Daum

Abstract
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results and Discussion
Conclusion
Acknowledgement
Literature Cited

  Poststorage fruit quality was evaluated to determine adequate storage period of early-season apple cultivar, "Tsugaru", and to discriminate between the effects of storage method and marketing temperature on fruit quality. Apples were harvested at commercial maturity for storage and stored for 4 months under refrigerated-air (RA) or controlled atmosphere (CA) conditions at 2℃. Subsequent 3-day marketing simulation was performed at varying room temperature (VRT) or at low temperature (LT), 7℃. Time course quality changes were investigated through instrumental and sensory analysis at 1 month intervals. Correlation study of instrumental and sensory attributes showed close relationship between titratable acidity and sourness, and flesh firmness and texture ratings. The most reliable quality parameter reflecting consumers" acceptance in "Tsugaru" apples was flesh firmness as an instrumental attribute and texture rating as a corresponding sensory factor. Storage method was the dominant factor affecting acidity and firmness as well as corresponding sensory evaluation and overall-taste ratings throughout 4-month storage period. Marketing shelf temperature, in contrast, was a relatively less critical factor, the effect of which was significant on some sensory ratings only in 1- and 2-month stored apples. Storage potential of "Tsugaru" apple based on sensory evaluation was 1 month for RA + VRT, 2 to 2.5 months for RA + LT, and a little longer than 3 months for CA-stored apples. The results suggested that storage potential should be judged considering the different impact of poststorage marketing environment by storage period in advance.