How are we able to buy fresh B.C. Brand apples throughout the year?
“Controlled Atmosphere” (C.A.) dramatically extends the storage life of fresh fruit by reducing the amount of oxygen present in the storage area. While C.A. storage does not replace regular cold storage, it does work in conjunction with it. All fresh fruits continue to respire after harvest; that is, may take on oxygen and give off carbon dioxide. Many fruits ripen after harvest. This ripening process may be greatly retarded by the usual cold storage methods, which reduce fruit metabolism, including the rate of respiration. Under Controlled Atmosphere methods of storage, respiration and ripening may be reduced further by lowering the oxygen content of the air, which normally consists of 21% oxygen, 78% nitrogen and 1% other elements. Two principal techniques are used to reduce the percentage of oxygen in C.A. storage rooms. The first allows the natural respiration of the fruit to replace oxygen with carbon dioxide. The second and much faster method involves controlled atmosphere storag
