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Title: Modified and controlled atmosphere storage of tropical and subtropical fruits

Author
item Wang, Chien
item ERKAN, MUSTAFA - AKDENIZ UNIV, TURKEY

Submitted to: Stewart Postharvest Review
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/22/2006
Publication Date: 12/4/2006
Citation: Wang, C.Y., Erkan, M. 2006. Modified and controlled atmosphere storage of tropical and subtropical fruits. Stewart Postharvest Review. 5: Chapter 4.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: This chapter addresses the use of modified atmosphere (MA) and controlled atmosphere (CA) storage for the preservation and maintenance of postharvest quality of subtropical fruits. There have been great technological advances in this area of storage, especially in improving the quality and shelf-life of fresh-cut produce. This chapter focuses on MA and CA technologies that are either commercially available or under investigation. Under MA and CA conditions, the respiration rate of the fruit is decreased, and as a direct effect, the consumption of respiration substrates such as organic acids and sugars is retarded, and the growth of microorganisms is suppressed. Therefore, MA and CA are helpful in maintaining the quality of many subtropical fruits. When using these technologies, careful attention must be paid to the survival and growth of pathogenic organisms in the enclosed condition due to high relative humidity (RH), particularly at the warm non-chilling temperatures. More research is needed for microbiological safety of fresh-cut subtropical fruits and effect of antimicrobial films on various intact and fresh-cut subtropical commodities. Interaction between various gas concentrations, both MA and CA, and development of pathogenic microorganisms, and finding better film types for different species and cultivars of subtropical fruits also merit further research.