Cranfield University is working with Tesco, leading growers and other parties to extend the so-called ‘flavour life’ of UK apples by up to six weeks.
Researchers are employing state-of-the-art sensors allied to improved postharvest storage in a bid to offer consumers UK-grown fruit that retains its full flavour for longer.
The work builds upon Cranfield’s recent research to develop novel sensors to better inform targeted controlled atmosphere to suppress ripening while maintaining flavour, offering the ability to extend storage and so help reduce waste and the reliance on imports.
The collaborative three-year project also includes Avalon Produce, Richard Hochfeld, Chelsea Technologies Group and Univeg Katope UK. It has received funding of £354,957 from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and Innovate UK.
Professor Leon Terry, director of environment and agrifood at Cranfield University, said: “The British apple industry is continuously being asked by UK retailers to extend availability and this can only be achieved by implementing ever more sophisticated storage technologies.
“We need to improve how apples are stored so that the focus is moved towards 'flavour life' rather than just being driven by firmness and sugar content. If we control ripening while maintaining 'flavour life', we can make incremental increases in storage time to help reduce a reliance on imports and extend the window in which high-quality British fruit can be offered.”
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