This study investigated the effects of passive modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), storage temperature
(5, 10 and 15 ◦C) and duration of 14 days on the postharvest quality attributes, compositional change in
flavour attributes and microbiological quality of minimally processed pomegranate arils (Punica granatum
L.), cvs ‘Acco’ and ‘Herskawitz’. Volatile compounds were extracted via headspace solid phase microextraction
(HS-SPME) and analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). A total of 17
and 18 volatiles were detected and identified in the headspace of pomegranate juices of ‘Acco’ and ‘Herskawitz’,
respectively. Based on the physicochemical attributes and microbial evaluation, the postharvest
life of MA-packaged ‘Acco’ and ‘Herskawitz’ was limited to 10 days due to fungal growth
≥2 log CFU g−1
at 5 ◦C. However, the concentration (%) and compositional changes in volatile compounds indicated that
the flavour/aroma life (7 days) was shorter than the postharvest shelf-life based on appearance and other
physicochemical (10 days) for both cultivars.