Freshness Evaluation of Apples during Storage
Effect of High Electric Field Characterized with Negative Corona Discharge
2002 Volume 64 Issue Supplement Pages 611-612
Details
2002 Volume 64 Issue Supplement Pages 611-612
An effort was made to access the effect of high electric field treatment on the shelf life of Fuji, Rome beauty, Golden delicious and Starking delicious apple varieties by application of a high electric field (HEF). Ionization by negative corona discharge was facilitated using ionized needles as the cathode and an aluminum plate (Φ180mm) as the grounded anode. Seven days continuous treatment with the HEF (1.25kV/cm) at 23°C air temperature and 75% relative humidity, henceforth referred to as room conditions, resulted in 53.79% suppression of CO2 evolution in the treated apples compared to control samples. Short treatment periods (1 to 2 hours) at 1.25kV/cm and 2.5kV/cm were found effective in reducing respiration in the apples. The total color difference ΔE*(L*a*b*) and soluble sugar concentration changes were lower in treated samples compared to control samples. Apple mechanical properties evaluated, from the stress and strain relationship, showed that the treated apple tissues were stiffer than the untreated ones.
