Effect of insecticidal atmosphere and low dose X‐ray irradiation in combination with cold quarantine storage on bioactive compounds of clementine mandarins cv. ‘Clemenules’

Citrus fruits are a rich source of vitamins and polyphenolic compounds with antioxidant capacity that need to be maintained during postharvest storage. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of two innovative quarantine treatments, such as insecticidal atmospheres (IA) (95% CO₂ and balance air) applied at 20 or 25 °C for 20 h and low doses X‐ray irradiation (0, 30, 54 and 164 Gy), in combination with short periods of cold‐quarantine storage on the nutritional quality of ‘Clemenules’ mandarins. Mandarins were stored at 1.5 °C for 6, 9 or 12 days before the application of IA treatments or for 0, 6 or 12 days after the X‐ray radiation. Nutritional quality of mandarins was determined after the corresponding combination of quarantine treatment (IA or X‐ray) with cold quarantine followed by a shelf life period of 7 days at 20 °C to simulate shelf life conditions. Cold quarantine treatment combined with IA or with X‐ray radiation did not affect negatively total antioxidant capacity and total ascorbic acid content of ‘Clemenules’ mandarins. However, flavanone glycosides (FGs) and total phenolics content were slightly modified. Application of the IA at 20 °C induced a greater inhibition of the FGs than application at 25 °C. When X‐ray irradiation was applied without a previous quarantine period the synthesis of the FGs increased as irradiation dose increased.