The current status and the potential use of modified and controlled atmospheres in Mexico.
Yahia E. M.
Author Affiliation: Departamento de Investigación y Posgrado en Alimentos, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Queretaro, Queretaro, QRO 76080, Mexico.
: 523-529
Abstract : The use of controlled atmosphere (CA) and modified atmosphere (MA) storage and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) in Mexico is discussed. Horticultural crops are not widely stored, partly because of long harvesting seasons and limited facilities. CA storage is used in the northern states of Chihuahua and Coahuila for apples; there are about 50 CA rooms there, storing about 33?000 tons of apples per year. MA storage has occasionally been used during the transport of some fruits (e.g. mangoes and avocados) to Europe and Japan. MA conditions are usually imposed when crops reach US ports. The use of MAP for retail rather than storage purposes has increased.