‘Fuji’ apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) volatile production during high pCO2 controlled atmosphere storage

• ‘Fuji’ apple volatile compound dynamics were characterized during storage in air or controlled atmospheres with up to 5 kPa CO2.
• Fruit volatile accumulation was quantitatively impacted by CO2 concentration.
• Methyl ester accumulation was highest in storage chambers with the highest CO2 concentration.
• Ethyl ester accumulation was high in storage chambers where fruit CO2 injury symptoms did not occur.

‘Fuji’ apple volatile compound dynamics were characterized during cold storage in air or at low pO2 controlled atmosphere (CA) with up to 5 kPa CO2. Volatile compounds in storage chambers were adsorbed onto solid sorbent traps and analyzed by GC–MS. Fruit volatile production differed quantitatively by CO2 concentration. Production of butyl, hexyl, and propyl esters by apples stored in CA was lower compared with that by fruit stored in air, while methyl and ethyl ester contents increased during CA storage compared with air. CO2 injury incidence was highest in fruit stored in CA at 5 kPa CO2, an atmosphere where methyl ester accumulation may provide an early indication of CO2 injury development.