Fresh produce container adaptively controlled in its atmosphere modification under variable temperature conditions. (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Ji Hye; An, Duck Soon; Lee, Dong Sun
• Is Part Of: Biosystems engineering. Volume 171(2018)
• Page Start: 265
• Page End: 271
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: Modified atmosphere container -- Respiration -- Temperature fluctuation -- Spinach -- Hypobaric storage; Bioengineering -- Periodicals; Agricultural engineering -- Periodicals; Biological systems -- Periodicals; Génie rural -- Périodiques; Systèmes biologiques -- Périodiques; 631
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2018.05.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1537-5110

Abstract

Abstract : Open/close cycles of a gas diffusion tube in a fresh produce container were designed to operate adaptively with respect to its opening time ratio in response to oxygen concentrations, which changed with respiration activity depending on the temperature. The system was applied to store and preserve spinach under dynamic temperature conditions. A target O2 concentration of 11.1 kPa, which was suitable for the commodity, was set in order to keep the CO2 concentration below the upper limit of 10.1 kPa, according to the interactive relationship between O2 and CO2 levels. The adaptively controlled modified atmosphere (MA) container could maintain its O2 concentration around the target value for the experimental duration of storage under dynamic temperature conditions with or without initial hypobaric application. The initial opening time ratio just after reaching the target O2 concentration was adjusted or modified to accommodate the container conditions and/or the current produce respiration. Generally, increased storage temperature, which increased the produce respiration, tended to shift the opening time ratio towards a higher value with some lag and vice versa. An initial hypobaric treatment at 90 kPa, applied to expedite attainment of the target O2 concentration, resulted in reducing slightly the CO2 concentration at the steady state. The MA container system adaptively controlled under dynamic temperature conditions could preserve the product quality better compared to the control air package; however, further developments are needed to reduce moisture losses from the produce. Graphical abstract: Highlights: A fresh produce container system to keep the desired MA under dynamic temperatures. [O2 ] representing real time respiration supplied as input for diffusion tube control. Hypobaric condition maintained in order to promote faster atmospheric modification. MA and low humidity differential of the container beneficial to keep spinach quality. A further need to reduce high transpiration rate under varying temperatures.