Postharvest shelf life extension of blueberries using a biodegradable package

Eva Almenar; Hayati Samsudin; Rafael Auras; Bruce Harte; Maria Rubino

doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2008.01.066

Postharvest shelf life extension of blueberries using a biodegradable package

Food Chem. 2008 Sep 1;110(1):120-7. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2008.01.066. Epub 2008 Feb 8.

Authors

Eva Almenar¹, Hayati Samsudin¹, Rafael Auras², Bruce Harte¹, Maria Rubino¹

Affiliations

¹ School of Packaging, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1223, USA.
² School of Packaging, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1223, USA. Electronic address: aurasraf@msu.edu.

PMID: 26050174
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2008.01.066

Abstract

Small berries are commonly packaged and sold to consumers in vented petroleum-based clamshell containers. Biodegradable and compostable packages may be used as an alternative package to reduce waste generation and landfill disposal. In addition, the current clamshell container design does not allow the development of a modified atmosphere that could prolong berry shelf life. Thus, in this study, a non-ventilated biodegradable container was evaluated as a possible alternative to the containers normally used in commercial distribution of small berries. To determine the potential of biodegradable containers for small berries, highbush blueberries were packaged in polylactide (PLA) containers and stored at 10°C for 18 days and at 23°C for 9 days. Commercial vented clamshell containers were used as controls. Physicochemical and microbiological studies were carried out in order to compare the efficacy of both packages. Results showed that the PLA containers prolonged blueberry shelf life at different storage temperatures.

Keywords: Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L., Elliott); Clamshell container; Physicochemical parameters; Polylactide.