Commercial (COM) clamshells used for small fruits, such as sweet cherries and grape tomatoes, have been designed with wide openings, and therefore cannot benefit from modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and humidity control. This research was aimed to replace the COM clamshells with a modified humidity (MH) clamshell which has fewer and smaller openings and that can reduce water loss and maintain small fruit quality without excessive oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, the latter being detrimental to fruit quality. The in-package water condensation may be an undesirable factor in marketing even without decay. Controlled-release chlorine dioxide, carvacrol and thymol were developed, and showed substantial capacity to control pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms when MH clamshells were used. The benefit of these controlled-release materials were not sufficient when used in COM clamshells with excessive venting that did not allow sufficient accumulation of the active gas in the headspace.

Clamshells for small fruits with or without controlled-release disinfectants

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.