Regulation of respiratory rate and storage quality of postharvest cauliflower based on gas permeability modification using gas barrier (GB) - gas conductor (GC) blending packaging

Abstract

The aim of this work is to explore a method to develop equilibrium modified atmosphere packaging (EMAP) via density of available active site (AAS). Sulfonated poly etheretherketone (SPEEK) was prepared as a component to promote gas permeation, i.e. gas conductor (GC). It was mixed with polysulfone (PSF) as gas barrier (GB). With varying GC and GB concentrations, the prepared EMAP provided internal equilibrium atmospheres with 1.8% - 7.2% CO2 and 3.1% - 4.4% O2, in which respiratory rate of preserved cauliflower was inhibited and thereby the storage quality was maintained. Final sensory score of the cauliflower samples preserved in EMAP for 30 days was better than that of control samples (3.5 vs. 1.6), while the texture properties were maintained compared to those in the control samples. Additionally, the inhibitory effects were also shown in color parameters and chemical indicators. The findings in this work would promote the development of modified atmosphere packaging technology.