ABSTRACT
Ripening, storability, quality attributes, and postharvest losses in fruits are interlinked with one another. The postharvest life of a fruit is primarily determined by various physiological processes and associated metabolic changes occurring in the fruit. The role of the external atmosphere in regulating the above processes and changes is relatively better understood. However, little is known about the overall internal atmosphere of the fruit and how it inuences different aspects of ripening and storability. This chapter looks into this emerging area: the basic and applied importance of the internal atmosphere to postharvest physiology and food science and technology. There are various gases and volatiles that make the internal atmosphere of fruits. Their production and diffusion across the fruit tissues
I N T E R N A L A T M O S P H E R E O F F R U I T S
are governed by many factors. Differences in morphological, anatomical, and microstructural features of fruits are now assuming greater importance, as they are involved in determining the internal environment of fruits. As a consequence, there exists variability in the internal atmosphere of fruits, which is evident not only at the level of different species, but also within species. Differences in ripening behavior of different fruits under plant-attached and -detached conditions are also expected in view of the above. The involvement of some of gases (ethylene, oxygen, and carbon dioxide) and volatiles (ethanol, acetaldehyde, water vapors and water status, salicylic acid and methyl salicylate, jasmonic acid and jasmonates, and nitric oxide) in the regulation of ripening-related changes, including avor and aroma, is described and discussed at the individual as well as at the interactive level (especially with ethylene). Some examples are presented wherein endogenous and exogenous volatiles exhibit a positive effect on the fruit’s storability, quality, and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Lastly, a few researchable issues are suggested. The outcome from this area can supplement the existing storage technologies, and this will be highly desirable in achieving a more effective and holistic way of the postharvest management of perishable commodities.
