Abstract

Five plum (Prunus domestica L.) cultivars 'Jubileum', 'Opal', 'Vallor', 'Victoria' and 'Vision' were harvested at four different dates according to their skin superficial colour (40-90%), soluble solids concentration (SSC), flesh firmness, ethylene production and respiration rate, and stored for 5 weeks in five different conditions (air: 21.0 kPa O-2 + 0.03 kPa CO2, ultra low oxygen atmosphere (ULO): 1.0 kPa O-2 + 1.0 kPa CO2; 1.0 kPa O-2 + 2.0 kPa CO2; 1.0 kPa O-2 + 3.5 kPa CO2 and 1.0 kPa O-2 + 5.0 kPa CO2), at 0.5 degrees C, 90% RH, before they were ripened for 5 days at 10 degrees C. Storage disorders and decay incidence were assessed. Weight loss, flesh firmness, skin and flesh colour, SSC, titratable acidity (TA), and bioactive compounds (total phenols, carotenoids and ascorbic acid), were measured at harvest and after ripening. Only 'Jubileum' behaved as a suppressed-climacteric fruit and was best when harvested after growth was completed and colouration developed (more than 80%). The other four cultivars showed a typical climacteric ripening pattern and could be harvested for ULO storage while they were still growing. Measurements of colour and SSC for 'Vallor' and 'Victoria' plums, SSC and TA for 'Opal' and 'Vision' plums, and only colour for 'Jubileum' plums were the most practical methods to indicate optimum harvest dates. Different cultivars responded differently to CO2 concentration, whereas high levels (more than 3 kPa) caused flavour deterioration and flesh browning, particularly in early harvested fruit. 'Opal', 'Vallor' and 'Victoria' were successfully stored in 1.0 kPa O-2 + 2.0 kPa CO2, and 'Jubileum' and 'Vision' in 1.0 kPa O-2 + 1.0 kPa CO2. In these conditions pathogenic decay was suppressed and acceptable quality was maintained. The effects of harvest date and storage method on the bioactive compounds in each cultivar are reported for the first time.

Keywords

ethylene; ascorbic acid; ULO storage; storage decay; Brix; skin colour

Published in

Acta Horticulturae
2010, Volume: 876, pages: 109-114
Title: Proceedings of the Xth International Controlled and Modified Atmosphere Research Conference : Antalya, Turkey, April 4-7, 2009
ISBN: 978-90-6605-553-7
Publisher: International Society for Horticultural Science

Conference

X International Controlled and Modified Atmosphere Research Conference

SLU Authors

• Tahir, Ibrahim

  • Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Olsson, Marie

  • Horticulture, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Horticulture


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2010.876.13

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/31196