Fresh fruit thanks to MAP membrane

After 2 years of implementation, the Institute of Chemistry has successfully researched and manufactured modified atmospheric packaging films (referred to as MAP films for high quality). The fruit is wrapped in materials where the gas environment is changed to inhibit the damaging agents. Thus, maintaining the natural living process, prolonging the shelf life.

In 2009, many households growing lychee in Luc Ngan and Bac Giang suffered a decrease in production due to the deterioration of post-harvest fruits. According to Mr. Hoang Van Kem, a farmer who grows litchi in every season of his family has lost 20% - 30% of the output because the fabric is a fruit that cannot be left for long and has no effective way of preserving and affecting family income.

Therefore, the Ministry of Science and Technology assigned the Institute of Chemistry to preside over the state-level project ' Research on manufacturing materials used in the field of fruit preservation' .

Packing litchi fruit with MAP membrane (Photo: Minh Cuong / Institute of Chemistry )

MSc. PhD Pham Thi Thu Ha, Institute of Chemistry said that to preserve fruits, farmers now use traditional methods such as low temperature preservation with high humidity or chemical preservation. However, the preservation effect is not high and can leave unwanted side effects. Package testing for 2 tons of fabric (Luc Ngan-Bac Giang), 1 ton of plum (Bac Ha-Lao Cai) and 2 tons of cage label (Hung Yen) all gave good results.

Compared to other traditional fruit preservation methods, MAP films have a longer shelf life and still retain the quality of fruits from mass and color to taste. Post-preservation losses were below 12%, storage time was 3 times higher than control (4 weeks or more). In particular, after 8 weeks, preserving plum does not change the quality criteria. Economic efficiency increased from 25 to 75%, bringing high income for farmers.

Not only stop at quality and efficiency, other advantages of the MAP film are quite simple to use. After harvesting, fruits are preliminarily cooled at 2-4 degrees C for 12 to 16 hours. After that, select and remove unqualified fruits such as rubbing, crushing, pest and packing in MAP film (about 5kg / bag), tightly sealed so that the gap is the smallest.

Dr. Dinh Gia Thanh, chairman of the project, said that the study of successful fabrication of atmospheric packaging film has opened new prospects in preserving the wilted fruit products in our country such as fabric, labels, plums and peaches. . as well as vegetables and flowers for domestic consumption and export with high value.

Compared with the same products manufactured by Korea, the membrane is made by scientists of Institute of Chemistry and has the same preservation efficiency (reaching 95-100%) and the cost is only 50% of the imported price.