Difference between revisions of "Blueberries"
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{{Infobox_Fruit | {{Infobox_Fruit | ||
| image = blueberries.jpg | | image = blueberries.jpg | ||
| − | | carrying temperature = 0°C | + | | carrying temperature = 0°C (-0.5°C/+0.5°C) |
| highest freezing point = -1,3°C | | highest freezing point = -1,3°C | ||
| acceptable product temp = Max. 2°C above carrying temperature | | acceptable product temp = Max. 2°C above carrying temperature | ||
| Optimum humidity = 90 to 95% | | Optimum humidity = 90 to 95% | ||
| − | | Ventilation setting for containers = 10 m³/hr | + | | Ventilation setting for containers = 0-10 m³/hr |
| − | | Storage life = | + | | Storage life = 3 to 4 weeks |
| Climateric / non-climateric = non-climateric | | Climateric / non-climateric = non-climateric | ||
| − | | | + | | Ethylene production = Low |
| Ethylene sensitivity = Low | | Ethylene sensitivity = Low | ||
| − | | Modified / controlled atmosphere = 12%-20% CO<SUB>2</SUB>; | + | | Modified / controlled atmosphere = 12%-20% CO<SUB>2</SUB>; 5-10% O<SUB>2</SUB> |
| − | | Potential benefits = | + | | Potential benefits = Good, prolongs storage life upto 5-6 weeks |
| Locations = Australia/New Zealand <br> South Africa <br> South America | | Locations = Australia/New Zealand <br> South Africa <br> South America | ||
| − | | Months = November - March <br> November - February <br> November - March | + | | Months = November - March <br> <br> November - February <br> November - March |
}} | }} | ||
== Harvesting and handling == | == Harvesting and handling == | ||
| − | Blueberries have a blue to blue-black epidermis or skin that is covered by a waxy bloom, giving the | + | Blueberries have a blue to blue-black epidermis or skin that is covered by a waxy bloom, giving the fruit a light blue appearance. The flesh is creamy-white to green in color and juicy. High quality blueberries are free of injury, decay, and sunscald, are fully blue in color with little or no red at the stem end, and appear, as well as feel, turgid. For fresh market, fruit should be fully blue and firm.<br><br> |
| − | Blueberries are non-climacteric | + | Blueberries are non-climacteric fruit and respond to [[ethylene]]; but should be harvested near to full ripe as flavour does not improve after harvest. Removal of [[ethylene]] from storage air may reduce disease development. One of the most important causes of postharvest decay on blueberries is grey mould rot, particularly following a wet season. It is capable of significant growth even at low temperatures. |
== Cooling and storage == | == Cooling and storage == | ||
| Line 28: | Line 28: | ||
-2,0°C over long periods of time. | -2,0°C over long periods of time. | ||
<br><br> | <br><br> | ||
| − | Research with controlled atmospheres showed that CA/MA storage retarded breakdown and decay but entailed the risk of off-flavours. Use of sealed poly-liners increased storage life by reducing weight loss and maintaining turgidity, appearance and flavour. However, prolonged storage beyond 6 weeks at 0°C in film liners sometimes resulted in off-flavoured | + | Research with controlled atmospheres showed that CA/MA storage retarded breakdown and decay but entailed the risk of off-flavours. Use of sealed poly-liners increased storage life by reducing weight loss and maintaining turgidity, appearance and flavour. However, prolonged storage beyond 6 weeks at 0°C in film liners sometimes resulted in off-flavoured fruit. |
| − | + | Modified atmosphere packaging for shipment with 15 to 20% carbon dioxide and 5 to 10% oxygen reduces the growth of Botrytis cinerea (Grey Mould Rot) and other decay causing organisms, and reduces the respiration and softening rates of blueberries, raspberries and blackberries thereby extending postharvest life. Whole pallet covers and consumer packages for containment of the modified atmosphere are commonly used. Prompt cooling should be done before atmosphere modification.<br> | |
| + | Nowadays, it is common practice that blueberries are carried in containers under controlled atmosphere (CA) at 12%-20% CO<SUB>2</SUB> and 5-10% O<SUB>2</SUB>. The storage life of 5 weeks can be prolonged by the use of CA to approx. 6 weeks. | ||
== Mixed loads == | == Mixed loads == | ||
Keep cold. Can be shipped in mixed loads | Keep cold. Can be shipped in mixed loads | ||
| Line 37: | Line 38: | ||
== Storage disorders == | == Storage disorders == | ||
| − | Alternaria | + | Alternaria fruit rot, Anthracnose fruit rot, Colletotrichum sp., Grey mould rot, Mummy berry, Herbicide injuries, Phomopsis vaccinii, Red ringspot. |
[[Category:Products]] | [[Category:Products]] | ||
[[Category:Perishables]] | [[Category:Perishables]] | ||
Latest revision as of 15:12, 8 September 2025
| Infobox on Blueberries | |
|---|---|
| Example of Blueberries |  |
| Freshness facts | |
| Optimum carrying temperature | 0°C (-0.5°C/+0.5°C) |
| Highest freezing point | -1,3°C |
| Acceptable product temp. at loading into containers | Max. 2°C above carrying temperature |
| Optimum humidity | 90 to 95% |
| Ventilation setting for containers | 0-10 m³/hr |
| Storage life | 3 to 4 weeks |
| Climacteric / non-climacteric | non-climateric |
| Ethylene production | Low |
| Ethylene sensitivity | Low |
| Modified / controlled atmosphere | 12%-20% CO2; 5-10% O2 |
| Potential benefits | Good, prolongs storage life upto 5-6 weeks |
| Availability | |
| Australia/New Zealand South Africa South America |
November - March November - February November - March |
Blueberries
Contents
Harvesting and handling
Blueberries have a blue to blue-black epidermis or skin that is covered by a waxy bloom, giving the fruit a light blue appearance. The flesh is creamy-white to green in color and juicy. High quality blueberries are free of injury, decay, and sunscald, are fully blue in color with little or no red at the stem end, and appear, as well as feel, turgid. For fresh market, fruit should be fully blue and firm.
Blueberries are non-climacteric fruit and respond to ethylene; but should be harvested near to full ripe as flavour does not improve after harvest. Removal of ethylene from storage air may reduce disease development. One of the most important causes of postharvest decay on blueberries is grey mould rot, particularly following a wet season. It is capable of significant growth even at low temperatures.
Cooling and storage
Rapidly pre-cooling fresh blueberries to near 0°C and maintaining that temperature suppresses decay development and preserves the market quality. Blueberries with more than a trace of visible decay at harvest have a poor storage potential; hence, they should be marketed promptly rather than be allowed to contribute to storage losses.
Moisture losses can be kept to 2-3% or less during storage and marketing through use of proper packaging, film caps, and maintenance of 90-95% relative humidity. Handling of blueberries should be minimised to avoid damaging the bloom. Blueberries stored at temperatures of 4,5°C and above gradually develop an undesirable tough-textured skin.
Blueberries are not known to be chilling sensitive. Freezing damage can occur at approx. -1,5°C to
-2,0°C over long periods of time.
Research with controlled atmospheres showed that CA/MA storage retarded breakdown and decay but entailed the risk of off-flavours. Use of sealed poly-liners increased storage life by reducing weight loss and maintaining turgidity, appearance and flavour. However, prolonged storage beyond 6 weeks at 0°C in film liners sometimes resulted in off-flavoured fruit.
Modified atmosphere packaging for shipment with 15 to 20% carbon dioxide and 5 to 10% oxygen reduces the growth of Botrytis cinerea (Grey Mould Rot) and other decay causing organisms, and reduces the respiration and softening rates of blueberries, raspberries and blackberries thereby extending postharvest life. Whole pallet covers and consumer packages for containment of the modified atmosphere are commonly used. Prompt cooling should be done before atmosphere modification.
Nowadays, it is common practice that blueberries are carried in containers under controlled atmosphere (CA) at 12%-20% CO2 and 5-10% O2. The storage life of 5 weeks can be prolonged by the use of CA to approx. 6 weeks.
Mixed loads
Keep cold. Can be shipped in mixed loads
Cautions
Oxygen below 2% can cause off-flavours. Carbon dioxide above 20% can cause skin browning and off-flavours.
Storage disorders
Alternaria fruit rot, Anthracnose fruit rot, Colletotrichum sp., Grey mould rot, Mummy berry, Herbicide injuries, Phomopsis vaccinii, Red ringspot.