Study evaluates the competitiveness of Chilean blueberry varieties

Peru has surprised the blueberry industry by becoming the leading exporter of the berry, taking away Chile's regional role in Latin America. And although the latter country continues to be a relevant player in the industry, achieving record exports during the 2020/2021 season, to stay that way and compete, Chile must find ways to meet the rigorous demands of the market.

That is why scientists from the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the University of Chile, with the support of the Blueberry Committee, carried out a study to determine the potential post-harvest life of the 11 most common varieties of blueberries in Chile. These were evaluated after spending four weeks in conditions that simulate those of transport and trade, under technologies such as refrigeration and the use of perforated bags. The samples did not receive additional treatments, qualifying their visual quality and turgid appearance after this period.

The study becomes more relevant when considering the difficult conditions of world maritime transport, which is affecting the quality of the fruit exported from Chile. Read more about port logistics problems.

Specifically, the researchers evaluated at the Center for Postharvest Studies (CEPOC), weight loss, dehydration, firmness, the presence of mycelium and the relationship between total soluble solids and titratable acidity of blueberries after 28 days of testing.

The berry samples presented a very low fungal load even when they were not treated with sulfur dioxide. The results of the Legacy and Blue Ribon varieties stood out, due to the low presence of rot, the high firmness of the fruit and its low visual dehydration.

To read more about the methodology of the study and its results, we invite you to review the post here.

Source
Catalina Pérez R. - Blueberries Consulting

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