ABSTRACT
CONTENTS 15.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 36 15.2 Research Review on CA and MAP ............................................................................... 364 15.3 Response of Specific Berry Fruits to CA and MAP .................................................... 364
15.3.1 Strawberry............................................................................................................ 364 15.3.1.1 Disease Development.......................................................................... 364 15.3.1.2 Fruit Biochemistry ............................................................................... 367 15.3.1.3 Quality Attributes................................................................................ 368 15.3.1.4 Effects of MAP ..................................................................................... 369
15.3.2 Grape .................................................................................................................... 370 15.3.2.1 Disease Development.......................................................................... 371 15.3.2.2 Fruit Biochemistry ............................................................................... 373 15.3.2.3 Quality Attributes................................................................................ 374 15.3.2.4 Effects of MAP ..................................................................................... 374
15.3.3 Blueberry .............................................................................................................. 375 15.3.3.1 Disease Development.......................................................................... 375 15.3.3.2 Fruit Biochemistry ............................................................................... 377 15.3.3.3 Quality Attributes................................................................................ 379 15.3.3.4 Effects of MAP ..................................................................................... 380
15.3.4 Raspberry, Other Brambles, and Minor Small Fruits .................................... 381 15.3.5 Cranberry ............................................................................................................. 382
15.3.5.1 Disease Development.......................................................................... 382 15.3.5.2 Fruit Biochemistry ............................................................................... 383 15.3.5.3 Quality Attributes................................................................................ 383 15.3.5.4 Effects of MAP ..................................................................................... 384
15.3.6 Kiwifruit ............................................................................................................... 384 15.3.6.1 Disease Development.......................................................................... 385 15.3.6.2 Fruit Biochemistry ............................................................................... 385 15.3.6.3 Quality Attributes................................................................................ 386 15.3.6.4 Effects of MAP ..................................................................................... 387
15.4 Future Research Needs ................................................................................................... 387 15.5 Conclusions....................................................................................................................... 388 References.................................................................................................................................... 388
and
Small fruits and berries, such as grape (Vitis spp.), strawberry (Fragaria ananassa), raspberry (Rubus idaeus), blueberry and cranberry (Vaccinium spp.), and kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis), are not only prized for their unique appearance, flavor, taste and texture, but also for their reported health-promoting properties. Small fruit are, however, characterized by a relatively short postharvest life that limits their marketing. This limitation is related tomost small fruit being inherently prone to postharvest disease and general lack of firm texture. In addition, most berries are regarded as nonclimacteric in their postharvest behavior. These attributes alone pose significant and particular difficulties for the postharvest maintenance of quality in terms of handling, transportation, distribution, and shelf life. In addition to maintaining cold storage, proper modifications of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other gases in storage or inside packaging may extend postharvest life and maintain nutritional value. Thus, the use of controlled atmosphere (CA) ormodified atmosphere packaging (MAP) technologies have benefits on extending postharvest life of grapes, strawberries, and other berry fruit. As responses to atmospheric modification vary greatly among species and cultivars, it is very important to understand the specific conditions and limitations of these techniques on the supply chains of each small fruit type. Specific information on the effects of CA conditions on disease incidence, nutritional values, texture, color, taste, and postharvest life will be discussed in this chapter. Recommendations on ideal atmosphere composition for maximum benefits for each commodity will be discussed.
