Effect of storage method on postharvest quality of highbush blueberry

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. Therefore, in order to guarantee a top quality product and to lengthen its shelf-life, it is of primary importance to develop suitable storage techniques. The purpose of this work was to investigate the influence of postharvest method to maintain berry quality. Blueberry samples were stored for 6 weeks in Normal Atmosphere (3°C, 90-95% R.H.) and in Modified Atmosphere (3°C, 90-95% R.H.+0.3 ppm of O3). During postharvest period firmness was measured with Durofel® instrument and with a Texture Analyzer TAXT2i®. To evaluate berry quality, total soluble solids content, titratable acidity and pH were measured. Little or no quality advantage was evident with the use of ozone on fruit firmness, soluble solid content and acidity. During postharvest storage Normal Atmosphere treatment was more effective to lengthen blueberry shelf-life compared to Modified Atmosphere. These preliminary results showed that ozone treatments seems to be no effective to extend postharvest life of blueberry fruit.