The potential of 25 μm thickness po

The potential of 25 μm thickness polyethylene bags with 50 microperforations (microperforated polybags) for maintaining the quality of ‘Cox's Orange Pippin’ apples during storage has been investigated. The influence of storage temperature (1°C and 3°C), storage period (8 and 16 weeks), and harvest date was evaluated. The greenest and firmest fruit were found in microperforated polybags compared with no polybags or commercial polybags when stored at 1°C, but overall loss of internal fruit condition occurred in all treatments at this temperature. At 3°C, fruit were less green and firm, although fruit kept in microperforated polybags were consistently greener than fruit without polybags or in commercial polybags. The benefit of using microperforated polybags declined with increasing storage period. The incidence of superficial scald, particularly in early harvested fruit, is a major limitation to the use of microperforated polybags for long-term storage. The results indicate that the potential for commercial use of microperforated polybags is limited to short-term storage.