Effect of oxygen and carbon dioxide absorbers on strawberry quality

This study investigated the effect of active modified atmosphere packaging on quality of fresh strawberries. Strawberries were treated with one oxygen and two different carbon dioxide scavengers throughout storage at 4 °C for 4 weeks. The effect of active packaging was assessed by comparing gas concentrations, pH, electrical conductivity, total soluble solids, surface color, decay incidence, texture profile analysis, sensory analysis, and FT-NIR analysis values. pH values were significantly higher in the controls (package without absorbers) during storage compared with other treatments. The package headspace with CO2 absorbers, had the lowest CO2 accumulation and O2 absorbers resulted in constant O2 levels (5 kPa) during storage. Total soluble solid contents of all treatments were between 10.34% and 7.7% except for the control which had a value of 6.94% at the end of the storage. CO2 absorbers are clearly effective for maintaining soluble solid contents. Electrical conductivity was lowest with CO2 absorbers throughout storage and color was better maintained in all treated fruit. Firmness values of the controls were significantly lower than those of the treatments. Results of sensory evaluation showed that the controls had the lowest scores for all attributes. This study shows that the FT-NIR is a powerful-nondestructive tool for monitoring quality of strawberries and produces rapid readings during storage. In general, our study showed that the use of active packaging preserves strawberry.

Effect of different absorbers [(a) control (without absorber), (b) EMCO-A (CO2 absorber includes 24% sodium carbonate, (c) EMCO-B (CO2 absorber includes 20% sodium carbonate) and (d) ATCO (O2 absorber)] in headspace gas composition [(A) O2 and (B) CO2] of strawberries during storage.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Active packaging with carbon dioxide and oxygen scavengers extended the shelf-life of fresh strawberries.
► The use of gas scavengers provided longer shelf life by slowing the respiration rate.
► Active packaging with carbon dioxide absorbers was able to preserve quality and maintained firmness in fruit.
► The most effective scavenger for fresh strawberries is the CO2-B absorber.
► Active packaging treatment thus had a beneficial effect on the quality of fresh strawberries and could be used commercially.