Quality indicators for modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) storage of high-quality European plum (Prunus domestica L.) cultivars.

The use of quality indicators is crucial in selling the plums in more distant markets. In this study, 17 five films (F1, F2, F3, F4 and F5) were evaluated for modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) for up 18 21 days of storage (at 1±1°C and 90-95% relative humidity) of two european plums cultivars 19 ('Ramasin' and 'Ariddo di Core' with purple and yellow flesh colour respectively) evaluating the 20 main characteristics therein through the selection of the most appropriate indicators. For both 21 cultivars, the multilayered films (F1 and F2, 90 and 65 μm respectively) offered better effectiveness 22 over other films. The total chlorophyll concentration, showing a good correlation with the 23 colorimetric parameters of luminance (L) and chroma (C), confirmed, in the case of the Ariddo di 24 Core cultivar, the results obtained by monitoring other parameters thus highlighting the usefulness 25 of integrating multiple indexes in evaluating the performance of the storage methods used.