Factors affecting release of ethanol vapour in active modified atmosphere packaging systems for horticultural products

Abstract

The active modified atmosphere packaging (active MAP) system , which provides interactive postharvest control , using ethanol vapour controlled release, is one of the current interests in the development of active packaging for horticultural products. A number of published research work have discussed the relationship between the effectiveness of ethanol vapour and its concentration in the package headspace, including its effect on postharvest decay and physiological controls. This is of importance because a controlled release system should release and maintain ethanol vapour at effective concentrations during the desired storage period. A balance among the mass transfer processes of ethanol vapour in the package results in ethanol vapour accumulation in the package headspace. Key factors affecting these processes include ethanol loading, packaging material, packaged product and storage environment (temperature and relative h umidity). This article reviews their influences and discusses future work required to better understand their influences on ethanol vapour release and accumulations in active MAP.

Keywords

• modified atmosphere packaging
• ethanol vapour controlled release
• active packaging
• horticultural products