ISHS Acta Horticulturae 326: International Symposium on Pre- and Postharvest Physiology of Pome-fruit
USING A MODIFIED-ATMOSPHERE PACKAGING APPROACH TO ANSWER SOME POST-HARVEST QUESTIONS: FACTORS INFLUENCING THE LOWER OXYGEN LIMIT |
| Authors: | R. M. Beaudry, C. D. Gran |
| Keywords: | controlled atmosphere, fermentation, respiratory quotient, anaerobiosis, apple, Malus domestica Borkh., blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum L. |
| Abstract:
Modified-atmosphere packaging (MAP) is a technique that has been used to extend the shelf life of a number of commodities. However, the technique also has the potential to be used as a tool for conveniently answering some questions concerning the post-harvest physiology of fruits and vegetables. We have used an MAP approach to determine cultivar, temperature, and CO2 effects on the lower O2 tolerance of various commodities including apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) and blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) fruit. The lower O2 limit for apple fruit was found to be cultivar-dependent, ranging from a low of approximately 0.8 kPa for ‘Northern Spy’ and ‘Law Rome’ to a high of approximately 2.0 kPa for ‘McIntosh’. For blueberry fruit, the lower O2 limit increased with temperature and CO2 partial pressure. Raising the temperature from 0 to 25°C caused the lower O2 limit to increase from approximately 1.8 to approximately 4 kPa. Raising the CO2 levels from 5 to 60 kPa increased the lower O2 limit for blueberry fruit from approximately 4.5 to > 16 kPa. | |
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