Evoluzione delle caratteristiche qualitative di mirtillo gigante americano in funzione delle modalità di conservazione

Highbush blueberry fruits (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) are highly perishable and must be marketed soon after picking. Applying modern techniques of storage, fruit harvested in a particular season, may be consumed months later, preserving decay and quality. The purpose of this work was to investigate the influence of ozone and controlled atmosphere (C.A.) treatments in postharvest to maintain the fruit quality. Blueberry samples were stored for 6 weeks at 3°C in a modified atmosphere containing ozone (0.3±0.05 ppm) and in a C.A. at 1°C and 3% O2, 11% CO2 .for 60 days . Samples were also stored in normal atmosphere (N.A.) at 3°C, 90-95% R.H Fungal decay, total solids soluble content (TSS), titratable acidity content (TA), pH, weight loss were evaluated weekly and at the end of post harvest storage. Ozone treatments were effective in preventing fungal decay and no significant differences in TSS content and TA content were found. C.A. has lengthened the postharvest life of berries, maintaining fruit firmness, TSS and TA content and may be a new opportunity for fresh fruit blueberry industry.