Field heat removal
- Without a doubt, the most important factor affecting postharvest life is temperature.
- This is because temperature has a profound effect on the rates of biological reactions, eg., metabolism and respiration.
- Over the physiological range of most crops, ie.,0 to 30 °C (32 to 86 °F), increased temperatures cause an exponential rise in respiration. so good temperature is the single most important factor in delaying product deterioration; prompt cooling and maintenance of proper temperature are both essential.
- For many products, this means maintaining as low a temperature as possible without danger of freezing.
- The Van’t Hoff Rule states that the velocity of a biological reaction increases 2 to 3-fold for every 10 °C (18 °F) rise in temperature.
- The temperature quotient for a 10 °C interval is called the Q10.
- Cooling requirement for a crop vary with the air temperature during harvesting, stage of maturity and nature of crop.
selection of precooling methods depends on:
- The temperature of produce at harvest
- Physiology of produce
- Desired postharvest life