Raspberry cv. D. Jubilee shows a higher metabolic rate than cv. Sapphire

Red raspberries are one of the most popular ready-to-eat berries; however, their shelf-life is very short, mostly due to their high metabolic activity and susceptibility to fungal pathogens. This work investigated the effect of varied controlled atmosphere (CA) environments on the physiological and biochemical properties of new UK-grown raspberry cultivars. Raspberries cv. Diamond Jubilee (primocane type) and cv. Sapphire (floricane type) were stored as 200g-punnets under air (control) and CA environments (10 kPa CO2, 10 kPa O2 and 10 kPa CO2, 5 kPa O2) for 9 days, at 5?C and ca. 95% relative humidity. Objective colour, firmness, in-situ real time respiration rate, and endogenous ethylene production were measured at each sampling point (0, 2, 5, 7 and 9 days). Total soluble solids and individual sugars (sucrose, fructose and glucose) were also determined. Overall, cv. D. Jubilee had a higher (1.5-fold) metabolic rate than cv. Sapphire. Firmness of CA-treated raspberries (cv. Sapphire) remained similar to ?at harvest? and was significantly higher than that for control fruits (ca. 12 vs. 7.8 N). CA conditions had no detrimental effect on individual sugar content; however, further research is required in order to understand its implications on other quality attributes, such as phenolic compounds. ? SourcesVariable controlled atmosphere retains fruit quality and extends marketability of new UK-grown red raspberry cultivarsM. del Carmen Alamar, Leon A. Terry, Aikaterini XynogaloumCranfield University, Postharvest Bioscience, School of Energy, College Road, MK430AL Cranfield, Bedfordshire, United KingdomVIII International Postharvest Symposium, Cartagena, Spain, 21-24 June 2016 Source of the picture:?Fresh Produce Group