Cold Storage Effects on Ethylene Emission, Co₂ Accumulation, and TSS Variation in Golden Delicious Apples at 3°C

The study investigates the ethylene production and respiratory metabolism of Golden Delicious apples stored at 3°C for 13 weeks. Apples were all picked at a maturity stage corresponding to the commercial harvest date and stored at 3°C with a relative humidity of 85±5 %. The results showed that TSS increased at the beginning of the storage while the ethylene release increased slowly under the 3⁰C cold storage. The results of this study show that after 7 weeks of storage, the ethylene release rate peaked at 35.5 μL∙kg-1∙h-1, followed by 14.9 μL∙kg-1∙h-1 after 11 weeks. Then it progressively reduced and remained at a low level. Fruit respiration rate decreased during cold storage at 3⁰C and gradually rose after storage. The goal is to develop strategies to extend the shelf life of apples while reducing post-harvest food waste. By reducing food waste, we reduce the ecological footprint of apple cultivation.