Influence of respiratory quotient dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA – RQ) and ethanol application on softening of Braeburn apples

•RQ-based dynamic controlled atmosphere reduce ethylene production rate in apples.•Ethanol application, or production by the fruit, reduced ethylene and respiration metabolism.•Storage temperature can be raised to 3 °C, if apples are stored in DCA – RQ1.5.•Increasing storage temperature to 3 °C reduced accumulation of anaerobic metabolism products (e.g. ethanol). The effect of a respiratory quotient dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA – RQ), which induces ethanol production through low oxygen storage, and ethanol application on softening of Braeburn apples stored at different temperatures was investigated. DCA – RQ storage was associated with the activation of the alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and greater anaerobic metabolism in comparison with DCA – CF (chlorophyll fluorescence) and controlled atmosphere (CA) storage. Greater anaerobic metabolism resulted in lower ethylene production, ACC oxidase activity, membrane permeability, -galactosidase activity and, therefore, less softening after long-term storage. Ethanol application after CA storage decreased ethylene biosynthesis, respiration rate and membrane permeability. Storage at 3 °C resulted in the lowest soluble solids and acidity, but not softening. In conclusion, Braeburn apples could be stored at 3 °C under DCA – RQ1.5. Additionally, ethanol produced by the fruit, or applied externally, had a significant effect on inhibiting softening during and after storage.