Current and Innovative Packaging Technologies for Tropical and Subtropical Fruits - Tropical and Subtropical Fruits: Postharvest Physiology, Processing and Packaging - page 126

intensively studied and used for foods processed by high
pressure, irradiation, and PEF.
The effects of HPP on packaging materials are very
crucial since foods to be treated are generally packaged
prior to high-pressure treatments (Ozen and Floros, 2001).
It is worth mentioning that metal cans, glass bottles, and
paperboard-based packages are not suitable for HPP. Pack-
aging materials for HPP are required to be flexible enough
to withstand the compression forces while maintaining
physical integrity. They must recover their initial volumes
after the pressure is released (Caner et al., 2004). Pack-
aging materials including polypropylene (PP), polyester,
polyethylene (PE) pouches, and nylon cast PP pouches are
currently used for HPP products. HPP has shown compat-
ibility with the most common plastic packaging materials.
Biodegradable packaging materials like polylactide are also
suitable under an HPP system (Ahmed et al., 2009). Mostly
PEF-treated fruit products are juice and pureed food and the
packaging used for aseptic packaging are most appropriate
for such products. Plastics and paper-laminated materials
can be used as packaging materials for PEF food packaging.

tivity (e.g., CO 2 :O 2 or C 2 H 4 /O 2 ), is continuing. Ethylene-
removing and/or -absorbing capability is a critical feature
with a majority of tropical produce.
Active packaging remains a major interest, both in re-
search and commercialization. A wide variety of active
compounds are being incorporated into materials and/or
packaging systems primarily to maintain/improve quality,
extend shelf life, and enhance safety. For instance, im-
proved antimicrobial and antioxidant materials can better
maintain the quality and/or enhance the safety of fresh and
processed fruits. Development of materials that can control
the release of active compounds into a package atmosphere
is another area of current and future research.
Intelligent packaging, including various indicators and
active and passive RFID, will almost certainly ultimately
be integrated into product-package systems for tracking and
tracing to ensure safety and fair trading in the global supply
chain of fresh and processed fruits. Safety and regulative
concerns for the use of active and intelligent packaging are
of great importance for the future.

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SUMMARY AND FUTURE RESEARCH NEEDS
As discussed in this chapter, interactions among product-
package-environment are key criteria to ensure quality and
safety of fresh and processed fruits. Future research there-
fore should involve the system as a whole, not as individual
components, and will collectively include development of
new materials and packages, processing methods, packag-
ing and distribution, with total cost, commercial appeal and
consumer acceptance, and maintaining food safety as key
elements of concern.
Current aims and future trends emphasize environmental
concerns, security, and safety of fresh and processed fruits,
whereas cost, quality, and convenience remain key issues
for competitiveness. While the requirements of primary
packaging functions must be met, attempts are also being
made to examine the entire packaging life cycle, use of
advanced materials, processing technology, and packaging
design to minimize the impact on the environment. This
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being adopted my manufacturers and distributors.
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