Improvement of fruit storage in the supply chain with modified atmosphere packaging

The management of freshness in the storage is fundamental to maintain high profits in the agro-food sector to improve the distribution and to respond to retailers and consumers requirements. MA added to low temperatures influences fruit metabolism and reduces ethylene production, weight losses, hardness of pulp, preserving vitamins and organic acids. The objective is to improve storage conditions of fresh fruits with limited shelf life (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, plums) long every step of supply chain through the use of modified atmosphere. Considered units are commercial pallets, with large batches of product, and individual basket units. Fruit quality and ripening monitoring during storage is performed through the use of traditional analysis (destructive) and UV-Vis spectroscopies (non destructive).