This research was aimed at evaluating controlled atmosphere (CA) and temperature conditions for storing of cv. Granada peach fruit harvested at two ripening stages aiming the transport of fruit for distant market, such as Europe. Treatments evaluated were six storage conditions and two ripening stages. The storage conditions were: [1] cold storage (20.8kPa de O2 +<0.5kPa de CO2); controlled atmosphere (CA) conditions with [2] 6.0kPa de O2 + 15.0kPa de CO2; [3] 1.0kPa de O2 + 3.0kPa de CO2; [4] 1.0kPa de O2 + <0.5kPa de CO2, all at +0.5°C. Moreover, CA with 2.0kPa O2 + 5.0kPa CO2 was evaluated both at [5] +0.5°C and [6] -0.5°C. Fruits were harvested either at the breaking stage or at the half-ripe ripening stage and stored in the conditions cited above. The harvest of cv. Granada peaches in the breaking stage (greeny background color of the skin) is the most suitable, because although not affecting the physical and chemical quality, these fruits showed a reduced incidence of flesh browning and rot. For short-term storage (25 days), controlled atmosphere did not significantly improve fruit quality in relation to cold storage.
exportation; ripening stages; quality
