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Effects of ethylene scrubbing on the storability and incidence of low-oxygen injury (LOI) of ´Fuji´ apples were investigated. Apples were harvested at the late stage of maturation, cold stored for three months and then transferred into standard CA (Std CA: 2.0-3.0% O₂ + 3.0-5. 0% COQ) and low-oxygen CA (LO CA: 0.5-1.0% O₂ + 3.0-5.0% CO₂). Commercially available ethylene scrubber, Purafil (alumina beads coated with KMn04) was applied during LO CA storage. In addition, several other scrubbers were made in the laboratory and absorbing efficiencies were evaluated in order to develop an inexpensive ethylene scrubber. Application of ethylene scrubber tended to maintain desirable fruit quality and reduced skin discoloration, one of LOI symptoms. However, the effects of ethylene scrubbing seemed not to be enough for practical application during LO CA. When absorbing efficiencies of several ethylene scrubbers were compared, Purafil showed highest absorbing efficiency. Among the other supporting materials used for ethylene scrubbers, Perlite was the only promising material for an inexpensive ethylene scrubber made in the laboratory. Organic materials such as chaff, pieces of corn stalk, and sawdust had slight absorbing capacity.
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