Combination of electrolyzed water pre-treatment and modified atmosphere and humidity packaging: Impact on physicochemical attributes, bioactive and volatile compounds, and microbial load for fresh-cut apples

The visual appeal and quality of fresh-cut produce significantly influence consumer preference. This work examined the combined effects of pre-treatments: acidic electrolyzed water (AEW), alkaline (AIEW), and sodium hypochlorite (SH) with modified atmosphere and humidity packaging (MAHP) on fresh-cut ‘Granny Smith’ apples stored at 2 °C for 12 days. The MAHP material included biodegradable cellulose-based film (NF), a composite biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) and polyethylene with lid. These packages were fitted with a fixed ratio window: (i) NF-BOPP (66:33 %), and (ii) BOPP-NF (66:33 %) for samples pre-treated with AEW and AIEW, respectively, and for general retail practice SH pre-treated samples were packed in polyethylene tray with lid as control (SH-Closed). Results showed that in-package gas composition was significantly impacted by pre-treatment and package type (p < 0.05). On day 12, fresh-cut apples under SH-Closed had the lowest total soluble solids (TSS, 9.7 ± 0.35 %), highest moisture loss (96.2 ± 0.02 g), and browning index (BI, 45 ± 1.9). AEW and AIEW pre-treatments combined with MAHP significantly slowed down microbial growth in comparison to SH-Closed samples. Highest accumulation of secondary volatile compounds with alcohol functional group were found in SH-Closed samples throughout storage. Overall, samples pre-treated with AEW and packed using BOPP-NF flow wrap, better maintained phenolic content and antioxidant activity, minimized water vapour condensation, and lowered microbial counts. • Electrolyzed water (EW) treatments offered a paradigm shift from sodium hypochlorite. • Modified atmosphere and humidity packaging (MAHP) reduced water vapour condensation. • EW combined with MAHP significantly delayed browning of fresh-cut apples. • EW combined with MAHP maintained phenolic content and antioxidant activity. • Highest accumulation of secondary volatiles was found in control samples.