Project Number: 5358-21000-037-01
Project Type: Grant

Start Date: Sep 05, 2006
End Date: Sep 30, 2009

Objective:
To evaluate the effect of different post-harvest handling and storage practices on the quality of fresh highbush blueberries.

Approach:
Different harvest methods, prepackage temperatures, delay times of cooling, and storage atmospheres will be evaluated. Fruit color, firmness, decay rate, weight loss, aroma and flavor, and nutritive qualities (total anthocyanin, antioxidant, and phenolics) will be determined as related to different post-harvest handling and storage conditions. To start preliminary trials of using edible coatings for extending fresh market shelf-life of blueberries. Documents Grant with Oregon State University. Previously 53538-21000-036-21G (5/2008).