Effects of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and vaporized ethyl pyruvate (EP) treatment for the shelf life of‘Seolhyang’strawberries

Abstract

We have studied the technology to extend the storage period of ‘Seolhyang’ strawberries using modified atmosphere package (MAP) and ethyl pyruvate (EP) treatment for domestic distribution and export. The selected ripe strawberries harvested on December 28, 2016 at the Sancheong farmhouse were transported to the laboratory for 2 h and tested. After a day’s precooling at 4℃, the strawberries were divided into seven experimental groups. These groups were control, active MAP using low density polyethylene (LDPE), active MAP using polyamide (PA), active MAP using PA with EP treatment, passive MAP using LDPE, passive MAP using PA and passive MAP using PA with EP treatment. Quality analysis was carried out every 4 days during the storage period of 16 days. During the storage period of 16 days, MAP decreased from 3.5% to less than 1.1% in weight loss ratio compared with control, and decreased from 36% to less than 7% in fungal incidence. In the case of fungi in the EP treatment group, hyphae did not grow on the outside of the strawberry but grew to the inside. This tendency was similar to that in the low oxygen and high carbon dioxide environment of the MAP, the mycelium of the fungus did not grow outside of the strawberry. Fungi are the biggest problem in the distribution and export of strawberries, and these results suggest that MAP alone could inhibit mold and increase shelf life.

A new strategy to design novel modified atmosphere packaging formulation maintains the qualities of postharvest strawberries (Fragaria ananassa) during low‐temperature storage

“…By contrast, the structure of strawberries with active MAP did not change within 2 days of storage, while 50% of the strawberries had softened and waterlogged tissue with mold growth beyond 14 days. According to a report by Kim et al (2017), fungi are the most serious problem in the distribution and export of strawberries, and decreasing mold growth from 36% to <7% using MAP could extend the shelf life. Another study reported an extension of the post-harvest life of strawberries to 14 days without any fungal infection or any change in appearance obtained by combined radiation irradiation with MAP treatment (Jouki & Khazaei, 2014).…”