Abstract: Freshly harvested blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L. ‘Duke’) and strawberries ( Fragaria ×ananassa Duch. ‘Allstar’) were placed in jars and continuously ventilated with air or 40% , 60% , 80% or 100% O₂ for 35 and 14 days at 5℃, respectively, to investigate effects of high oxygen atmospheres
on fruit respiratory rate and ethylene production. While exposure of blueberries to 40% O₂ slightly affected fruit respiratory rate and ethylene production, fruits exposed to 60% - 100% O₂ exhibited significantly lower
respiratory rate and ethylene p roduction rate than those exposed to air. In strawberries, application of high oxygen atmospheres had no significant effects on fruit respiratory rate and ethylene p roduction within 8 days of storage, but significantly lower respiratory rate and ethylene p roduction rate were observed in fruits exposed to 80% and 100% O₂ in the comparison with those exposed to other high O₂ atmospheres and air between 10 and 14 days of storage.

Key words: Blueberry, Strawberry, High oxygen, Respiratory rate, Ethylene production