date:May 10, 2013
Berries are highly perishable and the limiting factors for prolonged storage are typically dehydration and decay.
Decay by Botrytis and Rhizopus are by far the greatest cause of postharvest losses. Decay can be controlled by prompt cooling, but in addition, since berries tolerate elevated CO2 concentrations of as high as 15%, a concentration at which a substantial fungistatic effect can be achieved, modified and controlled atmosphere are suitable and commonly used means for controlling decay.