RESPONSES OF FUJI APPLE SLICES TO ASCORBIC-ACID TREATMENTS AND LOW-OXYGEN ATMOSPHERES

Cut surface browning was not significantly different between 'Fuji' ap ple (Malus xdomestica Borkh.) slices stored at 10 degrees C in 0.25 kP a O-2 or in air. Apple slices treated with 2% ascorbic acid and held i n an atmosphere of 0 kPa O-2 (100% N-2) at 10 degrees C had no signifi cant browning or loss of visual quality for up to 15 d, Air-stored sli ces increased in respiration rate throughout storage, while slices sto red in 0 kPa O-2 had suppressed respiration and C2H4 production rates. Fermentative metabolites (ethanol and acetaldehyde) accumulated in sl ices exposed to 0 kPa O-2, but these compounds did not have a signific ant impact on off-flavor development as determined by informal organol eptic evaluation, Tissue lightness (measured as L value) was positive ly correlated with total phenolic content as well as with chlorogenic acid, catechin, and epicatechin content. Total phenolic content was hi gher in ascorbic acid-treated discs stored in 0 kPa O-2 than in those discs not treated with ascorbic acid and stored in air.