Researchers Find Strawberries Shipped Using TransFresh's Tectrol Exhibit Less Decay
Salinas, CA
By ANUK Staff
3.29.13
TransFresh Corporation has announced that its Tectrol pallet cover system was found to be most effective in complementing current low temperature management practices to in reducing decay and maintaining strawberry fruit quality when CO2 concentrations were elevated at 11 to 16 percent, according to a study released by UC Davis and the University of Florida.
The study was conducted by two leading academic postharvest departments, one at the University of California and the other at the University of Florida, under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Specialty Crops Project designed to increase the consumption of specialty crops, such as strawberries, through enhanced quality and safety.
The study, Comparison of Pallet Cover Systems to Maintain Strawberry Fruit Quality During Transport, evaluated the efficacy of multiple different proprietary plastic pallet cover systems to maintain strawberry fruit quality during commercial shipment. The TransFresh Tectrol Modified Atmosphere system was one of those assessed. Non-covered pallets served as the control for the study. During the comparison, the different covers were placed over palletized California-harvested strawberries packed in vented plastic clamshells and cooled according to industry standards. CO2 was injected into the sealed Tectrol pallet bag system according to TransFresh specifications. Pallet cover systems other than Tectrol remained open at the base and without the injection of pressurized CO2 prior to shipment. Six separate shipments of palletized fruit were transported to distribution centers in either Florida or Georgia, with transit times ranging from slightly over two to almost five days. After arrival, berry clamshell samples from each treatment were retrieved and evaluated for arrival quality. Samples were then held for an added two days at 68º F. to mimic post arrival distribution, after which, quality attributes were again assessed.Researchers reached the conclusion that “transporting fruit in the sealed Tectrol pallet cover system, in which CO2 concentrations were elevated at 11 to 16 percent, was most effective as it also significantly reduced decay development during subsequent simulated retail display.
Researchers pointed that although their data highlight some statistically significant advantages of using strawberry pallet covers in combination with low temperature management, a cost-benefit analysis is recommended to reveal the true commercial value of each system.”
Rich Macleod, Vice President Pallet Division, TransFresh North America, said, “The research conclusion certainly bodes well for the advantages offered by the closed Tectrol pallet bag system, in which optimal CO2 levels are consistently maintained. We encourage key stakeholders to conduct a cost-benefit analysis suited to their own individual business models,” he stated.
TransFresh has developed an online calculator available at www.Tectrol-Calculator.com. Additionally, a full copy of the study, published in HortTechnology, August 2012, is available from the TransFresh Resource Library accessible at www.TransFresh.com.
TransFresh Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chiquita Brands International.
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