Article: Optimisation of strawberry precooling temperature using CoolBot: a potential post-harvest management tool pertinent to the subtropical environment Journal: International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation (IJPTI) 2022 Vol.8 No.4 pp.271 - 291 Abstract: Conventional cold storage is financially impractical for farmers due to limited resources. A potential post-harvest management tool (CoolBot), which is relevant to the subtropical environment was introduced to investigate its applicability for extending the shelf-life of strawberries and controlling their spoilages. Different precooling temperatures [4°C, 8°C, 12°C, control (22°C) ] were evaluated as means of post-harvest management of strawberries to determine the optimum precooling temperature during the winter season of 2019-2020. Precooling to 4°C resulted in decreased ascorbic acid and titratable acidity losses. It also delayed the free radicle scavenging activity in strawberries and caused in lowered fruit decay percentage as well as weight loss percentage, and improved firmness, prolonged shelf life by more than three days, and preserved skin colour. The installation cost saving plus less post-harvest losses contributed to net annual profit Tk. 6,777,000. Therefore, the results indicate that CoolBot could be an effective post-harvest tool for precooling strawberries to 4°C in subtropical environments. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

You can view the full text of this article for free using the link below.

Title: Optimisation of strawberry precooling temperature using CoolBot: a potential post-harvest management tool pertinent to the subtropical environment

Authors: Prosanta Kumar Dash; Shimul Das; Joyanti Ray; Lillian R. Pride

Addresses: Agrotechnology Discipline, Life Science School, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh ' Agrotechnology Discipline, Life Science School, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh ' Agrotechnology Discipline, Life Science School, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh ' Department of Horticultural Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Science, Gulf Coast Research and Education Centre (GCREC), Wimauma, FL 33598, USA

Abstract: Conventional cold storage is financially impractical for farmers due to limited resources. A potential post-harvest management tool (CoolBot), which is relevant to the subtropical environment was introduced to investigate its applicability for extending the shelf-life of strawberries and controlling their spoilages. Different precooling temperatures [4°C, 8°C, 12°C, control (22°C) ] were evaluated as means of post-harvest management of strawberries to determine the optimum precooling temperature during the winter season of 2019-2020. Precooling to 4°C resulted in decreased ascorbic acid and titratable acidity losses. It also delayed the free radicle scavenging activity in strawberries and caused in lowered fruit decay percentage as well as weight loss percentage, and improved firmness, prolonged shelf life by more than three days, and preserved skin colour. The installation cost saving plus less post-harvest losses contributed to net annual profit Tk. 6,777,000. Therefore, the results indicate that CoolBot could be an effective post-harvest tool for precooling strawberries to 4°C in subtropical environments.

Keywords: subtropical; precooling; net profit; CoolBot; shelf life.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPTI.2022.125899

International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, 2022 Vol.8 No.4, pp.271 - 291

Accepted: 22 Mar 2022
Published online: 03 Oct 2022 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Free access Comment on this article

Title: Optimisation of strawberry precooling temperature using CoolBot: a potential post-harvest management tool pertinent to the subtropical environment

Keep up-to-date