부산대학교 도서관

Small red fruits are very appreciated by consumers for their high sensory quality and their nutritional value. Furthermore, raspberries are very perishable produce, having high respiration rates and a fragile structure. Water loss, mould growth and off-flavour production during storage limit the shelf life of these fruits to few days. Currently, the high perishable characteristics of these fruits contribute to Food Loss along the supply chain (up to 75% until retailer). In this work, the possibility of extending the shelf life of red raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.) using active packaging solutions has been investigated, after the definition of critical indicators and cut-off criteria useful in pointing the time at which the lifetime ends. The final aim was to estimate the role of a new packaging technology in reducing Environmental Impact along the supply chain but taking into account the benefits of the Food Loss reduction derived from the actual Shelf Life Extension. The environmental impact of each packaging solution was estimated using the LCA methodology. Data were scaled with a factor that takes into account the contribute of packaging in the shelf life extension of raspberries, using lifetime data obtained in this experimental work. Results highlighted that the Shelf Life Extenstion of raspberries through an active packaging solution reduces the environmental impacts and the food losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]