Controlled atmosphere as cold chain support for extending postharvest life in cabbage

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Plant Physiology
• Postharvest Biology

Background:

• Postharvest cabbage management traditionally uses energy-intensive cooling.
• High-intensity cooling incurs significant energy and environmental costs.
• Controlled atmosphere (CA) storage offers a potential alternative for physiological regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of CA on cabbage quality at elevated storage temperatures.
• To assess CA's potential to reduce energy demand and enhance supply chain sustainability.
• To explore CA's impact on cabbage postharvest physiology and stress responses.

Main Methods:

• Cabbage was stored under controlled atmosphere (1.5 kPa CO2, 6 kPa O2) at 5°C and 10°C.
• Respiration rates, head color, and stump quality were evaluated.
• Abscisic acid accumulation and gene expression related to senescence were analyzed.

Main Results:

• CA storage reduced cabbage head respiration, even at higher temperatures (10°C).
• CA maintained better head color and stump quality compared to standard conditions.
• CA decreased abscisic acid accumulation and suppressed key senescence-related gene expression.

Conclusions:

• Controlled atmosphere storage enables warmer temperature storage for cabbage, reducing energy consumption.
• CA modifies postharvest physiology, offering a more sustainable and resilient supply chain solution.
• This approach supports environmental benefits through reduced energy demand in postharvest management.