Search Results (1,213)

Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is a preservation and packaging technology used to extend the shelf life of foods and agricultural products, maintain quality stability, and ensure food safety. To systematically review and summarize the current research landscape, technical challenges, and development trends in the MAP field, this study selected 1568 publications related to MAP from the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) database during 2016–2025 and conducted bibliometric and visualization analysis. The results indicate that research activity in the MAP field has remained robust over the past decade, mainly focusing on four research areas: atmosphere regulation and packaging system design; microbial ecology, safety, and spoilage control; physicochemical deterioration and quality regulation; functional packaging materials and integrated preservation technologies. Countries such as China, Italy, and Spain have demonstrated outstanding performance in terms of publication output and academic influence in the MAP field, forming a solid research foundation in the MAP of perishable foods such as fruit and vegetables, meat products, and aquatic products. Research in the MAP field has gradually shifted from the verification of application effects toward system design and mechanistic analysis. Active packaging, intelligent packaging, bio-based materials, natural functional ingredients, volatile organic compounds, microbial community succession, and quality deterioration mechanisms have gradually become research hotspots, indicating a trend toward precision, sustainability, and functionality. These findings may provide references for future research topic selection, innovative packaging system design, and the development of novel food preservation technologies in the MAP field for foods and agricultural products. Full article

Background: Fresh-cut apples are highly susceptible to quality deterioration due to enzymatic browning and oxidative degradation of bioactive compounds. This study investigated the effects of conventional polyethylene packaging (PE, Pack 1) and two innovative biodegradable packaging materials (Pack 2 and Pack 3) on the stability of bioactive compounds in fresh-cut Golden Delicious apples during refrigerated storage. Individual phenolic compounds ((+)-catechin, caffeic acid, (−)-epicatechin, p-coumaric acid, rutin, and quercetin) were quantified by HPLC-PDA, while spectrophotometric assays were used to determine total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant capacity (ABTS and DPPH). The environmental performance of the packaging materials was assessed through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) using SimaPro v.9.5.5. Results: Polyphenol stability was significantly influenced by packaging and storage time (p < 0.001). Compared with fresh-cut apples at t0, Pack 2 promoted a 17.4% increase in total phenolic content after 21 days, whereas Pack 1 and Pack 3 showed reductions of 31.0% and 37.6%, respectively. HPLC analysis revealed compound-specific responses, with rutin and quercetin being markedly better preserved in Pack 3 after 21 days (17.65 and 1.93 mg/100 g, respectively) than in Pack 1 (0.67 and 0.19 mg/100 g, respectively). Two-way ANOVA confirmed significant effects of storage time, packaging, and their interaction on TPC, TFC, ABTS activity, and all individual phenolic compounds (p < 0.001), whereas DPPH activity was not significantly affected (p > 0.05). Pearson correlation (TPC–ABTS, r = 0.6885, p < 0.001) and principal component analysis indicated that antioxidant capacity was more closely associated with the qualitative phenolic profile than with total phenolic concentration alone. LCA highlighted environmental trade-offs among the packaging systems: Pack 1 showed lower impacts in several categories, Pack 2 displayed an intermediate environmental profile, whereas Pack 3 reduced dependence on fossil resources but exhibited higher land- and water-use impacts together with limitations related to end-of-life management. Conclusion: Packaging materials significantly affected the preservation of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in fresh-cut apples while exhibiting distinct environmental profiles. The results demonstrate that no packaging system simultaneously maximized product quality and environmental sustainability, highlighting the importance of integrating analytical performance with life-cycle assessment when developing innovative food packaging solutions. Full article

Strawberry is a nutritive fruit with a short life and postharvest losses. In this study, the quality and shelf life of strawberries during storage at 4 °C were evaluated after applying hurdle treatment of packaging with active polylactic acid (PLA)/Gelatine (G)-based films loaded with essential oils (EOs) and/or AgNPs and combined with low-energy (L-E) X-ray at a dose of 0.5 kGy. The results showed that the addition of EOs, AgNPs, or their combination decreased the tensile strength (TS) of films from 16.70 to 6.65–10.01 MPa and increased elongation at break (Eb) from 215.4 to 218.2–398.2%. The oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of films increased from 219.7 to 274.8–298.6 cm³/m²·day, which promoted the development of gas selective films for equilibrium-modified atmosphere packaging (EMAP). A level of 20% decay (primary shelf life criterion) of strawberries was observed on day 8 for the commercial control (polyethylene terephtalate clamshell), on day 9 for the PLA/G-AgNPs films, and on day 10 for the PLA/G-EOs films and PLA/G-EOs + AgNPs films. The combined application of the active films with L-E X-ray irradiation (PLA/G/EOs + AgNPs + I) extended the time to reach 20% decay to day 13 compared to day 9 for irradiated commercial control. An EMAP was achieved after 6–9 days of storage, with a gas composition around 13–14% O₂ and 8–9% CO₂. The combined treatment of EOs, AgNPs containing films, and L-E X-ray irradiation prevented firmness and total soluble solid loss of strawberries. The redness of strawberries and their total phenolic/anthocyanin content increased after irradiation treatment and maintained significantly higher levels (p ≤ 0.05) than those of non-irradiated samples during storage. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of combining active PLA/G films and L-E X-ray irradiation in extending the shelf life and preserving the quality of fresh strawberries. Full article

Soursop (Annona muricata L.) is a climacteric tropical fruit belonging to the Annonaceae family, widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions due to its economic importance, nutritional value, and abundance of bioactive compounds. Its pulp is highly appreciated for fresh consumption and food processing; however, its high respiration rate and ethylene production accelerate ripening, resulting in rapid quality deterioration and a short postharvest shelf life. During ripening, soursop fruit undergoes physiological, biochemical, and molecular changes associated with organic acid metabolism, in which citrate synthase (CS) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) play key roles within the tricarboxylic acid cycle. However, the transcriptional dynamics of genes associated with the tricarboxylic acid cycle during postharvest storage of tropical fruits remains poorly characterized. This study aimed to identify in silico genes encoding CS and MDH and to evaluate changes in physicochemical traits, enzymatic activity, and the expression of selected CS and MDH genes during postharvest storage of soursop (A. muricata) GUANAY-1 fruit. Fruits were stored at 26 ± 1 °C and evaluated on days 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Titratable acidity, pH, total soluble solids, CS activity, MDH activity, and the expression of selected CS and MDH genes were analyzed. Physicochemical analysis showed that the major changes in acidity, TSS, and pH occurred on day 3. In silico analysis identified 16 CS genes and 47 MDH genes in soursop, whereas transcriptome analysis identified four CS genes and three MDH genes with differential expression, designated as CS1, CS2, CS3, CS4, MDH1, MDH2, and MDH3, respectively. The Neighbor-Joining analysis grouped the CS sequences into two clusters and the MDH sequences into three clusters. Differential expression analysis revealed that CS1, CS2, CS3, CS4, MDH1, MDH2, and MDH3 were upregulated on day 3 relative to day 0 of postharvest storage. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that these genes were mainly associated with cellular respiration and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. The highest CS activity was recorded on day 3, coinciding with the maximum expression of CS1, CS2, and CS4. In contrast, MDH activity peaked on day 2, whereas MDH1 and MDH2 reached their highest expression on day 3. Correlation analysis showed positive associations between CS2 and CS4 expression and both TSS and titratable acidity. Overall, these results demonstrate temporal changes in physicochemical traits, CS and MDH enzymatic activities, and the expression of selected CS and MDH genes during postharvest storage of GUANAY-1 soursop fruit. Full article

Fruit firmness is a pivotal agronomic and commercial trait that determines the storability, transport tolerance and edible quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Fruit softening severely restricts postharvest performance and economic benefits of tomato products worldwide. This review summarizes the latest research progress on factors and regulatory mechanisms governing tomato fruit firmness. Multiple environmental factors including temperature, light, moisture and atmospheric composition jointly affect cell wall structure and metabolism, thereby altering fruit firmness. Mineral nutrition, postharvest handling and pathogen infection also exert profound impacts on texture characteristics by modulating physiological activities and cell wall integrity. Phytohormones such as gibberellin, ethylene, abscisic acid, jasmonic acid and salicylic acid form complex signaling crosstalk to mediate fruit softening processes. Furthermore, we elaborate on the functions of transcription factors, quantitative trait loci, and key functional genes, as well as research advances in transcriptomics and metabolomics, including transcriptome analyses identifying differentially expressed genes related to cell wall remodeling, and metabolomic profiling revealing hydroxyproline and galacturonic acid as firmness-associated markers. Cell wall metabolism is confirmed as the core pathway controlling fruit softening. Finally, future research directions are proposed, focusing on single-cell and spatial transcriptomics to map softening regulatory networks, AI-driven predictive modeling for softening kinetics and shelf-life optimization, and CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing for precise trait improvement. Full article

Lasiodiplodia theobromae is an important postharvest fruit rot pathogen that reduces the shelf life and marketability of durian. This study developed an ultrasound-assisted submicron curcumin-removed turmeric oleoresin and chitosan coating and evaluated its antifungal activity against L. theobromae in ‘Ri 6’ durian. An optimum formulation of 250 g L⁻¹ CRTO and 11.18 g L⁻¹ chitosan was obtained using response surface optimisation and prepared with ultrasound energy input of 384 J mL⁻¹. The optimised dispersion showed a hydrodynamic droplet size of 514 nm, a low polydispersity index of 0.16, a positive ζ-potential of +38 mV, and an emulsification efficiency of 86.16%; it retained one of the highest degrees of visual homogeneity among the 15 design formulations after 7 months of storage at 25 °C. In vitro assays showed strong dose-dependent inhibition of L. theobromae, with mycelial growth suppressed by 98.4–100% at 0.10 C₀ and 0.20 C₀; the two concentrations did not differ significantly (p > 0.05). Lesion development on wounded-inoculated fruit was reduced by 84.8–88.6% in CRTO–chitosan-coated fruit compared with the untreated control. Ultrasound-assisted submicron CRTO–chitosan coating is therefore a promising natural strategy for controlling postharvest fruit rot caused by L. theobromae in ‘Ri 6’ durian. The study was limited to one cultivar and one harvest batch, and postharvest quality, sensory attributes, and long-term dispersion stability were not assessed. Full article

Botrytis cinerea, the causal agent of gray mold or Botrytis rot on many vegetable and fruit crops worldwide, is ranked among the main limiting factors for strawberry production, being able to strongly compromise the quality, shelf life, and commercial value of fruit. UV-C is considered an environmentally friendly strategy for postharvest protection for several commodities. In this regard, this research evaluated the performance of short-wavelength UV-C radiation in reducing postharvest Botrytis decay, extending or maintaining the shelf life and quality of strawberry fruit, and detecting possible negative effects. The topic is of growing interest, as it falls within the strategic priorities of so-called “Green Technologies” to pursue a sustainable agriculture and safe food supply by minimizing fungicide use as much as possible. UV-C exposure (at a rate of 1428 J m⁻²) by means of a UV-C lamp (15 W) at a source distance of 25 cm for just 1 min provided significant reductions (from 41 up to almost 80%) depending on the artificial or natural decay pressure of gray mold caused by B. cinerea on strawberry fruit without phytotoxic effects. Analyses performed under both refrigerated and room-temperature storage conditions at different day intervals showed that postharvest UV-C does not significantly affect key chemical parameters, including the ascorbic acid content, total sugars, pH, and titratable acidity of strawberry fruit. Thus, UV-C exposure for a brief time, especially if combined with a low temperature, can be effectively considered for sustainable protection of strawberry fruit at the postharvest stage, providing a theoretical basis for further elucidation of the action modes for this and other targets, and potential large-scale application. Full article

Fruit preharvest–postharvest quality assessment is essential for precision harvesting, intelligent grading, storage management, and supply-chain loss reduction. However, conventional approaches mainly rely on single-point postharvest inspection and cannot adequately capture the long-term effects of preharvest fruit phenotypes and environmental dynamics on quality formation. To address limited prediction accuracy under few-label conditions, insufficient multimodal fusion, and weak cross-orchard generalization, this study proposes FruitSSL-QNet, a self-supervised multimodal learning framework for jointly modeling preharvest fruit images, environmental sensor time series, and postharvest quality indicators. The framework employs visual masked reconstruction to learn fine-grained phenotype features, including color, texture, lenticel distribution, disease spots, and maturity patterns. Environmental temporal masked modeling is used to capture the cumulative effects of temperature, humidity, light intensity, soil moisture, and rainfall. Bidirectional cross-attention, gated fusion, and contrastive alignment are further integrated to learn complementary and semantically consistent image–environment representations. Experimental results demonstrate that FruitSSL-QNet outperforms SVM, Random Forest, XGBoost, LSTM, GRU, TCN, Transformer, and MM-Transformer across multiple quality assessment tasks. The proposed model achieves a maturity recognition accuracy of $89.6\%$, exceeding MM-Transformer by $4.4$ percentage points. Compared with the corresponding baseline results, the prediction errors for sugar content, firmness, and shelf life are reduced by $21.1\%$, $22.2\%$, and $22.5\%$, respectively. The decay-risk AUC reaches $0.921$, and the cross-site F1-score reaches $0.867$, indicating strong risk discrimination and stable generalization across orchard environments. Ablation experiments further confirm the contributions of visual self-supervision, environmental temporal self-supervision, and cross-modal alignment. Full article

Cyclodextrin (CD)-based supramolecular nanofibers (NFs) have emerged as an advanced class of multifunctional materials for active food packaging by integrating host–guest supramolecular chemistry with electrospun nanofibrous architectures. The unique hydrophobic cavity and hydrophilic exterior of CDs enable the encapsulation of a wide range of bioactive compounds, including essential oils, natural antioxidants, antimicrobials, and volatile active agents, thereby enhancing their solubility, stability, controlled release, and preservation efficacy. This review comprehensively discusses the molecular structure and inclusion complexation mechanisms of CDs, recent advances in polymer-assisted and polymer-free electrospinning strategies, and the design of CD-based supramolecular nanofibers for food preservation. Particular emphasis is placed on the relationship between fiber morphology, supramolecular interactions, and controlled release behavior, which collectively govern antimicrobial, antioxidant, moisture management, and barrier properties. Recent developments involving biodegradable polymers, hybrid nanofibrous systems, and cyclodextrin-based metal–organic frameworks (CD-MOFs) are critically summarized, highlighting their roles in improving encapsulation efficiency, mechanical stability, and multifunctional performance. The review further compares CD-based nanofibers with other advanced encapsulation technologies, including liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, nanoemulsions, polymeric nanoparticles, microspheres, and conventional MOFs, providing a comprehensive evaluation of their loading capacity, release kinetics, scalability, cost, and regulatory suitability for food-contact applications. Representative applications in the preservation of fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood, dairy products, and bakery products demonstrate significant improvements in microbial inhibition, oxidation resistance, ethylene and volatile organic compound adsorption, and shelf-life extension through sustained delivery of natural preservatives. Ultimately, the current challenges, including large-scale manufacturing, long-term stability, regulatory approval, and commercialization, are discussed together with future directions, focusing on smart packaging, stimuli-responsive delivery systems, intelligent sensing, biodegradable multifunctional materials, and sustainable industrial implementation. Full article

Fruit-specific promoters (FSPs) are a class of regulatory DNA sequences that direct transgene expression exclusively in fruit tissues or during specific stages of fruit development. They are indispensable molecular tools in modern agricultural biotechnology, with broad applications in fruit quality improvement, nutritional enhancement, and shelf-life extension. By functioning as precise molecular switches that regulate fruit-specific gene expression, FSPs overcome the limitations of constitutive promoters and facilitate precision molecular breeding for fruit quality improvement. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in FSP research. First, based on their spatiotemporal expression patterns, FSPs are classified into four categories: immature fruit-specific, fruit ripening-specific, whole fruit development stage-specific, and dual-stage (immature fruit/ripening) promoters. Their origins, expression characteristics, and key cis-regulatory elements are comprehensively summarized. Second, the complex transcriptional regulatory network governing FSP activity is discussed from the perspectives of cis-regulatory elements, major transcription factor families (such as MADS-box and NAC proteins), and epigenetic regulation, including DNA methylation and histone modifications. Furthermore, recent advances in key methodologies, including promoter cloning, functional characterization, and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated precise editing of cis-regulatory elements, are reviewed, together with their applications in crop genetic improvement, plant molecular farming, and fundamental molecular biology research. Finally, this review highlights the major challenges limiting the application of FSPs, including the relatively weak transcriptional activity of natural promoters, insufficient tissue specificity, and limited cross-species applicability. Future perspectives are discussed, emphasizing the integration of artificial intelligence-assisted promoter design, high-throughput screening, and single-cell omics technologies to develop finely tunable synthetic promoters. These advances are expected to provide both a theoretical foundation and technical support for precision molecular breeding in fruit crops. Full article

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of postharvest ethanol treatment on the metabolism and production of volatile compounds in long-shelf-life (LSL) tomato fruit grown under two systems: open-field and greenhouse. After harvest, fruits were stored in 25 L chambers at 20 °C for the application of the following ethanol treatments: (1) control (chambers containing samples were only sealed); (2) 200 mg L⁻¹ ethanol; (3) 400 mg L⁻¹ ethanol; (4) 600 mg L⁻¹ ethanol; and (5) 800 mg L⁻¹ ethanol vapor. Ethanol was applied to a paper towel (0.2 × 0.2 m) in liquid form, and the chambers were then hermetically sealed for 24 h for ethanol volatilization and absorption by the tomatoes. After treatment, fruits were kept for 10 days at 20 °C until quality analyses were performed. ACC oxidase activity, respiration rate, and ethylene production were significantly affected by ethanol treatments and the cultivation system. ACC oxidase activity was higher in the field than in the greenhouse, but ethylene production and respiration rate were lower. Under open-field conditions, higher ethanol doses resulted in greater ethylene production but reduced the respiration rate. Tomatoes treated with ethanol had increased concentrations of most volatile compounds, particularly at higher doses of 600 mg L⁻¹ in the greenhouse and 800 mg L⁻¹ in field conditions. Volatile compounds that increased with ethanol treatment in the greenhouse included acetaldehyde, ethyl acetate, hexanal, and especially hexanoic acid, while ethyl propanoate, hexyl acetate, 2-methylbutanal, and citral increased in field conditions. On the other hand, the lower ethanol doses (200 mg L⁻¹) in greenhouse conditions were associated with lipid metabolism degradation compounds such as E-2-hexenal, E-2-hexenyl acetate, citral and butanal; another metabolic process likely contributed to this increase in greenhouse conditions. Furthermore, ethanol did not accumulate in the fruit pulp, indicating its bioconversion into other volatile compounds that significantly improve the flavor and aroma of LSL tomatoes, potentially enhancing consumer acceptance. Full article

Conventional gummies are characterized by high sugar, sweetener, and additive content, which has increased the demand for healthier alternatives. In this context, the incorporation of unconventional ingredients has emerged as a promising strategy to improve nutritional profile and functional value. This review aimed to collect and analyze information on the nutritional, technological, and sensory properties of unconventional ingredients, such as fruits, vegetables, microalgae, natural sweeteners, coproducts, and other functional compounds, in gummy formulations. A literature search was conducted, from which 20 relevant studies were selected and analyzed. The results showed that fruit incorporation increased the content of fiber, vitamin, and antioxidant compounds, while vegetables improved the mineral composition and the presence of bioactive compounds. Similarly, agro-industrial coproducts were identified as valuable sources of functional compounds with potential for sustainable valorization. In addition, the alternative gelling agents exhibited favorable effects on the texture, gel-forming capacity, stability, and shelf life of the samples. Overall, these ingredients demonstrated nutritional, technological, sensory, and sustainability advantages. However, challenges related to industrial scalability and sensory evaluation remain. Full article

Kombucha is a functional beverage produced through the fermentation of Camellia sinensis by a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY). Incorporating cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) and Cajá (Spondias mombin L.) pulps represents a value-addition strategy to mitigate the post-harvest perishability of native Cerrado fruits. This study evaluated physicochemical kinetics, 21-day refrigerated shelf life, consumer acceptance, and biological effects in Caenorhabditis elegans of flavored kombuchas. During a 9-day primary fermentation, the pH decreased to 2.95 while total acidity reached 5.38%. Following flavoring (10% v/v pulp/juice), cashew kombucha exhibited the highest total phenolic content (4.19 mg GAE/mL) and ferric reducing power (FRAP), whereas Cajá kombucha showed superior DPPH scavenging activity (1236 µM TroloxE/mL). Refrigerated storage (4 °C) maintained high counts of viable microorganisms (>10⁵ CFU/mL), though active residual fermentation induced ongoing sugar cleavage and a transient yeast proliferation peak on day 7 (8.15 log CFU/mL in Cajá kombucha). Toxicity assays using C. elegans revealed the initial mortality (31.5–62.5%); however, adjusting the pH to near-neutrality restored high organism viability (<10% mortality), confirming that mortality was acidity-driven. In pH-adjusted media, cashew kombucha promoted a modest extension of nematode lifespan, whereas Cajá kombucha reduced lipid accumulation. Sensory testing revealed moderate consumer acceptance, with cashew kombucha achieving a higher Acceptance Index (72.92%) than Cajá (67.26%). Overall, fruit supplementation enriches the bioactive potential of green tea kombucha, provided that post-fermentation acidity is appropriately managed. Full article

This study aimed to determine the effects of whey protein isolate (WPI)-based edible gel coatings, enriched with different additives, on the quality parameters of strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa). The coating solutions were prepared in five different formulations: control (uncoated), WPI-based gel coating (GC), WPI + magnesium powder (GCMg), WPI + cinnamon essential oil (GCEo), and WPI + magnesium + cinnamon essential oil (GCMgEo). In the study, each experimental group was stored at 4 °C for 21 days and evaluated in terms of color parameters (L*, a*, b*, C*, h°, ∆E), weight loss, pH, Water soluble dry matter (WSDM), moisture content, redox potential (Eh), adhesion rate of the coating, decay percentage, texture analysis, and sensory properties. The results revealed that the GCMgEo group yielded the most successful outcomes in terms of color stability, oxidative resistance, and microbial control. However, sensory evaluation scores in this group were found to be lower compared to other groups. The highest overall acceptability scores were observed in the control group up to the 14th day. The coating applications were found to preserve the firmness and integrity of the strawberries, while the adhesion percentage increased with certain additives. Moreover, WPI-based coatings formed a protective film on the fruit surface, providing protection against compression and mechanical damage. These results indicate that while edible coatings slow down the ripening process, some additives may have negative effects on aroma and taste. As a result, WPI-based edible gel coatings have the potential to extend the shelf life of strawberries and reduce quality losses. The addition of magnesium and cinnamon essential oil enhances the functional performance of the coatings but requires sensory optimization. This study reveals that naturally derived coating systems can offer an eco-friendly and effective alternative for preserving fresh fruits. Full article

Pre-storage fruit injuries are a major yet often underestimated cause of postharvest losses in apples, particularly during prolonged cold storage. This study evaluated the impact of minor pre-storage injuries on fruit deterioration and assessed the effectiveness of ammonium bicarbonate (2%) and clove bud essential oil (0.2%) as eco-friendly postharvest treatments compared with the fungicide fludioxonil (Scholar). Fresh red and yellow apples were classified as either intact fruit or fruit bearing minor injuries affecting less than 2% of the surface area (approximately 2 mm lesions). Treatments were applied by spraying before storage at 5 °C for six months, followed by 10 days of shelf life at 20 °C. Minor injuries significantly increased postharvest decay, weight loss, and quality deterioration in both cultivars. Injured yellow apples exhibited decay incidence of 17–24% and disease severity of 10.5–17.8%, whereas the more susceptible red apples showed decay incidence of 44.6–60% and disease severity of up to 50%. In contrast, non-injured fruit maintained better physicochemical quality and generally exhibited less than 5% decay incidence. Responses to storage and treatments differed between cultivars. Ammonium bicarbonate effectively reduced decay and helped maintain firmness in yellow apples, providing protection comparable to that of fludioxonil, whereas Scholar was the most effective treatment for reducing decay in red apples. Clove essential oil reduced disease development in non-injured fruit but showed limited effects on firmness preservation. The residual activity of fludioxonil remained detectable after prolonged storage, as demonstrated by inoculation assays performed after storage. The results demonstrate that fruit integrity at harvest is a critical determinant of successful long-term storage and that the benefits of postharvest treatments are substantially reduced when fruit are mechanically injured. Preventive treatment of uninjured fruit with ammonium bicarbonate or Scholar can significantly reduce postharvest losses, while careful handling and sorting to eliminate injured fruit remain essential components of sustainable apple storage management. Full article