SENSORY QUALITY OF GALA APPLES AS INFLUENCED BY CONTROLLED AND REGULAR ATMOSPHERE STORAGE

The sensory quality of Gala apples stored for up to 4 months in delaye d controlled atmosphere (CA), regular atmosphere (RA), and a combinati on of sequential CA and RA storage (CR) was evaluated. Sensory analysi s included difference and acceptance testing. Firmness, soluble solids and titratable acidity contents, and volatile flavor profiles were me asured analytically. Acceptability decreased with storage time. Apples stored in RA were more acceptable than apples stored in CA or CR; the differences between storage treatment were not significant after 4 mo nths of storage. Firmness decreased with storage time, but was not aff ected by storage treatment. Soluble solids and titratable acidity cont ents were not affected by storage treatment or time. Storage treatment , storage time, and lot had a significant effect on the volatile flavo r profiles. CA storage and extended storage contributed to decreases i n the content of volatile flavor compounds.