Effect of modified atmosphere on postharvest quality of 'Sweetheart' cherries

摘要

Sweet cherry [Prunus avium L.J is a very valued fruit and consumers appreciate its colour intensity, flavour characteristics and healthy properties. Sweet cherries are extremely perishable and their physicochemical quality and stem fresh appearance rapidly decrease. In order to extend the storage period and to reach distant markets, different postharvest technologies have been used. Among these procedures, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) has been proved to result suitable and easy to apply. The aim of this work was to assess the effect of MAP, using polypropylene Pplus~R plastic film, on 'Sweetheart' sweet cherry cultivar stored during 21 days, under 1.5°C and 85-90% relative humidity. The quality parameters measured were: weight loss, firmness, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), TSS/TA, external colour, stem browning and visual assessment. Weight loss was reduced by using MAP. As compared with control cherries, those fruits packed in MA had higher firmness, better colour maintenance and overall appearance. Stem browning was reduced after 2-3 weeks of cold storage in MAP fruits. In conclusion, the MAP in Pplus~R plastic film maintains postharvest quality of cherries for distant markets.