The Dutch research and development of new packaging can more than double the plant storage period

The Lisse Research Center in the Netherlands developed a packaging called Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) that can significantly extend the shelf life of flower bulbs and perennials.

This package contains a thin film with low permeability to oxygen and carbon dioxide. Its principle is very simple: the use of the respiration of the plant within the package, so that the oxygen content of the package is reduced, so that the chance of plant germination to a minimum. This film is also impermeable to water, so it also ensures that the plants in the package do not lose moisture.

Since plant respiration has the greatest impact on oxygen levels in the packaging, researchers at the research center HenkGude and Marga Dijkema measured the respiration of different bulbous and perennial plants at different temperatures. Special studies have also been conducted on the increased respiration of plants from cold storage to retail temperatures.

Preliminary research results show that this MAP package containing special films can extend the storage period of perennial plants from 3 weeks to 8 to 9 weeks. The research project also included the study of the effects of different types of packaging fillers on shelf-life and the development of specially-designed MAP packaging suitable for the storage and transportation of larger quantities of plant products. The research center stated that there will be greater improvements in MAP packaging.

Reprinted from: China Flower News