Modified atmosphere associated with refrigeration for cut roses

Abstract

In Brazil there are few studies on cold storage with cut flowers, being non-existent research on modified atmosphere associated with refrigeration for flowers. Worldwide research in this sector is considered meager; hence the establishment of post harvest technology adequate refrigerated storage and modified atmosphere controlled to cut flowers is required. In Brazil, the rose is the most widely grown cut flowers and a single producer to export three pallets of this flower by air for week. Therefore, the flower was chosen as the rose, and the hypothesis of this work is that cut rose, stored under refrigeration and modified atmosphere packaging subsidiary will have its life extended. Objectives: To define the concentrations of gases in which the roses would be submitted in a controlled atmosphere; define procedures for post-harvest conservation of roses in combination with controlled atmosphere system and establish technical procedures for the export of roses under controlled atmosphere. We will test methods for wet and dry storage to improve both the domestic and export markets. Analysis will be done at room temperature and at 1+1 0C, and will be measured concentrations of O2 and CO2 and the production of ethylene. Will be held refrigerated storage and controlled atmosphere, where the flowers are kept at à 1+1 0C, the concentration of O2 will be set at 3% and will be tested four different concentrations of CO2, the principle will be 3, 6, 10 and 15% which may be modified according to the results of the previous phase. The flowers will be placed in bottles of acrylic with a diameter of 20cm and 80cm in length, connected to flowboard. Thus the roses receive a continuous flow of air and modified cold. The rates of gases (CO2, O2 and C2H4) in the atmosphere of the storage environment will be determined using 1000uL air taken from each bottle with a syringe gas tight. The air samples are injected into a gas chromatograph. At the end of the project is expected to provide subsidies to the roses chain-producing and those can be stored and transported in the country and abroad, in fit environments, thus maintaining the quality of cut flower. (AU)