Dynamic controlled atmosphere: Impact of elevated storage temperature on anaerobic metabolism and quality of ‘Nicoter’ apples

•DCA allows elevated storage temperature for ‘Nicoter’ apples from 1 °C to 3 °C.•DCA–RQ 2.0 resulted in the highest accumulation of anaerobic metabolism products.•Anaerobic metabolism more correlated to precursor concentrations as enzyme activity.•Physiological disorders are correlated with low storage temperature (1 °C). The aim of the study was to evaluate an elevated (3.0 °C) and low (1.0 °C) storage temperature combined with dynamic controlled atmosphere monitored by respiratory quotient (DCA–RQ) and chlorophyll fluorescence (DCA–CF) on anaerobic metabolism, physiological storage disorders and overall quality of ‘Nicoter’ (‘Kanzi®’) apples after 5.5 and 8.0 months of storage plus 7d shelf-life. Fruit stored under DCA–RQ 2.0 accumulated the highest amounts of anaerobic metabolites (acetaldehyde, ethanol and ethyl acetate), regardless of storage temperature and timing of storage outturn evaluation, but it did not result in higher electrolyte leakage. Flesh breakdown, core breakdown and cavity formation were reduced at 3 °C. Storage at 3 °C combined with DCA maintained higher flesh firmness after 8.0 months storage plus 7d shelf-life. ‘Nicoter’ apples can be stored at 3 °C using a DCA system, based either on CF or on RQ, to save electrical energy.