Integrated Packaging and Ethylene Scavenging Strategies to Extend the Shelf Life and Quality of Sweet Cherry cv. ‘Regina’ Under Ambient and Refrigerated Storage

Sweet cherry cv. ‘Regina’ is highly susceptible to rapid postharvest deterioration due to high respiration rate, moisture loss, and ethylene sensitivity, resulting in reduced firmness, stem browning, and decay. This study evaluated the effectiveness of two commercial modified atmosphere packaging films (Fresh Mama and Keep It Fresh) in combination with ethylene scavengers such as potassium permanganate, activated carbon, and their combination in extending the shelf life and preserving fruit quality under ambient (25°C) and refrigerated (4°C) storage. Fruits were assessed for physiological loss in weight (PLW), rot incidence, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, anthocyanin content, and color attributes at defined intervals. Packaging type, ethylene scavenger treatment, and storage conditions significantly ( p < 0.05) influenced all quality parameters. Among treatments, Fresh Mama film integrated with potassium permanganate + activated carbon (P ₃ T ₃ ) consistently showed superior performance. Under refrigerated storage, PLW was reduced to 3.55% compared to 4.67% in the control; rot incidence remained below 5% up to 70 days, ascorbic acid was retained at 5.91 mg 100 g ^{− 1} compared with 3.03 mg 100 g ^{− 1} in control, and TSS was maintained at 16.83 °Brix. Refrigerated storage (4°C) substantially outperformed ambient storage (25°C) by suppressing respiration, enzymatic activity, and oxidative deterioration. Overall, the integrated use of advanced packaging films with ethylene scavengers, particularly under refrigerated conditions, extended the marketable shelf life of Regina cherries by up to 70 days, offering a practical and commercially viable postharvest management strategy for reducing losses in this highly perishable cultivar.