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Evaluation of Pressurized Inert Gas Treatments on the Postharvest Quality of Blueberries

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Abstract

This study investigated the efficacy and mechanism of pressurized inert gas treatment for the quality preservation and shelf life extension of fresh blueberries. The change of physiological metabolisms and surface microbial attributes of pressurized gas-treated blueberries during 4 °C storage were measured over a 12-day period. Compared with the control group (without treatment), the pressurized inert gas treatments with argon, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen could effectively suppress the rate of respiration and ethylene production, reduce the water loss, and avoid softening and anthocyanin degradation in the blueberries. Meanwhile, the surface color, citric acid content, and soluble solid content in the blueberries were well maintained during the storage. Pressurized inert gas-treated blueberries carried significantly (P < 0.05) less microbial populations (yeast, mold, and bacteria) than those without the treatments. The findings from this study indicated that pressurized inert gas treatment could effectively preserve the quality and potentially be applied for the shelf life extension of fresh blueberries.

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Funding

This research was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31701663), Natural Science Foundation of Anhui Province (1808085MC-70), and the opening project of Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology and Business University (20171026).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Technology and Business University (BTBU), Beijing, 100048, China

    Xiangyong Meng, Huijuan Zhang & Jing Wang

  2. College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000, China

    Xiangyong Meng & Teng Song

  3. School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, China

    Teng Song

  4. Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA

    Chang Chen & Zhongli Pan

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  1. Xiangyong Meng
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Correspondence to Chang Chen or Jing Wang.

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Meng, X., Song, T., Chen, C. et al. Evaluation of Pressurized Inert Gas Treatments on the Postharvest Quality of Blueberries. Food Bioprocess Technol 13, 1918–1928 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11947-020-02525-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11947-020-02525-7

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