Optimum preservation of fruit and stems quality in sweet cherries (Prunus avium L. cv. Vanda, Kordia and Regina)

In a three-year project, in cooperation with the Fruit Science Section of the University of Hannover
and the financial support of the cooperative Marktgemeinschaft Altes Land (MAL), the possibilities
of a better maintenance of sweet cherries fruit and stem quality were investigated. Various
scenarios for the handling of freshly harvested fruits were simulated. Particularly the influence
of the residence time of the fruits in the field, the cooling and the storage technology on fruit quality
have been measured. It was found that for the dehumidification of the stems and fruits mainly a
high water saturation deficit of the surrounding air is responsible. This dehumidification already
essentially takes place directly after the harvest still in the field where the saturation deficit and
thus the loss of water is often more than 150 times higher than in a wet cooling room. Already a fairly airtight cover of the product with a simple freshkeeping foil reduces the dehumidification by more than 80%. Ideal is an aluminium-coated PE film to protect the fruits also from direct sunlight. In principle, the product should be cooled as quickly as possible for the best possible preservation of the fruit quality. This should be usually done with a forced-air cooler at -0.5 to 1 ° C air temperature and 100% humidity. The moisture and cooling chain must then be ensured up to the consumer.

Documents

Optimum preservation of fruit and stems quality in sweet cherries (Prunus avium L. cv. Vanda, Kordia and Regina) () magazine article

Details

Activity type

Publication in technical journal

Activity work package

Fruit quality; improvement of fruit handling/storage

Activity number

OVA-WP4-A26

Activity contact

Dr. Dirk Köpcke

Leiter Abteilung Fruchtqualität und Obstlagerung
Landwirtschaftskammer Niedersachsen
Obstbauversuchsanstalt Jork

ESTEBURG - Obstbauzentrum Jork
Moorende 53
21635 Jork

Telefon: + 49 (0) 4162 6016 120
Telefax: + 49 (0) 4162 6016 600
Mobil: + 49 (0) 152 5478 2236

E-Mail: [email protected]

Activity partner

Obstbauversuchsanstalt Jork

Activity country

Germany

Last edit

20-06-2017