Postharvest shelf life extension of blueberries using a biodegradable package
- 作者：Eva Almenar ; Hayati Samsudin ; Rafael Auras ; Bruce Harte ; Maria Rubino
- 关键词：Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L. ; Elliott) ; Physicochemical parameters ; Polylactide ; Clamshell container
- 刊名：Food Chemistry
- 出版年：2008
- 期刊代码：48_03088146
- 类别：abs
- 出版时间：1 September 2008
- 卷：110
- 期：1
- 页码：120-127
- 文件大小：207 K
摘要
Small berries are commonly packaged and sold to consumers in vented petroleum-based clamshell containers. Biodegradable and compostable packages may be used as an alternative package to reduce waste generation and landfill disposal. In addition, the current clamshell container design does not allow the development of a modified atmosphere that could prolong berry shelf life. Thus, in this study, a non-ventilated biodegradable container was evaluated as a possible alternative to the containers normally used in commercial distribution of small berries. To determine the potential of biodegradable containers for small berries, highbush blueberries were packaged in polylactide (PLA) containers and stored at 10 °C for 18 days and at 23 °C for 9 days. Commercial vented clamshell containers were used as controls. Physicochemical and microbiological studies were carried out in order to compare the efficacy of both packages. Results showed that the PLA containers prolonged blueberry shelf life at different storage temperatures.