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This research was carried out to determine the effects of modified atmosphere and controlled atmosphere conditions on the fruit quality of 'Aprikoz' apricots during cold storage. Fruit were harvested at the optimum harvest time and transported to the Postharvest Physiology Laboratory of the Horticulture Department immediately. Precooling was applied by using cold air. After the precooling, fruit were divided into four groups. The first group was stored in plastic boxes (PB) covered with stretch film (SF) (12, 16 and 20 mu). The second group of apricots was placed in two different modified atmosphere packages (MAP). The third group of fruit was stored in controlled atmosphere conditions. The last group of apricots was only placed in PB as control. Fruit of all treatments were stored at 0 degrees C and 90 +/- 5% relative humidity conditions during 35 (first, second and fourth groups) and 50 days (third group). In addition, fruit were stored in room conditions for shelf life for two days after the end of each storage period. Weight loss, fruit firmness, fruit skin colour, titratable acidity, soluble solid contents, gas compound of MAP, respiration rate, ethylene production and sensorial analyses (external appearance, taste, internal browning) were determined during the cold storage and room conditions. Controlled atmosphere gave better results in terms of external appearance and taste than the other storage conditions. |
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