EFFECTS OF HARPIN AND MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE PACKAGING (MAP) ON QUALITY TRAITS AND BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS OF SWEET CHERRY FRUITS THROUGHOUT COLD STORAGE AND SHELF LIFE

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of pre-harvest Harpin treatments and post-harvest MAP treatments on fruit quality attributes and bioactive compounds of ‘0900 Ziraat’ cherry cultivar throughout cold storage and shelf life of the fruits. Weight loss and decay ratios were significantly reduced with Harpin and MAP treatments. In general, lower L* and chroma values were measured in Harpin-treated fruits. As compared to control fruits, higher firmness, titratable acidity and vitamin C contents were measured in MAP and Harpin + MAP treated fruits throughout the cold storage and shelf life. On the other hand, lower solible solids content (SSC) values were observed in the same treatments. At harvest and shelf life measurements, higher total monomeric anthocyanin (TMA) and total phenolics (TPs) were measured in Harpin-treated fruits than in control fruits. Although lower anthocyanin contents were obtained from MAP-treated fruits throughout the cold storage, higher values were observed throughout shelf life. Throughout cold storage and shelf life, MAP-treated fruits had lower total phenolics and total antioxidant activity (according to FRAP and TEAC assay) values than the control and Harpin-treated fruits. It was concluded that Harpin and MAP treatments could be used reduce weight losses and decays throughout the cold storage.