Commercial (COM) packaging 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 by a modified humidity (MH) clamshell which has fewer and smaller openings and that can reduce water loss and maintain small fruit quality without excessive change of oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, which can be harmful 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. In COM clamshells, the redundant venting leads to insufficient accumulation of the active gas in the headspace.

Modified atmosphere packaging for small fruit with or without slow-release disinfectants to enhance postharvest quality and safety

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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