Journal of Applied Horticulture. 2004: 6(2): 48-54

Effect of controlled atmosphere storage on quality parameters and storage period of apple cultivars "Granny Smith" and "Jonagold"

Akbudak, B; Ozer, H; Erturk, U

Department of Horticulture Gorukle, Faculty of Agriculture, Uludag University, 16059 Bursa, Turkey.

An experiment was conducted to study the suitable atmospheric combinations for controlled atmosphere (CA) storage of apple cultivars Granny Smith and Jonagold, and revealing some physical and chemical changes occurring during the storage of these cultivars. Granny Smith and Jonagold were stored for 210 and 180 days, respectively, at 0+or-0.5 degrees C and 90+or-5% relative humidity (RH) under the atmospheric combinations of 0:21 (CO2:O2) [normal atmosphere (NA)-control], 3:1, 3:1.5, 3:2 and 3:2.5. Fruits were kept at room conditions (20+or-2 degrees C and 60+or-5% RH) for 5 days at the end of storage period to determine the shelf life. Physical and chemical analyses (weight loss, respiration rate, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH, fruit flesh firmness, pectin esterase activity, fruit skin colour) were realized on the fruit samples taken during storage and at the end of shelf life. At the end of the study, it was determined that the fruits of apple cultivars Granny Smith and Jonagold could be stored for 210 and 180 days, respectively, especially under the controlled atmosphere (CA) combinations of 3:1.5 or 3:2, considering the physical and chemical parameters stated above, with a further shelf life of 5 days.