The Development of Controlled Atmosphere Storage of Fruit

Excerpts: The report should be considered as only an introduction to the development of controlled atmosphere (CA) storage of fruit. Emphasis is placed on stationary storage, primarily of apples. The use of controlled atmospheres bids fair to become the most important innovation in the preservation of horticultural produce since the introduction of mechanical refrigeration. And new developments are being used to extend CA to transportation and distribution refrigeration units. …this report will attempt to outline the development of controlled atmosphere storage from its inception through 1966. Although much has been written about CA storage, it is nearly always of a relatively narrow technical nature. This bulletin seeks to provide a broader historical perspective; where possible, it brings in economic and social considerations. As most of the experience to date -- both scientific and commercial -- has been with the storage of apples, this area will receive particular attention. The report should be considered as only an introduction to the development of controlled atmosphere (CA) storage of fruit. Emphasis is placed on stationary storage, primarily of apples.