• DatesSeptember 2021 to September 2029
  • SponsorFunded by BBSRC FoodBioSystems DTP.
  • PartnersSainsbury's PLC

In postharvest, controlled atmosphere is used as a supplementary treatment to refrigeration to extend storage life. Horticultural commodities can benefit from environments with a lower oxygen and increased carbon dioxide at optimum levels, as respiration rate decreases and ripening is delayed.

By combining understanding of postharvest behaviour and innovative storage systems, this project looks at the effects of storage conditions on fresh produce under controlled atmosphere, analysing changes in physiological and biochemical properties, such as respiration rate, ethylene production, decay, weight loss, firmness and bioactive compounds.

This project will develop novel controlled atmosphere applications to extend storage life of fresh produce reducing food loss across the supply chain.