Modified atmosphere packaging inhibits browning in fennel

The effects of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) to inhibit browning of the butt end cut zone of fennel bulbs stored during 14 days at 0°C followed by complementary air storage during 3 days at 15°C were studied. Selected bulbs were placed in 35 μm oriented polypropylene bags or in plastic baskets heat-sealed with nonperforated or perforated (control) polypropylene film. Changes in respiratory rate, ethylene emission, colour of both external leaves and butt end cut, as well as chemical and sensory attributes and browning development were monitored. A low to moderate nonclimacteric respiratory behaviour at 0°C with a respiration rate of 8-9 mg CO₂ kg⁻¹ h⁻¹ and an ethylene emission of 0.2-0.5 μl C₂H₄ kg⁻¹ h⁻¹ were found. Development of fungal attacks, chilling injury, decay and browning of external leaves were not detected for any treatment. All the MAP inhibited browning development of the butt end cut when evaluated after cold storage. However only the atmosphere of 6-7 kPa O₂ and 10-12 kPa CO₂ delayed that process at the end of complementary shelf life.     

Antioxidant phytochemical and fruit quality changes in mango (Mangifera indica L.) following hot water immersion and controlled atmosphere storage

Tropical fruits such as mangoes destined for import into the United States are commonly required to have a thermal treatment against invasive pests, which could be combined with controlled atmosphere (CA) storage to prolong shelf life and preserve fruit quality. Changes in antioxidant phytochemicals and resultant quality during storage and ripening were investigated in fresh mangoes, as influenced by application of CA in combination with a hot water immersion quarantine treatment (46 °C for 75 min). Mature-green mangoes with or without a hot water treatment, were held in air, 3% O₂ + 97% N₂, or 3% O₂ + 10% CO₂ + 87% N₂ and evaluated for external quality and phytochemical differences after storage for 2 weeks at 10 °C and after subsequent ripening in air at 25 °C. Visible appearance of anthracnose during ripening was effectively inhibited by the hot water treatments combined with CA. Concentrations of gallic acid and numerous hydrolysable tannins and their resultant antioxidant capacity were unaffected by the hot water treatment, while total polyphenolics naturally decreased throughout fruit ripening, regardless of hot water treatment or storage atmosphere. However, the overall decline in polyphenolic concentration was inhibited by the CA treatments, as a result of delayed ripening. Quality parameters such as flesh colour and titratable acidity provided supporting evidence that the CA conditions helped to delay fruit ripening.     

Effects of lactate and modified atmospheric packaging on premature browning in cooked ground beef patties

Our objectives were to determine the effects of lactate and modified atmosphere packaging on raw surface color, lipid oxidation, and internal cooked color of ground beef patties. Eight chubs (85% lean) were divided in half and each half was either assigned to the control (no lactate) or mixed with 2.5% lactate (w/w). Following treatment, patties were prepared and packaged in either vacuum, PVC (atmospheric oxygen level), high-oxygen (80% O₂ + 20% CO₂), or 0.4% CO (30% CO₂ + 69.6% N₂) and stored for 0, 2, or 4 days at 2 °C. After storage, raw surface color and lipid oxidation were measured and patties were cooked to either 66 °C or 71 °C. Lactate improved (p < 0.05) color stability of PVC, high-oxygen, and vacuum packaged raw patties, but had no effect (p > 0.05) on the a∗ values and visual color scores of patties in 0.4% CO. Lactate decreased (p < 0.05) lipid oxidation in all packaging atmospheres. Nevertheless, high-oxygen and PVC-packaged patties had more (p < 0.05) lipid oxidation than patties in CO and vacuum. Lactate had no effect (p > 0.05) on premature browning, whereas patties packaged in high-oxygen demonstrated premature browning. Conversely, cooked patties in 0.4% CO and vacuum were more red (p < 0.05) than both high-oxygen and PVC-packaged patties. Although lactate improved raw color stability, it did not minimize premature browning in cooked ground beef patties.     

Biochemical Changes and Sensory Quality of Shredded and MA-Packaged Iceberg Lettuce

Cultivars of shredded iceberg lettuce (Lactuca sativu L.) ‘Saladin’, ‘Santis’, ‘Telda’ and ‘Roxette’ responded in a parallel way to four modified atmosphere (MA) packaging treatments. Moderate vacuum packaging (mvp) in 80 μm polyethylene (PE) inhibited enzymatic browning over 10-day storage at 5°C. When lettuce was packaged in 80% O₂, 20% CO₂ (80/20), more browning occured in SL3-bags (59 μm multilayer coextruded film) than in PE-bags. Polyphenol oxidase activity declined during storage in all 4 atmospheres, with lowest activity in PE-80/20. Endogenous ascorbic acid (AA) did not act as an efficient antioxidant in delaying browning. Total carbohydrate content (TC) declined slightly during storage. Tristimulus color measurements correlated highly with visual ratings.     

Effects of short-term anoxia treatment on browning of fresh-cut Chinese water chestnut in relation to antioxidant activity

The effects of short-term anoxia pre-treatment on browning of fresh-cut Chinese water chestnut (CWC), stored at 4 °C, in relation to antioxidant activity were investigated. CWC slices were exposed to pure N₂ for 4 h and then stored at 4 °C for 18 d. Anoxia significantly inhibited browning of CWC slices during storage, accompanied by lower contents of malondialdehyde, H₂O₂, and lipoxygenase activity. Furthermore, anoxia induced the activities of superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase, which could benefit scavenging reactive oxygen species and alleviating lipid peroxidation. In addition, better maintenance of reducing power and free-radical-scavenging activities against α,α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazy (DPPH), superoxide anions and hydroxyl was observed in N₂-treated CWC slices, with higher phenolic compounds and ascorbic acid contents. Collectively, these finds suggest that N₂ pre-treatment enhanced enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activity in CWC slices, and thereby contributed to alleviating lipid peroxidation and maintenance of storage quality.     

Fruit quality and physiological responses of litchi cultivar McLean's Red to 1-methylcyclopropene pre-treatment and controlled atmosphere storage conditions

The effect of 1-MCP pre-treatment and two different controlled atmosphere storage conditions (CA-1, 17% O₂ + 6% CO₂; CA-2, 7% O₂ + 3% CO₂) on fruit quality parameters and physiological changes with respect to pericarp browning in ‘McLean's Red’ litchi were investigated. Fruits were pre-treated with 1-MCP (500 nl/l) and held at CA-1 or CA-2 for 21 d at 2 °C and at 90% RH. Stand-alone CA-1 or stand-alone CA-2 and the commercially adopted sulphur dioxide (SO₂) treatment were included in this study for comparison. Of the five treatments 1-MCP + CA-1 was most effective in preventing browning, loss of red colour (colour value a*) of the pericarp, ascorbic acid content; and retaining acceptable SSC/TA and taste. Fruit from 1-MCP + CA-1 showed higher overall acceptance after 21 d storage without any off-flavour according to the sensory panel data.1-MCP + CA-1 reduced the polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) activity, retained membrane integrity and anthocyanin content during storage. Although SO₂ treatment prevents browning it showed negative effects on SSC/TA, taste and membrane integrity. Stand-alone CA-2 condition indicated higher pericarp browning, PPO, POD activity and loss of membrane integrity. Therefore, 1-MCP pre-treatment and CA-1 retains overall fruit quality for up to 21 d.     

Optimization of processing of fresh‐cut pear

BACKGROUND: Successful processing of pears to render fresh‐cut fruits requires a thorough knowledge of their sensitivity to browning reactions, their respiratory metabolism, and their behaviour under modified atmosphere packaging. RESULTS: First, three different varieties of pear (Williams, Conference, Passacrassana) that had reached their commercial ripening stage were evaluated for suitability for minimal processing. Two antioxidant treatments were tested (treatment 1: 2% ascorbic acid + 1% citric acid + 1% CaCl₂; treatment 2: 2% ascorbic acid + 0.01% 4‐hexylresorcinol + 1% CaCl₂) to decide which one was the most effective against enzymatic browning. Finally, a modified atmosphere packaging was designed after two previous tests: measurement of respiratory activity of the peeled and cut pear at three temperatures (4, 15 and 25 °C); and evaluation of fruit tolerance to three different atmospheric compositions (21% O₂ + 10% CO₂; 2% O₂ + 0% CO₂; 2% O₂ + 10% CO₂). CONCLUSIONS: Conference pear was found to be the most suitable variety. Among the antioxidant treatments the one consisting of ascorbic acid, 4‐hexylresorcinol and CaCl₂ was proven to be the most effective against browning. The samples were packaged in a modified atmosphere with a composition of 10% O₂ + 10% CO₂ + 80% N₂. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

ning reactions during storage of low-moisture Australian sultanas: Effects of vine nitrogen nutrition on subsequent arginine-mediated Maillard reactions during storage of dried fruit

Ten‐year old Vitis Vinifera L. cv. Sultana (Thompson Seedless) grape vines were transferred into large cement pots in low nitrate soil and supplemented with four levels of nitrogen application in the form of ammonium nitrate as follows: 0 g ( N₀ ), 8.5 g ( N₁ ), 17.0 g ( N₂ ) and 25.0 g ( N₃ ). Grapes were harvested from each nitrogen treatment, dipped and dried to low moisture (?11.4%) and subsequently stored for 10 months at 10^oC and at 30^oC in either the presence or absence of oxygen. The pre‐storage concentration of free arginine, free‐proline and total protein in the dried sultanas increased with soil nitrogen application. Skin‐polyphenoloxidase (PPO) activity was higher in sultanas with added soil nitrogen ( N₁, N₂, N₃ ), however pre‐storage differences in total phenolics, and the PPO substrate, trans‐caftaric acid, were not significantly different. After 10 months storage at 30^oC significant browning was observed in both the presence and absence of oxygen. Greater browning corresponded to higher soil‐nitrogen application rates. The concentration of skin trans‐caftaric acid did not decrease in N₀, N₁ or N₂ after 10 months at 30^oC, in either the presence or absence of oxygen, although some decreases were measured in the highest nitrogen sultanas ( N₃ ). While PPO oxidation of the phenolic substrate trans‐caftaric acid was not the primary route to browning, a number of Maillard reaction products (MRP) were present in both sultanas and arginine‐glucose model systems. Those products were separated via reverse phase HPLC and partially characterised by UV‐diode array spectroscopy. The lack of oxidation of trans‐caftaric acid observed in the nitrogen storage trial was confirmed in an accelerated browning experiment in low‐moisture sultanas, where despite browning at 50^oC after 12 days, no decreases in this primary substrate for PPO‐mediated oxidation were measured.     

Short‐term anoxia treatment maintains tissue energy levels and membrane integrity and inhibits browning of harvested litchi fruit

Pericarp browning is the main limitation to the postharvest storage, handling and marketing life of litchi fruit. Pre‐storage treatment with pure N₂ gas is potentially effective in reducing skin browning and maintaining eating quality of litchis. To better understand inhibition of pericarp browning by a short period of anoxia, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) levels, adenylate energy charge and membrane permeability were investigated. Litchi fruit were exposed to pure N₂ gas for 6 h and then kept in closed but vented containers for 6 days in the dark at 25 °C and 95–100% relative humidity. Changes in the mentioned fruit physiology and biochemistry parameters and in browning index were measured. ATP concentration and adenylate energy charge decreased rapidly and membrane permeability (relative leakage) increased gradually during storage. Fruit exposed to N₂ gas exhibited higher concentrations of ATP, ADP and AMP and adenylate energy charge levels, and lower levels of browning index and membrane permeability, compared to control (non‐N₂‐treated) fruit. Greater differences in ATP and ADP concentrations and adenylate energy charge levels of pericarp tissues between N₂‐treated and control fruit were more manifest after 4 and 6 days of storage, in association with significant differences at the 5% level in the pericarp browning index. It is suggested that pre‐storage anoxia treatment maintains membrane integrity of pericarp tissues, with high ATP and ADP concentrations and high adenylate energy charge levels. Thus, the loss of cellular compartmentalization (mixing of enzymes and substrates) that leads to enzymatic browning of litchi fruit pericarp is delayed. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

The role of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase in the browning of water caltrop pericarp during heat treatment

The mechanism of browning involving enzymatic browning was investigated in the pericarp of water caltrop, an Asian vegetable popular for its taste and medicinal properties. Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) activities were determined in pericarp at various times and temperatures. Water caltrop consisted of 44.22% moisture content, 37.23% crude fibre, and 2.63% crude protein. PPO and POD activities dropped from 62 and 38 units/g sample, respectively, as water temperature was increased from 30 to 80 °C. Optimum pH and temperature for PPO activity was at pH 5.0, 25–45 °C, and POD activity peaked at 60 °C. High PPO and POD activities at 40–50 °C resulted in degradation of phenolic compounds, which led to increased aggregation of browning pigments and discolouration (lower L-values) of the pericarp. Enzymatic browning was determined as the major factor in the browning discolouration of heat-treated water caltrop pericarp.     

Effects of food ingredients and oxygen exposure on premature browning in cooked beef

Premature browning (PMB) in the centre of cooked hamburgers and beef loin (M. longissimus dorsi) steaks was assessed visually and instrumentally. Rosemary extract, ascorbic acid, sodium lactate, polyphosphate or lingonberry juice were added to freshly ground beef with predominant oxymyoglobin, and hamburgers were cooked to 62 °C. In general, the tested ingredients did not reduce the extent of PMB in hamburgers, but polyphosphate tended to reduce PMB due to increased pH. Control burgers made of vacuum packaged meat with deoxymyoglobin were cooked to 62, 69 and 75 °C, and did not express PMB. Beef loins were injected with a solution of sodium lactate, polyphosphate and sodium chloride. Loin steaks were stored under 75% O₂/25% CO₂ for 5 days and also cooked to 62 °C. Injected steaks had less PMB than non-injected controls, but of a low magnitude unlikely to influence the perception of doneness. The study demonstrated that anaerobic packaging is the most efficient measure to avoid PMB in beef.     

Prevention of Enzymatic Browning of Chinese Yam (Dioscorea spp.) Using Electrolyzed Oxidizing Water

In this study, the effects of electrolyzed oxidizing water (EOW) on the prevention of enzymatic browning of fresh‐cut “Jiu Jinhuang” Chinese yam were investigated. The yams were immersed in the inhibitors for 25 min at 20 °C. Compared with the tap water (TW) treatment, the chromatic attributes were significantly different after 72 h of storage (P < 0.05). The activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO, EC 1.10.3.1), peroxidase (POD, EC 1.11.1.7), and _L‐phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL, EC 4.3.1.5) were inhibited when measured at 24 h. The contents of phenolic acids, including gallic and chlorogenic acid, in the group treated with the slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) were higher than those treated with TW and neutral electrolyzed water (NEW). The group treated with NEW had the highest total phenol content (P < 0.05, at 24 h), while the group treated with SAEW had the highest flavonoid content (P < 0.05) during storage. Without being treated with inhibitors, the K_m and V_max values of yam PPO were 0.0044 mol/L and 0.02627 U/min, respectively, and the K_i of samples treated with SAEW and citric acid (CA) were 15.6607 and 2.3969 μmol/L, respectively. These results indicate that EOW is beneficial as a browning inhibitor.     

Preservation effect of plasma-activated water (PAW) treatment on fresh walnut kernels

Fresh walnuts exhibit unique flavor and multiple biological activities, but they are highly perishable due to the lack of practical and cost-effective postharvest preservation technique. In this paper, the quality of fresh walnut kernels treated with deionized water, water containing ClO₂, and plasma-activated water (PAW) for 15 min were monitored during 4 °C storage. Results showed that 100-s PAW treatment reduced the total viable count by 1.15 log CFU/g immediately after treatment. The bactericidal and bacteriostatic effects of PAW was superior to 4 mg/L ClO₂. PAW-treated samples retained their flavor during 12d storage at 4 °C, while other samples generated odor at 6d. Moreover, PAW treatment could prevent nutritional loss, browning, and rancidity. The increases of peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and lipase activities were inhibited after PAW treatment. Hence, PAW treatment can be applied for the preservation of fresh walnut kernels due to its effect on microbial inhibition and quality maintenance.Industry relevanceNon-thermal plasma is an emerging non-thermal food processing technology due to its advantages of non-destructive, pollution-free, high efficiency and short treatment periods. In this study, plasma-activated water (PAW) was applied in the preservation of fresh walnut kernels, and inhibited flavor changes, nutritional loss, microbial growth, browning, and oxidation reaction. When approaching food preservation technologies, especially for heat-sensitive materials, PAW treatment as a novel technique appears to have far-reaching implications for increasing markets by antimicrobial properties, and avoiding the negative impacts on quality attributes.     

Nonthermal inactivation and sublethal injury of Lactobacillus plantarum in apple cider by a pilot plant scale continuous supercritical carbon dioxide system

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO₂) for inactivating Lactobacillus plantarum in apple cider using a continuous system with a gas-liquid metal contactor. Pasteurized apple cider without preservatives was inoculated with L. plantarum and processed using a SCCO₂ system at a CO₂ concentration range of 0-12% (g CO₂/100 g product), outlet temperatures of 34, 38, and 42 °C, a system pressure of 7.6 MPa, and a flow rate of 1 L/min. Processing with SCCO₂ significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced inactivation of L. plantarum in apple cider, resulting in a 5 log reduction with 8% CO₂ at 42 °C. The response surface model indicated that both CO₂ concentration and temperature contributed to the microbial inactivation. The extent of sublethal injury in surviving cells in processed apple cider increased as CO₂ concentration and processing temperature increased, however the percent injury dramatically decreased during SCCO₂ processing at 42 °C. Structural damage in cell membranes after SCCO₂ processing was observed by SEM. Refrigeration (4 °C) after SCCO₂ processing effectively inhibited the re-growth of surviving L. plantarum during storage for 28 days. Thus this study suggests that SCCO₂ processing is effective in eliminating L. plantarum and could be applicable for nonthermal pasteurization of apple cider.     

Effects of aqueous chlorine dioxide treatment on browning of fresh-cut lotus root

Effect of aqueous chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) treatment on browning of fresh-cut lotus root (FLR) was investigated to explore the feasibility to apply ClO₂ for browning inhibition of fresh-cut products. Cut lotus roots were treated in ClO₂ solutions at different concentrations (10, 50 and 100 mg/l) for different time (5, 10 and 15 min), followed by chilled storage for 8-10 days at 4 °C. Color parameters (L^∗, a^∗ and b^∗), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity and overall visual quality (OVQ) were measured at one-day interval during storage. Results showed that higher ClO₂ concentration and longer treatment time can provide better inhibitory effects on the browning of FLR. ClO₂ concentration, treatment time and storage time were three significant factors (P < 0.05) and some significant interactions were observed. PPO activities were largely inhibited by 100 mg/l ClO₂ treatment for 10 min. The 100 mg/l ClO₂ treatment maintained high OVQ scores during 10-day storage; while 50 mg/l ClO₂ treatment was acceptable for maintaining OVQ during 4-day storage. ClO₂ treatment was demonstrated to be a promising alternative approach to control browning and improve OVQ of FLR.     

Hot water treatment and peracetic acid to maintain fresh-cut Galia melon quality

The aim of the present study was to investigate if the use of hot water immersion dipping (HWD) alone or combined with other ecofriendly methods, could replace the use of chlorine in fresh-cut fruits such as melon. Melon pieces were subjected to hot (60 °C) or cold (5 °C) water dipping (60, 90, 120 s or 60 s, respectively) followed by immersion in 80 mg L^{− 1} peracetic acid (PAA) for 60 s at 5 °C or in water, packed in polypropylene trays under passive modified atmosphere (7.4 kPa O₂ and 7.4 kPa CO₂ at steady state), and stored up to 10 days at 5 °C. Respiration rate, ethylene emission, microbial load, flesh firmness, polyamine content and sensorial quality were determined. As main conclusions the longer HWD treatment times (90 and 120 s) followed by PAA dip, provided the lowest metabolic activity and helped to control microbial load without affecting the sensorial quality. In addition, both treatments increased the polyamine content helping to maintain the cell membranes integrity.

Industrial relevance

Maintaining quality and microbial safety are the most important concerns of the fresh-cut fruit and vegetables industry. The present study focused on assessing the effect of HWD treatments alone or in combination with PAA, on the respiration rate, ethylene emission, microbial load, flesh firmness, polyamines content and quality retention of fresh-cut Galia melon. According to our results, the use of a heat treatment alone or combined with PAA could replace the use of chlorine, and could be a feasible alternative for fresh-cut industry as a sanitizing method, as or more effective as chlorine.     

Control of internal browning and quality improvement of ‘Fuji’ apples by stepwise increase of CO2 level during controlled atmosphere storage

To control internal browning injury and to reduce quality loss in ‘Fuji’ apples during storage, a stepwise controlled atmosphere (CA) method was applied in this study. Both non‐bagged and bagged apples during maturation were stored at 0 °C under 1% O₂ + 1% CO₂, 1% O₂ + 3% CO₂ or air for 10 months, and 1% O₂ + 1% CO₂ for 2 months followed by 1% O₂ + 3% CO₂ for 8 months (stepwise CA). The concentrations of internal ethylene and carbon dioxide in apples kept for 24 h at 20 °C after storage under CA conditions were maintained at low level, but there was no effect of stepwise CO₂ increase on internal gas concentrations. The non‐bagged and bagged apples stored under stepwise CA were not significantly different from those stored under 1% O₂ + 3% CO₂ continuously for 10 months in term of flesh firmness, titratable acidity and yellowing index. However, the apples stored under stepwise CA were firmer, more acid and greener than those stored under 1% O₂ + 1% CO₂ continuously for 10 months. Internal browning injury occurred in apples stored under 1% O₂ + 3% CO₂ continuously for 10 months, but it was suppressed completely by stepwise CA storage. The stepwise CA, increasing of CO₂ level after holding at 1% CO₂ for the first 2 months of storage, was effective in maintaining the quality and controlling the internal browning injury in non‐bagged and bagged ‘Fuji’ apples. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Control of Listeria monocytogenes in Vacuum-Packaged Pre-Peeled Potatoes

Growth of Listeria monocytogenes on the surface of fresh peeled potatoes, treated with sulfite or a commercial browning inhibitor (CBI), packaged under vacuum and stored at 4,15 and 28°C was determined. At 4°C, L. monocytogenes did not grow in all treated potatoes even after 21 days. At 15°C, L. monocytogenes grew to 7 log₁₀ CFU/g within 12 days in the potatoes treated with sulfite or CBI. At 28°C, L. monocytogenes population was greater than 3 log₁₀ CFU/g by 24 h in all samples regardless of treatment. Sulfites or a CBI appeared to provide a measure of safety in pre-peeled potatoes packaged under vacuum when kept at proper refrigeration temperatures.     

Effects of novel modified atmosphere packaging on lipid quality and stability of sardine (Sardina pilchardus) fillets

Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is an efficient method to increase shelf-life of fishery products by inhibiting bacterial growth and oxidative reactions. Beside the traditional gases used for MAP, novel gases such as argon (Ar) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) were approved for food use in the European Union. The present research investigates the effect of MAP with unconventional gas mixtures, that previously positively affected microbial shelf-life, on colour, lipid oxidation and sensorial characteristics of sardine fillets during storage. Four atmosphere conditions were tested: Air (20.8% O₂/79.2% N₂), N₂ (30% CO₂/70% N₂), N₂O (30% CO₂/70% N₂O) and Ar (30% CO₂/70% Ar). Samples were stored for 12 days at 3 °C. Results showed that the removal of oxygen significantly inhibited the oxidation process; however, most of the investigated parameters related to fat oxidation did not show any improvement, except for a slight decrease in lipid hydrolysis and improvement in sensory properties in the packaging containing Ar.     

Dual effectiveness of sodium chlorite for enzymatic browning inhibition and microbial inactivation on fresh-cut apples

The dual effectiveness of sodium chlorite for browning inhibition and microbial inactivation on fresh-cut apples was investigated and compared to other anti-browning and antimicrobial agents. Results indicate that sodium chlorite significantly (P < 0.001) inhibited the browning reaction of fresh-cut Red Delicious apples stored at 5 °C for 14 days. This treatment also significantly reduced polyphenol oxidase activities. Treatments with acidified sodium chlorite, calcium chloride, or calcium ascorbate exhibited strong inhibition on apple browning during the early storage, these treatment effects diminished after 7 days in storage. Combining calcium chloride with sodium chlorite further significantly (P < 0.001) improved the firmness of apple slices, and browning inhibition during storage. Additionally, treatments with acidified sodium chlorite, sodium chlorite, or the combination of sodium chlorite and calcium chloride significantly (P < 0.001) reduced Escherichia coli populations on fresh-cut apples by 3.0, 3.6, and 3.9 log cfu g⁻¹ over the water control. The dual effectiveness of sodium chlorite to inhibit enzymatic browning and inactivate E. coli may allow this compound to achieve a prominent role in improving the quality and safety of products in the fresh-cut apple and other food industries.