Effect of modified atmosphere packaging and 'Parka' treatments on fruit quality characteristics of sweet cherry fruits (Prunus avium L. '0900 Ziraat') during cold storage and shelf life

- MAP treatments significantly reduced weight loss of cherry fruits.
- Decay ratios throughout cold storage and shelf life were also lower in all treatments than control.
- Higher L*, C* and hue angle values were measured in MAP and Parka + MAP treatments.
- Vitamin C contents of pulp were better maintained with MAP and Parka + MAP treatments.
- Total phenolics were higher in Parka + MAP treated fruits during cold storage.

The study was carried out to determine the effects of pre-harvest Parka and post-harvest MAP treatments on weight loss, decay ratio, color characteristics, firmness, soluble solids content (SSC) and titratable acidity-like quality parameters and vitamin C, total phenolics, total antioxidant capacity (according to FRAP and TEAC) and total monomeric anthocyanin-like bioactive compounds of '0900 Ziraat' sweet cherry cultivar throughout cold storage and shelf life. MAP treatments significantly retarded weight loss throughout cold storage. Decay ratios throughout cold storage and shelf life were also lower in Parka, MAP and Parka + MAP treatments. In general, higher L*, chroma and hue angle values were measured in MAP and Parka + MAP treatments. As compared to control treatment, higher flesh firmness values were observed in Parka and Parka + MAP treatments at the end of storage and in Parka, MAP and Parka + MAP treatments in the last shelf life analysis (21st day). In cold storage and shelf life analyses lower SSC values were obtained from Parka and Parka + MAP treatments. Vitamin C contents were better maintained with MAP and Parka + MAP treatments. Total phenolics were higher in Parka + MAP treatments in all analyses of cold storage, but higher in control treatment in all shelf life analyses. In 21st day storage and shelf life analyses, antioxidant capacity (according to FRAP) of all treatments was lower than the control treatment. In all analyses, generally higher total monomeric anthocyanin contents were obtained from control fruits. It was concluded that combining pre-harvest Parka treatments with post-harvest MAP treatments could be used as an efficient tool in maintaining flesh firmness of sweet cherry fruits significantly influencing consumer preferences.