Season extension of UK asparagus using dynamically controlled atmosphere

目前，英国芦笋生产无法提供全年供应，需要从海外进口大量长矛。这种做法具有重大的环境影响和负担，因为大部分产品是通过空运运输的，主要来自秘鲁。独立的碳信托组织计算出，从秘鲁进口一公斤芦笋会产生11.0公斤二氧化碳，而英国生产的芦笋每公斤会产生2.1公斤二氧化碳。通过实施、验证和优化英国设计的动态控制气调技术(DCA)的使用和效率，英国芦笋的季节性/可获得性可能会延长，生产中的供过于求问题也会得到缓解。通过更好地了解DCA如何抑制采后衰老过程，增加英国芦笋的供应，将减少英国对进口芦笋的依赖，减少废物，并有助于实现更大的自给自足。据估计，英国供应链中新鲜产生的废物在2-10%之间(Terry等人，2011年)。事实上，人们普遍认为，三分之一的消费者产生的废物可归因于水果和蔬菜。目前，英国芦笋生产无法提供全年供应，需要从海外进口大量长矛。这种做法具有重大的环境影响和负担，因为大部分产品主要从秘鲁空运，因此由于供应链延长，造成了更高的废物水平。存在这样一个机会，即通过实施和优化英国设计的新型存储技术的使用和效率，英国芦笋的季节性和可获得性可能会延长，并缓解生产中的供过于求。这项拟议的项目首次寻求使用动态控制气调(DCA)来延长英国种植的芦笋的季节性；这项技术已经成功地应用于苹果。虽然标准的控制气调和气调包装以前已经证明可以延长英国芦笋的储存期4-5周，但它导致了保质期缩短和皮肤光洁度差。尚未证实的是，在储存期间根据生理行为的时间变化[如呼吸和水分损失]来操纵气体成分，以及是否可以抑制衰老过程，减少废物水平和质量损失。一个新的动态生理模型将被开发来捕捉影响芦笋生理时空变化和相关衰老过程的变量效应和因素。通过更好地了解DCA如何抑制衰老过程，增加英国芦笋的供应，将减少英国对进口产品的依赖，减少浪费，并有助于实现更大的自给自足。Defra的数据显示，2014年7月至8月期间，英国进口了2748吨芦笋(批发市场价值990万GB)。通过开发动态气调贮藏，英国种植者有可能获得这一市场的相当大一部分份额。

Currently, UK asparagus production is unable to provide year round supply, necessitating the import of large quantities of spears from overseas. This practise has a significant environmental impact and burden as much of the product is transported by air freight, primarily from Peru. The independent Carbon Trust has calculated that importing one kilogram of asparagus from Peru generates 11.0 kgs of carbon dioxide whereas UK production produces 2.1 kgs of carbon dioxide per kg. A new opportunity exists whereby the seasonality/ availability of UK asparagus could potentially be extended and gluts in production smoothed by implementing, validating and optimising the use and efficacy of UK-designed dynamically controlled atmosphere technology (DCA). Increasing the availability of UK asparagus through better understanding and modelling of how DCA can suppress postharvest senescent processes will reduce the UK's dependence on imported asparagus, reduce waste and help towards greater self sufficiency.Fresh produce waste in the UK supply chain is estimated to be between 2 -10% (Terry et al., 2011). Indeed, it is generally acknowledged that a third of consumer derived waste is attributable to fruit and vegetables. Currently, UK asparagus production is unable to provide year round supply, necessitating the import of large quantities of spears from overseas. This practise has a significant environmental impact and burden as much of the product is transported by air freight primarily from Peru and thus results in higher waste levels due to the extended supply chain. An opportunity exists whereby the seasonality and thus availability of UK asparagus could potentially be extended and gluts in production smoothed by implementing, and optimising the use and efficacy of novel UK-designed storage technology. The proposed project seeks for the first time to extend the seasonality of UK-grown asparagus using dynamically controlled atmosphere (DCA); a technology which has been successfully deployed on apples. Although standard controlled atmosphere and modified atmosphere packaging has been previously demonstrated to extend UK asparagus storage life by 4-5 weeks it has resulted in reduced shelf life and poor skin finish. What has not be validated is the manipulation of gaseous composition during storage according to the temporal change in physiological behaviour [e.g. respiration and water loss] and whether senescent processes can be suppressed and waste levels and quality loss reduced. A new dynamic physiological model will be developed to capture the variable effects and factors which influence temporal and spatial changes in physiology and associated senescent processes in asparagus spears. This will be used to develop and further refine the implementation of optimum DCA conditions for different scenarios and markets in a real world setting.Increasing the availability of UK asparagus through better understanding how DCA can suppress senescent processes will reduce the UK's dependence on imported product, reduce waste and help towards greater self sufficiency. DEFRA figures show that 2,748 tonnes of asparagus (with a wholesale market value of £9.9 million) was imported into the UK during the months of July and August 2014. A significant proportion of this market is potentially available to UK growers through the development of dynamically controlled atmosphere storage.