Innovative packaging technology to reduce the postharest losses of Iranian Strawberry and Mushroom

Fruit and vegetable have an important role as part of a nutritious of humans, and they require medium or long term shipment to satisfy the market request worldwide, Conventional agricultural products during storage and shipment could be treated with chemicals/pesticide (if allowed), but their residues could be harmful to the consumers and for this reason, is growing the request of the not treated product. Also, chemicals/pesticide are not allowed on organic products in Europe by EU regulation No 889/2008. The control of organic products post- Harvest decay during the storage, and the shipment could be carried out by using modified atmosphere spot treatments followed by modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). The adequate selection of packaging material with suitable barrier properties is of crucial importance to maintain the quality of fruit and vegetable, due to the active respiration activity of this product. While on the other hand problems related to the film compatibility with the package machines system should be considered. Based on the above consideration has been developed BLOW. BLOW ® is a device for controlling gaseous exchanges between the inside and outside of a container for solid or liquid food products. The device comprises a main body applicable to the container, so the gas exchqnge does not depend on the type of material of the packaging. Blow allow triggering of gas exchange in both the directions through the device. Blow is available in different shapes and colors, it’s easy to use with packaging, and modulates the gas exchange to help overcome specific problems during the storage of food. BLOW ® is an idea of three researchers from the School of Agriculture, Forest, Food and Environmental Sciences (SAFE) of the University of Basilicata (UNIBAS)- Italy and is protected by a patent for the industrial invention. Blow has been tested in experimental trial on Strawberry and Mushroom carried on in collaboration between IROST and MACLab from SAFE-UNBAS. The test were performed first IROST and then repeated in MACLab from SAFE-UNIBAS. The Strawberry and Mushroom as soon as after harvest were transported from the field/market to the laboratory (IROST of MACLab and SAFE-UNIBAS), immediately precooled and driven to cold storage in association with MAP (Modified Atmosphere Packaging), using BLOW ®. In the present paper, the results of the first year test are shown. The results are very promising in terms of reduction of reduction of water loss, shelf-life prolongation, and fruit at the end of the storage. The important result is related to the possibility to extend, using the BLoW ® device applied on the traditional package, both the shelf-life and the home preservation of the procuct, reducing the overall losses during the distribution and consumption period.

Keywords:

Fruit , vegetable , postharvest , storage , shelf-life