Apple is a climacteric fruit commercially grown in temperate regions of the world. Apple quality and its postharvest life can be influenced by several factors, including harvest maturity, storage conditions, and postharvest treatments. Apples have a relatively long storage life compared with other fruit crops. However, the main problem of apple storage is the decrease of fruit firmness. Fruit ripening is accompanied by softening, which is one of the most important determinants of fruit quality and consumer acceptability. Numerous techniques, including controlled atmosphere storage, modified atmosphere packaging, 1-methlycyclopropene treatment, coatings, etc., have been employed for increasing the shelf life of apple fruit.
