Lichter, A., Department of Postharvest Science, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel
Zutahy, Y., Department of Postharvest Science, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel
Kaplunov, T., Department of Postharvest Science, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel
Shacham, Z., Department of Postharvest Science, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel
Aharoni, N., Department of Postharvest Science, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel
Lurie, S., Department of Postharvest Science, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel

Grape storage requires stringent control of decay caused by Botrytis cinerea. The commercial practice is dependent on SO2 as a fumigant which is applied by various means with well know advantages and downsides. Many alternative technologies were developed over the years, most of them with limited efficacy or applicability. Modified atmosphere (MA) of table grapes suffers from a narrow threshold between efficacy and damage due to high level op CO2 in the film. We have demonstrated in the past that dipping table grapes in ethanol after harvest has a very pronounced effect on prevention of decay. However, ethanol is not expected to prevent latent infections from developing decay nests during prolonged storage. We now demonstrate that if we first treat grapes of cv. 'Superior' with ethanol and then subject them to MA using Xtend films, we can achieve a synergistic effect. The advantage of the Xtend film is mainly in its water conductance, which prevents accumulation of free water, often the limiting factor in MA. We also demonstrate that if undesired aftertaste does build up, one day exposure to ambient air is sufficient to remove it.