ISHS Acta Horticulturae 1256: VI International Conference Postharvest Unlimited
Atmosphere control in packages and CA rooms: biology, technology, and future opportunities |
| Author: | R. Beaudry |
| Keywords: | controlled atmosphere, modified atmosphere, ethylene, decay, quality, vegetables, flowers |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.2019.1256.77 |
| Abstract:
For perishable produce, atmosphere modification serves as one of the primary means of augmenting the performance of refrigeration. There are several prominent success stories for this technology including the development of controlled atmosphere (CA) storage and the use of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). However, the number of crops for which CA and MAP are commercially used is relatively limited compared to the many perishables needing storage. Limitations to the broader application of modified atmospheres are imposed by the biology of fruits, flowers and vegetables and by the organisms that cause decay of these perishables. Biological 'opportunities' appear to be primarily limited to managing three biological processes: control of ethylene action, the suppression of decay organisms and inhibition of cut surface browning. Established and new technologies used to impose modified atmospheres in rooms and packages are described and the benefits of specific choices are discussed. Comments focus on choices such as perforated versus non-perforated films for packaging, the use of plant growth regulators, and static versus dynamic CA storage. Additional opportunities exist for improved storage offered by recent innovations in sensors and bioactive compounds used in the storage environment. | |
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