if postharvest heat curing was employed. Although significant differences between varieties for seedstems (flower formation) and bulb doubling occurred almost every year, environmental conditions were an important part of their development. Five varieties had seedstems in 2 of the 3 years seedstems were prevalent that did not differ from the greatest number of seedstems for that year and included `Cyclops', `Georgia Boy', `Mr. Buck', `Pegasus', and `SSC 6372 F1'. `Sapelo Sweet' and `Sweet Advantage' had more than 5% bulb doubling in 3 years of the trials. Pungency as measured by pyruvate analysis ranged from 1.1 to 5.4 μmol·g–1 fresh weight (FW) over the 4 years of trials. There were nine varieties that were, for 2 years or more, among the greatest in percent marketable onions after 4.5 months of CA storage: `Georgia Boy', `Granex 1035', `Granex 33', `Ohoopee Sweet', `Sapelo Sweet', `Savannah Sweet', `Sweet Melissa', `Sweet Melody', and `SRO 1000'.

Control of bitter rot and blue mold of apples by integrating heat and antagonist treatments on 1-MCP treated fruit stored under controlled atmosphere conditions

To maximize control of fruit decay by alternatives to synthetic fungicides after harvest, various control strategies can be integrated. Treatment of fruit with antagonists is one of the most promising alternatives. This treatment, however, has little or no eradicative activity, which limits its use. Fruit treatment with hot air (at 38 °C) for 4 d has eradicative but no residual activity against blue mold (caused by Penicillium expansum ) on apple, and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) is an ethylene receptor inhibitor which slows apple maturation and, presumably, extends action of natural defense mechanisms. An antagonist, Metchnikowia pulcherrima T5-A2, was used in combination with heat and 1-MCP treatments to control bitter rot (caused by Colletotrichum acutatum ) and blue mold (caused by P. expansum ) on ‘Golden Delicious’ apples under controlled atmosphere (CA) conditions. 1-MCP treatment increased bitter rot and blue mold decays, but both of these decays were effectively controlled on 1-MCP treated apples by a combination of the antagonist and heat treatments. C. acutatum is a weaker pathogen than P. expansum , and bitter rot, even on the control treatments, developed only after 4 months in CA storage followed by 2 weeks incubation at 24 °C. In contrast, non-treated fruit inoculated with P. expansum were completely decayed after 2 months in CA. The antagonist controlled bitter rot more effectively than blue mold, while blue mold was more effectively controlled by heat treatment. The use of 1-MCP on harvested fruit to inhibit maturation can predispose fruit to decay, but the alternatives to synthetic fungicides are capable of preventing this increase in decay.

Efeito da adubação potássica na qualidade pós-colheita de maçãs 'Fuji'

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da adubação potássica na composição mineral, qualidade e armazenabilidade de maçãs da cultivar Fuji. Os frutos utilizados foram provenientes de um experimento em que, durante nove anos, aplicaram-se doses crescentes de K2O no solo. As maçãs foram coletadas na safra 1999/2000 e armazenadas em atmosfera controlada (AC) nas condições de 1 kPa O2/&lt;0,3 kPa CO 2 ou 1 kPa O2/2,0 kPa CO 2. As avaliações qualitativas foram realizadas na colheita, após oito meses de armazenamento, aos sete dias após a colheita e aos sete dias após oito meses de armazenamento. Nesses sete dias, os frutos permaneceram em temperatura de 20ºC. O incremento no fornecimento de K às plantas aumentou o diâmetro, massa, acidez, coloração vermelha e a concentração de K nos frutos. Em contrapartida constatou-se diminuições da firmeza da polpa com aumento das doses de potássio. Houve interação entre a adubação e as condições de armazenamento somente em relação à degenerescência de polpa. Não houve diferenças entre os tratamentos quando os frutos foram armazenados em AC de 1 kPa O2/&lt;0,3 kPa CO 2. Quando as maçãs foram armazenadas em AC de 1 kPa O2/2,0 kPa CO 2, observou-se maior degenerescência naqueles frutos com menor concentração de potássio. A perda de peso durante o armazenamento, a cor de fundo da epiderme e a ocorrência de podridões não foram afetados pelas doses de potássio.

Storage disorder and ripening behavior of ‘Doyenne du Comice’ pears in relation to storage conditions

‘Doyenne du Comice’ pears (Pyrus communis, L.) harvested at commercial maturity with flesh firmness (FF) of 55.1 N (±2.78 N) were stored in air and different controlled atmosphere (CA) conditions at −1 °C to evaluate storage disorder, ripening behavior and dessert quality after different storage intervals. Fruit stored in air developed both flesh breakdown (FB) and senescent scald (SCALD) disorders alter 4 months of storage. Incidence of FB and SCALD increased after 5 and 6 months of storage. Development of FB disorder in air-stored fruit was not associated with the activity of pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) or alcohol dehydrogenase. Changes in α-farnesene and conjugated trienes in the peel tissue were highly associated with the development of SCALD. CA-stored fruit were free from SCALD disorder regardless of CA regime and storage time but developed internal browning (IB) disorder after 4 months of storage. Incidence of IB increased after 5 and 6 months of CA storage. Fruit stored in 0.5 and 1% O2 suffered higher incidence of IB than those stored in 1.5 and 2.0% O2. Symptoms of CA-induced IB are different from those of FB disorder, which resulted from prolonged air storage. The development of IB disorder was closely associated with an increase in PDC activity. Changes in ethylene production and FF during post-storage ripening at 20 °C were found to be the best objective measurements of storage life of ‘Doyenne du Comice’ fruit. Fruit stored in refrigerated air for 1–3 months exhibited typical climacteric-like patterns of ethylene production during 15 days at 20 °C and softened to proper ripeness with desirable eating quality on day 5 at 20 °C. The magnitude of ethylene production increased with storage time when initially transferred to temperature at 20 °C. Fruit stored in air for 4 months or longer did not exhibit climacteric-like patterns of ethylene production during ripening and softened improperly with coarse and dry texture. Fruit stored in either 1% O2/<0.1% CO2 or 2% O2/1% CO2 for 3 months (short-term CA storage) followed by holding in air at −1 °C for 1, 2, and 3 months were capable of ripening normally with desirable dessert quality without developing any physiological disorders. Short-term CA storage 4 of ‘Comice’ fruits maintained green skin color during 3 months of holding in air at −1 °C.

Responses of ‘Fuji’ apples to short and long duration exposure to elevated CO2 concentration

Abstract Fruit maturity, diphenylamine (DPA) treatment and controlled atmosphere (CA) storage regimes were evaluated as factors affecting development of ‘Fuji’ apple CO 2 injury. The incidence and severity of CO 2 injury (brown-heart) increased with advanced maturity and greater watercore severity at harvest. The development of CO 2 injury during storage was prevented by DPA treatment. The severity of CO 2 injury was higher in fruit exposed to 20 kPa CO 2 after harvest than in fruit exposed to 20 kPa CO 2 after 8 months of CA storage. Ethanol, acetaldehyde and methanol concentrations increased during short- and long-term exposure to high CO 2 , however, DPA reduced ethanol and acetaldehyde accumulation. Storage in low O 2 (0.5 kPa O 2 , 0.05 kPa CO 2 ) also stimulated accumulation of ethanol, acetaldehyde and methanol however, no internal disorders developed with or without the use of DPA. The harvest date effect on severity of CO 2 -injury following short-term exposure to 20 kPa CO 2 was related to severity of CO 2 -injury after long-term CA storage with 3 kPa CO 2 .

Effect of Snail (Helix aspersa) Damage on Botrytis Gray Mold Caused byBotrytis cinereain Kiwifruit

In three (1994) and two (1995) kiwifruit vineyards in the coastal area of California (San Luis Obispo County), the incidence of fruit with all sepals removed by the common brown garden snail (Helix aspersa) ranged from 11 to 35% in 1994 and 2 to 15% in 1995. Partially damaged fruit with fewer than three sepals per fruit ranged from 7 to 20% in 1994 and 3 to 5% in 1995. Swollen tissues associated with healing developed around the receptacle (stem end) from which sepals had been removed by snails. In a 3-year study, kiwifruit with and without characteristic damage (full removal of sepals) by snails were harvested from two vineyards and stored in controlled-atmosphere (CA) cold (-0.5°C) storage. After 3- to 5-month storage, fruit with snail damage consistently had more Botrytis gray mold than fruit not damaged by snails (P < 0.01). In separate studies, kiwifruit caged with snails developed more gray mold than fruit caged without snails after 3 to 5 months in CA storage in 1994 but not in 1993. In two vineyards, removal of sepals by hand did not consistently increase gray mold in CA storage. More viable propagules of Botrytis cinerea and other mycoflora were recovered from fruit that had snail slime than fruit without slime (P < 0.05). Although snail slime did not affect the germination of B. cinerea conidia on a nutrient-rich medium (acidified potato-dextrose agar), snail slime increased germination of B. cinerea conidia on a nutrient-poor medium (acidified water agarose) to more than 50% compared with 1 to 2% germination without slime after incubation at 21°C for 22 h. These results suggest that wounds caused by snails eating the sepals around the receptacle area of kiwifruit and (or) stimulation of conidial germination by snail slime may lead to more infections by B. cinerea.

A comparison of ethylene production, maturity and controlled atmosphere storage life of Gala, Fuji and Lady Williams apples (Malus domestica, Borkh.)

Gala and Lady Williams apples have distinct climacteric patterns of ethylene production but ethylene production remains low during ripening of Fuji apples. The Induced Ethylene Climacteric (IEC) method was found to accurately predict optimum harvest maturity for long-term CA storage of Gala apples. Alternative maturity indices are reported for Fuji and Lady Williams apples. Samples of the apple cultivars Gala, Fuji and Lady Williams were picked over a three week period around the commercial harvest time for each cultivar in the Harcourt area (Victoria, Australia). The fruit were stored under controlled atmosphere (CA) conditions (1.5% O2 at 0–1 °C). Samples were removed for analysis at 0, 3 or 4, 5, 7 and 9 months. Ethylene production rates were measured at harvest, and internal ethylene levels after various storage intervals. Firmness was assessed at harvest and after 7 and 9 months of CA storage and 18 or 25 days at 20 °C. Gala and Lady Williams cultivars showed climacteric ethylene patterns with ripening, but this was much less obvious with the cultivar Fuji. Gala apples maintained a higher level of firmness if put into CA storage in a preclimacteric state. For the other cultivars, edible quality after CA storage was much less affected by pick date. Consumer tests have suggested that Fuji and Lady Williams apples were improved by being harvested later than the presently used commercial harvest dates, and explanations for those findings are put forward.

Influence of Harvest Date and Controlled Atmosphere Storage Delay on the Color and Quality of `Delicious' Apples Stored in a Purge-type Controlled-atmosphere Environment

Red color of two strains of `Delicious' apples was increased (25%) by a 10-day delay beyond recommended harvest date for long-term controlled atmosphere (CA) storage. Soluble solids content (SSC) and size also increased, but, depending on strain, up to 12% of firmness was lost at harvest with a 10-day delay. In 2 of 3 years, firmness values in all strains were 73 N or greater, and these fruit lost little firmness during 9 months of CA storage. Soft fruit (&lt;63 N) at harvest resulted in unacceptable firmness after storage, regardless of harvest time or strain of `Delicious'. Immediate (&lt;24 h) establishment of CA conditions resulted in good-quality fruit after storage. Quality loss was evident after a 5-day delay in atmosphere establishment, with no further loss after a 10-day delay. `Oregon Spur' apples had the best red color regardless of harvest. Sensory panel profiles were unable to distinguish among strains, harvest dates, or delays in time of atmosphere establishment. Caution should be exercised when initiating new harvest or storage procedures because growing conditions can vary from one location to another.

A Comparison of Fruit from Spur and Standard ‘McIntosh’ at Harvest and after Controlled-atmosphere Storage

Abstract Skin color, size, and controlled-atmosphere (CA) storage behavior of spur ‘McIntosh’ (Malus domestica cvs. Dewar, Macspur, Morspur, and Starkspur) and standard ‘McIntosh’ were evaluated over a 4-year period. ‘Starkspur’ had a slightly higher proportion of red skin color than did the other strains. Firmness at harvest was lower in ‘Dewar’ than in most strains and all spur strains were significantly softer than standard ‘McIntosh’ after 6 to 7 months of CA storage. No differences were found in acidity, but soluble solids after storage tended to be lower in the spur strains. Coreflush was lowest in ‘Macspur’ and highest in ‘Morspur’.