| Effect of
CaCl2 sprays, heat, and combined CaCl2-heat treatments on the quality of
apples (Malus domestica Borkh.). |
| Dris,
R.,Niskanen, R.,El-Assi, N. |
|
Department of Applied Biology, Horticulture, University of Helsinki,
P.O. Box 27, FIN-00014, Finland. |
| 'Lobo' apple
fruits were subjected to preharvest CaCl2 spraying treatment,
pre-storage heat treatment, and CaCl2+heat treatment and were held at 2
deg C and 90-95% RH for six months. Respiration and ethylene production
rates were monitored and soluble solids, juice pH, firmness, total dry
matter and macronutrient (P, K, Ca, Mg, and N) contents were determined.
Additionally, the incidence of physiological disorder and pathological
disease were recorded. Respiration and ethylene production rates
slightly decreased in heat-treated apples and increased in CaCl2-treated
apples. CaCl2 treatment did not increase fruit firmness or Ca
concentration. Combined CaCl2+heat treatment and heat treatment
increased pH. At the beginning of storage, the firmness of heat- and
CaCl2+heat-treated fruits was lower but greater than that of the control
fruits at the end of the storage period. After 6 months of storage, the
lowest incidence of disorder and disease symptoms was observed in the
CaCl2+heat treatment. |
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