Impact of controlled atmosphere storage conditions on storability and consumer acceptability of sweet cherries 'Regina'

Abstract

Sweet cherries obtained from a rain-protected orchard were subjected to various controlled atmosphere storage conditions for up to seven weeks. Quality parameters responded differentially to various CA-conditions: changes in fruit ®rmness, sugar content and colour were mostly not signi®cant. However, the storage conditions exerted signi®cant impact on other parameters such as respiration rate, RQ, ATP- and ADP-concentrations. Air-stored fruits respired at signi®cant higher rates than CA or ultra low oxygen-stored fruits. Moreover, the impact of CA-storage conditions persisted even after a conditioning period of 36.h at room temperature. The ATP and ADP concentrations of sweet cherries behaved similarly, where a combination of reduced O2 and very high CO2 concentration (12% or above) resulted in highly reduced ATP-concentration in the fruit tissue. A taste panel considered fruits stored under 6% CO2.1.2% O2 as good, although there was a strong indication that it is better to store sweet cherries for a limited time (up to ®ve weeks) under a low O2 concentration combined with a high CO2 concentration (12%) or under a high O2 concentration combined with a very high CO2 (18%).