Effects of gaseous hydrogen peroxide on quality, shelf life and distribution management strategy F.E.F.O. (first expired, first out) of guavas cv. Pedro Sato

During the cold chain, fruits are exposed to variations in temperature and relative humidity, which will contribute to reducing the quality and commercial value of these perishable products. Aiming to extend the shelf life, reduce losses and increase profits from the trade of climacteric fruits, this work estimated the commercial value of ‘Pedro Sato’ guavas treated or not with hydrogen peroxide during the cold chain and evaluated the feasibility of replacing the management system of stock F.I.F.O. (first In, first Out) by F.E.F.O. (first expired, first out) The commercial value of guavas was determined by combining the values of weight loss, tonality and firmness, which were estimated by semi-empirical models. The experimental data showed that peroxide positively influenced the quality of guavas, quality assessments demonstrated that weight loss was the attribute that limited the shelf life of guavas and flow simulations, along the cold chain, confirmed that the implementation of a F.E.F.O. management system can increase retailer's profits by up to 13 %. [Display omitted] •The market value of guavas depends mainly on the weight loss of the fruits.•Gaseous hydrogen peroxide extends the shelf life of guavas.•A fruit cold chain that uses the F.E.F.O. inventory management system offers products with the best quality standards.•The F.E.F.O. inventory management system can offer greater profits to retailers.