Effect of Packaging Conditions on the Fruit Quality of Chinese Quince

The respiration rate of Chinese quince was measured at 0, 5, 10, and $20^{\circ}C$ to determine its tolerable range of storage temperatures. Based on the measured respiration rates, plastic films covering a wide range of gas permeabilities were used for packaging and storing individual Chinese quince at 0 and $10^{\circ}C$. Chinese quince can be categorized as low respiration fruit. Higher respiratory quotients were observed at higher temperature suggesting that the tolerable temperature range for storage is $0-10^{\circ}C$. Packages containing Chinese quince wrapped in highly gas-permeable polyolefin film PD 941 attained, with progressive decreases in volume, 9.5-10.2% $O_2$ and 1.3-1.8% $CO_2$ at $0^{\circ}C$, 8.1% $O_2$ and 2.4% $CO_2$ at $10^{\circ}C$. At these levels, PD 941 could preserve the fruit at acceptable quality levels for 152 and 50 days at 0 and $10^{\circ}C$, respectively. Less gas-permeable packages built up high $CO_2$ concentrations (above 15.8%) and low $O_2$ concentrations (less than 1.8%) causing free volume expansion and eventual dark discoloration of the fruit. The storage life realized by packaging with polyolefin film PD 941 could facilitate the availability of Chinese quinces in winter and spring for medicinal or ornamental purposes in the fresh state.