Development and Implementation of an Innovative Smart Storage System for Fruit Quality Preservation

• Published in: Food and bioprocess technology 2024, Vol.17 (1), p.257-270
• Main Authors: Alzuabi, Raed Okba, Hassan, Noha M., Bahroun, Zied
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agriculture; Air quality; Air quality measurements; Argon; Bananas; Biotechnology; Carbon dioxide; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Chemistry/Food Science; Food packaging; Food quality; Food Science; Fruits; Modified atmospheres; Potassium chloride; Preservation; Shelf life
• ISSN: 1935-5130; 1935-5149
• DOI: 10.1007/s11947-023-03132-y

Food packaging evolved from a simple container to an active system, driven by the need to enhance product quality and extend shelf life. This study presents the development of an innovative, cost-effective, and sustainable smart storage system for fruit quality preservation. The system utilizes argon and carbon dioxide gases to control air composition and potassium chloride powder to manage humidity in a modified atmosphere storage system. Avocados and bananas were used in the experiments, and the results showed a significant improvement in the air quality inside the storage compartment, which significantly extended the shelf life of the fruits. A paired t -test was conducted, and the results showed that the air quality measurements inside the storage compartment were much lower than outside, with a paired difference in means of − 14.905 ppm (95% confidence interval: − 15.176 to − 14.634 ppm), rejecting the null hypothesis of no difference. Additionally, the results showed that 95.62% of the change in the air quality measurements inside the storage system was driven by the design variables, with time having the biggest effect and fruit type having the least effective. As for the air quality measurements outside the system, the results showed that 98.30% of the change was being driven by the design variables. The economic feasibility of the proposed system was also conducted, revealing a positive internal rate of return of 22% and a doubling of shelf life. These findings demonstrate the positive prospects of the proposed system in preserving the quality of fruits.