Abstract
This study assessed the effect of the recently-introduced Life+ (ILIP, Valsamoggia, Italy) active packaging system on the postharvest quality of sweet cherries and strawberries. This system uses Equilibrium Modified Atmosphere Packaging (EMAP) to achieve specific intra-package conditions with three synergistic elements: an unvented and anti-mist heat sealable container, an active (naturally-antimicrobial) pad, and a heat-sealed, laser micro-perforated film of a specified gas permeability. Post-packaging quality parameters were monitored for 10 (strawberries) and 15 days (cherries): headspace gas concentration, weight loss, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, pH, disease incidence, and sensory quality. Results showed that use of the Life+ system delayed postharvest senescence by maintaining fruit color, acidity, and vitamin C content, and decreasing fruit weight loss and decay. The use of EMAP in sweet cherry resulted in enhanced sensory qualities compared to traditional perforated containers. The results suggest that the Life+ system leads to better sensory properties and improved shelf-life for strawberries and sweet cherries.
Highlights
The physiological characteristics of sweet cherries and strawberries make both fruits highly perishable and more susceptible to surface fungal spoilage during cold storage in comparison to other crops [1]
Where WL is the percentage of weight lost, W0 is the initial weight of the fresh fruit sample, and Wt is the weight of the fruit sample at time t
The same trend was reported in a previous study by Caner et al (2008), in which the observed steady-state O2 concentration was above that recommended for O2 (3–10 kPa) for MAP cherries [24]
Summary
The physiological characteristics of sweet cherries and strawberries make both fruits highly perishable and more susceptible to surface fungal spoilage during cold storage in comparison to other crops [1]. The postharvest storage periods of these fruits are limited by factors such as water loss, softening, color loss, stem browning, and surface pitting [2], as well as by diseases caused by common plant pathogens, in particular Monilinia laxa, Botrytis cinerea, Alternaria alternate, Penicillium expansum, Rhizopus stolonifera, and Cladosporium spp. To extend and preserve the shelf-life of strawberries and cherries, several technologies have been tested, such as treatment with edible coatings, calcium dipping, UV radiation, ultrasound, hot water, and modified atmosphere packaging [2,5,6,7,8]. EMAP is MAP technology augmented with a permeable film that allows the O2 and CO2 transmitted through the film to be balanced with the respiration rate of the product or fruit [10,11]
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