3.1. Fruit decay
Fruit decay in all the three berries was markedly affected
by different high O2 concentrations. Chinese bayberries,
strawberries and blueberries stored under air showed
21.1%, 27.7% and 40.3% fruit decay, respectively, at the
end of storage at 5 C. Treatment with 40% O2 had little
effect on decay compared to fruit held in air in all three berries.
Atmospheres enriched with O2 P 60% significantly
inhibited Chinese bayberry, strawberry and blueberry fruit
decay, and improved decay control was obtained with
increased O2 concentration. 100% O2 was the most effective
in suppressing fruit decay on all three berries among all
treatments, with only 7.78%, 8.25% and 4.49% fruit
decayed at the end of storage for Chinese bayberries, strawberries
and blueberries, respectively (Tables 1–3). However,
no significant difference was noted in Chinese bayberry and
blueberry fruit decay between 80% O2 and 100% O2 treatments.
The same pattern on fruit decay incidence was
maintained after a subsequent 2 days holding period in
air at 20 C. Chinese bayberries, strawberries and blueberries
that had been treated with 60–100% O2 exhibited significantly
less decay after 1- and 2-day holding periods
than those that had been stored in air or the 40% O2 atmospheres,
suggesting that there are residual decay protection
in 60–100% O2 treated fruits. In blueberries, 40% O2treatment
even significantly promoted fruit decay during the
subsequent 2 days holding period in air at 20 C. High
O2 atmospheres, alone or in combination with high CO2,
have also been shown to inhibit fungal growth and decay