The Importance of Tightly Controlled Relative Humidity
Maintaining high relative humidity (RH) in modified atmosphere packaging is important because it “results in reduced transpiration of water from the produce, thereby reducing wilting, shriveling, and loss of firmness. The accumulation of vapor in the packaging depends on the rate of water loss from the product, its surface area, the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of the film, and the external environment temperature.”
“The RH in most sealed packaging is near the saturation level. Therefore, even very small fluctuations in temperature during storage or shipment may result in water condensation on the surface of both film and produce. Condensed water on the produce surface may adversely affect the gas exchange, leading to an unfavorable internal atmosphere.” Even more detrimental may be the enhancement of produce decay, and physiological processes such as regrowth. In addition, certain human pathogens may proliferate when in-pack atmosphere contains high humidity and low O
2.
Read more about this topic: Modified Atmosphere/modified Humidity Packaging
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