Changes of Some Odor‐active Volatiles in Controlled Atmosphere‐stored Apples

The effect of controlled atmosphere (CA) storage on the production of 22 odor‐active volatiles in ‘McIntosh’ and ‘Cortland’ apples was studied. Volatiles were analyzed periodically during ripening in air after harvest, during refrigerated air and CA storage, and during ripening in air after CA storage. Production of most volatiles at a lower rate during ripening after CA storage than during ripening immediately after harvest cannot be attributed entirely to the action of CA. Under the conditions of this study (3% O2+ 3% CO2+ 94% N2 at 0°C for 19 weeks) CA storage caused a “residual suppression” effect on the production of propyl butanoate, butyl hexanoate, and hexyl hexanoate. Results indicate that CA might have altered the normal metabolism of the fruit by blocking the normal production of some volatiles either temporarily or permanently and either partially or completely.