Effects of alcohol vapors and oxygen stress on superficial scald and red color of stored 'delicious' apples

Abstract

'Delicious' (Malus xdomestica Borkh.) apples were kept in sealed polyethylene bags (thickness 0.05 mm) and exposed to ethanol, propan-1-ol, butan-1-ol, and pentan-1-ol during storage at 0 °C. Rates of application varied from 1.85 to 120 mmol·kg-1. Complete control of superficial scald was achieved using 30 mmol·kg-1 of fruit with butan-1-ol or propan-1-ol; ethanol required 120 mmol·kg-1 to control the disorder, but at this concentration, purpling of the red skin occurred. Butan-1-ol and propan-1-ol did not affect the color. Pentan-1-ol caused severe skin injury resembling soft or deep scald of 'Jonathan' apples. Apples were also kept in high purity N at 20 °C for up to 8 days before storage at 0 °C. Complete control of scald occurred with a 6- or 8-day exposure to N. Control of scald appears to be due to the accumulation of ethanol during exposure to N. Nitrogen treatments did not affect skin color.