Fruit quality characteristics of 'Fuji' apple fruits in response to air storage after CA storage

This study aimed to evaluate the fruit quality characteristics and incidence of flesh browning in response to air storage at 0 ± 1°C after controlled atmosphere storage (CA condition: O₂ 2.5 ± 0.5%, CO₂ 1.5 ± 0.5%) at 0 ± 1°C in 'Fuji' apples (Malus domestica Borkh.). The storage system was performed as followed: air storage for one month, CA storage 4 months + air storage 3 months (CA 4M + A ir 3M), CA storage 5 months + air storage 2 months (CA 5M + A ir 2M) and CA storage 6 months + air storage 1months (CA 6M + Air 1M), while the control fruits were stored at CA storage for 8 months right after harvest. The incidence of flesh browning ranged from 17.1% to 30.2% during CA storage but not detected under the treatments of CA 4M + Air 3M and CA 5M + Air 2M. The respiration rate was not affected by storage treatments for 6M while the respiration rate was lower in the treatments of CA 4M + Air 3M and CA 5M + Air 2M than the other storage treatments after 7 months. Ethylene production and internal ethylene concentration were lowest in rapid CA storage and increased with a decreasing CA storage duration. Therefore, the results indicate that CA 5M + Air 2M storage treatment should be recommended to maintain the fruit quality and reduce the risk development of flesh browning rather than typical CA storage in 'Fuji' apples.