Biological method based on track membranes to form controlled gaseous media for fruit cold storage

Abstract

The article proposes a biological method based on the use of gas-selective track membranes to form a modified gas atmosphere, considering the respiration rate of fruit. The work aims to study the change in the respiration rate of apples depending on the variety and storage time to substantiate the formation of the gas medium composition depending on the respiration rate of the fruit and the area of track membranes, and to study the kinetics of oxidation reactions of biologically active substances during cold storage of apples. The research is based on autumn apple varieties: Grushovka Yudicheva, Kordonovka and Pepin Shafranny. We have obtained the kinetic curves of changes in the content of mono- and disaccharides, ascorbic and organic acids in autumn apple varieties depending on the gas composition in terms of oxygen and carbon dioxide content, as well as the duration of fruit storage using track membranes. For maximum quality preservation, nutritional and biological value of the studied apple varieties at t = (3 ± 1) °C, we have determined a recommended composition of the controlled gas atmosphere: oxygen concentration - (5.2 ± 0.1%), carbon dioxide - (3.6 ± 0.1%). Controlled atmosphere is created using a gas-selective composite membrane with an area of 14-22 cm2/kg, depending on the variety and respiration rate.