Changes in qualitative characteristics of apples stored in modified atmosphere packaging

Abstract

The aim of the work was to compare the changes in the qualitative characteristics of "Szampion" apples during their storage in a cold room in Xtend ® bags with a modified atmosphere and in a cold store with a normal atmosphere. The scope of research included the measurement of qualitative characteristics of apples (ethylene concentration, firmness, soluble solids content and acidity) from two harvest dates that were stored for 30 and 50 days in a cold store in a normal atmosphere in micro-perforated bags, for two cases of shelf-life. The research material was Szampion apples, which were divided into three batches. Two were packed into Xtend ® bags and placed in a cold room at 1-2 ºC and 5-6 ºC for 2 days and the bags were stored in a cold room with a normal atmosphere. It was possible this way to assess the effect of fruit temperature on the atmosphere composition in the packaging as well as on the quality of apples. The third batch of unwrapped fruit was stored in a normal atmosphere. After the storage period, fruit quality was evaluated immediately after being removed from the cold room and after 7 days of shelf-life at 18 ºC. It was found that the use of Xtend ® bags slows down the rate of apple ripening and has a positive effect on maintaining their firmness and acidity. Regardless of the length of the storage period, the fruits stored in Xtend ® bags were characterized by a lower concentration of ethylene in the seed chambers in relation to fruits stored in a normal atmosphere. There was no significant impact of fruit storage in Xtend ® bags on the soluble solid content.

The Effect of Mechanical Vibrations During Transport under Model Conditions on the Shelf-Life, Quality and Physico-Chemical Parameters of four Apple Cultivars

“…The decrease in firmness during storage is a natural process commonly described by scholars [41][42][43]. No significant impact of mechanical vibrations on the firmness of the treated samples compared to control was observed.…”