Differential effects of regular and controlled atmosphere storage on the quality of three cultivars of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.)

• Two storage regimes were examined in three pomegranate cultivars.
• Samples were taken at harvest and once every month for total five months.
• Several nutritional components were altered in same trends in the three cultivars.
• Regular atmosphere was better for maintaining anthocyanin and flavors in arils.
• The results implying that each cultivar require a specific storage protocol.

The goal of this study was to examine the effects of regular air (RA) and controlled atmosphere (CA: 2 kPa O2 + 5 kPa CO2) at 7 °C, on the quality of husks and aril juice of three pomegranate cultivars (PG100-1, EVE, PG116-17), during 5 months’ cold storage. Although the three cultivars differed in their keeping quality in RA, they were similar in their response to CA, with regard to reduction of husk scald and decay. Differences were found in several of the juice parameters examined during storage, implying that each cultivar may require a specific storage protocol to maintain their taste and nutritional quality. However, some similarities were detected: the levels of punicalagin, the major phenolic of the husk decreased as did the contents of glucose, fructose and malic acid in the juice. These changes imply a possible alteration in the aril taste during storage. Basically, CA was a better storage regime than RA, with regard to apparent fruit quality. However, RA was the better condition for maintaining the anthocyanin level in the arils and in preventing the occurrence of off-flavors.