Processing steps, such as cutting and peeling, increase the
respiration rate and ethylene production of apples, quickening
senescence phenomena with effects on texture, color and flavor.
Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and antioxidant
pre-treatments are used to control the decay of fresh-cut apples
during shelf life. MAP has become a widely used food preservation
technique as it minimally affects fresh product characteristics.
The purpose of this paper was to discuss the
influence of conventional (O2, N2 and CO2) and alternative
(Ar and N2O) MAPs as well as the interaction between antibrowning
treatment and MAPs on ethylene production, firmness,
browning, off-flavor and sensory characteristics, contextualizing
the results obtained in a case study on ‘Golden
Delicious’ apple slices developed within the Stayfresh project.
The packaging under conventional modified atmospheres,
characterized by low O2 level (1 and 5%), and the alternative
mix Ar þ CO2 successfully preserved the firmness of apple slices
during all refrigerated storage limiting the ethylene production,
even if the preserving efficacy of MAP resulted almost
completely nullified by the dipping treatment, which caused
a structural breakdown. MAPs were not able to control the
enzymatic browning if not combined with an anti-browning
dipping treatment. It was highlighted the key role of sensory
analysis in finding the best combination between MAP, antibrowning
treatment and shelf life time. The contrasting results
among the various research groups could be reasonably also
due to the different periods and temperatures of shelf life.