Not just cold, controlled
A new controlled atmosphere (CA) unit has been established at Katherine Research station for postharvest management of fresh horticultural produce.
This storage facility has been installed to provide solutions to the local horticulture industry to reduce food waste by extending the storage life and maintaining the quality of fresh produce for a longer period. This set up is an extension of the existing cold rooms with an added equipment to control the levels of gases along with temperature.
The system works by lowering the levels of oxygen and increasing carbon dioxide levels to slow down the rate of respiration. Lower oxygen levels put the produce into ‘deep sleep’ which conserves the internal energy and delays the process of ripening and senescence. This storage method has been widely used in other parts of Australia and overseas to maintain the quality and extend the storage life of fruits and vegetables.
This newly installed setup can be used for a range of fruit and vegetables with a varying degree of effectiveness. This storage method can be particularly useful when a large volume of produce matures or ripens at the same time, leading to a glut in the market. In such situations, the produce can be stored under optimal conditions until the demand improves and the prices stabilise.
This approach can not only help in reducing the postharvest losses but can also allow for more stable market supply, thereby ensuring better returns for the producers, and stable prices for the consumers.
This system also offers potential for exporting the produce to distant markets while maintaining produce quality throughout the extended storage and transport.
For more information about this storage setup please contact jashan.kaur@nt.gov.au
