The objective of this study was to assess the quality of the 'Maxi Gala' apple under different mixtures of O2 and CO2, temperature and mass loss during storage. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomised design in a system of split-plots, with four replications of 25 fruits. The treatments, derived from the combination of various conditions of controlled atmosphere (CA) at two temperatures (0.5 ºC and 1 ºC), were: (1) 1.2 kPa O2 + 2.5 kPa CO2 + 3.5% mass loss (ML); (2) 1.2 kPa O2 + 2.5 kPa CO2; (3) 1.2 kPa O2 + 2.0 kPa CO2; (4) 1.0 kPa O2 + 2.0 kPa CO2; (5) 0.8 kPa O2 + 2.0 kPa CO2; and (6) 0.8 kPa O2 + 1.5 kPa CO2. The best conditions for the storage of the 'Maxi Gala' apple were those with partial pressures of 0.8 to 1.0 kPa O2 associated with 2.0 kPa CO2 or 0.8 kPa O2 with 1.5 kPa CO2 at a temperature of 1ºC. Under these conditions flesh firmness is maintained for longer, with a greater reduction in flesh breakdown and mealiness. A weight loss of 3.5% in CA with 1.2 kPa O2 to 2.5 kPa CO2 at a temperature of 1ºC is also effective in maintaining the quality of this apple.
Fruits; Postharvest; Mass loss; Physiological disorders
