Use of polyethylene bags and ethylene absorption on refrigerated transport of 'Gala' apple fruit

Abstract

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the gaseous composition and quality maintenance of 'Gala' apples, stored within polyethylene (PE) bags of different thickness combined with ethylene absorption, during refrigerated transport. The treatments evaluated were combinations of two PE film thickness [high density polyethylene (HDPE) of 7µm and low density polyethylene (LDPE) of 20µm] with different number of ethylene absorbents (potassium permanganate) per bag (0, 1 and 3). Each experimental unity contained 18kg of fruits previously stored at 0.5°C during 1 month. After this period fruits were wrapped with the films and packed in cadboard boxes, being submitted during 15 days at 4°C, simulating refrigerated transport plus 3 days of shelf-life at 20°C. Lower levels of O2 and ethylene and higher of CO2 were observed within LDPE bags of 20µm than in HDPE bags of 7µm. Moreover, the use of ethylene absorbents reduced the ethylene level within bags. However, due to the low storage time (15 days) and fruit ripeness at the packaging, the reduction of ethylene levels did not show significant effect on fruit quality.