The different impacts of dynamic controlled atmosphere and controlled atmosphere storage in the quality attributes of 'Fuji Suprema' apples

The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the interaction between controlled atmosphere (CA), dynamic controlled atmosphere based on chlorophyll fluorescence (DCA - CF), and respiratory quotient (DCA - RQ 1.5 and DCA - RQ 2.0), with either immediate or delayed atmosphere establishment (30 days of delay) in the quality and volatile profile of 'Fuji Suprema' apple after long-term storage. Fruit stored under DCA, regardless the method, had lower ethylene production and higher flesh firmness, both at immediate and delayed atmosphere establishment. DCA - RQ resulted in lower decay incidence when the atmosphere was established immediately. Fruit stored under CA had the highest butyl acetate, 2-methylbutyl acetate and hexyl acetate, both at immediate and delayed atmosphere establishment, and its production was closely related to the ethylene and respiration rate. However, the 'Fuji Suprema' apple stored in DCA - RQ 2.0 had the highest total ester concentration and the highest volatile compounds that are characteristic to Fuji apples, such as ethyl 2-methyl butanoate, ethyl butanoate and ethyl hexanoate. The storage under DCA - CF resulted in the lowest production of volatile compounds by 'Fuji Suprema' apple.