How the Program Works

Thermo King began funding a research assistantship in January 2002 through the University of Florida's Horticultural Sciences Department. Gamal Riad, a Ph.D. graduate student from Egypt, conducts the commodity testing under the direction of Dr. Jeffrey Brecht, professor in postharvest physiology and horticulture. Commodities tested through the program are determined as questions arise on the benefits AFAM+ could provide during shipping of that commodity or if there is a variance in previous research findings on optimum set points. "Most of the research on Modified Atmosphere (MA) and Controlled Atmosphere (CA) over the years has been targeted for long-term stationary storage applications, not for transport applications," explained Brecht. "The actual optimum O2 and CO2 levels for a riper maturity stage or for a limited shipping time can be quite different from the usually cited "optimum atmosphere" that may have been developed for a minimally acceptable maturity stage or for extended storage times. For some commodities, there never has been any testing of optimum atmospheres."

Test results and conclusions are compiled and reviewed by Brecht, Riad and Thermo King. Specifically, the scientists are looking for the benefits shipping with AFAM+ can provide each commodity tested, what the most advantageous settings are, and how long the product can be safely held in AFAM+ atmosphere — ultimately determining how to achieve the best shelf life possible. The actual AFAM+ setting recommendations for overseas shipping is then documented for each commodity tested and utilized accordingly.