| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1183756 | Food Chemistry | 2017 | 10 Pages |
•Volatile composition of apples stored in dynamic controlled atmosphere was studied.•Dynamic controlled atmosphere maintained higher firmness.•Respiratory quotient 1.5 and 2.0 maintained high 2-methylbutyl acetate concentration.•Dynamic controlled atmosphere by chlorophyll fluorescence decreased the main esters.•Respiratory quotient 2.0 results in higher ethanol and ethyl acetate accumulation.
The effects of dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA) storage based on chlorophyll fluorescence (DCA-CF) and respiratory quotient (DCA-RQ) on the quality and volatile profile of ‘Royal Gala’ apple were evaluated. DCA storage reduces ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate) oxidase activity, ethylene production and respiration rate of apples stored for 9 months at 1.0 °C plus 7 days at 20 °C, resulting in higher flesh firmness, titratable acidity and lesser physiological disorders, and provided a higher proportion of healthy fruit. Storage in a regular controlled atmosphere gave higher levels of key volatiles (butyl acetate, 2-methylbutyl acetate and hexyl acetate), as compared to fruit stored under DCA-CF, but fruit stored under DCA-RQ 1.5 and RQ 2.0 also showed higher amounts of key volatile compounds, with increment in ethanol and ethyl acetate, but far below the odour threshold. Storage in DCA-CF reduces fruit ester production, especially 2-methylbutyl acetate, which is the most important component of ‘Royal Gala’ apple flavour.
