Year: 1973
Type: article
Abstract: ‘Bartlett’ pears picked early in the harvest season stored best in an atmosphere low in O 2 (0.5-1%) and with elevated CO 2 (5%) at 0°C. However, pears harvested about 3 weeks later were intolerant to CO 2 (even 2.5%) as severe core and flesh browning occurred in storage in less than 2 months. Fruits harvested at an intermediate date were mostly tolerant to elevated CO 2 , but the number of intolerant fruits would rule out commercial feasibility. Low O 2 atmospheres (0.5-1%) caused no injury at any stage of maturity, but pears harvested late in the season were unsuited to prolonged storage regardless of atmospheric composition. Prolonged storage in controlled atmospheres, providing subsequent ripening was normal, did not result in undesirable flavor effects when the pears were canned. Firmness of individual pears is not sufficiently related to physiological status to permit its use in accurately predicting tolerance to CO 2 in storage. Core and flesh browning associated with CO 2 injury are distinct from browning and breakdown associated with excessive storage time and failure to ripen.
Author: L. L. Claypool
Institution: University of California, Davis
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,500
OpenAlex ID: W4292200535