Refrigerated storage represents the continuity of the cooling processes and
freezing. It is a chain link.
The cold storage of food products is done in cold rooms and aims to preserve the best quality of the product until the moment of consumption or use. This goal includes the maximum reduction of weight loss by evaporation. To obtain good quality products at the end of storage it is necessary to store good quality products.
Refrigerated chambers grouped and fitted with
cargo, access, control, etc., constitute refrigerated warehouses.
Basic notions
There are basically two types of cold storage:
• From colds
• Frozen (storage)
Cold storage can still be with normal atmosphere or atmosphere
(also called modified atmosphere). The controlled atmosphere is
used for fruits and vegetables and consists of creating an atmosphere in the chamber that slowed down accelerates) the maturation processes, called maturation chambers
(typical example for banana).
Each product requires specific storage conditions to which it corresponds
an optimum storage time. This aspect is most significant for
storage of colds.
Factors influencing cold storage:
•Temperature
• Temperature variation
•Relative humidity
• Air velocity
• Composition of the atmosphere
•Hygiene
The temperature acts on the speed of deterioration.
Temperature variation influences dehydration and recrystallization.
Relative humidity influences dehydration.
Air velocity influences dehydration.
The composition of the atmosphere influences maturation.
Hygiene influences contamination and consequent deterioration.
Recrystallization is a process that can occur during storage and is
due to temperature variation. It consists of the melting of part of the fine ice crystals by increasing temperature and subsequent (slow) formation of large ice crystals by the decrease in temperature. The consequence is the rupture of the cell structure and large exudation in thawing.
Dehydration results from the evaporation of the water contained in the product due to the
with the environment. Its consequence is the weight loss, wrinkled appearance and dry fibrous texture of the product.
