A Practical, User-friendly, Teaching, Research, and Design Tool for Modified Atmosphere Packaging of Fresh Produce

Published models for packaging of fresh produce have been used to describe the response of the plant material in the package or the function of the package with regard to the atmospheres generated.  While these models are useful for predicting the performance of the product/package combination, they lack utility for those who design packages.  Package designers know the amount of product and package dimensions based on decisions used to target specific market niches. They also know the desirable atmospheres for each commodity based on years of postharvest research, which has clarified the impact of atmospheres on fruit and vegetable storability.  They also know, within limits, the temperature profile of the handling and distribution network.  What they need to learn is which polymer type, film thickness, or perforation profile will generate their target atmospheres or atmospheric range for specific commodities.  We will present and share with participants a model that serves as a decision support tool to specify these package design characteristics for optimal product storage.