ISHS Acta Horticulturae 600: VIII International Controlled Atmosphere Research Conference
GAS EXCHANGE AND BROWN HEART IN CONFERENCE PEARS |
| Authors: | E.C. Otma, H.W. Peppelenbos |
| Keywords: | delayed CA, diffusion resistance, fermentation, respiration, internal CO2 |
| Abstract:
Brown heart is a tissue disorder found in Conference pears during CA storage. Differences in susceptibility for brown heart have been found between countries, orchards, harvest dates and storage conditions. One hypothesis is that brown heart is caused by increased internal CO2. This research focussed on establishing internal CO2 levels by measuring gas exchange rates and the resistance to gas diffusion.Different harvest dates, post-harvest treatments and storage periods have been compared with regard to respiration, fermentation and diffusion resistance and internal CO2 concentration was estimated. Comparing less sensitive and sensitive pears showed the same maximum respiration rate and lower maximum fermentation rate but also more brown heart for the sensitive pears after storage. This indicates that internal CO2 is not the primary cause of brown heart. | |
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