Australian researcher looks to create gas regulating packages
Matthew Wilson, a postdoctoral research fellow with the ARC Training Centre for Innovative Horticultural Products at the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, said the field was one that was not being widely explored in Australia.
According to Dr Wilson, new developments in packaging are emerging all the time.
"We're looking at new packaging that can change the gas composition within the package environment that can massively increase shelf life," he said.
He said keeping the balance between attractive presentation and long shelf life was a critical factor.
"The best packaging can do both, but there is a compromise between what looks the best and what actually will stay the best for longest," he said.
"But part of the innovation in new packaging is products that do both."
Australian market interesting to study
Dr Wilson said the wide variety of produce grown and marketed in Australia had its challenges.
"Just the storage temperatures for example — you put a tropical fruit below about 12 degrees, you'll have chilling injury," he said.
source: abc.net.au
