EVALUATION OF FRUIT QUALITY IN PEARS STORED IN ULTRA LOW OXYGEN

The aim of this study was to compare the quality of fruit of pear cultivars stored under Utra Low Oxygen (ULO) conditions. The experiment focused mainly on sensory evaluations and the presence of flesh internal damage, which can occur during ULO storage in pears and make fruit unmarketable. Five pear cultivars were observed in this study (‘Bohemica’, ‘Condo’, ‘Concorde’, ‘Conference’, ‘Vonka’). Fruit were stored in two different ULO atmospheres and temperature of 1°C. Sensory evaluations as well as detections of internal damage in fruit were carried out regularly during storage. The best sensory evaluations of fruit were found in ‘Bohemica’ and ‘Conference’. Fruit of both cultivars were also evaluated as to lowest occurrence of internal damage. High presence of internal cavities was detected in ‘Condo’. High presence of internal browning was found in ‘Vonka’. Results showed ‘Bohemica’ and ‘Conference’ as suitable for ULO storage among tested pear cultivars.