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的芦笋。这种做法对环境有重大影响，并造成负担，因为大部分产品是通过空运运输的，主要是从秘鲁运来的。据独立碳信托计算，从秘鲁进口一公斤芦笋产生11.0公斤二氧化碳，而英国生产每公斤产生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大气技术（DCA）的使用和功效，英国芦笋的季节性/可用性可能会延长，并缓解生产过剩，这是一个新的机会。通过更好地理解和模拟DCA如何抑制采采后的衰老过程，增加英国芦笋的供应，将减少英国对进口芦笋的依赖，减少浪费，并有助于实现更大的自给自足。英国供应链中的新鲜农产品浪费估计在2 -10%之间（Terry et al., 2011）。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的芦笋。这种做法对环境造成了重大影响和负担，因为大部分产品主要是通过空运从秘鲁运输的，因此由于供应链的延长导致了更高的废物水平。通过实施和优化英国设计的新型储存技术的使用和功效，英国芦笋的季节性和可用性可能会有潜在的延长，并缓解生产过剩，这是一个机会。拟议的项目首次寻求使用动态控制气氛（DCA）延长英国种植的芦笋的季节性；这项技术已经成功地应用在苹果上。虽然标准的可控气氛和改良气氛包装已被证明可以延长英国芦笋的储存寿命4-5周，但它导致了保质期的缩短和皮肤光面性差。尚未验证的是根据生理行为（如呼吸和水分流失）的时间变化在储存期间操纵气体成分，以及是否可以抑制衰老过程，减少浪费水平和质量损失。建立一个新的动态生理模型，以捕捉影响芦笋芽生理时空变化和相关衰老过程的变量效应和因素。这将用于开发和进一步完善现实世界中不同场景和市场的最佳DCA条件的实施。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月和8月期间，英国进口了2748吨芦笋（批发市场价值为990万英镑）。通过动态控制大气储存的发展，英国种植者可以获得这一市场的很大一部分。

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.