Effect of Storage Conditions on Storability and Antioxidant Potential of Pears cv. ‘Conference’

Abstract

Late pear cultivars, such as ‘Conference’, can be stored for a long period if kept in good storage conditions. A three-year study (2011–2013) compared the impact of six-month storage using four technologies—normal atmosphere, normal atmosphere + 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), controlled atmosphere, and controlled atmosphere + 1-MCP—on the quality parameters of ‘Conference’ pears, such as mass loss, firmness, total soluble solids, acidity, antioxidant capacity, and the incidence of diseases and disorders. Additionally, the study analysed different storage conditions in terms of profitability, based on the market prices for pears in the seasons during which the pears were stored. The storage conditions had a very strong influence on the fruit quality parameters, and were found to affect most visibly the mass loss and the incidence of postharvest diseases and disorders. The storage of ‘Conference’ pears for 180 days in normal atmosphere is not economically viable, even if the fruit is subjected to 1-MCP treatment; at the same time, it is profitable to store ‘Conference’ pears in controlled atmosphere for the same period, no matter whether 1-MCP was applied or not.

Optimal Decision-Making Model of Agricultural Product Information Based on Three-Way Decision Theory

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Ornamental Flowers Grown in Human Surroundings as a Source of Anthocyanins with High Anti-Inflammatory Properties

“…The shelf life of fresh garden products can also be extended by changing the gas composition surrounding them. Limiting the access of oxygen with a simultaneous increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide slows down respiration [ 125 ], and thus visibly reduces the ripening ratio, perishability, and mold reproduction, and it decelerates decay [ 126 , 127 ]. This can be achieved by packaging fresh flowers in polyethylene bags or even better by using specially prepared boxes sealed with polymer film, preferably low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or polypropylene (BOPP) film, using a modified atmosphere packaging technology MAP [ 122 , 128 , 129 ].…”

Recent Innovations in Post-Harvest Preservation and Protection of Agricultural Products

“…The storage of 'Conference' cultivar pears for 180 days in normal atmosphere was not economically viable, even when the fruit was subjected to treatment with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), a synthetic plant growth regulator used commercially to slow down fruit ripening. However, it was profitable to store 'Conference' pears under controlled atmosphere conditions each season, no matter whether 1-MCP was applied or not [4].…”