*3.2. Physicochemical Properties*

#### 3.2.1. Flesh Firmness

In the 2015 season, compared to RLOS and DCA-CF treatments, lower flesh firmness was observed in RA treated apples between 6 and 10 months of storage (Figure 1a). However, at 0 and 7 d shelf life, there was no significant difference in flesh firmness for fruit stored in RLOS (ULO and CA) and DCA-CF treatments. Similarly, in the 2016 season, better firmness retention was associated with fruit stored in low oxygen storage technologies (DCA-CF and RLOS) (Figure 1b) compared to RA.

**Figure 1.** Firmness (N) of 'Granny Smith' apples harvested in the 2015 (**a**) and 2016 (**b**) seasons at commercial maturity and stored for up to 10 months at 0 ◦C in various storage conditions, evaluated every two months followed by a 6 week simulated shipment and handling period, and at 7 days on the shelf (20 ◦C and 65% RH). Vertical bars represent the standard error (SE) of mean values of 3 replicates (1 replicate = 10 fruit). LSD0.05 represent least significant difference (*p* < 0.05). For storage duration, mon—months, w—weeks, and d—days. RLOS—repeated low oxygen stress; ULO—ultralow oxygen; CA—controlled atmosphere; DCA-CF—dynamic controlled atmosphere-chlorophyll fluorescence; RA—regular atmosphere.
