Combining experiments and mechanistic modeling to compare ventilated packaging types for strawberries from farm to retailer

Soft fruits like strawberries are highly perishable and susceptible to postharvest decay caused by fungal infestation. Mold growth is favored elevated temperatures in the cold chain or when water vapor condenses packaging induced temperature fluctuations at high relative humidity. Optimal for these products required improve homogenous fruit cooling ventilation inside package along entire supply chain. This study analyzed three types (top sealed paperboard, open closed plastic clamshell) through laboratory storage experiments simulations. We tested different packages a climate chamber, with conditions representing an actual from farm retailer. evaluated performance of quality measurements. measured mass loss, total soluble solids acidity content, firmness, color change, incidence decay. also developed physics-based models gain complementary information that difficult quantify experimentally. These rely on mechanistic simulations sensor data capture fruit’s hygrothermal physiological evolution. To this end, we used monitored lab as input digital twins. quantified in-silico time wetness due condensation, respiration-driven overall quality, remaining shelf life simulated Altogether, our simulation findings revealed top paperboard had best terms respiration-dependent loss wetness. Furthermore, showed least heterogeneities attributes packaging, most likely presence position holes. No clear differences were observed during rot traditional metrics (i.e., solids, acidity, color). Combining modeling provides deeper understanding how evolves Also, it can evaluating metrics, including moisture wetness, risk microbial spatiotemporal manner.