Dynamics of Fresh Pepper Preservation Under Conditions Simulating the Cold Chain

Introduction: Maintaining the quality of perishable vegetables, such as sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), throughout all stages of the cold chain is a pressing challenge in the context of expanding food logistics. Despite the existence of regulatory standards for storage temperature, a significant proportion of postharvest losses persists in practice, primarily due to short-term temperature deviations occurring during transportation, unloading, and retail. While numerous studies have examined the effects of stable temperature conditions on vegetable preservation, empirical data remain limited regarding the cumulative impact of real, sequential temperature fluctuations that occur across the entire supply chain—from distribution center to retail shelf. The moderating role of packaging type under these conditions has been particularly underexplored.

Purpose: To experimentally identify the critical points in the cold chain that exert the most significant influence on the preservation of sweet pepper. Particular attention is given to the interaction between two key factors: the nature of the temperature profile (constant vs. fluctuating) and the type of packaging (open vs. closed).

Materials and Methods: Several storage regimes were simulated to reflect real-life conditions, including product storage at a distribution center, transportation to the retail location, and shelf storage. Two of the regimes maintained a constant temperature (7–9 °C), as recommended by the producer. The remaining three included variable temperatures typical of actual cold-chain conditions: temperature rises to 11 °C during loading and unloading, up to 14 °C during transportation, and up to 24 °C during retail display. The duration of storage under these regimes ranged from 4 to 11 days. Pepper quality was assessed using approved quality passports and relevant regulatory documentation.

Results: Short-term temperature increases during storage and transportation were found to have a significant impact on the quality characteristics of sweet pepper. The greatest deterioration was observed in samples stored in open packaging. The use of packaging materials slowed down spoilage to a limited extent. Nevertheless, none of the tested samples met the required quality standards after the producer’s stated shelf-life, underscoring the importance of strict temperature control throughout all stages of the cold chain, including transport to and storage at distribution centers.

Conclusion: The study demonstrates that even short-term temperature deviations in real-world logistics significantly degrade the market quality of sweet pepper, regardless of packaging type. To ensure the retention of nutritional and commercial value, existing cold-chain protocols should be revised, with the implementation of real-time temperature monitoring systems and the optimization of storage intervals.

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