Controlled atmosphere

Controlled Atmosphere for Insect Pest Control in Dry Commodities

• Grains, legumes, and oilseed are stored in controlled atmosphere to control insect pests.
• Most insects cannot survive without oxygen or in high carbon dioxide conditions.
• Treatments for grains may take weeks at lower temperatures.
• Disinfestation of dry grain with carbon dioxide requires a concentration above 35%.
• Different atmospheres are created by adding pure carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or using natural respiration effects.

Controlled Atmosphere for Fruit and Vegetables Storage

• Altered atmospheric conditions and reduced temperature allow prolonged storage of apples and pears.
• Long-term storage of vegetables and fruit involves inhibiting ripening and aging processes.
• Ripening is delayed by reducing oxygen and increasing carbon dioxide and nitrogen levels.
• Controlled atmosphere conditions help retain the quality and freshness of fruit and vegetables.
• Many products can be stored for 2 to 4 times longer than usual under controlled atmosphere.

Historical Development of Controlled Atmosphere Techniques

• Franklin Kidd and Cyril West conducted basic research on fruit respiration and ripening.
• Robert Smock improved controlled atmosphere techniques for fruit shelf life extension.
• The first commercial facility for controlled atmosphere was established in 1929.
• The first controlled atmosphere rooms in the U.S. were built in the 1950s.
• By the 1980s, the U.S. had a capacity for apple storage exceeding 100 million bushels.

Related Concepts

• Modified atmosphere and modified atmosphere/modified humidity packaging.
• Shelf life extension techniques related to controlled atmosphere storage.

References for Further Reading

• Role of Modified Atmosphere in Pest Control and Mechanism of Its Effect on Insects.
• The acute mortality effects of carbon dioxide on various life stages of Sitophilus oryzae.
• Feasibility of hermetic storage of grains in modern agricultural systems.
• The key role of controlled atmosphere in keeping apples fresh all year round.
• Ancient methods used to keep grapes fresh in Afghanistan during winter.

Controlled atmosphere Data Sources