In the storage and transportation of fresh products, oxygen sensors are increasingly used to extend the shelf life of fresh products during storage or transportation.

Ensuring that fresh products such as fresh fruits and vegetables are kept in good condition throughout the entire transport and storage process is an ongoing challenge for food suppliers worldwide. Fresh products such as fruits and vegetables continue to metabolize after picking. This process causes oxygen (O₂) in the atmosphere to be consumed, while generating heat, carbon dioxide (CO₂), moisture and possibly ethylene gas. Over time, these freshness will mature and eventually become inedible.

By keeping the oxygen level in the storage space2%, can reduce the metabolic rate of these fresh goods by as much30%. Limiting the supply of oxygen can extend the shelf life of fresh products and maintain their quality for a longer period of time.

However, these gas sensing technologies must operate within extremely tight tolerances to ensure that the oxygen content does not fall below a minimum threshold. Oxygen content below2%The environment is called an anaerobic environment. Fruits and vegetables stored under such conditions will begin to convert pyruvate into lactic acid even for a short time, which can accumulate in the tissues and cause off-flavors. Longer exposure can lead to overripening.

These conditions can be monitored by gas sensors, which can significantly extend the shelf life of certain fruits and vegetables by controlling or modifying the gas composition in the storage environment. Reducing its metabolic rate can delay the natural maturation process while keeping its flavor and quality unaffected.

SST Zirconia oxygen sensors such as O2S-FR-T2-18C, can be used to optimize the shelf life control and improve the service life of fresh food in gas environment by accurately measuring oxygen concentration. It can accurately measure the oxygen content in the range of 0.1 to 100 percent with a measurement resolution of 0.01 percent. This ensures that the oxygen concentration is always maintained at a set stable level, thus delaying the ripening process of fruits and vegetables without affecting their eating quality.

       A variety of oxygen sensing solutions are available, offering a variety of housing styles and electrical connection options. Without a reference gas, the zirconia oxygen sensor can be easily calibrated in fresh air. They can operate accurately in a variety of harsh operating environments and are fully compliantRoHSStandard for preservation and storage of food products in gas conditioning applications.

If you want to know more about our gas sensing technology in transportation applications, please contact us directly.