Refrigeration needs for sustainable preservation of horticultural products

Fresh horticultural products are highly perishable and need refrigeration for further preservation. Refrigeration needs energy consumption with consequent economical cost and damage for the environment. The objective of the present work was to use efficiently the refrigeration according to the product needs and time for consumption. Salicornia ramosissima and Sarcocornia perennis fresh branch tips, which are used for fresh salads, were stored at 1, 4 and 9 °C for up to 21 days. In both species, fresh tips were of good consumer acceptability for up to 14 days at 9°C. At 1 and 4 °C fresh tips could be stored in good conditions up to 21 days. For efficient use of energy in refrigeration of fresh salicornia and sarcocornia we conclude that if it is to put those products in the market earlier we can use the higher temperature for storage saving energy. Only for further storage we shall use the lower temperatures.

The effect of calcium applications on kiwifruit quality preservation during storage

It is well known that calcium increases storage life of many fruits. This study investigated the effect of vine calcium application, as well as postharvest application on storage behaviour of 'Hayward' kiwifruit. Three applications of 0.03% CaCl2 or CaO were made in June, July and September. After harvest half of the fruit from sprayed vines were dipped in a solution of 2% CaCl2; the other fruit were untreated. All fruit were then stored at 0 degrees C and relative humidity of about 90-95%. Results for fruit of the size range 85-105 g are discussed. Kiwifruit dipped in 2% CaCl2 postharvest maintained higher firmness through storage than undipped fruit, but soluble solids content was only slightly lower after storage. This suggests that postharvest dipping of kiwifruit in 2% CaCl2 benefits storage life. The concentrations of 0.03% CaCl2 (Antistip) or 0.03% CaO (Chelal) used in vine applications seem to be too low and higher concentrations should be tried.