Effects of short term CA storage and a simulated RA shipment period on the post-storage eating quality of Forelle pears

Forelle pears are prone to astringency and mealiness when exported during a period less than 8 w at -0.5°C from the maturity release date for picking.  If South African grown Forelle pears could enter the export markets at the 8 w period it will gain significant market share over other export countries producing Forelle pears.  A trial to determine the effects of short term controlled atmosphere (CA) storage and a simulated regular atmosphere (RA) shipment period on the post-storage eating quality of Forelle pears was conducted.  Forelle pears at optimum maturity from the Grabouw and Ceres production areas were stored for 4 w and 6 w at CA followed by RA  shipment period of 4 w at -0.5°C.  The cold storage period was followed by simulated shelf life periods of 0, 4, 7 and 11 d at 15°C before fruit were evaluated for fruit quality with special emphasis on mealiness and eating quality.

The experimental layout is a completely randomised design with 2 areas, two storage regimes, 2 x storage  periods, 4 x shelf life periods replicated 3 times for each maturity and evaluation stage.  Although conventional CA storage had positive effects on fruit quality of Forelle pears of both production areas, mealiness was more evident on fruit from the Ceres production area compare to fruit from the Grabouw production area.  The short term storage period did not prevent the fruit from becoming mealy and also result in a poor eating quality (slightly astringent and grainy) when ripened. The project was therefore terminated after one year by the Forelle Technical Work Group and DFPT in 2011.  More research needed to be conducted to address this problem.

Main conclusions:       Short term CA storage period did not inhibit mealiness, but the incidence of mealiness was less on fruit stored at RA.