Superficial scald, also known as storage scald or common scald, is one of a group of physiological skin disorders. As the time in storage increases, however, browning progresses from lightly discolored patches to pitted and sunken areas wherein several layers of cells have been affected. Research is being conducted to find ways of predicting, controlling, and preventing the disorder. Carbon dioxide injury to 'Braeburn' apple. In Braeburn and other cultivars, cavitation sometimes occurs in the flesh of fruit which has been stored in abnormally low oxygen or elevated CO2 levels.
Cavities are usually brown and somewhat dry.
Susceptibility of fruit to this disorder may be related to climatic conditions during growth and maturation. Braeburn' is the leading apple cultivar in New Zealand. It is a late season apple harvested after 'Delicious' which uniquely has both high soluble solids and high acidity. In addition, the flesh is unusually dense resulting in a very firm fruit. The 'Braeburn' industry in the northwest is still rather young, however, more and more plantings are being established and are beginning to bear fruit.