Evaluation of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and other technologies to improve storage quality of Forelle pears and decrease the 12 weeks mandatory storage period

MAP to increase the storage time of optimum or post-optimum Forelle pears.

While the MAP effectively maintained fruit quality, some of the specialised MAP liners resulted in CO2 damage. The manufactures ascribed this to “fruit being outside the manufacturers maturity specifications”. MAP did not effectively maintain fruit quality after 24 weeks of cold storage, with fruit of unacceptably low firmness (< 3.5 kg) and high mealiness levels. Forelle pears exhibited unacceptable levels of shrivel when cold stored without a bag. While 20μm PE bags gave good results i.t.o. prevention of shrivel, skin color development and flesh firmness, a propensity for increasing decay was demonstrated.

Ripening technologies (Ethylene spiking, temperature warming, and shipping temperature) and SmartFreshSM application, in combination with MAP to reduce the mandatory 12 week storage period and reduce or eliminate the levels of mealiness.

Low levels of mealiness manifested in SmartFreshSM treated Forelle, due to the fruit remaining firm during shelf-life. This result confirmed other findings. In 2011, specific combinations of exogenous ethylene application, in combination with a three day warming cycle and 4˚C shipping temperature, reduced the manifestation of mealiness after a reduced storage period and 7 day shelf-life period. This indicated potential to be used for shortening the mandatory storage period and to market “soft and juicy” Forelle fruit. However, using two Forelle populations in 2012, similar ripening enhancing techniques increased the levels of mealiness compared to the 12 week storage protocol. Therefore, these ripening enhancing methods are not recommended.