CHANGES IN 'DELICIOUS' APPLE BROWNING AND SOFTENING DURING CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE STORAGE

High CO₂ conditions offered no advantage over normal CA storage in terms of reduced ‘Delicious’ apple browning or softening during a 28 week storage period. After approximately 7–14 weeks in CA storage, ‘Delicious’ apples showed significant losses in PPO activity, browning tendency and firmness. Electrolyte leakage reached a maximum at 11.5 weeks and declined, while total phenolics remained fairly constant. The changes observed may indicate a loss in membrane integrity and decompartmentalization after 7–14 weeks of storage, which may in turn allow for increased enzymatic browning. Polygalacturonase activity was only detectable at harvest. Holding apples for additional time in air following removal from CA storage appears to accelerate changes in these characteristics.     

EATING QUALITY OF “FUJI” APPLES AFFECTED BY A PERIOD OF COLD AIR AFTER ULO STORAGE

ABSTRACT

Over two subsequent seasons, emission of volatile compounds, consumer acceptability and quality parameters were analyzed in “Fuji” apples. In both seasons, apples were harvested at the same maturity stage and stored for 19 or 30 weeks at 1C and 92% relative humidity under an ultralow oxygen (ULO) atmosphere (1% O₂ + 1% CO₂) or under an ULO atmosphere followed by different periods (2 or 4 weeks) in cold air. The results revealed, for both seasons, that 4 weeks of cold air storage after ULO storage helped to increase the emission of some volatile compounds for both storage period, including characteristic volatile compounds for the variety, and did not have a negative effect on quality parameters. Additionally, the consumer acceptability was superior for those fruits.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

It is well known for various apple varieties that long‐term storage under ULO conditions reduces volatile production resulting in poor flavor and aroma compared with fruits stored in air. Consequently, there is often dissatisfaction among consumers with the flavor of fruits which have been subjected to cold storage. The strategy that is proposed in the present work could be recommended to enhance the aromatic quality of fruit provided by the apple industry and, in consequence, increase its acceptability by consumers.     

SENSORY QUALITY OF GALA APPLES AS INFLUENCED BY CONTROLLED AND REGULAR ATMOSPHERE STORAGE

The sensory quality of Gala apples stored for up to 4 months in delayed controlled atmosphere (CA), regular atmosphere (RA), and a combination of sequential CA and RA storage (CR) was evaluated. Sensory analysis included difference and acceptance testing. Firmness, soluble solids and titratable acidity contents, and volatile flavor profiles were measured analytically. Acceptability decreased with storage time. Apples stored in RA were more acceptable than apples stored in CA or CR; the differences between storage treatment were not significant after 4 months of storage. Firmness decreased with storage time, but was not affected by storage treatment. Soluble solids and titratable acidity contents were not affected by storage treatment or time. Storage treatment, storage time, and lot had a significant effect on the volatile flavor profiles. CA storage and extended storage contributed to decreases in the content of volatile flavor compounds.     

Effect of short‐term air storage after removal from controlled‐atmosphere storage on apple and fresh‐cut apple quality

BACKGROUND: One of the realities of apple distribution for long‐term stored fruit is that a controlled‐atmosphere (CA) storage room will be unsealed and fruit held in air storage and marketed over several weeks. This work was conducted to determine the effect of post‐CA air storage of whole fruit on potential shelf life for fresh‐cut apple slices. RESULTS: Fresh‐cut slices of ‘Spartan’ and ‘Delicious’ apples held in post‐CA air storage for 2 or 4 weeks showed the least changes in cut surface color as compared with those made from apples immediately on removal from CA. Shelf life was most improved by post‐CA air storage in the ‘Spartan’ apples, which were more advanced in maturity as compared with the ‘Delicious’ apples. Internal ethylene concentration, firmness, and respiration changed significantly with post‐CA air storage, suggesting a relationship between physiological status of the whole fruit and shelf life of slices made from that fruit. CONCLUSION: The results support the hypothesis that apples had suppressed physiological activity in CA storage and are susceptible to accelerated deterioration upon cutting. Holding fruit for 2 weeks in air storage allowed recovery of physiological activity, which resulted in greater resistance to deterioration in response to fresh‐cut processing. Copyright © 2010 Crown in the right of Canada. Published by JohnWiley & Sons, Ltd     

Polyphenol content and antioxidative activity in apple purées with rhubarb juice supplement

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of rhubarb juice addition and peeling in apple purée production and storage on its phenolic composition, antioxidant activity and colour. The apple material used in this study was of two varieties: Sampion and Idared. The apple purées prepared in three variants (control purées, peeling purées and purées with 5% of rhubarb juice) were stored for 3 and 6 months at 30 °C. Apple purées were investigated for their antioxidant activity, change of colour and contents of phenolic compounds plus the polymer procyanidins and degree of polymerization (DP). The preparation of purées from apples without peeling and the addition of rhubarb juice during purée preparation had significant influence on polyphenol content. The purée prepared from peeled apples of Idared variety had phenolic content 2.2 times lower than the control sample (non‐peeled apples). The highest level of total polyphenols was found in Idared + rhubarb sample (129.82 mg 100 g^?1 purée). The content of this compound in Idared control sample was more than 2.8 times lower than in Idared purées with rhubarb. The use of non‐peeled Idared apples and 5% of rhubarb juice in purée preparation significantly increased polymeric procyanidins from 11.68 to 75.20 mg 100 g^?1 and other phenolics from 9.23 to 54.62 mg/100 g. This effect for Sampion apples was smaller. The procyanidins during purées storage were more stable in samples with rhubarb juice addition. The purée samples with the addition of rhubarb juice had higher antioxidant activity measured using ABTS (2,2′azinobis‐(3‐ethylbenzthiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid)) than purée samples without the addition (two times higher for Idared variety) of rhubarb juice. After 3 and 6 months of storage at temperature 30 °C, the antioxidant capacity decreased in all purées. Rhubarb juice had only high and positive effect on L* value in the case of Idared variety. The results showed that all Sampion apple purées had higher L* values than Idared.     

INVESTIGATION OF PROTEIN DENATURATION AND PIGMENT FADING IN FARMED STEELHEAD (ONCHORHYCHUS MYKISS) FILLETS DURING FROZEN STORAGE

The present experiment was conducted to measure the extent and nature of quality loss in farmed steelhead fillets during frozen storage, to determine the possible causes of steelhead pigment fading as a result of frozen storage and to suggest some methods for improving storage conditions in order to obtain good‐quality frozen steelhead. This two‐part study confirms the importance of frozen temperature and appropriate storage conditions on the extension of product shelf life. The fading phenomenon of steelhead fillets during 10 months of frozen storage at ?20C was subsequently studied in detail over a 6‐week period for fillets stored at both ?5 and ?30C. Associated protein denaturation, tough/dry texture and rancidity were also examined. Temperature had a stronger effect on the development of rancidity in steelhead fillets than the duration of the storage period for fillets stored for up to 6 weeks. Highest levels of oxidation products were observed in the fillets stored at ?5C even in the short‐term storage experiment while extensive lipid oxidation, toughening, expressible fluid loss on thawed fillets and apparent pigment fading took place during long‐term storage at ?20C. The results from sensory evaluation of texture, color and flavor agreed well with the chemical assessment of rancidity. Flavor scores from the fillets stored at ?5C revealed a slightly oily/rancid taste as compared to the samples at ?30C after 6 weeks of storage. The expressible fluid results indicated that the binding of water to protein decreased significantly in fillets stored at ?5C as compared to the matching fillets at ?30C and during long‐term storage at ?20C. The increases in expressible fluid correlated positively with fading (L*) and negatively with redness (a*). The quantity of extractable protein nitrogen (EPN) decreased drastically over the 6‐week period in both temperature groups (?5 and ?30C), but during this relatively short experiment, the EPN levels between temperature treatments were not significantly different. In both experiments, fillet redness faded dramatically as a result of frozen storage. Abusive cold storage at ?5C resulted in far more fading than at ?30C even after 6 weeks. Fading was measured both subjectively and objectively using reflectance colorimetry, and an increase in whiteness value was concomitant with a decrease in redness. It is suggested that whiteness may be used as an accurate subjective parameter for color fading in frozen storage. Redness values were significantly higher in the fillets at ?30C. The study showed that pigment fading was not a result of a decrease in carotenoid concentration but may be related to protein denaturation, which causes muscle tissue appearance to change from translucent to opaque, thereby giving the illusion of pigment fading.     

1-Methylcyclopropene postharvest treatment and their effect on apple quality during long-term storage time

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the postharvest treatment by 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and storage time on the apple physicochemically quality. The effects of apple storage during 6 months on basic parameters such as dry weight, total soluble solids and titratable acidity, composition of phenolics, antioxidant activity and sensory evaluation were studied to evaluate the potential applicability of long-time stored apples for consumption and processing. Long-time storage of apples resulted in a higher dry matter but decreases total soluble solids and titratable acidity in all examined cultivars (cv.) of apples. The total phenolics determined by HPLC in fresh apples ranged from 1,243 mg in ‘Idared’ cv. to 1,435 mg/kg in ‘Shampion’ cv. During storage, the decrease of polyphenolic content has been observed, in ‘Shampion’ cv., it was higher than in ‘Idared’ cv. Similar effects were observed for antioxidant activity. Comparing quality of fruits just after harvest, it was found that cultivar affects most of the investigated sensory attributes with the exception of ripe apple smell, crispness, crunchiness and the overall texture score. In general, ‘Shampion’ cv. apples got higher ranks for sweetness, taste and the overall quality, whereas ‘Idared’ cv. were perceived as sourer, which is in arrangement with instrumental measurements. The results of presented study demonstrate that apples after storage, especially ‘Shampion’ cv., can be a valuable sensory attributes for food product and consumption. This study indicates that the use of 1-MCP treatment in long-term storage of apples is promising for maintaining the eating quality of fruits, however, in some extent may affect their antioxidant compounds content.     

RESPONSE OF 1-METHYLCYCLOPROPENE TREATED "GRANNY SMITH" APPLE FRUIT TO AIR AND CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE STORAGE CONDITIONS

ABSTRACT

In the study, the efficacy of 1‐Methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP) on the quality of apples cv. “Granny Smith” was examined. Fruits were stored for 120 and 180 days at 0 ± 0.5C and 90 ± 5% relative humidity (RH) under normal (NA) and controlled atmosphere (CA), and samples taken at 120 and 180 days of storage were kept at 20 ± 2C and 60 ± 5% RH for 7 days. Weight loss was higher in fruits stored under NA. The lowest respiration rates were in CA while the highest rates were found in NA‐stored fruits without pretreated. 1‐MCP + CA reduced the internal ethylene concentration from 10.63 µL/L to 0.60 µL. The incidence and severity of superficial scald was 68.10 and 77.00% in fruits stored in NA. 1‐MCP consistently suppressed the expression of superficial scald. 1‐MCP maintained the quality fruit kept in CA and NA environments to a higher degree than nontreated apples over a 180‐day storage period. The results indicated that cv. “Granny Smith” could be stored successfully under 1‐MCP + CA conditions and that 1‐MCP + NA may be a viable alternative to CA for optimal eating quality.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

1‐Methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP) is an effective inhibitor of ethylene action and it binds irreversibly to ethylene receptors. 1‐MCP delays the onset of the climacteric ripening of fruits. Recently research has been conducted on the effects of 1‐MCP on postharvest behavior of fruits and vegetables with the objective of reducing physiological disorders and quality losses to prolong their commercial life. The use of 1‐MCP is easy. It is important that the fruit treated with 1‐MCP reach a good sensory quality at the commercial level. Superficial scald of apples is a physiological disorder, which following long‐term storage has the potential to destroy the market value and utility of millions of tons of fresh apples annually. The present work evaluated a prestorage conditioning treatment to protect against this physiological disorder. Results will allow the long storage of apple cv. “Granny Smith,” benefiting growers, exporters, shippers and distributors of this horticultural product.     

Modelling the enzymatic softening of apples in relation to cultivar, growing system, picking date and season

The postharvest softening of four apple cultivars cv. Idared, Liberty, Pilot and Pinova coming from an organic and an integrated experimental orchard was studied to compare the effects of cultivar, growing system, picking date and season. The stiffness of apples was examined monthly by acoustic impulse‐response technique. The activity of β‐galactosidase (β‐Gal) and polygalacturonase (PG) causing cell wall breakdown was investigated at harvest and during storage. A mechanistic model approach was developed to interpret the integral set of data on softening as a function of the measured enzyme activities. No consistent differences were observed in β‐Gal or PG activity during storage of apples coming from either organic or integrated orchards, whereas their stiffness behaved comparably. In general, the effect of cultivar and season was higher than the effect of production system. Using the developed model, postharvest stiffness changes were described in relation to the observed changes in β‐Gal and PG activity during storage.     

Evaluation of strategies for reducing patulin contamination of apple juice using a farm to fork risk assessment model

The numerous studies conducted so far on the issue of patulin contamination have focused mainly on aspects like growth of Penicillium expansum, patulin production under different conditions and the influence of processing on the patulin concentration in apple juice. The purpose of the present study was to collect the necessary information and to develop a quantitative risk assessment model (QRAM) in order to evaluate different strategies to reduce patulin contamination. For apple juice (AJ) production 3 types of apples are considered, namely fresh apples, apples stored under cold air (short term storage) and apples stored under controlled atmosphere (CA) (long term storage). The QRAM described the complete chain from the picking of apples until storage of produced AJ. In comparison to a traditional chemical analysis, the QRAM was found accurate in predicting the concentration of patulin in cloudy and clear AJs commercialised in Belgium. Simulation of the model demonstrated that the use of apples stored under CA contributes to a large extent to the patulin contamination of AJ. Since apples stored in CA are used from more or less January onwards, AJ with high patulin concentration can be produced from January onwards. It would be useful in this respect to take this into account when sampling plans are made by apple juice producers in the framework of their HACCP-system and by governments and control agencies when monitoring programmes are elaborated. The duration of deck storage between the delivery at the apple juice producer (AJP) and the processing of the apples had a large influence on the patulin concentration, and this effect was more pronounced for apples stored under controlled atmosphere compared to apples stored under cold air. The duration of the deck storage should therefore be considered as a Critical Control Point (CCP) within HACCP-systems. Also the application of a sorting step was evaluated to be efficient to reduce the high patulin concentration in AJ. Therefore, a combination of the 2 most effective measures (namely sorting out apples with an infection lesion larger than 10 cm(2) and a reduction of the volume of CA apples) was tested and resulted in a reduction to levels below 25 μg/kg in 99.7 to 99.9% of the clear and cloudy apple juices, respectively. It is therefore advisable to include a sorting step prior to processing, when apples stored in CA are used.     

INFLUENCE OF 1-METHYLCYCLOPROPENE AND NATURESEAL ON THE QUALITY OF FRESH-CUT "EMPIRE" AND "CRISPIN" APPLES

Wounding during processing triggers physiological reactions that limits shelf life of fresh‐cut apples. Exposure of “Empire” and “Crispin” apples at harvest to the ethylene antagonist, 1‐methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP), on the maintenance of fresh‐cut quality was evaluated in combination with post‐cut dipping of NatureSeal^TM Efficacy of 1‐MCP on fresh‐cut physiology and quality depended on the storage duration and apple cultivar. Ethylene production of apple slices was inhibited by 1‐MCP but not by NatureSeal. Total volatiles produced by fresh‐cut apples were not affected by NatureSeal but by 1‐MCP when 1‐month stored “Crispin” apples were used. 1‐MCP influenced the quality attributes of fresh‐cut slices prepared from apples stored either 4 months in cold storage or 6 months in controlled atmosphere. Enzymatic browning and softening of the cut‐surface, TSS and total microbial growth were suppressed by 1‐MCP in “Empire” apples. The influence of 1‐MCP on quality attributes in “Crispin” apple slices was marginal.     

QUALITY OF ‘GALA’ APPLES AS INFLUENCED BY HARVEST MATURITY,STORAGE ATMOSPHERE AND CONCOMITANT STORAGE WITH ‘BARTLETT’ PEARS1

Controlled atmosphere (CA) storage for 45 or 90 days following harvest reduced quality losses for both ‘Gala’apples and ‘Bartlett’pears compared with fruit from regular atmosphere (RA) storage. Fruit stored in CA were firmer, had higher acidity and less color change than fruit from RA storage. Apples and pears stored together in CA maintained good quality and compared favorably with apples or pears stored separately. There was no difference in fruit quality between fruit stored at 1% O₂ and 1% CO₂ compared with fruit stored in 2% O₂ and 3% CO₂. Fruit harvested at a more advanced stage of maturity deteriorated more quickly in storage than earlier harvested fruit. A combination of 45 days in CA followed by 30 days RA resulted in apples that were superior in quality to apples stored for 75 days in RA alone.     

STORAGE OF ‘SWEETHEART’ CHERRIES IN SEALED PLASTIC FILM1

‘Sweetheart’ cherries were sealed in perforated or nonperforated polyethylene bags and stored for 6 weeks in air at 0C. Samples were removed after 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks of storage and evaluated for fruit and sensory quality. Volatile analyses were done on samples kept in storage for 2, 4, 6, 8 and 9 weeks. Atmospheres after 6 weeks of storage were approximately 4.6% O₂ and 10% CO₂ for the perforated bags (1993) and 6.6% O₂ and 3.5% CO₂ for the non-perforated bags (1994). Fruit brightness (L* value), firmness and titratable acidity declined during storage. Skin color (hue angle) decreased slightly in redness over the 6-week storage period. Sensory evaluation in 1993 showed a decline in fruit appearance and flavor with storage duration. Texture and juiciness did not change. Acceptability remained high for the first 4 weeks of storage. Twenty-seven volatiles were identified by head-space analysis (1993). Little change occurred in volatile production except for acetaldehyde which increased sharply from week 2 to 4 and ethanol which increased sharply between week 8 and week 9. Butyl acetate behaved much like acetaldehyde. Modified atmosphere packaging maintained high fruit luster and green stems. No differences in fruit quality were observed with bag type, but storage appears to be limited to 4 weeks for ‘Sweetheart’ cherries because of flavor loss.     

Effect of three lipid/hydrocolloid coatings on shelf life stability of Golden Delicious apples

The shelf life quality of freshly harvested Golden Delicious apples coated with three individually developed lipid/hydrocolloid coatings was assessed throughout refrigerated storage. The apples were monitored for 8 weeks. The coatings resulted in low internal O₂ and the least loss of fruit firmness when compared with the non‐coated apple group. The coated apples had very little starch breakdown, minimum flesh colour development, or loss of titratable acidity content. Soluble solids and fresh weight loss remained unchanged for both the non‐coated and coated groups. Sensory analysis confirmed that the coated apples maintained consistent quality in firmness, crispness and juiciness throughout the storage period.     

低温和气调对不同色泽‘红富士’苹果贮藏期间果皮褪色现象的影响

研究低温和气调对不同色泽‘红富士’苹果贮藏期间果实理化指标的影响。以采收时2种不同色泽的‘红富士’苹果为试材,分别测定贮藏期间果实硬度、可溶性固形物含量、p H值,果皮花青苷含量、多酚含量、9种单体酚分含量和多酚氧化酶(PPO)、过氧化氢酶(POD)活性的变化。采收时,着色差的‘红富士’苹果果皮花青苷和多酚含量显著低于着色好的苹果,但其PPO、POD活性显著高于着色好的苹果;贮藏过程中,着色差的苹果果皮花青苷和多酚降解速度显著高于着色好的苹果。与冷藏相比,气调贮藏能有效地抑制花青苷和多酚的降解,延缓PPO、POD活性的上升,维持果实的品质指标。贮藏方式相同时,着色差的‘红富士’苹果比着色好的苹果更易发生果皮褪色现象;采收时色泽相同,则冷藏的‘红富士’苹果比气调贮藏的苹果更易发生果皮褪色现象。     

不同品种苹果冷藏期间品质与生理变化

研究贮藏期间果实品质生理变化,探讨不同优质苹果品种的贮藏特性。以‘岳帅’、‘望山红’、‘岳阳红’、‘秋富红’苹果为试验试材,在温度（0±0.5）℃、相对湿度90%～95%冷库内贮藏,定期测定果实呼吸强度、硬度、可溶性固形物含量、可滴定酸含量、VC含量、果实质量损失率、多酚氧化酶活性、过氧化物酶活性,分析果实生理品质指标变化与贮藏特性的关系。结果表明,‘岳帅’苹果呼吸强度及酶活性较低,但呼吸高峰出现早,贮藏84 d后果实品质劣变迅速;‘岳阳红’苹果呼吸强度和酶活性较低,贮藏期间果实品质、风味保持最好;‘望山红’和‘秋富红’苹果呼吸高峰出现最晚,果实品质保持较好。通过理化指标和感官评价比较得出：‘岳帅’贮藏期较短,不宜超过84 d;‘岳阳红’、‘望山红’和‘秋富红’苹果适宜长期贮藏,其中‘岳阳红’苹果在贮藏过程中品质及营养成分损失最少,贮藏期可达180 d以上。