The Effect of Post-Harvest Salicylic Acid and Modified Atmosphere Packaging Treatments on the Storage of ‘Roxana’ Apricots

Abstract

In the study conducted in order to determine the effect of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) applications with post-harvest salicylic acid (SA) on the preservation of ‘Roxana’ apricot cultivars, the harvested fruit were divided into four groups as SA, SA + MAP, MAP applications and control fruit with no applications. Different doses of SA (0 [Control], 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mM) and modified atmosphere packaging applications were applied to the harvested fruit. The fruit were pre-cooled for 1 day, and the fruit were stored at 0 ± 0.5 °C for 45 days in normal atmospheric conditions with 90 ± 5.0% relative humidity. Quality parameters were examined both initially and at intervals of 15 days during storage. In this study, 2 mM SA treatments had a positive effect against chilling injury and fruit internal browning and it was effective in prolonging storage time. The effect of MAP treatments on fruit firmness, weight loss and chilling injury was positive. However, when SA and MAP applications are performed together, they provide more successful results for the 45-day storage period. Among these, it was determined that especially 2 mM SA + MAP treatment contributed to the storage of fruit for 45 days. In terms of reducing weight loss and maintaining firmness and titratable acidity values, 2 mM SA + MAP treatment came to the forefront. As a result of this research, it was concluded that the losses of fruit belonging to the ‘Roxana’ apricot cultivar would be at minimum levels with the application of 2 mM SA + MAP.