Chapter 18 - Modified Atmosphere Packaging for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Abstract

The first scientific investigation into effects of a modified atmosphere on fresh fruits and vegetables was published about 200 years ago. However, innovations in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) for fresh produce are still drawing significant attention from researchers and industry nowadays. This chapter provides an overview of the latest innovations or studies related to MAP for fresh fruits and vegetables based on published literature in the past 5 to 6 years. The results show that the identification of the best MAP practices for individual fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables is still the major focus of research. Active MAP, including antimicrobial packaging, is receiving significant attention. New packaging materials have been evaluated in response to market changes and needs. Limited investigations have been conducted into the intelligent packaging design. These indicate that there are still many challenges and opportunities for the innovations of MAP for fresh and fresh-cut fruits.