Effect of controlled atmosphere conditions on the breakdown of 'Fuji' apples

Abstract

The main aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of temperatures and oxygen concentrations in controlled atmosphere (CA) storage on the quality, conservation and breakdown of 'Fuji' apples, during storage. Fruits used had already been stored in cold storage during 72 days, and exhibited 17% of internal breakdown. Afterwards they were stored at two different temperatures (1 °C and 2 °C) and in different CA conditions: 0%CO2/1%O2, 0%CO2/ 1.5%O2 and 0%CO2/2%O2. After a six months storage, fruits at 1 °C and at lower oxygen concentrations (0%CO2/ 1%O2 and 0%CO2/1.5%O2) showed less internal and external breakdown and had higher firmness than fruits that had been stored at 2°C or at higher oxygen concentrations (0%CO/2%O2). Tritatable acidity, however, was higher at 2 °C. Soluble solids were higher at 2°C with 1.5 and 2.0% of oxygen.