Postharvest Calcium Chloride Infiltration Affects Textural Attributes of Apples

Abstract

Abstract ‘Golden Delicious’ apples (Malus domestica Borkh.) were pressure-infiltrated (68.9 kPa) at two harvest dates with 0%, 1%, 2%, or 4% (w/v) solutions of CaCl2 and stored at 0C for 2, 4, or 6 months followed by 1 week at 20C. Calcium concentrations, axial compression profiles, and Magness-Taylor firmness were measured. Calcium chloride infiltration increased all measures of tissue strength immediately and relative increases persisted during storage. A 1-week difference in harvest date markedly affected Ca uptake and textural responses; however, for both dates, 2% CaCl2 was effective in firming the apples. Apples from the second harvest, which were treated with 2% CaCl2 and stored for 6 months, had textural measurement values equal to or greater than those of comparable apples infiltrated only with water and measured before storage. Calcium chloride at 4% had a greater firming effect, but caused severe surface damage. Differential reponses to CaCl2 levels and storage durations by various textural measurements indicate that supplemental Ca not only increased firmness retention during storage, but also induced patterns of textural change different from those that occurred under the influence of the endogenous Ca alone.