Effects of Methyl Jasmonate and Modified Atmosphere Packaging on Physical and Mechanical Characteristics of Apricot Fruit During Cold Storage

Abstract

In this study, the effects of methyl jasmonate [ MeJA (0.5 and 1.0 mmol L-1)] and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) applications on the physical and mechanical properties of `Precoce de Thyrinthe' apricot variety during cold storage were investigated. Fruit were stored at 0 +/- 0.5 degrees C and 90 +/- 5% relative humidity for 20 days. Physical properties of apricot such as geometric mean diameter, sphericity, surface area, bulk and fruit densities; mechanical properties such as puncture-compression forces and friction coefficient were determined. It was observed that MeJA application did not produce a significant difference on the size characteristics of apricot compared to the harvest period. Regarding the storage time, decreases were observed in the change of compression force results obtained from the X-, Y- and Z- axes according to the increase in the storage time. Effect on the puncture force on three axes showed a lower tendency to decrease in MAP application than in the harvest period compared to the application without MAP. The coefficient of friction on laminate and galvanized sheet surfaces was lower than PVC, plywood and rubber surfaces.