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Postharvest Pathology and Mycotoxins

Effect of Different Atmospheres on Postharvest Decay and Quality of Fresh Strawberries. M. K. El-Kazzaz, Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafr-El-Sheikh, Tanta University, Egypt; N. F. Sommer(2), and R. J. Fortlage(3). (2)(3)Postharvest pathologist, and staff research associate, Department of Pomology, University of California, Davis, 95616. Phytopathology 73:282-285. Accepted for publication 7 July 1982. Copyright 1983 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-73-282.

Effects of different atmospheres, ie, air + ethylene (C₂H₄) at 20 μl/L; air + 15% CO₂; air + 10% carbon monoxide (CO); a controlled atmosphere (CA) of 2.3% O₂ + 5% CO₂; CA + C₂H₄ (20 μl/L); and CA + 10% CO in addition to control (air), on the postharvest decay of strawberry fruits caused by Botrytis cinerea were studied with Aiko, G-3, and G-4 cultivars at 0.6 and 3.3 C for 21 days. Air + 15% CO₂ and CA + 10% CO were the most effective atmospheres in suppressing fruit rot. Presence of 20 μl of C₂H₄ per liter, added to either air or CA, resulted in more decay development than in other atmospheres, indicating that C₂H₄ might enhance disease development or fungal growth. Off-flavors were detected after treatment with air + 15% CO₂. Carbon monoxide added to CA during storage of strawberries at 0.6- 3.3 C for up to three weeks may provide better results than the current practice of using high CO₂.