Effect of irradiation and edible coating as safe environmental treatments on the quality and the marketability of “Anna” apples during cold storage

Abstract EN

The present study was carried out during two successive seasons of 2014 and 2015 on “Anna“ apples .

The effect of gamma irradiation of 0.5and 1.0 kGy in addition to edible coating with paraffin oil and glycerol on the shelf-life and quality of apples during cold storage at 0°C, 90-95% RH for 90 days was evaluated .

Gamma irradiation 0.5 and 1.0 kGy caused a reduction in blue mold incidence (%) caused by Penicillium expansumin from 20.2% to 10.0% and 6.5% after 90 days cold storage hawever , in artificial inoculated fruits blue mold incidence reduced from 40% to 20.2% and 18.7% after 30 days .

At 60 days this level was reduced from 85% to 36.1% and 30% .

While at the end of cold storage period blue mold was reduced from 100% to 55.7% and 42.1%, respectively.

The results indicated that irradiation and edible coating greatly affected storage quality of apples.

Edible coating paraffin oil or glycerol as well as irradiation of 1.0 kGy were effective in increasing storability of apples during storage compared to 0.5 kGy irradiation doses.

These treatments decreased discarded and weight loss percentage and increased firmness, shelf life and calcium flesh of apples content .

It could be noticed that untreated apples could be stored for 60 days where the treated ones by irradiation of 0.5 kGy could be stored for 75 days.

However edible coated apples or irradiation with 1.0 kGy could increase the storage period to be 90 days.