Characteristics and Main Points of the Theory and Technology of Hypobaric Storage and Preservation of Fresh Agricultural Products: Insights Gained from Two Monographs by Stanley P. Burg
刊名 Asian Agricultural Research
作者 Xianzhang ZHENG
作者单位 Shanghai Kind-water Preservation Fresh Tech Co., Ltd.
DOI 10.19601/j.cnki.issn1943-9903.2025.03.007
年份 2025
刊期 3
页码 27-39
关键词 Hypobaric storage, Stanley P. Burg, Hypobaric treatment preservation, Theory, Technology, Characteristics and main points, Vacuum cold fresh chain
摘要 In 2004 and 2014, two monographs on hypobaric storage (LP) were published by Stanley P. Burg. Based on his theoretical framework and technological advancements, as well as the research and development of equipment conducted under his guidance, alongside customer practices and reflections on various scientific literature both domestically and internationally, it is posited that, as articulated in the monograph, misconceptions regarding his theory and technology in Western scientific literature prior to 1985 continue to persist. This ongoing dissemination of misunderstandings has resulted in a near stagnation of research and has adversely impacted the Chinese academic community as well. Consequently, it is essential to delineate the characteristics and main points of its theory and technology, with the aim of offering guidance to individuals seeking to comprehend its foundational purpose. LP technology is a dynamic physical technology that continuously and uninterruptedly extracts air from a closed container and simultaneously introduces fresh, low-pressure moist air from the external environment, while maintaining specific levels of humidity and/or temperature within the container and upholding a predetermined pressure value. Preservation technology is the collective term for the set of various technical parameters associated with preservation, including pressure, relative humidity, and other relevant factors, to which LP equipment is specifically designed. The theory of LP is characterized by the enhanced diffusion of gases and vapors that enter and exit the commodity in a dynamic manner under low pressure conditions. The theoretical points involve equipment performance, low pressure, the impact of trace concentrations of gases such as O2, CO2 and C2H4 that naturally occur at low pressure, diffusive mass transfer, heat transfer, and impacts on the activity of enzymes associated with maturation and senescence. The technology is characterized by dynamic low pressure, and the range of commodities preserved is comparable to that of refrigeration. However, certain commodities exiting the hypobaric environment possess subsequent preservation advantages that are not available through refrigeration. The main points of the technology encompass an extended sotrage life, a postponement of quality degradation, minimized water loss, the suppression of pathogen growth, and the killing of both internal and external insects of the commodity under dynamic low pressure conditions. The core advantage of LP technology lies in its ability to significantly reduce water loss, inhibit respiration and C2Haction, and pathogen growth, killing insects and modulate the activity of enzymes associated with maturation and senescence in post-harvest fresh horticultural products. Consequently, this technology plays a crucial role in prolonging the post-harvest lifespan of these commodities and mitigating quality degradation. Over the past decade, researchers in China have developed a hypobaric short period treatment technology, grounded in LP theory and technical practice, which is commonly referred to as hypobaric treatment. This method has garnered significant attention, leading to an increase in both domestic and international research. A growing body of literature categorizes LP as hypobaric treatment, while some studies also consider vacuum packaging and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) as LP or hypobaric treatment. Misunderstandings are exacerbated by confusion surrounding nomenclature, which, in conjunction with pre-existing misconceptions, represents a significant barrier to both the research and practical application of the technology. The successful commercial implementation of a vacuum cold fresh chain, centered on LP or hypobaric treatment technology, may be the sole solution to the prevailing misunderstandings associated with LP.