MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE STORAGE OF HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRY

The fruit of three highbush blueberry cvs 'Coville', 'Darrow' and 'Dixi', was harvested at full blue maturity and stored at 1°C for six weeks under three different atmospheric conditions: 1) normal air; 2) ozone enriched air and 3) carbon dioxide enriched air (19% CO2). The berries stored in CO2 were sealed in plastic film-wrapped pallets. For the samples stored in normal air and in the ozone enriched atmosphere, weekly measurements were made of weight loss, acidity, total soluble solids, aspect, taste and firmness of the berries. For the samples in plastic film-wrapped pallets, the above parameters were measured only at the end of sixth week of storage. Weight loss was higher for berries stored in air and in ozone than it was for berries stored in CO2. Acidity decreased during storage, particularly for the samples stored in CO2. The total soluble solids increased only in the berries stored in air and in ozone. After six weeks of storage, when compared to the other two storage methods, more of the berries stored in CO2 had acceptable quality. Differences among cultivars were noted.