Potential of Initial CA Condition on Quality Maintenance of 'Fuji' Apples during Export Simulation after Long-term Storage

Effects of initial controlled atmosphere (CA) treatment on quality maintenance of 'Fuji' apples were assessed and compared with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment and continuous CA storage. Apples were harvested twice at different maturity, treated with 1 mu L.L-1 1-MCP and then stored for 8 months at 0 degrees C under 3 conditions: air, CA for the first month followed by air (initial CA), and continuous CA (full CA). CA storage was performed with 1.5 kPa O-2 and < 1.0 kPa (N-2 balance). Following long-term storage, export simulation, refrigerated shipment and local distribution, were performed by holding apples at 0 degrees C for 2 weeks and on the shelf at 20 degrees C for 7 days. Both the application of 1-MCP and CA storage reduced ethylene production and respiration rates. Initial CA storage was also effective on reducing the metabolism although the effects were not as noticeable as full CA. Full CA storage with or without 1-MCP treatment maintained titratable acidity, flesh firmness, and sensory quality at the acceptable to excellent level even after the export simulation following 8-month storage regardless of harvest maturity. In contrast, effects of initial CA storage were limited to the maintenance of firmness and texture in early-harvested apples. Overall results indicated that harvest maturity is the critical factor for export fruit quality after long-term storage when separate treatment of initial CA storage or 1-MCP treatment is applied as a postharvest program.