Controlled Atmosphere Storage Research Articles

Aroma volatiles and sensory quality of organically-grown apple cultivars after dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA) storage and comparison with CA-stored fruit with and without 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP)

Long-term storage of many apple cultivars can be especially challenging for organic production where use of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), a crop protectant that controls ripening is disallowed. For many cultivars, controlled atmosphere (CA) storage alone, is inadequate for managing disorders and ripening. Dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA), by determining the pO2 just above the lower oxygen limit (LOL), permits the use of lower pO2 setpoints without any negative impacts of anaerobiosis. Consequently, DCA can replace 1-MCP for maintenance of fruit quality. The goal of this study was to determine where this held true for a selection of old and new release organically-grown cultivars in the context of sensory perception. Cultivars included ‘Enterprise’ and ‘GoldRush’ harvested in 2018 (year 1), and ‘Honeycrisp’, ‘Golden Delicious’, ‘Jonagold’, and ‘Fuji’ harvested in 2020 (year 2). The LOL was monitored for DCA using chlorophyll fluorescence (CF) and compared with conventional static CA with or without 1-MCP treatment at harvest. DCA storage suppressed ripening to a similar level as 1-MCP plus CA in both years as indicated by reduced ester biosynthesis and, for some cultivars, maintenance of flesh firmness. However, ripening suppression did not impact the overall sensory preference of ‘Enterprise’, ‘Honeycrisp’, or ‘Fuji’, as all cultivars retained firmness and tartness regardless of storage regime and even negatively impacted it for ‘Goldrush’, an especially tart and firm cultivar. Sensory liking of ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Jonagold’ which have more typical diminishing firmness and acid profiles were most benefited by either 1-MCP treatment or DCA storage. The results highlight that use of storage technologies that suppress ripening beyond conventional CA storage are best employed on cultivars with more conventional softening and acid metabolism profiles as opposed to new cultivars that were selected primarily against these ripening phenotypes. The results also demonstrate the value of sensory evaluation compared with instrumental measurements to reveal the influence of different storage regimes on human perception.

Sugar composition of pectin-containing cell wall fractions is altered in ‘Fuji’ apples in response to calcium dips and controlled atmosphere storage

Cell wall changes in untreated and calcium-treated ‘Fuji Kiku-8’ apples harvested at commercial maturity were examined after cold storage during 19 and 31 weeks under either air or ultra-low oxygen atmosphere (ULO), followed by 7 d at 20 ºC to simulate commercial shelf life. Postharvest calcium treatment was applied by immersion in a 2 % (w/v) CaCl2 solution prior to cold storage. Both ULO storage and calcium dips attenuated firmness loss in comparison with untreated fruit stored in air, particularly for the shorter period, in parallel to higher retention of both chelator- and sodium carbonate-soluble fractions. After hydrolysis, the analysis of these fractions revealed higher retention of arabinose and uronic acids in response to ULO storage and calcium treatment. Results indicate that the contents of uronic acids and arabinose in pectin-containing fractions were strongly correlated, suggesting that removal of arabinosyl residues from pectin sidechains be a key event in the process of postharvest pectin solubilization.

Delayed Controlled Atmosphere Storage Related to the Development of Internal Storage Disorders in Apples and Pears: A Review

Delayed Controlled Atmosphere Storage Related to the Development of Internal Storage Disorders in Apples and Pears: A Review

Effect of Storage Conditions on the Volatilome, Biochemical Composition and Quality of Golden Delicious and Red Delicious Apple (Malus domestica) Varieties.

The effects of normal (NA) and controlled atmosphere (CA) storage and postharvest treatment with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) before CA storage for 5 months on the volatilome, biochemical composition and quality of 'Golden Delicious' (GD) and 'Red Delicious' (RD) apples were studied. Apples stored under NA and CA maintained and 1-MCP treatment increased firmness in both cultivars. NA storage resulted in a decrease of glucose, sucrose and fructose levels in both cultivars. When compared to CA storage, 1-MCP treatment caused a more significant decrease in sucrose levels and an increase in glucose levels. Additionally, 1-MCP-treated apples exhibited a significant decrease in malic acid content for both cultivars. All storage conditions led to significant changes in the abundance and composition of the volatilome in both cultivars. GD and RD apples responded differently to 1-MCP treatment compared to CA storage; higher abundance of hexanoate esters and (E,E)-α-farnesene was observed in RD apples treated with 1-MCP. While 1-MCP was effective in reducing (E,E)-α-farnesene abundance in GD apples, its impact on RD apples was more limited. However, for both cultivars, all storage conditions resulted in lower levels of 2-methylbutyl acetate, butyl acetate and hexyl acetate. The effectiveness of 1-MCP is cultivar dependent, with GD showing better results than RD.

Fuzzy‐PID controller based on improved LFPSO for temperature and humidity control in a CA ripening system

AbstractTemperature and humidity as the key factors affecting the storage and ripening of fruits and vegetables directly determine the quality of fruits and vegetables. In this paper, a temperature and humidity model was constructed based on an integrated device of controlled atmosphere storage and ripening. Aiming at the shortcomings of the temperature and humidity model such as large inertia, nonlinearity, and model uncertainty, a fuzzy‐PID controller based on the improved Lévy flight particle swarm algorithm (LFPSO) is proposed. Initially, a mathematical model of temperature and humidity is developed through mechanism research and parameter estimation. Subsequently, a temperature and humidity fuzzy‐PID control strategy is proposed for regulating temperature and humidity. An improved LFPSO is then introduced to optimize the key parameters of the fuzzy‐PID controller, such as the quantization factor and the scale factor. The superiority of the improved LFPSO algorithm is verified by comparing the test functions. Finally, the improved LFPSO‐fuzzy‐PID controller, fuzzy‐PID controller, and Smith‐PID controller are applied to the simulation model for comparison using the MATLAB Simulink simulation platform. The results show that the improved LFPSO‐fuzzy‐PID control algorithm has a good control effect in the temperature and humidity simulation system of controlled atmosphere (CA) ripening container, which provides a reference for solving the optimization problem of actual engineering design.Practical applicationsIn order to reduce the postharvest cold chain losses of fruits and vegetables, this paper proposes a containerized style device that combines fruits and vegetables storage and ripening for simplifying the losses caused by transshipment at cold chain nodes. Since temperature and humidity play a key role in fruits and vegetables storage and ripening, which directly affect the product quality, this paper establishes a complete mathematical model of CA ripening temperature and humidity system by combining mechanism modeling and parameter identification. In order to keep the temperature and humidity within the ideal range, Smith‐PID controller, fuzzy‐PID controller, and fuzzy‐PID control method based on improved Lévy flight particle swarm optimization are proposed to regulate the air conditioner and humidifier. The performance of three different types of controllers was tested on the MATLAB. The simulation results demonstrate that the improved LFPSO‐fuzzy‐PID controller is superior and more effective than Smith‐PID and fuzzy‐PID controllers.

Repeated low oxygen stress on dynamic controlled atmosphere storage of ‘Elstar’ and ‘Nicoter’ apples

Repeated low oxygen stress on dynamic controlled atmosphere storage of ‘Elstar’ and ‘Nicoter’ apples

Effects of Delaying the Storage of 'Hass' Avocados under a Controlled Atmosphere on Skin Color, Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Capacity.

During ripening, 'Hass' avocado skin changes from green to purple/black. Low-temperature storage with a controlled atmosphere (CA) is the most widely used method for avocado storage; however, few studies have simulated this technology and considered the days of regular air (RA) storage prior to CA storage. Herein, the effect of delaying the storage of 'Hass' avocado (>30% dry matter) in a CA was examined. Long-term storage conditions (5 °C for 50 days) corresponded to (i) regular air storage (RA), (ii) CA (4 kPa O2 and 6 kPa CO2) and (iii) 10 days in RA + 40 days in a CA and (iv) 20 days in RA + 30 days in a CA. Evaluations were performed during storage and at the ready-to-eat (RTE) stage. Skin color remained unchanged during storage, but at the RTE stage, more color development was observed for fruits stored under CA conditions, as these fruits were purple/black (>50%). At the RTE stage, the anthocyanin content increased, and compared to fruit under RA, fruit under a CA contained a five-fold greater content. A 20-day delay between harvest and CA storage increased the fruit softening rate and skin color development after cold storage, reducing the effectiveness of CA as a postharvest technology for extending storage life.

The responses of ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit to ethylene during regular and controlled atmosphere storage

ABSTRACT Maintaining kiwifruit firmness is key to global supply chain. Controlled atmosphere (CA) technology can maintain kiwifruit quality. However, there is a risk of ethylene (C2H4) accumulation in CA that may accelerate kiwifruit softening. The objectives of this study were to determine the impact of ethylene on kiwifruit quality in CA. ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit were stored in air and CA (5% CO2 + 2% O2) at 0°C, 95% RH for 13 weeks. Ethylene at concentrations of 10, 100, 1000 nL·L−1 was added after 3 weeks of storage. The responses of kiwifruit to ethylene were dose-dependent in both air and CA storage. Ethylene-induced kiwifruit softening was delayed and slowed by CA. However, white-core inclusions (WCI) disorder was observed after 8 weeks of exposure to 100 and 1000 nL·L−1 ethylene in CA. The lowest concentrations of ethylene (≤ 10 nL·L−1) in CA did not influence kiwifruit quality. This work demonstrates that kiwifruit sensitivity to ethylene is lower in CA than that in air, but excessive softening and WCI may negatively impact kiwifruit quality when exposed to a high ethylene concentration in CA for extended periods. Hence, ethylene monitoring and management may be less critical in kiwifruit stored in CA but are required.

Impact of different storage conditions with combined use of ethylene blocker on ‘Shalimar’ apple variety

This research investigates the impact of storage conditions on the quality and preservation of 'Shalimar' apples, a relatively new cultivar known for its resistance to apple scab and powdery mildew. The study explores the efficacy of different storage techniques such as regular atmosphere (RA), controlled atmosphere (CA), and dynamic controlled atmosphere with CO2 Monitoring (DCA-CD), as well as the integration of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) at different storage temperatures (1 °C and 3 °C). Various fruit quality parameters were monitored under different storage conditions, including firmness, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, background color, respiration, ethylene production, and volatile compounds. The results indicate that the controlled atmosphere (CA) at 1 °C emerges as an efficient method for long-term storage. However, it is noted that CA storage may impact the apple aroma, emphasizing the need for a balance between preservation and consumer acceptability. On the other hand, DCA-CD at variable temperatures (approximately 2.5 °C) offers a promising approach for maintaining fruit quality and a higher concentration of volatile compounds. Integrating 1-MCP enhances firmness, but its impact varies across storage conditions. Principal component analysis (PCA) provides insights into the relationships between storage conditions, fruit quality, and volatile compounds. This study contributes valuable insights into optimizing storage strategies for ‘Shalimar’ apples, addressing sustainability and quality preservation in apple production.

Controlled Atmosphere Storage and Sorbitol Dipping Minimize Chilling Injuries in ‘Palmer’ Mangoes

Our previous studies have shown that ‘Palmer’ mangoes immersed in solutions containing 2.5% sorbitol and stored under a controlled atmosphere (CA) at 8 °C for 30 days had fewer symptoms of a chilling injury. However, there is no information regarding the effectiveness of sorbitol treatment in other atmospheres and/or in combination with lower temperatures. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the impact of dipping ‘Palmer’ mangoes in 0.1% and 2.5% (w/v) sorbitol solutions and storing the fruit under a CA without atmosphere modification (21 kPa O2 + 0.03 kPa CO2) at 8 °C/95% relative humidity (RH) or with 5 kPa O2 + 5 kPa CO2 at 4 °C/95% RH for 28 days. The fruits were evaluated periodically for chilling injuries, quality, and oxidative metabolism. A chilling injury (CI) was correlated with increased fresh weight loss (FWL) and changes in the color of the epicarp (Lpeel, h°peel, and Cpeel) and mesocarp (L*pulp). Lipid peroxidation (LPpulp and LPpeel) and the hydrogen peroxide content (H2O2peel and H2O2pulp) were associated with the development of a CI, particularly after being transferred to ambient. The treatment with 2.5% sorbitol was more effective in minimizing the chilling injury symptoms and did not compromise the fruit quality, especially when it was stored at 4 °C in association with a CA containing 5 kPa O2 + 5 kPa CO2. This treatment reduced lipid peroxidation and increased the activities of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) enzymes in the epicarp and mesocarp, providing greater cold tolerance. The use of 2.5% sorbitol has been identified as the most efficacious approach for mitigating the adverse impacts of chilling injuries, preserving the fruit quality, and enhancing oxidative metabolism, even at lower temperatures. Thus, this treatment represents a viable alternative for managing chilling injuries in mangoes.

Efficient estimation of gas exchange and respiration kinetics in apple using pathlength-resolved GASMAS

Optimization of controlled atmosphere (CA) storage of pome fruit crucially depends on understanding of respiratory gas exchange. Different fruit properties are involved in describing gas transfer and respiration kinetics, which can vary between cultivars, fruit batches and individual fruit. Determination of these properties currently requires a combination of different time-consuming techniques and data analysis procedures. This study introduces a more efficient single method for O2 gas exchange characterization of fruit based on the non-destructive pathlength-resolved GASMAS (gas in scattering media absorption spectroscopy) technique. GASMAS was used to measure the absolute intercellular O2 concentration in fruit of different apple cultivars (Malus x domestica Borkh.) with distinct porosity including 'Jonagold', 'Braeburn', and 'Nicoter'. To resolve the ambiguity between variation in pathlength and O2 concentration inherent to GASMAS, the pathlength travelled through pores cavities was quantified through a second GASMAS measurement at the absorption line of H2O vapour. Dynamic experiments were then performed in which the fruit was subjected to varying external O2 concentrations while measuring the internal O2 response. The observed dynamic profiles of external and internal O2 concentration were fitted with a lumped -respiration model to estimate the effective mass transfer coefficient, maximum respiration rate and Michaelis Menten constant of intact fruit. The model showed a good fit (R2>0.95) with the measured data and reliable estimates for the model parameters. The proposed method provides a novel and more efficient way to estimate the gas exchange properties of fruit that are essential for optimizing CA storage conditions. Future challenges for the proposed method are with applications to other gasses such as CO2 and ethylene.

Self-powered wireless flexible sensing for food storage based on triboelectric-electromagnetic generator

In Controlled Atmosphere (CA) food storage, maintaining optimal conditions, including gas concentration, temperature, and humidity on the food surface, is crucial. This paper proposes the application of a self-powered wireless flexible sensing system based on a triboelectric-electromagnetic generator in food CA storage. To configure certain concentrations of mixed CA gases, we need to accurately control the volume of CA gas input into the mixed gas tank within a certain period, and the gas flow velocity in the pipeline will directly affect this factor. The gas flow velocity in the pipeline is detected by the CA gas flow velocity detection part (FVS) with an independent layer working mode triboelectric nanogenerator (FV-TENG) as the main component. Simultaneously, a flexible Temperature and Humidity Sensor (THS) affixed to the food surface provides real-time monitoring. EMG collects irregular wind energy in the CA warehouse to provide energy for the processing of information in the system and wireless transmission to the IoT cloud platform, realizing the system's self-power and wireless transmission. The self-powered wireless sensing system facilitates remote collection of CA gas flow velocity data, precise control of mixed atmosphere gas concentrations, and real-time monitoring of food surface temperature and humidity in the CA warehouse.

Effect of Controlled Atmosphere Storage on Key Volatiles and Sensory Perception of Muscat Grapes

Effect of Controlled Atmosphere Storage on Key Volatiles and Sensory Perception of Muscat Grapes

Unlocking Nature's Secrets: Molecular Insights into Postharvest Pathogens Impacting Moroccan Apples and Innovations in the Assessment of Storage Conditions.

Apple production holds a prominent position in Morocco's Rosaceae family. However, annual production can fluctuate due to substantial losses caused by fungal diseases affecting stored apples. Our findings emphasize that the pre-storage treatment of apples, disinfection of storage facilities, box type, and fruit sorting are pivotal factors affecting apple losses during storage. Additionally, the adopted preservation technique was significantly correlated with the percentage of damage caused by fungal infections. Blue mold accounts for nearly three-quarters of the diseases detected, followed by gray rot with a relatively significant incidence. This study has revealed several fungal diseases affecting stored apples caused by pathogens such as Penicillium expansum, Botrytis cinerea, Alternaria alternata, Trichothecium roseum, Fusarium avenaceum, Cadophora malorum, and Neofabraea vagabunda. Notably, these last two fungal species have been reported for the first time in Morocco as pathogens of stored apples. These data affirm that the high losses of apples in Morocco, attributed primarily to P. expansum and B. cinerea, pose a significant threat in terms of reduced production and diminished fruit quality. Hence, adopting controlled atmosphere storage chambers and implementing good practices before apple storage is crucial.

Controlled atmosphere storage drive proteomic change in Chinese Daohuaxiang

Although the use of a controlled atmosphere is one of the most successful storage techniques, the mechanism thereof in rice storage remains unclear. We stored aromatic rice cultivar Daohuaxiang in a package filled with 98 % N2 and 35 % CO2 for 3 months. We investigated 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline loss, enzyme activities, and proteomics changes of rice during storage. The results showed that the content of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline was reduced by 37.40 %, 25.65 %, and 43.89 % during storage using 98 % N2, 35 % CO2 controlled atmosphere storage, and conventional storage. Controlled atmosphere storage slowed down the increase of malondialdehyde content in Daohuaxiang. The results showed that 26S proteasome regulatory particle triple-A ATPase subunit 6, superoxide dismutase, glutathione transferase, and other key proteins were upregulated during 35 % CO2 regulation. This study provided a meaningful basis for exploring the regulation strategy of aromatic rice quality and strengthening the quality control of aromatic rice industry.

Water Loss: A Postharvest Quality Marker in Apple Storage

AbstractApple fruit can be stored for long periods of time, especially with the use of controlled atmosphere storage, but like many fruits and vegetables are susceptible to water loss. Water loss can result in compromised appearance such as skin shriveling, as well as loss of firmness, and reduced saleable weight, which in turn affect the income of growers and other industry stakeholders. Preharvest factors that can influence water loss in apples during the postharvest period include climate, cultivar, fruit size, tree age, orchard practices, and harvest maturity. Postharvest factors such as the storage temperature, relative humidity, storage type, and duration can also affect water loss in apple fruit during storage. The mechanisms of cuticle biosynthesis in water permeance, the role of stomata and lenticels, microcracking, crosstalk with mechanical injuries, storage disorders, and decay incidence during the storage of apples are reviewed. Additionally, the review summarizes: preharvest and postharvest factors influencing water loss; recent management strategies including pre-cooling, cold storage, controlled atmospheres, packaging, and anti-senescence chemicals; the use of edible coatings, as well as other non-chemical approaches for modulating water loss and maintaining storage quality. The review also provides direction for the industry to manage this destructive problem in the postharvest supply chain of apple fruit.

Controlled atmosphere storage alleviates the browning of walnut (Juglans regia L.) fruit through enhancing GABA-mediated energy metabolism

Browning is the primary physiological damage that shortens the postharvest life and deteriorates the quality of stored fruits. Controlled atmosphere (CA) storage has been shown to be effective in alleviating the browning of ‘Xifu 1′ in-hull walnut; however, its alleviation mechanism is less understood. To further explore the effect and regulatory mechanism of CA on the browning of fresh in-hull walnut, we stored four varieties of in-hull walnuts under CA-treated (5% O2 + 7.5% CO2) and untreated conditions at 0 ± 0.5 °C with 70–80% relative humidity for 70 d. The indicators related to browning and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) metabolism were measured until 56 d of storage. The results showed that the CA significantly increased GABA levels by maintaining higher activities of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), GABA transaminase (GABAT) and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH). This reduced the changes in the browning index (BI), color values, and respiration rate (RR) of the four walnut fruit varieties compared with controls during storage. Consistent with the active GABA metabolism, higher energy charge (EC) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP), succinic acid (SA), malic acid (MLA), fumaric acid (FA), and citric acid (CTA) contents were also observed in the CA-treated walnut hull compared to the controls. The epicarp degradation of the CA-treated ‘Xifu 1′ walnut fruit occurred later, and their mitochondria and cells maintained better integrity compared to the controls. Among the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) screened via RNA-Sequencing (RNA-Seq), 32 were annotated as part of the citrate cycle (TCA cycle) pathway, and 27 were annotated in the GABA metabolism pathway. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis showed that eight candidate genes were closely related to the effect of CA on the synthesis, transport, and transformation of GABA. In conclusion, CA effectively controlled the browning of different varieties of fresh in-hull walnuts by enhancing GABA metabolism and maintaining energy balance.

Análise econômica dos efeitos do ponto de colheita sobre a qualidade e a produtividade de maçãs ‘Fuji Suprema’

Abstract This study aimed to analyze the effect of harvest date on ‘Fuji Suprema’ apple quality, productivity, and economic profitability at harvest and after storage. Apples were harvested at the beginning of the commercial harvest window (H1), ten days after H1 (H2), and 22 days after H1 (H3) in the 2008 and 2009 growing seasons. A total of six samples with ~400 kg of fruit (~2,900 apples) each were picked at each growing season and harvest date, which were assessed at harvest (six subsamples of 100 fruit) and after 250 days of controlled atmosphere storage at 0.8 °C. The economic analysis considered fixed and variable production costs in the orchard and postharvest practices and the productivity of packaged apples (pack-out). Early harvested (H1) apples had greater flesh firmness, acidity, and lower soluble solids content than late-harvested apples (H3), both at harvest and after storage. Delaying harvest by 22 days increased the production by 10.2% due to increased fruit size but reduced the production by 3.6% due to severe sunburn and pre-harvest decay incidence. Late harvest also increased production losses due to decay by 4.4% and 10.9% during storage and shelf, respectively, but reduced production losses due to superficial scald by 17.1 to 22.7%. The net revenue (R$ ha-1) is higher for apples harvested late (H3, flesh firmness of 15.6 lb and starch index of 7.1) than for apples harvested early (H1 and H2) when the fruit is marketed soon after harvest (between April and May). However, for apples marketed after long-term storage, economic profitability is maximum when harvested at an intermediate maturity stage (H2, flesh firmness of 16.4 lb and starch index of 6).

Monitoring dynamic controlled atmosphere storage (DCA) by means of chlorophyll fluorescence and the respiratory quotient

Monitoring dynamic controlled atmosphere storage (DCA) by means of chlorophyll fluorescence and the respiratory quotient

Retracted: Optimization of CO2 Concentration on Mortality of Various Stages of Callosobruchus maculatus and Development of Controlled Atmosphere Storage Structure for Black Gram Grains

Retracted: Optimization of CO₂ Concentration on Mortality of Various Stages of Callosobruchus maculatus and Development of Controlled Atmosphere Storage Structure for Black Gram Grains