Prediction and Validation of Water Condensation on Cold-stored Apples under Various Hygrothermal Conditions in a Packinghouse

Youn-Moon Park; Jong Kee Kim; Heui Taek Lim; Mi Hyang Park; Eun Hwa Lim; Cheon-Soon Jeong

doi:10.7235/HORT.20250061

All Issue

2025 Vol.43, Issue 6 Preview Page Next Page

Research Article

Prediction and Validation of Water Condensation on Cold-stored Apples under Various Hygrothermal Conditions in a Packinghouse

31 December 2025. pp. 695-704

PDF XML

Abstract

Fruit condensation after cold storage diminishes operational efficiency and increases the risk of microbial contamination during packinghouse and distribution operations. Water condensation on cold-stored apples was predicted using psychrometric methods and validated through laboratory investigations to offer effective fruit temperature control guidelines. A survey conducted in 2023 at eight agricultural product processing centers (APCs) revealed that the storage temperatures and relative humidity (RH) levels for apples ranged from 0.0 to 1.0°C and exceeded 85%, respectively. Packinghouses were managed under ambient conditions or air-conditioned environments, targeting atmospheres of 20°C with 60% RH. A theoretical estimation of the vapor pressure deficit (VPD) between the fruit and packinghouse environments indicated that raising the fruit temperature to prevent water condensation could be realized at temperatures ranging from 0.5°C to 17°C, depending on the atmospheric conditions. The fruit temperature for vapor pressure equilibrium (VPE) was 12.5°C under the targeted environmental condition of 20°C with 60% RH. Six treatments, combining the fruit temperatures with atmospheric simulations inside a packinghouse, were applied as a validation experiment. The simulated atmospheric temperature and humidity conditions were 10°C and 20°C with 50% RH and 80% RH, respectively, for 0°C fruit temperature, and 20°C with 60% RH and 80% RH at 12°C. The laboratory experiment demonstrated that water condensation varied among the treatments, consistent with the theoretical VPD estimations. A significant regression model was developed between the VPD and the amount of condensation on the apples. The results of this study suggest the feasibility of psychrometrics for detailed and effective temperature management strategies for cold-stored apples during packinghouse operations.

Keywords

cold storage

dew point

postharvest chain

psychrometry

vapor pressure deficit

References

Ben-Yehoshua S, Beaudry RM, Fishman S, Jayanty S, Mir N (2005) Modified atmosphere packaging and controlled atmosphere storage. In S Ben-Yehoshua (ed) Environmentally friendly technologies for agricultural produce quality. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, USA, pp 61-112.

Bovi GG, Caleb OJ, Linke M, Rauh C, Mahajan PV (2016) Transpiration and moisture evolution in packaged fresh horticultural produce and the role of integrated mathematical models: A review. Biosyst Eng 150:24-39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2016.07.013

10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2016.07.013

Choi OJ, Park HR, Chough SH (1997) Variation of free sugar and free amino acid contents of apples during the ripening period. Korean J Diet Cult 12:149-153

Clayton M, Amos ND, Banks NH, Morton RH (1995) CHS 23:345-349 Estimation of apple fruit surface area. New Zealand J Crop Hort Sci 23:345-349. https://doi.org/10.1080/01140671.1995.9513908

10.1080/01140671.1995.9513908

Harvey AH (1988) Thermodynamic properties of water: Tabulation from the lAPWS formulation 1995 for the thermodynamic properties of ordinary water substance for general and scientific use Internal report. National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, USA

Hryniewicz M, Anthonis J, Ramon H (2008) 3D apple modeling with the use of the structured light method. Acta Mec Autom 2:36-41

Joyce D, Patterson B (1994) Postharvest water relations in horticultural crops: Principles and problems. Aciar Proc 50:228-238

Kim JG, Hong YP, Choi JW, Choi HJ (2017) Strawberry: Postharvest technology manual. National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, Korea

Kim SJ, Park YM, Yoon TM (2014) Perforation adjustment of unit package for ‘Fuji’ apples during short-term cold storage and export simulation. Kor J Hortic Sci Technol 32:184-192. https://doi.org/10.7235/hort.2014.13139

10.7235/hort.2014.13139

KMA (2025). Open MET Data Portal, Weather Data Service. Available from: https://data.kma.go.kr. Accessed 1 April 2025

Lee SK, Hong YP, Shin YS (2007) Postharvest technology manual of Korean melon. National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, Korea

Linke M, Gottschalk K (2005) Modelling condensation and atmospheric evaporation on fruit and vegetable surfaces after cooling. Acta Hortic (ISHS) 674:489-494. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2005.674.63

10.17660/ActaHortic.2005.674.63

Linke M, Praeger U, Mahajan PV, Geyer M (2021) Water vapour condensation on the surface of bulky fruit: Some basis and a simple measurement method. J Food Eng 307:Article 110661. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2021.110661

10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2021.110661

Linke M, Praeger U, Neuwald DA, Geyer M (2023) Measurement of water vapor condensation on apple surfaces during controlled atmosphere storage. Sensors (Basel) 23:Article 1739. https://doi.org/10.3390/s23031739

10.3390/s2303173936772778PMC9920950

Park JW, Kim J, Park SH, Choi DS, Choi SR, Kim YH, Lee SJ, Park CW, Lee JS (2016) Development of pallet-scale modified atmosphere packaging for ‘Tabor’ tomatoes. Korean J Food Preserv 23:614-622. https://doi.org/10.11002/kjfp.2016.23.5.614

10.11002/kjfp.2016.23.5.614

Park MH, Hong YP, Choi JW, Park BH, Lee JH, Jang MS, Lim SY, Eum HR, Youn YE, Kim JG (2022) Tomatoes: Postharvest technology manual. National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, Korea

Park YM (2016) Postharvest management of horticultural food materials. Dream Publishing, Andong, Korea

Park YM, Hong YP, Kweon HJ (2005) Postharvest technology manual of apples. National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, Korea

Park YM, Park HG, Lim BS (2010) Effects of poststorage short-term controlled atmosphere treatment and shelf temperature on physiology and quality of cold-stored ‘Fuji’ apples. Hortic Environ Biotechnol 51:269-274

Park YM, Yoon TM (2012) Effects of 1-MCP treatment, storage method, and shelf temperature on quality changes of ‘Gamhong’ apples during export simulation. Kor J Hortic Sci Technol 30:725-733. Available from: https://doi.org/10.7235/hort.2012.12106

10.7235/hort.2012.12106

SAS (1998) SAS User’s guide: Statistics, 3rd ed. SAS Institute. Cary, NC

Schmitz KS (2017) Thermodynamics of the liquid state. In KS Schmitz (ed) Physical chemistry: Concepts and theory. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 203-260. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-800514-9.00005-5

10.1016/B978-0-12-800514-9.00005-5

Shrivastava C, Schudel S, Shoji K, Onwude D, da Silva FP, Turan D, Paillart M, Defraeye T (2023) Digital twins for selecting the optimal ventilated strawberry packaging based on the unique hygrothermal conditions of a shipment from farm to retailer. Postharvest Biol Technol 199:Article 112283. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2023.112283

10.1016/j.postharvbio.2023.112283

Yoo J, Jung H, Win NM, Kwon JG, Cho YJ, Jung HY, Lee DH, Kang IK (2023) Changes in fruit quality attributes, cell wall materials, and related hydrolases activities in 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP)-treated ‘Honggeum’ apples during cold storage. Hortic Sci Technol 38:870-879. https://doi.org/10.7235/HORT.20200079

10.7235/HORT.20200079

Yun HS, Chung H, Lee HD, Kim YG (October 16, 2007) Prevention method of condensation on agricultural products and packaging boxes during shipment at ambient temperature from cold storage. Korean Patent No. 10-076935 9

Information

Publisher :KOREAN SOCIETY FOR HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE
Publisher(Ko) :한국원예학회
Journal Title :Horticultural Science and Technology
Journal Title(Ko) :원예과학기술지
Volume : 43
No :6
Pages :695-704
Received Date : 2025-06-09
Revised Date : 2025-07-30
Accepted Date : 2025-08-25
DOI :https://doi.org/10.7235/HORT.20250061

Horticultural Science and Technology 원예과학기술지 ISSN:1226-8763(Print) 2465-8588(Online)

All Issue