Scientific facts in cold chain management
Although a scientific approach of post harvest technology for fruits, vegetables and flowers goes back to the 1970’s, many partners in the logistic chain still lack awareness and knowledge of basic principles. All efforts that the producer has made to reach top quality products may be lost within 24 hours by mismanagement of the cold chain. The small gain made by saving on the cold chain is negligible compared to the loss of value it will cause. Proper cold chain management from farm till buyer is an essential condition for the preservation of the quality and the value of a perishable product.
The respiratory metabolism
Cut flowers, harvested fruits and vegetables are still alive and carry on characteristic processes of all living things. The most important process is the respiratory metabolism. It is a natural process of ripening, senescence and deterioration of the plant. The bio-chemical reaction (for 1 mole): C6H12O6 + 6O2 + 6CO2 + 6H2O + 686 kcal 294 kcal of the produced energy is used for internal processes but 392 kcal is heat. Cut flowers, beans and the vast majority of Kenyan fresh produce are climacteric plants and have a very high respiration rate. The respiration is triggered by ethylene, a self-regulatory hormone produced by the plant itself.