Effect of Insecticidal Atmospheres at High Temperature Combined with Short Cold-quarantine Treatment on Quality of ‘Valencia’ Oranges

Abstract

The combination of insecticidal atmosphere (IA) with short cold exposure periods has been effective in controlling the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann). In the present work, ‘Valencia’ orange quality was assessed on fruit exposed to IA (95% CO2) at 23, 28, or 33 8C for 20 h; next stored at 1 8C for 8, 16, or 24 days; and then kept at 20 8C for 7 days to simulate shelf life. Physicochemical, sensory, and nutritional quality parameters were analyzed on treated and control (air-exposed) fruit. No significant negative effects on fruit quality were observed in IA-treated ‘Valencia’ oranges. In addition, the exposure of oranges to 95% CO2 at 28 8C reduced the weight and firmness loss compared with fruit kept in air. Ethanol content increased in the fruits exposed to 95% CO2 at 28 or 33 8C, but sensory quality was not adversely affected.