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Controlled Atmosphere has historically been used in large storage facilities where levels of atmospheric gases are continuously monitored and adjusted to maintain optimal concentrations. It is typically applied to commodities amenable to long-term storage such as apples, pears, kiwifruit, sweet onions and cabbage.

More recently, Controlled Atmospheres have been introduced to refrigerated containers for long distance transport by sea. The technology is being used for stone fruits and other commodities. The use of CA is increasing due to improved cost effectiveness in delivering extended shelf-life and enhanced produce quality. Good temperature control and management is critical to the efficacy of CA, which also must be maintained after the CA is broken and throughout the product’s distribution.

Benefits of CA include:

• Extended post-harvest life by slowing down respiration
• Reducing sensitivity to ethylene
• Slowing browning reactions
• Slowing softening of some fruits
• Reducing some forms of physiological injury
• Slowing the growth of some spoilage microorganisms
• Extending the window for marketing stored product