Control of Table Grapes Postharvest Decay by Ozone Treatment and Resveratrol Induction

Continued and intermittent (12 h per day) ozone treatments (2 ppm) to control postharvest decay have been assayed during the storage of 'Superior Seedless', 'Cardinal CL80,' and 'Regina Victoria' table grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) at 5 °C for 72 days. The effects of these treatments on the main fruit quality parameters, including resveratrol content, were monitored. Both ozone treatments considerably reduced decay of cold stored grapes compared to those kept in air, continuous ozone treatment being the most effective for controlling postharvest losses. Intermittent ozone treatment induced the highest resveratrol content in stored grapes. On the contrary, ozone-treated grapes got lower scores in the sensory evaluation tests and also showed significantly higher weight losses than the fruits kept in air.