Complex of Technologies for Long-Term Storage of Gala Apples

Introduction: High-quality fresh fruits all year round is one of the basic components of the concept of healthy nutrition and a priority area of research on the storage of apple fruits. Apple fruits cv. Gala are in year-round demand among the population due to its high consumer qualities. Existing storage technologies in regular (RA) and controlled (ULO) atmosphere provide an extension of storage time of fruits of various cultivars up to 5–7 months; the influence of a dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA) on the duration of storage of apple fruits cv. Gala has not been studied in Russia.

Purpose: to study the influence of 4 existing (RA-control, RA+1-MCP, ULO-control, ULO+1-MCP) and 2 innovative fruit storage technologies (DCA-control, DCA+1-MCP) on the storability of apple fruits cv. Gala to develop a system for year-round fruit storage.

Materials and Methods: The apple fruits cv. Gala were the object of the study; some of the fruits were treated with 1-MCP, control and treated lots were stored under RA, ULO and DCA conditions; ethylene content, fruit firmness, losses from diseases, etc. were determined.

Results: A low level of oxygen in the storage atmosphere of ULO and DCA significantly reduces the metabolism of fruits, extends storage period with a sufficient level of quality preservation (firmness), reduces or inhibits losses from many physiological diseases, including bitter pit, compared with RA storage conditions. DCA conditions provide an extension of storage duration by 2–3 months, compared to ULO; the technology can be used in organic production. The DCA+1-MCP technology ensures an extension of effective storage period to 10 months or more.

Conclusion: The differentiated use of 6 different storage technologies (RA, RA+1-MCP, ULO, ULO+1-MCP, DCA, DCA+1-MCP) determines the possibility of ensuring regular supplies of apple fruits cv. Gala to retail chains throughout 10 months or more.

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