Gas 'N' go grapefruit. For shippers, it may ease fruit fly restrictions.
Quattro J. de
Author Affiliation: Fruit Insects Research Unit, Subtropical Agricultural Research Laboratory, 2301 S. International Blvd., Weslaco, Texas, USA.
Agricultural Research (Washington) 44 : 16-19
Abstract : Investigations in the USA on controlling Mexican fruit fly [Anastrepha ludens] in grapefruit (and other fruits) for quarantine purposes are described, with special reference to the suitability of controlled atmospheres. Six combinations of gases at 5 temperatures were tested on a large scale. In some tests using artificially infested fruit, all the flies died in 1-3 days, without compromising the quality of grapefruit or mangoes. Low oxygen, rather than high carbon dioxide, seemed to be the key in fruit quality. No damage was found to grapefruit or mangoes chilled at oxygen concentrations below 1%, but elevated carbon dioxide caused appearance and flavour problems. Results from some kinds of trials were steady, but other results were inconsistent.