Effect of modified atmosphere packaging on the quality of Fuji apple

Effect of modified atmosphere packaging films on the quality of Fuji apples was determined. Fuji apples (5, 7.5, 10, 20 kilogram per package) were packaged in 5 types of plastic film bags and kept at 0℃ and 10℃(transferred to 0℃ after 100 days) for 7 months. At both temperatures, an equilibrium atmosphere was developed during 10 days, the equilibrium content of CO₂ reached 1.8%～5.0%, whereas the equilibrium content of O₂ reached 12%～19% at 0℃, and the atmosphere contained 3.5%～8.0% CO₂ and 5%～16% O₂ at 10℃. Under the same conditions, the atmosphere in 2# package had a maximum of CO₂ and a minimum of O₂. The great-to-little sequence of apple scald rate was 2#＞1#＞3#＞5#. Scald rate, ethanol and acetaldehyde content increased with packaging quantity and temperature became greater. Fuji apples in optimal modified atmosphere package had good quality after storage for 7 months.