Phytoplasma Infection of Cranberry Affects Development and Oviposition, but Not Host-Plant Selection, of the Insect Vector Limotettix vaccinii.

Vector-borne pathogens, such as phytoplasmas, are known to manipulate both host plants and insect vectors to enhance their own transmission. In cranberries, phytoplasma infection causes false blossom disease, which is vectored by blunt-nosed leafhoppers (Limotettix vaccinii Van Duzee). We explored how phytoplasma infection of vegetative cranberry tissues affects the developmental performance and host preferences of L. vaccinii, and compared volatile emissions and phytohormone levels of infected and uninfected plants. In no-choice performance assays, L. vaccinii survival was similar on infected and uninfected cranberry plants. However, nymphs on infected plants took longer to reach adulthood, and produced larger adults, than those on uninfected plants. In oviposition tests, L. vaccinii females laid more eggs on uninfected than phytoplasma-infected cranberry plants. Olfactometer studies revealed preferences of L. vaccinii nymphs and adults for odors of uninfected plants when compared to clean air but not when compared to infected plants. Uninfected plants emitted higher amounts of volatiles than infected plants, particularly (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1, 3, 7-nonatriene, dodecane, and germacrene-D; however, we observed no effect of infection on phytohormone levels. Overall, our data show an oviposition preference of L. vaccinii for healthy plants, whereas our attraction data show no preference between infected and uninfected plants. While slower development on phytoplasma-infected cranberry plants led to larger adult size, there was no evidence for any beneficial effects of infection on other L. vaccinii performance parameters. Results from these studies are of relevance to understand tripartite plant-phytoplasma-insect vector interactions and are discussed in the context of the vector manipulation hypothesis.

A Molecular Assay Allows the Simultaneous Detection of 12 Fungi Causing Fruit Rot in Cranberry.

Cranberry fruit rot (CFR) is arguably one of the most limiting factors of cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) production throughout its growing areas. The disease is caused by a group of closely related fungi that require identification using long and cumbersome steps of isolation and microscopic observations of structural features. The objective of this study was to develop a molecular assay to simultaneously detect and discriminate 12 of the most important fungal species reported to be pathogenic on cranberry fruit to facilitate the diagnosis of CFR. As the first approach, internal transcribed spacers and large subunit regions of all fungi were sequenced and confirmed with sequences available in the NCBI database. These data were used to develop primers able to differentiate seven of the 12 species. The five remaining species, including three in the Phacidiaceae family and two in the Glomerellaceae family, were differentiated on the basis of a more discriminant marker, the translation elongation factor 1-α. Two PCR reactions were optimized to clearly delineate the 12 species. The multiplex test was first validated using pure fungal cultures; it was subsequently validated using fruit collected in cranberry beds in eastern Canada. In the latter case, the test was rigorous enough to clearly discriminate the fungal pathogens from contaminants. Within the tested samples, Physalospora vaccinii and Coleophoma empetri were most commonly found. This molecular test offers scientists, diagnosticians, and growers a powerful tool that can rapidly and precisely identify fungi causing CFR so they can implement appropriate control methods.

Inactivation kinetics of Escherichia coli in cranberry juice during multistage treatment by electric fields.

The inactivation of Escherichia coli inoculated in cranberry juice by processing with radio frequency electric fields was studied. E. coli ATCC 35218 was chosen among three non-pathogenic strains based on its ability to survive in low pH cranberry juice. Studies were conducted by measuring the survival population when changing the electric field strength between 2.2 and 13.2 kV cm-1, number of treatment stages from 1 to 6 and flow rates between 13 and 25 L h-1 at moderate temperatures of 20, 30 and 40 °C. A minimum inactivation of 5-log reduction, as requested by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), can be achieved by increasing the number of treatment stages, temperature or both. At 40 °C and 6 treatment stages, 6.57 ±â€¯0.02 log CFU ml-1 reduction in the initial population of E. coli (ATCC 35218) was obtained. At a constant electric field, increasing the temperature produced higher microbial inactivation, consuming lower radio frequency energy input, than increasing the number of treatment stages. Furthermore, a primary model that accounts for the combined effect of time and electric field is proposed. The model represented the sigmoidal curve composed of shoulder, log-linear and tailing sections as observed when changing electric fields. A secondary model that accounts for the effect of temperature and flow rate on the primary model constants is also proposed. The combined primary and secondary models were found to fit the data well with a high coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.965). The proposed model can be extended to kinetic models for pulsed electric fields.

Effect of high-pressure homogenization on different matrices of food supplements.

There is a growing demand for food supplements containing high amounts of vitamins, phenolic compounds and mineral content that provide health benefits. Those functional compounds have different solubility properties, and the maintenance of their compounds and the guarantee of their homogenic properties need the application of novel technologies. The quality of different drinkable functional foods after thermal processing (0.1 MPa) or high-pressure homogenization under two different conditions (80 MPa, 33 ℃ and 120 MPa, 43 ℃) was studied. Physicochemical characteristics and sensory qualities were evaluated throughout the six months of accelerated storage at 40 ℃ and 75% relative humidity (RH). Aroma and color were better maintained in high-pressure homogenization-treated samples than the thermally treated ones, which contributed significantly to extending their shelf life. The small particle size obtained after high-pressure homogenization treatments caused differences in turbidity and viscosity with respect to heat-treated samples. The use of high-pressure homogenization, more specifically, 120 MPa, provided active ingredient homogeneity to ensure uniform content in functional food supplements. Although the effect of high-pressure homogenization can be affected by the food matrix, high-pressure homogenization can be implemented as an alternative to conventional heat treatments in a commercial setting within the functional food supplement or pharmaceutical industry.

Atividade antibacteriana e efeito interativo in vitro de um produto a base de cranberry sobre Escherichia coli / Antibacterial activity and interactive effect in vitro of a cranberry product on Escherichia coli

Produtos derivados de plantas estão sendo bastante estudados devido à possibilidade de apresentarem substâncias com atividades antimicrobianas, principalmente, em decorrência do aumento da resistência bacteriana aos antimicrobianos, Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton, conhecido como cranberry, é uma planta nativa, bastante difundida na América do Norte por suas propriedades terapêuticas, particularmente, na prevenção e tratamento de infecções urinárias, Este estudo objetivou avaliar in vitro a atividade antibacteriana, a concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) de um produto comercial a base de cranberry bem como as possíveis interações deste produto quando em associação com antimicrobianos, frente a cepas de Escherichia coli, As avaliações da atividade antibacteriana e da CIM foram realizadas utilizando-se discos de papel filtro estéreis (Cefar®), embebidos em 30µL da solução contendo frutos de cranberry em diferentes concentrações, O estudo da interferência do produto sobre a efetividade dos antimicrobianos foi realizado embebendo-se os discos de antibióticos, com 30µL da solução de cranberry [20mg/mL] equivalente a ½ CIM, Os resultados mostraram que a solução de cranberry apresentou atividade para todas as cepas de E, coli testadas independentemente do perfil de resistência e foi capaz de provocar diferentes efeitos interativos quando associado aos antimicrobianos, Estes dados comprovam o potencial antibacteriano deste fruto, promissor, para estudos de desenvolvimento de novos fármacos, entretanto, também mostram que em algumas situações, pode interferir sobre a efetividade de antimicrobianos de uso clínico...

Products derived from plants are being studied because often have substances with antimicrobial activity, mainly due to the increase in bacterial resistance to antimicrobial compounds. Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton, known as cranberry, is a plant native to, quite widespread in North America for its therapeutic properties, particularly in the prevention and treatment of urinary infections. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the possible interactions between a cranberry product when in association with antimicrobial agents against strains of Escherichia coli. The sensitivity profile was performed by disk diffusion using discs (Multifar ®), and the assessments of antibacterial activity and the MIC were performed using sterile filter paper discs (Cefar ®), soaked in 30 µl of the solution of cranberry, tested in different concentrations. The study of interference of cranberry solution about the effectiveness of antimicrobials was accomplished by soaking the antibiotic discs in their respective concentrations, with cranberry solution 30µL [20 mg/mL] equivalent to 0.5 MIC. The results showed that cranberry solution presented activity for all strains regardless of resistance profile of these lineages and was able to provoke different interactive effects when associated to antimicrobials. These results prove the antibacterial potential of this fruit promising possible, for studies of development of new products, however, also show that in some situations, it may interfere on the effectiveness of antimicrobials for clinical use...

Growth and by-product profiles of Kluyveromyces marxianus cells immobilized in foamed alginate.

The aim of this research was to study how the yeast cell immobilization technique influences the growth and fermentation profiles of Kluyveromyces marxianus cultivated on apple/chokeberry and apple/cranberry pomaces. Encapsulation of the cells was performed by droplet formation from a foamed alginate solution. The growth and metabolic profiles were evaluated for both free and immobilized cells. Culture media with fruit waste produced good growth of free as well as immobilized yeast cells. The fermentation profiles of K. marxianus were different with each waste material. The most varied aroma profiles were noted for immobilized yeast cultivated on apple/chokeberry pomace.

Exobasidium maculosum, a new species causing leaf and fruit spots on blueberry in the southeastern USA and its relationship with other Exobasidium spp. parasitic to blueberry and cranberry.

Exobasidium leaf and fruit spot of blueberry (Vaccinium section Cyanococcus) is an emerging disease that has rapidly increased in prevalence throughout the southeastern USA. To determine whether this disease is caused by a new species of Exobasidium, we studied the morphology and phylogenetic relationship of the causal fungus compared with other members of the genus, including the type species E. vaccinii and other species that parasitize blueberry and cranberry (V. macrocarpon). Both scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy were used for morphological characterization. For phylogenetic analyses, we sequenced the large subunit of the rDNA (LSU) from 10 isolates collected from leaf or fruit spots of rabbiteye blueberry (V. virgatum), highbush blueberry (V. corymbosum) and southern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium interspecific hybrid) from Georgia and North Carolina and six isolates from leaf spots of lowbush blueberry (V. angustifolium) from Maine and Nova Scotia, Canada. LSU was sequenced from isolates causing red leaf disease of lowbush blueberry and red leaf spot (E. rostrupii) and red shoot (E. perenne) of cranberry. In addition, LSU sequences from GenBank, including sequences with high similarity to the emerging parasite and from Exobasidium spp. parasitizing other Vaccinium spp. and related hosts, were obtained. All sequences were aligned and subjected to phylogenetic analyses. Results indicated that the emerging parasite in the southeastern USA differs morphologically and phylogenetically from other described species and is described herein as Exobasidium maculosum. Within the southeastern USA, clustering based on host species, host tissue type (leaf or fruit) or geographic region was not detected; however, leaf spot isolates from lowbush blueberry were genetically different and likely represent a unique species.

Diversity of fungi associated with hair roots of ericaceous plants is affected by land use.

Culture-independent molecular studies have provided new insights into the diversity of fungi associating with ericaceous plant roots. However, there is little understanding of the distribution of these fungi across landscapes, or the effects of environmental heterogeneity on ericoid mycorrhizal (ERM) fungal diversity and distribution. Terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism and selective sequence analyses of the internal transcribed spacer regions of rDNA were used to infer fungal diversity of bait Vaccinium macrocarpon grown in soils from nine peatland sites in Ireland, representing three different land uses (bog, rough grazing and forest plantation) and the fungal communities of field-collected Calluna vulgaris for five of these nine sites. A diverse range of potential ERM fungi were found, and the sampling approach significantly affected the diversity of the fungal community. Despite significant site groupings of the fungal communities associated with V. macrocarpon and C. vulgaris, fungal communities were significantly dissimilar between sites with different land uses. Soil nitrogen content significantly explained 52% of the variation in the V. macrocarpon fungal communities. Evidence suggests that environmental heterogeneity has a role in shaping ERM fungal community composition at the landscape scale.

[Trichothecene mycotoxins of Fusarium poae from different habitats].

Comparative study of the ability of three strains of Fusarium poae for the synthesis of trichothecen mycotoxins has been carried out. Studied strains were isolated from different habitats: forest soil, wheat (plant pathogen) and cranberry root (endophytic strain). All three strains were able to synthesize T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin and T-2 tetraol but they were in various amounts. The soil strain 50660 was characterized by high level of synthesis of both HT-2 toxin and T-2 tetraol; plant pathogenic 50674 and endophytic 50685 strains were characterized by high level of T-2 tetraol synthesis and lower level of HT-2 toxin synthesis. The main trichothecene mycotoxin of this group - T-2 toxin - was detected in trace amounts for all three strains of F. poae.

Habitat and host indicate lineage identity in Colletotrichum gloeosporioides s.l. from wild and agricultural landscapes in North America.

Understanding the factors that drive the evolution of pathogenic fungi is central to revealing the mechanisms of virulence and host preference, as well as developing effective disease control measures. Prerequisite to these pursuits is the accurate delimitation of species boundaries. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides s.l. is a species complex of plant pathogens and endophytic fungi for which reliable species recognition has only recently become possible through a multi-locus phylogenetic approach. By adopting an intensive regional sampling strategy encompassing multiple hosts within and beyond agricultural zones associated with cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton), we have integrated North America strains of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides s.l. from these habitats into a broader phylogenetic framework. We delimit species on the basis of genealogical concordance phylogenetic species recognition (GCPSR) and quantitatively assess the monophyly of delimited species at each of four nuclear loci and in the combined data set with the genealogical sorting index (gsi). Our analysis resolved two principal lineages within the species complex. Strains isolated from cranberry and sympatric host plants are distributed across both of these lineages and belong to seven distinct species or terminal clades. Strains isolated from V. macrocarpon in commercial cranberry beds belong to four species, three of which are described here as new. Another species, C. rhexiae Ellis & Everh., is epitypified. Intensive regional sampling has revealed a combination of factors, including the host species from which a strain has been isolated, the host organ of origin, and the habitat of the host species, as useful indicators of species identity in the sampled regions. We have identified three broadly distributed temperate species, C. fructivorum, C. rhexiae, and C. nupharicola, that could be useful for understanding the microevolutionary forces that may lead to species divergence in this important complex of endophytes and plant pathogens.

Chromobacterium vaccinii sp. nov., isolated from native and cultivated cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) bogs and irrigation ponds.

A large number of Gram-negative, motile, mesophilic, violacein-producing bacteria were isolated from the soils and roots of Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait. and Kalmia angustifolia L. plants and from irrigation ponds associated with wild and cultivated cranberry bogs in Massachusetts, USA. Phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences placed these isolates in a clade with Chromobacterium species, but the specialized environment from which they were isolated, their low genomic DNA relatedness with Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC 12472(T) and C. subtsugae PRAA4-1(T), significant differences in fatty acid composition and colony morphology indicate that the cranberry and Kalmia isolates comprise a separate species of Chromobacterium, for which the name Chromobacterium vaccinii sp. nov. is proposed. Strain MWU205(T) ( = ATCC BAA-2314(T)  = DSM 25150(T)) is proposed as the type strain for the novel species. Phenotypic analysis of 26 independent isolates of C. vaccinii sp. nov. indicates that, despite close geographical and biological proximity, there is considerable metabolic diversity among individuals within the population.

Allantofuranone, a new antifungal antibiotic from Allantophomopsis lycopodina IBWF58B-05A.

In a screening for new bioactive compounds, the extract of Allantophomopsis lycopodina strain IBWF58B-05A, an imperfect ascomycete, was found to exhibit strong but rather selective antibiotic activity against Paecilomyces variotii. The bioactivity-guided isolation yielded allantofuranone, a new and uncommon gamma-lactone. This compound showed antifungal activity against P. variotii and Penicillium species. This paper describes the isolation, structure elucidation and biological characteristics of allantofuranone.

Detection of viable Zygosaccharomyces bailii in fruit juices using ethidium monoazide bromide and real-time PCR.

In this study, we use ethidium monoazide (EMA) a dye commonly used to differentiate viable and nonviable populations of bacteria in real-time PCR (QPCR) assays to eliminate the nonviable cells from the Z. bailii population. Thus we are able to determine the viable Z. bailii population using QPCR plus EMA. To do this we first, optimized the EMA exposure conditions; EMA concentration of 50 microg/ml with an incubation at 30 degrees C in the dark for 5 min. Followed by light exposure on ice, for 5 min using a 500 W halogen lamp at a distance of 12 cm. Using these optimized conditions, we determined that the assay could detect as few as 12.5 viable Z. bailii cells in the presence of 10(5) CFU/ml of heat killed-cells. The EMA assay was also more consistent at determining viable cell counts when compared to plating than fluorescent microscopy viable cell counts. Finally, we used the assay to determine the viable population in heat-treated (72 degrees C, 2 min), ethanol-treated and raspberry cranberry juice Z. bailii cultures. When examining Z. bailii cells treated with 70% ethanol the QPCR assay with EMA (1.22 x 10(2)) showed a better correlation with plating (4.5 x 10(1) CFU/ml) compared to the QPCR assay without EMA (5.31 x 10(6) CFU/ml) and this was also seen in the other two injured populations. Thus we feel that we have designed an assay which will be useful for the detection of viable spoilage yeasts in various fruit juices.

Effects of propagule density and survival strategies on establishment and growth: further investigations in the phylloplane fungal model system.

This work builds on an earlier culture study where we determined that species diversity of competing saprotrophic phyllpolane fungi had only a negligible effect on the establishment and coexistence of a target fungus, Pestalotia vaccinii. Here, we explore preliminary evidence suggesting that spore density is a more important contributing factor to colonization and coexistence. We examine the influence of propagule density in vitro on establishment and growth of select members of the phylloplane of Vaccinium macrocarpon (American cranberry). To evaluate the response of the weak pathogen P. vaccinii to changes in competitors spore density, we chose saprotrophs from the previous investigation that had the greatest inhibitory effect on the establishment of P. vaccinii (Curvularia lunata), an intermediate inhibitory effect (Alternaria alternata) and the least inhibitory effect (Penicillium sp.). A constant target spore concentration of 50 viable spores of P. vaccinii was pit against densities of the three individual competitors ranging between 12 and 200 spores. As viable propagule density increased, establishment and coexistence of P. vaccinii significantly decreased, with C. lunata and A. alternata decreasing the growth of P. vaccinii more than Penicillium sp. Concomitantly, both C. lunata and Penicillium sp. were not significantly affected by overall spore density but were significantly affected by the presence of P. vaccinii. A. alternata, on the other hand, was not significantly influenced by the presence of P. vaccinii but was significantly affected by overall spore density. An in vitro investigation into the effect of interspecific competition on mycelial growth suggests how different survival strategies and community assembly rules might influence both growth and development. Growth of P. vaccinii was significantly less when interacting with C. lunata than when interacting with either A. alternata or Penicillium sp. Conversely, P. vaccinii had the greatest effect on the growth of C. lunata, less of an effect on the growth of A. alternata, and the least effect on Penicillium sp.

Survival in food systems of Lactobacillus rhamnosus R011 microentrapped in whey protein gel particles.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of whey protein isolate (WPI) gel microentrapment on the viability of Lactobacillus rhamnosus R011 during the production and storage of biscuits, frozen cranberry juice, and vegetable juice. Viability of microentrapped (ME) cells was compared to free cells freeze-dried in a milk-based protective solution as well as in a WPI-based solution (ungelled). During the production of biscuits and their storage for 2 wk at 23 degrees C, the highest stability was obtained with the cells ME in WPI gel particles. However, free cells prepared in the milk-based matrix were those that maintained the highest viability during storage of vegetable juice as well as during freezing and storage of cranberry juice. The culture prepared in a WPI-based solution had the highest drops in viable counts following the heating process of biscuits as well as during storage of vegetable juice and freezing and storage of cranberry juice. Although the WPI-based solution was not efficient in protecting free cells, it is concluded that the process of microentrapment in WPI can help in protecting the freeze-dried cells against subsequent acidic and alkaline pH conditions as well as heating and freezing of food products.

Inoculation of cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) with the ericoid mycorrhizal fungus Rhizoscyphus ericae increases nitrate influx.

Despite the ubiquitous presence of ericoid mycorrhizal (ERM) fungi in cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), no prior studies have examined the effect of ERM colonization on NO(3)(-) influx kinetics. Here, (15)NO(3)(-) influx was measured in nonmycorrhizal and mycorrhizal cranberry in hydroponics. Mycorrhizal cranberry were inoculated with the ERM fungus Rhizoscyphus (syn. Hymenoscyphus) ericae. (15)NO(3)(-) influx by R. ericae in solution culture was also measured. Rhizoscyphus ericae NO(3)(-) influx kinetics were linear when mycelium was exposed for 24 h to 3.8 mm NH(4)(+), and saturable when pretreated with 3.8 mm NO(3)(-), 50 microm NO(3)(-), or 50 microm NH(4)(+). Both low-N pretreatments induced greater NO(3)(-) influx than either of the high-N pretreatments. Nonmycorrhizal cranberry exhibited linear NO(3)(-) influx kinetics. By contrast, mycorrhizal cranberry had saturable NO(3)(-) influx kinetics, with c. eightfold greater NO(3)(-) influx than nonmycorrhizal cranberry at NO(3)(-) concentrations from 20 microm to 2 mm. There was no influence of pretreatments on cranberry NO(3)(-) influx kinetics, regardless of mycorrhizal status. Inoculation with R. ericae increased the capacity of cranberry to utilize NO(3)(-)-N. This finding is significant both for understanding the potential nutrient niche breadth of cranberry and for management of cultivated cranberry when irrigation water sources contain nitrate.

The cranberry and the urinary tract.

Cranberry products have been heralded as natural treatments for urinary tract infections (UTIs) and have been widely used for this purpose. Current evidence favours an antibacterial role for the cranberry's natural polyphenols or tannins. Although limited species- and strain-specific direct inhibition has been determined in vitro, it has been suggested that a key mechanism of inhibition, especially for the abundant uropathogenic E. coli, relies on anti-adhesion properties. Many studies of prevention have been complicated due to the enrollment of patients who have had complicated urinary tracts, and outcomes have not been consistently favourable. In contrast, significant prevention has been shown for acute cystitis among high-risk young females. While reasonably well tolerated and deplete from side effects, further scientific work is required to better place the role of cranberry products in the management of UTIs. Progress in this area has set the stage for further hypothesis testing studies.

Effects of species diversity on establishment and coexistence: a phylloplane fungal community model system.

A model system was devised, evaluating the influence that species diversity (species richness) has on fungal establishment and coexistence. Seven members of the fungal phylloplane community of Vaccinium macrocarpon (American cranberry) were selected to assess how species diversity affected development and coexistence of another community member, Pestalotia vaccinii. Pestalotia was engaged in competitive interactions on 1% Malt Extract Agar (MEA) petri dishes with each of the seven individual saprotrophs (two-way interaction), in random combinations with three of the seven saprotrophs (four-way interaction), and in random combinations with five of the seven saprotrophs (six-way interaction). The saprotrophic fungi used in this study were Aspergillus sp., Alternaria alternata, Cladosporium cladosporoides, Curvularia lunata, Epicoccum purpuracens, Penicillium sp., and Pithomyces chartarum. We hypothesized that species diversity would have a significant impact on the establishment and coexistence of Pestalotia vaccinii in culture. In an effort to minimize density-dependent effects, the number of viable spores employed in the three types of interactions was kept constant. Target spore concentrations of 50 viable spores of P. vaccinii and 50 saprotroph spores were used, regardless of the number of species involved in the interaction. This proved to be a very important factor in the experiment. As our results show, species diversity had little or no effect on the establishment and coexistence of Pestalotia vaccinii; however, spore density played an extremely important role in the establishment and development of fungal propagules in our model.

Controlled-atmosphere effects on postharvest quality and antioxidant activity of cranberry fruits.

The effects of controlled-atmosphere (CA) storage on the firmness, respiration rate, quality, weight loss, total phenolics and flavonoids contents, and total antioxidant activities of the Pilgrim and Stevens cultivars of cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton) have been studied during storage in atmospheres of 2, 21, and 70% O(2) with 0, 15, and 30% CO(2) (balance N(2)); and 100% N(2) at 3 degrees C. Elevated CO(2) concentrations decreased bruising, physiological breakdown, and decay of berries, thereby reducing fruit losses. Respiration and weight loss of fruits decreased, but fruit softening increased, at higher CO(2) concentrations. Accumulations of acetaldehyde, ethanol, and ethyl acetate varied by cultivar and storage atmosphere but were generally highest in the 2 and 70% O(2) and 100% N(2) atmospheres and increased in response to elevated CO(2) concentrations. Overall, the 30% CO(2) plus 21% O(2) atmosphere appeared optimal for the storage of cranberries. Sensory analysis is required, however, to confirm that accumulations of fermentation products at this atmosphere are acceptable for consumers. Stevens fruits had a higher phenolics content and total antioxidant activity than Pilgrim fruits. The storage atmosphere did not affect the content of total phenolics or flavonoids. However, the total antioxidant activity of the fruits increased overall by about 45% in fruits stored in air. This increase was prevented by storage in 30% CO(2) plus 21% O(2).