Atmosphere Control Around Respiring Biological Materials

摘要

Packaging of respiring biological materials, particularly bananas and other fruits, in sealed containers. The containers preferably include a gas-permeable membrane comprising (1) a microporous film, and (2) a polymeric coating on the microporous film. Using appropriate containers and appropriate controlled atmospheres around the container, the respiring materials can be stored and/or ripened under controlled conditions. Bananas can be ripened while they are being transported, or in conventional ripening rooms without opening the containers in which they have been transported. The ripe bananas are less dehydrated and remain in a satisfactory ripened state for longer periods of time. The gas- permeable membrane can preferably take the form of either a “curtain” or “cartridge” and the R ratio of the membrane may be optimized by adjusting the differential pressure across the membrane.

主权项

1. A shipping container assembly comprising
(1) a shipping container containing respiring biological material; (2) a first atmosphere within the container which surrounds the biological materials; (3) an atmosphere control member (ACM) which
(a) is permeable to at least oxygen and carbon dioxide;(b) has an oxygen transmission ratio (OTR) of at least about 620,000 ml/m2.atm.24 hr; and(c) has a ratio of carbon dioxide permeability to oxygen permeability (R ratio) or at least 4.3;(d) has a first surface in contact with the first atmosphere; and(e) has a second surface in contact with a second atmosphere; and (4) one or more metering devices capable of causing the second atmosphere to flow over the second surface of the ACM.