Effect of Controlled Atmospheres and Environmental Conditions on the Physicochemical and Sensory Characteristics of Sweet Cherry Cultivar Satin

Sweet cherry is a highly appreciated seasonal fruit with a high content of bioactive compounds; however, this highly perishable fruit has a relatively short shelf-life period. Here, we evaluated the evolution of the physicochemical and sensory qualities of sweet cherries (Prunus avium (L.) cv. Satin) under different storage conditions, namely at a Farmers’ Organization (FO) and in a Research Centre (RC) under normal and four different conditions of controlled atmosphere for 49 days. Additional parameters were monitored, such as rotten fruit incidence and stem appearance. Temperature was the factor that most influenced the fruit quality changes over the study time. In fact, fruits stored at higher mean temperatures showed higher weight loss, higher variation in CIE-Lab colour parameters, higher firmness loss, and browner and more dehydrated stems and were less appealing to the consumer. Controlled atmosphere conditions showed a smaller decrease in CIE-Lab colour parameters and lower weight loss. The incidence of rotting was very low and was always equal or lower than 2% for all conditions. Thus, RC chamber conditions were able to sustain fruit quality parameters over 28 days under normal atmosphere conditions and 49 days under controlled atmosphere conditions.

Impact of Storage Controlled Atmosphere on the Apple Phenolic Acids, Flavonoids, and Anthocyanins and Antioxidant Activity In Vitro

Apples are seasonal fruits, and it is important to prepare them adequately for storage and ensure proper storage conditions. In this study, we used ten different apple cultivars: ‘Alva’, ‘Auksis’, ‘Connell Red’, ‘Cortland’, ‘Ligol’, ‘Lodel’, ‘Noris’, ‘Rubin’, ‘Sampion’, and ‘Spartan’. We studied the qualitative and quantitative composition of phenolic compounds in the apple and apple extracts antioxidants activity before placing them in the controlled atmosphere chambers and again at the end of the experiment, eight months later. Different concentrations of O2, CO2, and N2, constant temperature, relative humidity, and removal of endogenous ethylene were continually maintained. HPLC analysis showed that the highest amount of 2265.7 ± 152.5 µg/g of chlorogenic acid was found in apple samples of the ‘Auksis’ cultivar stored under variant IV conditions. Different concentrations of gas in the controlled atmosphere chambers caused changes in antioxidant activity in whole apple and apple peel extracts. In our study, we found that the antioxidant activity of apple extracts varied between samples of different apple cultivars and depended on the composition of the controlled atmosphere. Determining the optimal storage conditions is beneficial to providing the consumers with apples that have a known and minimally altered chemical composition of phenolic compounds and the strongest antioxidant activity, which determine the use of apples in the healthy food chain.

Effect of a Hypoxia-Controlled Atmosphere Box on Egg Respiration Intensity and Quality

Egg preservation is an important factor during storage and transportation. Fresh eggs were stored in boxes in a controlled atmosphere with an O2 concentration of 0% O2 + 100% nitrogen (N2), 5% O2 + 95% N2, 10% O2 + 90% N2, 15% O2 + 85% N2, and 20% O2 + 80% N2, and the effects of these storage conditions on large quantities of eggs were studied. The respiratory intensity and quality of eggs during storage were measured. We chose the weight loss rate of eggs, Haugh unit, pH, and the egg white total plate count as the characteristic indices of egg quality. We compared the changes in egg quality during and after storage at different O2 concentrations versus that at 25 °C. The stages were evaluated using the TOPSIS method to sort egg quality, and the optimal O2 concentration was selected. FLUENT was used to simulate and control the atmospheric requirements. Our findings showed that eggs stored in an air-conditioning chamber with O2 concentration ≤10% exhibited weak respiratory intensity (0–1 mg/(kg·h)). The rates of decrease in loss of egg weight and Haugh units were smaller. There were significant differences in the pH of egg white stored in different O2 concentrations (p < 0.05). Reducing the O2 concentration in the egg-storage environment reduced the number of colonies in eggs and had a positive effect on egg preservation. Simulations using FLUENT revealed that only 1200 s were required to achieve the low-oxygen environment in the controlled atmosphere box (1.5 m × 1 m × 1 m). The storage environment of 5% O2 + 95% N2 had the best preservation effect on eggs. This approach is associated with low costs in practical application and can potentially be used for egg storage and transport.

Financial feasibility assessment of adopting active controlled atmosphere containers for exporting highly perishable fruits during COVID-19: case of Taiwanese atemoya

PurposeThis study deals with attenuating the risk of relying on a single export market, which was heightened by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. It focuses on Taiwanese atemoya (a fruit with short storage life) and the adoption of active controlled atmosphere (CA) containers, a new technology which lengthens storage time for other export markets. This study looks at the financial feasibility of the technology's first ever use in atemoya exports.Design/methodology/approachApart from the standard financial assessment tools—like net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), benefit-cost ratio (BCR) and payback period (PBP)—this study calibrated five different scenarios based on data gathered from relevant market agents including suppliers, exporters, customs brokers and technology developer.FindingsDue to the high profit margin and low investment cost, the use of active CA containers for long-haul exports of this highly perishable fruit is found both technically and financially feasible, despite the generally higher operational cost during the pandemic.Research limitations/implicationsThis study looked at three specific export markets: Malaysia, Dubai and Canada. Results here may lack generalizability in other markets, although it is believed that slight deviations would not invalidate the conclusions of this research because short, medium and long distances were all covered therein.Originality/valueThis paper studies the first time that active CA is used for export of atemoyas to expand existing markets.