Optimization of Precooling Temperature Using a Potential Postharvest Management Tool CoolBot for Available Strawberries in Khulna Region, Bangladesh

Conventional cold storage is financially impractical for farmers due to limited resources. In the present study, a potential postharvest 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 their spoilages. Different precooling temperatures (4°C, 8°C and 12°C) were evaluated as means of postharvest management of strawberries to determine the optimum precooling temperature during the winter season of 2019-2020. Precooling to 4°C resulted in decreased level of ascorbic acid and loss of titratable acidity. It also influenced the free radical scavenging activity of strawberries and demonstrated lowered percentages of fruit decay and weight loss percentage, respectively. It also improved firmness, prolonged shelf life (>3 days), and preserved skin color. It was estimated that installation, cost-saving and reduction of post-harvest losses contributed to a net annual profit 67,77,000 BDT. Therefore, the results indicate that CoolBot could be an effective postharvest tool for precooling strawberries to 4°C in subtropical environments.

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