Influence of Active Modified Atmosphere Packaging Pre-treatment on Shelf Life and Quality Attributes of Cold Stored Apricot Fruit

ABSTRACT After harvest, higher respiration rate in apricots limit their postharvest with extensive losses in fruit quality. Therefore, effect of different pre-storage treatment of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) were studied on the shelf life and quality of apricot cv. ‘Shahroudi’ fruit. Experimental treatments were control (air), and active MAP includes: MAP1 (10% O2/20% CO2), MAP2 (20% O2/10% CO2), MAP3 (5% O2/80% CO2), MAP4 (80% O2/5% CO2) and MAP5 (40% O2/20% CO2), all treatments were balanced by N2. After 6 days of pre-storage treatments, fruits were unpacked, repacked and then were stored at 2°C and 85% relative humidity for 28 days. Results indicated that MAP5 and MAP3 treatments significantly reduced weight loss and total soluble solids, and maintained fruit hardness in comparison with other treatments. High CO2 treatment improved postharvest traits of apricot. Interestingly, high CO2 in combination with high O2 (active MAP5) improved the sensory evaluation as scored the best treatment by panelists, and also maintained better chemical properties such as total phenolic compounds, total carotenoids, and vitamin C. In addition, shelf life of fruit in active MAP5 (29.6 days) significantly extended followed by active MAP3 (27.6 days), compared to control (14.6 days) without signs of decay until the end of the storage period. Overall, it can be concluded that the pre-storage treatment of fresh apricot fruit in an atmosphere with high O2 (40%) and CO2 (20%) concentrations had a positive effect on the post-harvest quality attributes and shelf life of apricot cultivar ‘Shahroudi,’ and can be suggested as an effective and practical method to prolong its postharvest life.