Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
In-House Testing
The effi cacy of individual MAP systems was tested in an actual environment using 8
of the 14 highest-volume FFVs consumed in the U.S. Navy: bananas, broccoli (crowns
and fl orets), cantaloupes, tomatoes, honeydew melons, iceberg lettuce, and romaine
lettuce (Table 14.4). Individual ssc polymer membranes have to be developed with
appropriate properties to induce ideal storage atmospheres for each respective com-
modity as stored in standard, commercial-size case quantities according to ideal
respiratory requirements available from the University of California-Davis Postharvest
Research and Technology Center (UC - Davis 2007 ).
We will examine specifi c instances of membrane development and shelf life exten-
sion for iceberg lettuce and bananas below, but the end result is that these select FFVs
all showed a signifi cant (
25%) extension in shelf life (Table 14.5). A minimum 21-
day shelf life was achieved for all of the FFVs (with the exception of bananas), which
comports more closely with the resupply time frames of most fl eet operations.
≥
Iceberg Lettuce
Iceberg lettuce is a popular salad bar item and consumed in high volumes on ships.
It needs the development of an appropriate membrane capable of sustaining quality
Table 14.4.
Target ideal packaging atmospheres for select commodities*
Produce
Item
Ideal
Temperatures
Natick
Test Temp.
Ideal MAP
Atmosphere
Respiration
Rate (RR)
Back
Calculated
RR
( ° C)
( ° F)
( ° F)
%O
2
%CO
2
mgCO
2
/kg · hr
Iceberg lettuce
0
32
34 - 37
1 - 3
> 2
6 - 17 at 0 ° C
< 2%
Romaine
lettuce
0
32
34 - 37
1 - 3
> 5
18 - 24 at 0 ° C
< 5%
Bananas
15
59
34 - 37
2 - 5
2 - 5
26 - 140 at 15 ° C
—
Broccoli
0
32
34 - 37
1 - 2
5 - 10
20 - 22 at 0 ° C
32.4
Broccoli fl orets
0
32
34 - 37
1 - 2
5 - 10
60 - 100 at 0 ° C
47
Cantaloupe
2.2
36
34 - 37
3
10
5 - 6 at0 ° C
—
Honeydew
melon
7
45
34 - 37
3
10
14 at 10 ° C
—
* Provided with permission courtesy of Apio, Inc. 2005 .
Table 14.5.
Shelf-life extension obtained with MAP technology
*
Commercial Shelf Life (Days)
†
MAP Shelf Life (Days)
Bananas
3 - 5
13 - 15
Broccoli crowns
10 - 14
45
Broccoli fl orets
10 - 14
28
Cantaloupe
10 - 14
35
Tomatoes (pink stage)
7 - 14
21
Honeydew melon
14 - 21
35
Iceberg lettuce
14 - 21
36
Romaine lettuce
14 - 21
35
*
Data provided courtesy of Apio, Inc.
†
Shelf - life estimates are available from http://thepacker.com/theguide/theguidehyphen;home.asp .
