Packaging innovation and optimization for hydroponic spinach

最低限度加工的即食鲜切蔬菜已获得越来越多的消费者接受，因为 其新鲜属性和最终使用便利性。随着这一消费趋势的发展，对菠菜的需求也在增加。 大幅增加，达到640万加元（加拿大统计局，2011年）。在 相比之下，菠菜的进口价值为1.08亿加元（加拿大农业和农业食品部，2013年）。这些 统计数字显示，这种作物在国内有很强的增长潜力。达勒姆食品有限公司（DFL）， 安大略的佩里港是北美唯一的水培菠菜商业种植者， 菠菜在无农药、除草剂和杀真菌剂的环境中。水栽菠菜 比田间种植的同类产品更嫩更香。而且水培菠菜安全性高， 产量高，没有虫害。然而，它们的叶子是脆弱的，容易受到机械损伤， 装卸.水分的快速流失和高呼吸速率也会导致农产品的快速变质， 导致异味的产生和组织软化。目前，DFL包装他们的水培菠菜 在热成型的聚（对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯）蛤壳容器中。该公司热衷于开发一种 创新的包装解决方案，比现有的包装更环保，更具成本效益， 同时达到20天的目标保质期。为此，我们将：（1）检查 现有的包装水培菠菜;（2）开发质量评估的实验方法， 水培菠菜;（3）确定控制水培菠菜货架期的关键因素;（4）研究 温度和物理虐待对水培菠菜品质的影响;（5）原型新包装， 最佳的阻隔性能;（6）在控制和分布下，评价DFL菠菜包装原型 环境. DFL将从该项目中受益，生产高品质的菠菜宝宝， 保质期设想的包装将可能适用于其他即食蔬菜，间接受益 其他生产商。最后，新型菠菜/蔬菜包装的开发也将有利于包装

Minimally processed ready-to-eat fresh-cut vegetables have gained increased consumer acceptance because of their fresh attributes and end-use convenience. Riding on this consumer trend, the demand for spinach has increased considerably, reaching a farm-gate value of Can$6.4 million (Statistics Canada, 2011). In comparison, the import value of spinach is Can$108 million (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 2013). These statistics show that there is a strong domestic growth potential for this crop. Durham Foods Limited (DFL) in Port Perry, Ontario, is the only commercial grower of hydroponic spinach in the North America that grows spinach in pesticide-, herbicide-, and fungicide-free environment. Hydroponically grown spinach is more tender and richer in flavour than the field grown counterparts. Moreover, hydroponic spinach has high safety, large yield, and no pest issues. However, their leaves are fragile and susceptible to mechanical damages during handling. Rapid loss of moisture and high respiration rate also contribute to rapid deterioration of the produce, causing the development of off-odour and tissue softening. Currently, DFL packages their hydroponic spinach in thermoformed poly(ethylene terephthalate) clam shell containers. The company is keen on developing an innovative packaging solution that is more environmental friendly and cost-effective that the existing package, while achieving a target shelf-life of 20 days. To this end, we will: (1) examine the barrier properties of the existing packaging hydroponic spinach; (2) develop experimental methods for quality assessment of hydroponic spinach; (3) determine critical factors that control the shelf-life of hydroponic spinach; (4) study the effects of temperature and physical abuses on quality of hydroponic spinach; (5) prototype new packages with optimal barrier properties; (6) evaluate package prototype on DFL's spinach under controlled and distribution environments. DFL will benefit from this project by producing high quality baby spinach with optimal shelf-life. The envisaged packaging will likely applicable to other ready-to-eat vegetables, indirectly benefiting other producers. Finally, the development of novel spinach/vegetable packages will also benefit the packaging