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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Citrus and Other Subtropical Products Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #404456
Research Project: Determination of Flavor and Healthful Benefits of Florida-Grown Fruits and Vegetables and Development of Postharvest Treatments to Optimize Shelf Life an Quality for Their Fresh and Processed Products

Location: Citrus and Other Subtropical Products Research

Title: Developments in packaging techniques and their assessment for assuring the safety of fresh produce

Author
item Bai, Jinhe
item Sun, Xiuxiu
item OLMEDO, GABRIELA - Orise Fellow

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/29/2023
Publication Date: 8/15/2023
Citation: Bai, J., Sun, X.N., Olmedo, G. 2023. Developments in packaging techniques and their assessment for assuring the safety of fresh produce. Book Chapter. 10:281-326. https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2023.0121.17.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2023.0121.17

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The packaging of fruits and vegetables serves several critical functions, including protecting them from damage during transportation and storage, extending their shelf life, preventing contamination from plant disease and foodborne pathogens, and reducing food waste. To safeguard products from physical harm, it is essential to use sturdy containers, proper dividers, and padding. Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and edible coatings help prevent produce from losing water and provide an optimal oxygen and carbon dioxide combination within the packaging. As many crops emit ethylene, which triggers ripening and senescence, and fresh produce is susceptible to microbial contamination, ethylene scavengers and antimicrobial agents are integrated with MAP to improve the storability of the produce. There are ongoing efforts to make packaging materials more environmentally friendly and sustainable, as well as advancements in smart packaging technology that can add extra functionality to packaging. The packaging of fruits and vegetables serves several critical functions, including protecting them from damage during transportation and storage, extending their shelf life, preventing contamination from plant disease and foodborne pathogens, and reducing food waste. To safeguard products from physical harm, it is essential to use sturdy containers, proper dividers, and padding. Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and edible coatings help prevent products from losing water and provide an optimal oxygen and carbon dioxide combination within the packaging. As many crops emit ethylene, which triggers ripening and senescence, and fresh produce is susceptible to microbial contamination, ethylene scavengers and antimicrobial agents are integrated with MAP to improve the storability of the produce. There are ongoing efforts to make packaging materials more environmentally friendly and sustainable, as well as advancements in smart packaging technology that can add extra functionality to packaging.