Location: Horticultural Crops Production and Genetic Improvement Research Unit
Project Number: 2072-21000-057-035-G
Project Type: Grant
Start Date: May 1, 2023
End Date: Oct 31, 2025
Objective:
1. To survey the commercial packaging on the market for berry fruit and identify the better performed package design and material that are suitable for soft strawberry cultivars grown in the NW region.
2. To develop equilibrium modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and active cushioning pad (ACP) for delaying respiration and transpiration and preventing condensation and mold growth of strawberries.
3. To validate the effectiveness of the advanced package identified and developed from objectives 1 and 2 for ensuring postharvest storability of soft strawberries grown in the NW region.
Approach:
The strawberries grown in the US NW region are the nation’s reddest, sweetest, but softer varieties than those grown in California and other states. Packaging is the most critical factor leading to the physical damage and physiological changes of post-harvest strawberries during transportation and storage. Horizontal vibration leads to more significant damage on strawberries than vertical vibration. Especially for long-distance markets, one of drivers for the spoilage of these delicate fruits is the condensation within the packaging, which results in fruit decay at the retail stage. Inappropriate packaging leads to significant post-harvest losses. This work assesses packaging types to reduce post-harvest loss and enhance the economic benefit of the stakeholders. Research will analyze the limit of commercial berry packaging on the market and identify the better performed package design and material that are suitable for soft strawberry varieties grown in the NW region (Year 1). Results will be used to identify advanced packaging designs and environments by combining active cushioning pads with antimicrobial and vibration-damping and modified atmosphere packaging for providing high-value NW strawberry products (Year 1 and 2). In The advanced package designes will be validated for soft strawberry varieties grown in the NW region under the simulated farm-to-table supply chain conditions (Year 2). Advanced packaging designs will be extended to processors and will potentially reduce post-harvest loss, increase the economic benefit to industry and reduce food loss, and environmental load by directly satisfying the consumer’s needs and help expand the long-distance markets.
