L-malate in golden delicious apples as a possible parameter of acceptability

Several batches of Golden Delicious apples from three geographical regions in the Netherlands were stored at 4 degrees C in a controlled atmosphere (CA) of 9% CO2, 12% 02 and under normal atomspheric conditions (Air = A). They were judged with the aid of a palatability test after which it was established that the internal quality of a population of fruits remained satisfactory until they reached a range of L-malate of 0.39-0.45 g per 100 g initial fresh weight.