زمان مطالعه تقریبی: 9 دقیقه

Plum Cold Storage

Optimal Conditions for Storing Apricots in Cold Storage

To maintain the quality of apricots and prevent spoilage, several factors must be considered when storing them in cold storage. One of the most important factors is the temperature and humidity of the environment. The ideal temperature for storing apricots should be between 0 to 2 degrees Celsius. This temperature slows down metabolic processes and preserves the quality of the product. Additionally, humidity should be around 90 to 95 percent to prevent dryness or excessive moisture, ensuring better storage conditions for apricots. The ventilation system should bring in fresh, clean air and expel old, polluted air. This practice keeps apricots fresh and prevents the growth of molds and bacteria. Apricots should be appropriately packaged and placed in hygienic containers to prevent contamination and air infiltration, thus avoiding product spoilage.

 

The cold storage must be regularly cleaned and disinfected to prevent the growth of bacteria and molds. These measures maintain the hygiene of the cold storage environment and prevent contamination of the products. Ultimately, precise control of temperature and humidity is crucial. These conditions are vital for preserving the quality of apricots throughout their storage period in cold storage and preventing quality degradation and spoilage.

 

Differences Between Apricots and Other Fruits in Cold Storage

Sensitive Structure and Thin Skin

Apricots are more sensitive than other fruits due to their delicate structure and thin skin. The skin of apricots can easily get damaged, making them prone to spoilage when scratched or bruised. Therefore, the packaging and transportation of apricots need to be handled with greater care.

 

Need for Suitable Temperature

Apricots are sensitive to temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius and may get damaged by freezing. Many other fruits can be stored well at lower temperatures, but precise temperature control is especially important for apricots.

 

Sensitivity to Humidity

Apricots require high relative humidity (about 90 to 95 percent) to prevent drying out and wilting. While other fruits may need different humidity levels, high humidity is crucial for apricots to maintain their quality and freshness.

 

Response to Ethylene

Apricots are sensitive to ethylene gas, a plant hormone produced by some fruits and vegetables that can accelerate ripening and aging. In the presence of ethylene, apricots age and spoil faster, so they should not be stored alongside ethylene-producing fruits and vegetables.

 

Need for Proper Ventilation

Proper ventilation is essential for apricots to ensure fresh and clean air enters the cold storage and polluted and old air exits. This practice reduces the growth of bacteria and molds and preserves the freshness of apricots, while other fruits might need less ventilation.

 

Different Packaging Requirements

Apricot packaging should prevent scratches and skin damage. The packaging should be strong and resistant to prevent air and environmental contamination. In contrast, many other fruits require less protective packaging and can be stored with simpler packaging.

 

Requirements for Storing Apricots in Cold Storage

Packaging Method

Using suitable and hygienic packaging can extend the shelf life of apricots. Robust and appropriate packaging can prevent contamination and air infiltration, preserving the quality of apricots.

 

Harvesting Stages

Apricots that are harvested hygienically and properly cared for during harvesting stages can be stored in cold storage for longer periods.

 

Storage Methods Before Entering Cold Storage                                          

To maintain freshness, apricots should be transported from harvest to cold storage and from cold storage to consumption as quickly as possible. The shorter the optimal storage time for apricots, the better their quality will be preserved. Generally, apricots can be stored in cold storage with suitable temperature and packaging for up to 2 to 3 weeks. However, for the best quality and longest storage period, it is recommended that apricots be transported from harvest to cold storage and from cold storage to consumption as quickly as possible.

 

Hygiene and Disinfection of Cold Storage for Protecting Apricots                   

The disinfection process of apricot cold storage is crucial for maintaining hygiene and reducing food spoilage. This process includes several main steps. First, the surfaces of the cold storage are periodically cleaned with detergents to remove various contaminants. Then, the surfaces are sprayed with specific disinfectants to kill any possible microbes and bacteria. Additionally, all equipment used in the cold storage should be disinfected. Using air ventilation systems with proper filtration can also help keep the air inside the cold storage clean and remove polluted and bacteria-laden air. These processes must be continuously and periodically carried out with constant monitoring to ensure the hygiene of the cold storage and maintain the optimal condition of the stored products.

 

Importance of Packaging in Storing Apricots                                                               

Packaging apricots in cold storage plays a crucial role in maintaining the quality and health of the product and should be done in a way that prevents contamination, air infiltration, and contact with contaminated surfaces. Suitable packaging must be hygienic and use durable, impermeable boxes and bags to prevent contamination. These packages must be robust to prevent air and environmental contamination and preserve the quality of apricots.

 

Preserving the freshness of apricots is also of particular importance

packaging should prevent the loss of quality and freshness. This can be achieved by using airtight boxes and bags and storing them in cold storage with appropriate temperature settings.

Labeling the packages is also essential as it provides important information such as production date, expiration date, and storage conditions. This information helps consumers and cold storage managers maintain optimal storage conditions for apricots.

Packaging should be designed to ensure the transport of apricots to and from cold storage without compromising product quality. These packages should be sturdy and durable to prevent scratches and damage to apricots during transportation and maintain their quality.

In conclusion, proper packaging of apricots in cold storage is essential for maintaining quality, hygiene, and freshness. It must be done carefully using durable and impermeable materials to prevent contamination, air infiltration, and quality degradation of apricots.

Impacts of Long-term Storage of Apricots in Cold Storage

While storing apricots in cold storage can help maintain freshness and quality in the short term, long-term storage can lead to issues and damage. These issues include quality and freshness loss, freezing damage, drying and wilting, mold and fungus growth, and appearance changes.

Long-term storage of apricots in cold storage can result in quality and freshness loss. Over time, the texture of apricots softens, and their flavor and aroma diminish. This quality reduction can make apricots less appealing and reduce their nutritional value. Apricots are sensitive to temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius and may get damaged by freezing. Freezing causes skin discoloration, brown spots, and reduced edible quality of apricots. These changes can render apricots unfit for consumption or significantly reduce their quality.

Humidity in the cold storage also plays a vital role in storing apricots. If the humidity in the cold storage is lower than the apricots need, it can lead to drying and wilting. This condition reduces the weight and quality of apricots, making them unsuitable for consumption. Moreover, although low temperatures in cold storage reduce the growth of bacteria and molds, long-term storage can promote the growth of fungi and molds, especially if proper hygiene conditions are not maintained. The growth of these microorganisms can contaminate the product and reduce its quality.

Appearance changes are also among the issues that may arise from long-term storage of apricots in cold storage. These changes include color changes and the development of yellow or brown spots, which can reduce the product's visual appeal and deter consumers from purchasing it.

To prevent these issues, it is recommended to keep apricots in optimal conditions from harvest to consumption and quickly bring them to market. Using the appropriate temperature (0 to 2 degrees Celsius) and high relative humidity (90 to 95 percent) can help maintain the quality and freshness of apricots. Additionally, maintaining hygiene in the cold storage and preventing contamination and microorganism growth is essential to deliver high-quality apricots to consumers.

Volume Capacity and Arrangement of Apricots in Cold Storage

The volume capacity and arrangement of apricots in cold storage significantly affect product quality and space optimization. Considering the density of apricots and their packaging method, approximately 150 to 200 kilograms of apricots can be stored per cubic meter of cold storage space. This calculation is based on using standard boxes with a capacity of 5 kilograms and a volume of 0.025 cubic meters, with each cubic meter accommodating about 40 boxes. For better utilization of cold storage space and maintaining apricot quality, using pallets and multi-tiered shelves is recommended. Apricots should be placed in plastic boxes or baskets and then stacked on pallets to facilitate easier and faster movement. Multi-tiered shelves help maximize the vertical space in large and industrial cold storages.

The arrangement of apricots should allow enough space between boxes for air circulation, preventing moisture and heat buildup and avoiding pressure and damage to the apricots. Easy access to apricots for inspection, movement, and transportation is also important, as it aids in better product management and waste reduction. Proper labeling of each box to display product information, harvest date, and storage conditions is essential. Adhering to these principles ensures the optimal use of available space in the cold storage and maintains apricot quality.