Modified atmosphere packaging for mixed loads of horticultural commodities exposed to two postharvest temperatures

A procedure to maintain desired levels of O-2 and CO2 inside packages that are exposed to different surrounding temperatures was designed and tested. This procedure included the design of packages for a high temperature, ambient atmosphere conditions simulating retail display conditions and the use of a controlled atmosphere (CA) environment surrounding the packages at a lower temperature simulating storage or transport conditions. To test the concept, strawberries and snap beans were held at 7 degrees C for 4 days and 19 degrees C for 2 days to simulate mixed storage/transport and retail display at these respective temperatures. The strawberries were stored in jars fitted with a short tube to modify the interior atmosphere; snap beans were stored in commercially available, semipermeable plastic bags. Both package types were placed in a CA of 14.8% O-2 plus 8.3% CO2 at 7 degrees C followed by storage in air at 19 degrees C. Under these conditions, it was possible to maintain atmospheres that were close to the desired atmospheres for the products at both temperatures. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.