title: Postharvest shelf life extension of blueberries using a biodegradable package.
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.
authors.affiliation: School of Packaging, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1223, USA.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Almenar
authors.affiliation: School of Packaging, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1223, USA.
authors.forename: Hayati
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Samsudin
authors.affiliation: School of Packaging, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1223, USA. Electronic address: aurasraf@msu.edu.
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Auras
authors.affiliation: School of Packaging, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1223, USA.
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Harte
authors.affiliation: School of Packaging, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1223, USA.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rubino
keywords: Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L., Elliott); Clamshell container; Physicochemical parameters; Polylactide