Physiological and quality responses of Shishe-Kab pomegranates to short-term high CO2 treatment and modified atmosphere packaging

The objective of this study was to monitor quality parameters and to reduce postharvest losses as well as to extend the storage life of pomegranate fruit using pre-storage high CO2 treatment and active packaging. Short-term high CO2 treated pomegranate fruits cv. Shishe-kab packed with nano-bags (MAP1 and MAP2) or remained unpacked and stored in cold storage at 5°C for 12 weeks. The results show that the fruit decay, chilling injury, and weight loss values were significantly decreased by short-term high CO2 treatment in both packed (MAP) and unpacked fruits compared to unpacked control. As a general trend, there were no significant differences in pH, TSS, and TA between treatments at the end of storage period. Slight decreases in aril colour, measured as a* and chroma values were found in packed fruit with MAP2, which was included with the 1-MCP sachet. In conclusion, the short-term high CO2 shock alone was effective to reduce weight loss, decay, and storage disorders on pomegranate fruit cv. Shishe-kab compared to control, suggesting high CO2 shock as an alternative treatment to control postharvest decay and also maintaining the postharvest quality of the pomegranate fruits during cold storage.