Role of Controlled Atmosphere, Ultra Low Oxygen or Dynamic Controlled Atmosphere Conditions on Quality Characteristics of ‘Scarlet Spur’ Apple Fruit

Abstract

In this study, the effects of three cold storage technologies, (i) controlled atmosphere-CA (CO2 4%, O2 3%), (ii) ultra low oxygen-ULO and (iii) dynamic controlled atmosphere-DCA, were investigated on fruit quality of ‘Scarlet Spur’ apples stored during 10 months plus 7 days of shelf life at 20 °C. After harvest, apples were stored at 0 °C and 90±5% relative humidity during 10 months in CA, ULO (CO2 3%, O2 1%,) and DCA (CO2 1%, O2 0.5%) conditions. HarvestWatchTM sensors were used for assessment of lower oxygen limit (LOL) of fruit during DCA storage. DCA was the best storage condition suppressing ethylene synthesis and respiration rate during storage. The ULO and DCA conditions showed similar results in the maintenance of firmness and TA amount. Weight loss in these conditions was also lower than CA. No significant difference was observed between storage conditions in terms of SSC. DCA technology gave better results in maintaining color of ‘Scarlet Spur’ than other conditions during cold storage. Result showed that; ULO and DCA conditions were more effective in maintaining quality compared to CA in terms of all quality parameters.