Peaches are a common type of fruit and meanwhile possess high nutritional value. The flesh of peaches is rich in proteins, fats, sugars, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamins B and C, carotenoids, organic acids (mainly malic acid and citric acid), and a large amount of water. These components can supplement the nutritional needs of the human body. In addition, peaches are also drupe fruits, and they ripen in the high-temperature season. Unlike other fruits such as apples, grapes, and pears, peaches are not so easy to store. Therefore, the preservation and storage methods of peaches are also highly valued by fruit farmers. Controlled atmosphere preservation is currently the most widely used and advanced preservation technology for fruits and vegetables. So, the long-term preservation and storage method for peaches is controlled atmosphere preservation.

Advantages of the Controlled Atmosphere Preservation Cold Room for Peaches:

1. Extend the Shelf Life after Fruits and Vegetables are Taken out of the Cold Storage

The fruits and vegetables taken out from an ordinary cold storage can only be kept for about 7 days before going bad. The effect will be better if bricks or zeolites soaked in potassium permanganate are added to the controlled atmosphere bags to absorb ethylene. It is reported that with the spontaneous controlled atmosphere storage using fresh-keeping bags and CT series controlled atmosphere preservation agents, peaches can be stored for 2 months under the condition of 0°C - 2°C, and can be kept fresh for at least 8 - 10 days under the condition of 25°C - 30°C. After being stored in the controlled atmosphere cold storage, the shelf life can be extended to 21 - 28 days.

2. Maintain the Freshness and Crispness of Fruits and Vegetables

For the fruits stored in the controlled atmosphere cold storage, after being taken out, their moisture content, vitamin C content, sugar content, acidity, firmness, color, and weight are all higher than the standards of an ordinary fresh-keeping cold storage. The fruits are crispy and the vegetables are tender green, which is almost the same as the state of freshly picked ones.

Inhibit the Occurrence of Pests and Diseases of Fruits and Vegetables, Minimizing the Losses of the Quality of Fruits and Vegetables Caused by Pests and Diseases

3. Requirements for Setting the Temperature and Humidity in the Controlled Atmosphere Preservation Cold Storage for Peaches:

The relatively suitable temperature for storing peaches in the controlled atmosphere preservation cold storage is 0°C - 1°C. Since peaches have a relatively high freezing point, the temperature of the cold storage must be well controlled to prevent the peaches from freezing. Otherwise, it will directly affect the quality of peaches, thus limiting the storage of peaches.

The relative humidity for storing peaches in the controlled atmosphere preservation cold storage is 90% - 95%. Because the skin of peaches is relatively thin, it is difficult to lock in the moisture of the fruits. Moreover, most of the fuzz on the skin is connected to the lenticels, increasing the surface area of the peaches. Therefore, the moisture of the fruits is extremely likely to be lost. So, a proper humidity needs to be maintained in the controlled atmosphere preservation cold storage to prevent the moisture of the fruits from being easily lost.