Effect of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and gaseous ozone pre-packaging treatment on the physico-chemical, microbiological and sensory quality of small berry fruit

The aim of this work has been to evaluate the combined effect of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), and a gaseous ozone pre-treatment on the main microbiological and chemical parameters of strawberries, raspberries and blueberries during cold storage. The three types of small fruit were exposed to 13 mg m(3) of gaseous ozone (about 6 ppm) for 16 h at 1 degrees C (+/- 0.5 degrees C) and then stored for 15 d under MAP (10 kPa O-2 and 40 kPa CO2) or in air at 4 degrees C. The combined technology determined a significant (P < 0.05) reduction of the yeast and mould counts, compared to samples stored in air and MAP without any pre-treatment. The main quality parameters of the three types of fruit were not affected by combined ozone pre-treatment and MAP storage. The combined effects of ozone and MAP led to a better preservation of the total and individual anthocyanins in the blueberries during cold storage. In conclusion, the exposure to gaseous ozone before packaging followed by storage under MAP could be a useful technological approach to extend the postharvest storage of small berry fruit.