The priority of the cold chain industry is to maintain the optimal temperature of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, pharmaceutical products, flowers, and other perishable products to avoid losing their nutritional value before reaching end-users. Cold chain innovations help smallholder farmers meet the required export standard value in the export market.
In developing countries, cold chains are still in their infancy due to the lack of basic infrastructure and management skills needed to support the development of integrated cold chain systems, especially in rural areas where most food value chains are located, where up to 60% of overall food losses occur. Also, functional cold storage facilities are frequently absent.
To achieve the main aim of cold storage, which is to improve the shelf life and quality of fresh fruits and vegetables. Cooling facilities should be managed properly with regard to temperature, relative humidity levels, air flow, space between storage containers, and the mixing of compatible produce through the outlined tips listed below.
Schedule Routine Inspection
Routine inspection is an integral part of maintenance in every cold storage facility or machine. It helps to ensure that potential problems are detected and identified before they escalate into major issues that can cause damage to the products stored.
Using ColdHubs Maintenance Modality, it is essential to develop a routine check on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis for cooling units, inverter systems, polyurethane materials, battery banks, and cooling performance using temperature readings like a thermometer. Every inspection should be determined by the functionality and capacity of the equipment.
A refrigeration engineer noted that refrigeration materials need closer attention to ensure optimal operations, adding that it is pertinent to check the cold room walls, roof, cracks, and other components of the cold room regularly.
Cleaning the condensing unit
Condenser units involve a couple of components in refrigeration that aid the effectiveness and functionality of a cooling system. It is the most important device in every storage facility. It helps cool the air and regulate the temperature in the cold room.
Therefore, the removal of dirt, dust, or debris improves the airflow and optimal performance of the cold room.
Ensure Doors Are Properly Closed
It is important to keep the cold room doors closed at all times. Closing the door keeps the cold room cool and makes it much more efficient.
As soon as a door is open, ambient air enters the cold room immediately, giving the cooling unit much work to do. It is advised that you close the door immediately after opening it to avoid infiltration into the cooling compartment.
When there is a leaky seal, it will require your cooling systems to work harder to maintain a steady temperature, resulting in higher energy costs. If you detect any cracks or damage, it is critical to repair or replace the door as soon as possible.
At ColdHubs, the door sensor has a monitoring device that detects when the door is opened.
Cold Room Spacing and Packaging
When setting up a cold room, how to store the produce matters so much, as fruits and vegetables are very sensitive and fragile.
Sorting, grading, and adequate packaging should be considered to avoid loss of quality through mechanical, chilling, and freezing injuries and microbial growth and to extend shelf life during cold storage.
Therefore, returnable plastic crates are the best packaging material for fruits and vegetables, as they allow airflow and maintain humidity levels.
Familiarize yourself with the typical shelf life of different fruits and vegetables to prioritize their use accordingly, and adopt the principle of the first-in, first-out (FIFO) system to ensure that older produce is used before newer arrivals. This principle guides the storage of each crop separately and according to its compatibility.
For instance, with respect to odor transfers, apples and pears should be separated from celery, cabbage, carrots, and onions. Additionally, storing celery with onions or carrots and citrus fruits with strongly scented vegetables should be avoided. Ethylene-producing crops, such as bananas, apples, avocadoes, peaches, plums, and tomatoes, should be stored separately from ethylene-sensitive crops, such as carrots, lettuce, cucumbers, and potatoes.
Furthermore, cold storage facilities should be cooled to the storage temperature required for the specific products before they are stored.
Temperature and humidity monitoring
To maintain the correct temperature and humidity for the specific fruits and vegetables you are storing, different produce items have varying temperature and humidity requirements. Generally, a temperature range of 32–55°F (0–13°C) is suitable for most fruits and vegetables. Monitor and adjust humidity levels as needed. Use a hygrometer to measure humidity levels and humidifiers or dehumidifiers to maintain optimal conditions.