Modified atmosphere and moisture condensation in packaged fresh produce: Scientific efforts and commercial success

Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) of fresh produce is a dynamic system that relies on the modification of the atmosphere inside the package by the natural interplay between respiration of the product and permeability of the packaging film. Over the last two decades, scientists have put tremendous efforts in developing equilibrium MAP solutions for fresh fruit and vegetables. Its commercial adoption in postharvest chain has been extended from limited number of commodities to fresh-cut produce, wherein the packages are truly optimized to maintain the O2 and CO2 within the recommended range often with help of microperforation. This review will focus on key issues relevant to the implementation of MAP and moisture condensation dynamics in horticultural supply chain. A critical review of scientific effort in the last two decades has been made in this review. •Tremendous scientific efforts in developing equilibrium MAP solutions.•Commercial adoption is limited to a few commodities.•Use of microperforation is often the simple and easy solution.•Moisture condensation is still unresolved problem.