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Reduction of food and quality losses in apple (Malus x domestica) through optimized storage methods (DCA-CF storage) (REDU-NAQU)
Project
Project code: 28RZ5052
Contract period: 15.01.2019
- 14.01.2022
Budget: 202,754 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Keywords: apple, storage process, fruit-specific shelf life elongation
In Germany, apple is the most important type of fruit. Modern storage methods make it possible to offer apples year-round. A relatively new method of storage is DCA (Dynamic Controlled Atmosphere) storage. The storage room atmosphere here has an oxygen content below 1% by volume, which is regulated as a function of the fruit's own fermentation products. This strong oxygen reduction leads to a significant reduction in fruit respiration and maturity and thus to an improvement in shelf life, quality maintenance and lower food losses. However, the anaerobic compensation point (ACP) must not be undercut, otherwise alcoholic fermentation in the fruit will occur. Chlorophyll fluorescence (CF) sensors can detect the onset of fermentation of apples. In recent years, however, it has been observed that the fruits of one variety with the same oxygen content in the storage room behave very differently with regard to the tendency to ferment. The causes are unknown. Therefore, the selection of a representative sample for CF measurement is not possible and large fruit losses during storage can not be ruled out. In the project the causes for the different reaction of the fruits to low oxygen contents must be determined. For economically important apple varieties, experimental variants such as e.g. different maturity stages, fruit size classes formed. For each variant, the individual fruit-specific ACP is determined on 10 fruits shortly after harvesting and after several months of storage by means of CF sensors, and then various parameters (eg fruit size, flesh firmness, fermentants by gas chromatograph) are examined for the individual fruit to draw conclusions about the causes of the different ACPs to obtain. Once the causes have been identified, a recommendation for optimized DCA storage will be prepared and its feasibility will be reviewed. WP (work package) 1: Preparation of a preliminary design plan. WP 2: The individual-fruit specific CF-measurement and the determination of the individual-fruit-specific ACPs are tested on important apple varieties. Here, even fruit parameters should be varied. The minor varieties for further experiments are selected. WP 3: The harvest of the fruits for the determination of the ACPs immediately after the harvest and after ULO storage is prepared. After the harvest, the determination of the ACPs in the first year of the experiment and the storage of the fruits for the ULO storage take place (for AP 4). The experimental procedure for the second trial year (WP 5) will be adjusted if necessary. WP 4: For the fruits stored in autumn 2019, the ACPs will be determined after ULO storage in January 2020. The experimental procedure for the third year of the trial (WP 6) will be adjusted if necessary. It may be possible to make initial recommendations for DCA-CF storage and plan for feasibility testing. WP 5: The harvest of fruits for the determination of ACPs immediately after harvest and after ULO storage is prepared. After harvest, the determination of the ACPs in the second year of the experiment and the storage of the fruits for the ULO storage take place (for AP 6). WP 6: For the fruits stored in autumn 2020, the ACPs will be determined after ULO storage in January 2021. WP 7: Recommendations for DCA-CF storage are completed. The feasibility of the recommendations developed for DCA-CF storage will be reviewed. The results will be published for fruit-growing practice in Germany. The orchard trial ring supports the project by obtaining fruit samples, assisting with the design and execution of experiments, as well as drafting and publishing recommendations.
Section overview
Subjects
- Arboriculture
- Food Processing
