Postharvest Quality of Granny Smith Apples: Interplay of Harvest Stage, Storage Duration, and Shelf-Life

Apples are the most widely consumed temperate fruit worldwide and are often stored for long-term to ensure year-round availability. However, maintaining fruit quality during storage and subsequent shelf-life remain a significant postharvest challenge. This study investigated the combined effects of the harvest stage, cold storage duration, and shelf-life on the physico-chemical properties of Granny Smith apples. Key quality attributes including texture, maturity indices, color, and starch degradation were evaluated using instrumental methods and Raman microscopy. Fruit quality was affected differently by individual factors and their interactions. Texture parameters showed varied sensitivity: the harvest stage affected several parameters, storage duration had the strongest overall impact, shelf-life influenced a moderate number of parameters, and some were affected by combined factor interactions. Maturity indices were significantly influenced by all factors individually and combined. Color parameters were consistently affected by harvest stage and storage, with shelf-life and interactions influencing fewer parameters. These findings emphasize the complex interplay of factors shaping apple quality after harvest. The study demonstrates the importance of timing harvest and tailoring postharvest handling to maintain apple quality. It also demonstrates the potential of combining traditional and advanced techniques for effective ripeness monitoring.