A Scientific Perspective on the Limitations of Conventional Refrigeration and the Breakthrough of Controlled Atmosphere (CA) Storage
1. The Misconception: Cold Storage as a “One-Size-Fits-All” Solution
In Vietnam, over 80% of post-harvest fruits and vegetables are currently stored in conventional cold rooms.
However, real-world data shows persistent issues:
- Mold and soft rot within 7–10 days
- Wrinkled skin and 5–10% weight loss
- Uneven firmness and inconsistent texture
- 15–25% rejection rate for export-grade shipments
These figures highlight a fundamental truth:
👉 Cold storage slows deterioration, but it doesn’t prevent it.
2. The Hidden Biology Inside the Fruit
Even after harvest, fruits remain biologically active. They continue to breathe, respire, and transform at the cellular level.
- Oxygen (O₂) is absorbed, and Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is released
- Enzymatic reactions continue inside tissues
- Microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria develop under moist and oxygen-rich conditions
Cold storage can reduce temperature, but it cannot regulate the gas balance or suppress microbial growth.
This means:
The fruit continues to age — only more slowly.
Without proper control of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and humidity, the fruit still loses water, softens, and becomes vulnerable to mold.
3. Technical Limitations of Conventional Cold Storage
| Parameter | Conventional Cold Room | Resulting Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature Control | ±2°C fluctuation | Causes condensation, stem rot |
| Relative Humidity (RH) | Not stabilized | Dehydration → shriveled skin |
| O₂ / CO₂ Ratio | Not managed | Continuous respiration and microbial growth |
| Air Circulation | Constant forced airflow | Surface drying, soft texture |
| Microbial Control | Absent | Mold and fungal contamination |
After only 10–15 days, common fruits such as mango, lychee, or dragon fruit experience:
- Soft pulp, dull color
- 5–12% weight loss
- 10–20% increase in spoilage
Cold storage delays spoilage but does not neutralize the biological causes of deterioration.
4. The CASS Solution: Controlled Atmosphere (CA) Storage
CASS introduces a Controlled Atmosphere Smart System (CA Storage) — designed to create a stable biological sleep state for fresh produce.
The Five Controlled Parameters:
| Parameter | Function | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Oxygen Reduction (2–5%) | Slows down respiration | Delays ripening and senescence |
| CO₂ Enrichment (5–15%) | Suppresses molds and enzymatic breakdown | Prevents decay |
| Nitrogen Balance (N₂) | Stabilizes environment | Maintains color and aroma |
| High Relative Humidity (90–95%) | Prevents moisture loss | Preserves firmness and weight |
| Precise Temperature (±0.3°C) | Avoids thermal shock | Protects cell structure |
By optimizing these parameters, CASS effectively slows metabolic activity without damaging tissue structure — keeping the produce firm, flavorful, and visually appealing.
5. Quantitative Comparison: Cold Storage vs. CASS CA Storage
| Crop | Standard Cold Storage | CASS CA Storage | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mango | 10–14 days | 30–40 days | +200% shelf life |
| Dragon Fruit | 15–20 days | 45 days | +150% |
| Lychee | 7–10 days | 25 days | +250% |
| Durian | 12–15 days | 35 days | +130% |
Weight loss: Reduced from 8–12% → below 3%
Decay rate: Reduced from 20% → under 5%
CA technology does not just extend shelf life — it preserves commercial quality.
6. Economic Impact: Cold Storage as a Cost, CA Storage as a Profit Generator
| Metric | Traditional Cold Storage | CASS CA Storage |
|---|---|---|
| Product loss | 20–40% | 3–5% |
| Sale price | Stable or reduced | +15–30% higher |
| Market control | Must sell quickly | Can sell strategically |
| Export consistency | Variable | Uniform and stable quality |
With the same tonnage of produce, profits can increase by 1.5–2× using CA storage compared to standard cold rooms.
Cold storage is a cost of protection.
CA storage is an investment in value retention and profit optimization.
7. Conclusion: Cold Storage is the Beginning, Not the End
In the modern agricultural supply chain, cold is necessary — but not sufficient.
Conventional refrigeration preserves time.
Controlled Atmosphere preserves value.
CASS redefines post-harvest technology by ensuring:
- Consistent quality
- Extended freshness
- Reduced waste
- Increased profitability
CASS – Redefining preservation. Protecting the real value of agriculture.
CÔNG TY TNHH BẢO QUẢN RAU QUẢ CASS
- Hotline/Zalo: 0931790829 – 0931780829
- Email: cass@cass.vn
- Website: cass.vn
- Fanpage: CASS – Kho bảo quản nông sản tươi bằng công nghệ CA
- Địa chỉ kho (trước sáp nhập): Lô F5, Đường số 6, KCN Hoà Bình, Huyện Thủ Thừa, Tỉnh Long An
- Địa chỉ kho (sau sáp nhập): Lô F5, Đường số 6, KCN Hoà Bình, Xã Thủ Thừa, Tỉnh Tây Ninh
