Postharvest quality monitoring and cold chain management of fresh garlic scapes based on a wireless multi‐sensors system

Overview of Food Preservation and Traceability Technology in the Smart Cold Chain System

According to estimates by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), about a third of all food produced for human consumption in the world is lost or wasted-approximately 1.3 billion tons. Among this, the amount lost during the storage stage is about 15-20% for vegetables and 10-15% for fruits. It is 5-10% for vegetables and fruits during the distribution stage, resulting in a large amount of resource waste and economic losses. At the same time, the global population affected by hunger has reached 828 million, exceeding one-tenth of the total global population. The improvement of the cold chain system will effectively reduce the amount of waste and loss of food during the storage and transportation stages. Firstly, this paper summarizes the concept and development status of traditional preservation technology; environmental parameter sensor components related to fruit and vegetable spoilage in the intelligent cold chain system; the data transmission and processing technology of the intelligent cold chain system, including wireless network communication technology (WI-FI) and cellular mobile communication; short-range communication technology, and the low-power, wide-area network (LPWAN). The smart cold chain system is regulated and optimized through the Internet of Things, blockchain, and digital twin technology to achieve the sustainable development of smart agriculture. The deep integration of artificial intelligence and traditional preservation technology provides new ideas and solutions for the problem of food waste in the world. However, the lack of general standards and the high cost of the intelligent cold chain system are obstacles to the development of the intelligent cold chain system. Governments and researchers at all levels should strive to highly integrate cold chain systems with artificial intelligence technology, establish relevant regulations and standards for cold chain technology, and actively promote development toward intelligence, standardization, and technology.

Optimized Dynamic Monitoring and Quality Management System for Post-Harvest Matsutake of Different Preservation Packaging in Cold Chain

The quality of Tibetan matsutake drops during cold chain transportation. To extend the shelf life and improve the market value, this study analyzed the matsutake logistics process, and optimized the dynamic monitoring and quality management systems for post-harvest matsutake with different preservation packaging in the cold chain. This system monitored the micro-environmental parameters of the cold chain in real time, and it identified the best preservation method by analyzing the quality change characteristics of the matsutake with different preservation packaging. It was concluded that the matsutake were best preserved under the conditions of modified atmosphere packaging. The data analysis on the collected data verified the performance of the system. Relevant personnel were invited to participate in the system performance analysis and offer optimization suggestions to improve the applicability of the established monitoring system. The optimized model could provide a more effective theoretical reference for the dynamic monitoring and quality management of the system.

Ambient Parameter Monitoring in Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Supply Chains Using Internet of Things-Enabled Sensor and Communication Technology

Up to half of the global fruit and vegetable production is wasted or lost along the supply chain, causing wastage of resources and economic losses. Ambient parameters strongly influence quality and shelf life of fresh fruit and vegetables. Monitoring these parameters by using Internet of things (IoT)-enabled sensor and communication technology in supply chains can help to optimize product qualities and hence reduce product rejections and losses. Various corresponding technical solutions are available, but the diverse characteristics of fresh plant-based produce impede establishing valuable applications. Therefore, the aim of this review is to give an overview of IoT-enabled sensor and communication technology in relation to the specific quality and spoilage characteristics of fresh fruit and vegetables. Temperature, relative humidity (RH), O₂, CO₂ and vibration/shock are ambient parameters that provide most added value regarding product quality optimization, and can be monitored by current IoT-enabled sensor technology. Several wireless communication technologies are available for real-time data exchange and subsequent data processing and usage. Although many studies investigate the general possibility of monitoring systems using IoT-enabled technology, large-scale implementation in fresh fruit and vegetable supply chains is still hindered by unsolved challenges.