104(4)_str46

ISSN 1392-3196 / e-ISSN 2335-8947
Zemdirbyste-Agriculture, vol. 104, No. 4 (2017), p. 359–368
DOI  10.13080/z-a.2017.104.046

Effect of storage technology on the chemical composition of apples of the cultivar ‘Auksis’

Vitalijs RADENKOVS, Karina JUHNEVICA-RADENKOVA

Abstract

In this study, we evaluated the influence of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment and ultra-low oxygen (ULO)-controlled atmosphere conditions: 2.0% CO₂ and 1.0% O₂ (ULO1) and 2.5% CO₂ and 1.5% O₂ (ULO2) on the changes in chemical composition in the apples of one of the commercially available and the most consumer-preferred cultivar ‘Auksis’ during long-term storage. This study was conducted from 2012 to 2014 at the Institute of Horticulture, Latvia University of Agriculture in Dobele. The results of the current research evidence that in many cases the chemical composition of ‘Auksis’ apples depends on the weather conditions (growing season) and storage technology. In terms of storage technology, a better preservation of soluble solids was achieved when ULO conditions and 1-MCP treatment were applied. Moreover, findings reveal that polyphenols present in ‘Auksis’ apples remained unchanged after six months’ storage under ULO conditions. While due to further ripening process in control and 1-MCP treated apples the content of polyphenols increased. The harvest time is the key factor influencing the total pectin content, while, during six months’ storage the main factors affecting the content of pectin were the growing season and storage technology. Analysis of variance showed that the content of vitamin C in ‘Auksis’ apples depended mainly on the weather conditions, whereas post-harvest vitamin C losses are affected by harvesting time and storage technology.

Key words: ‘Auksis’, harvesting time, Malus domestica, phenolics, ultra-low oxygen, vitamin C.

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