Controlled Atmosphere Storage for Fruits & Vegetables

Introduction

Horticultural crops not only provide human beings with nutritional and healthy foods, but also generate a considerable cash income for growers in our country. Horticultural crops have a high moisture content, tender texture and high perish ability. If not handled properly, a high-value nutritious product can deteriorate and rot in a matter of days or even hours. The quality of fruits and vegetables are consequently depending on their storage life quality, as it is reduced by the loss of moisture, decay and physiological breakdown. These deteriorations are directly related to storage temperature, relative humidity, air circulation and gas composition. A Controlled Storage House with instrument for monitoring parameters such as temperature, relative humidity, gas composition, nitrogen, oxygen & carbon dioxide along with scrubbing systems to control the gas composition as per set parameters is available for extension of shelf life and maintain internal quality of fruits and vegetables. The ethylene gas generated can be completely eliminated with ethylene scrubbing materials to stop ripening. Similarly, carbon dioxide level is maintained through the circulation of the air mixture through activated charcoal scrubber as per set parameters to maintain surface texture. All parameters are controlled using lab-view software, which records complete storage data in 5-minute interval and actuate the signals to operate as soon as set limits are crossed. The system has a provision for interconnectivity through network in different parts of the country.

Salient Features

• Fully Programmable CA Storage System with intelligent networking
  
• Sensors for display of temperature, RH, CO2, O2 and Ethylene.
  
• Lab VIEW based software for auto control of set limits
  
• Storage Capacity : 250Kg Extendable up to 2500Kg
  

Contact:

VP Giridhar,
Head, BDG and S&M Centres,
Central Scientific Instruments Organisation,
Chandigarh
E-mail: vpg_bdg_csio@yahoo.co.in