Argentina's National Agricultural Technology Institute (INTA) has found it can extend the postharvest life of fresh cut blueberries by 30 days, newspaper Diario Republica reported.

The institute found that in a controlled atmosphere of 2% oxygen and 15% carbon dioxide, the ripening process could be delayed without the fruit losing its quality or weight. 

In a control study the conventional cold storage treatment method led to a 9.4% weight loss, the story reported.

The story highlighted that Argentina's issues of transit time in export led to the loss of fruit, which is why research was needed to find the ideal conditions needed for the fruit.

"The technologies of cold storage and controlled atmospheres delay the ripening process and allow you to extend the postharvest life," INTA fruit specialist Soledad Carbajo was quoted as saying.

The studies were done by researchers at INTA Famaillá –Tucumán using the O’Neal blueberry variety.

www.freshfruitportal.com