Optimisation of strawberry precooling temperature using CoolBot: a potential post-harvest management tool pertinent to the subtropical environment

Abstract

Conventional cold storage is financially impractical for farmers due to limited resources. A potential post-harvest management tool (CoolBot), which is relevant to the subtropical environment was introduced to investigate its applicability for extending the shelf-life of strawberries and controlling theirspoilages. Different precooling temperatures [4°C, 8°C, 12°C, control (22°C)] were evaluated as means of post-harvest management of strawberries to determine the optimum precooling temperature during the winter season of 2019–2020. Precooling to 4°C resulted in decreased ascorbic acid and titratable acidity losses. It also delayed the free radicle scavenging activity in strawberries and caused in lowered fruit decay percentage as well as weight loss percentage, and improved firmness, prolonged shelf life by more than 3 days, and preserved skin colour. The installation cost saving plus less postharvest losses contributed to net annual profit Tk. 6,777,000. Therefore, the results indicate that CoolBot could be an effective post-harvest tool for precooling strawberries to 4°C in subtropical environments.