Controlled atmosphere

A controlled atmosphere is an agricultural storage method in which the concentrations of oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen, as well as the temperature and humidity of a storage room are regulated. Both dry commodities and fresh fruit and vegetables can be stored in controlled atmospheres. A controlled atmosphere is an agricultural storage method in which the concentrations of oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen, as well as the temperature and humidity of a storage room are regulated. Both dry commodities and fresh fruit and vegetables can be stored in controlled atmospheres. Grains, legumes and oilseed are stored in a controlled atmosphere primarily to control insect pests. Most insects cannot survive indefinitely without oxygen or in conditions of raised (<30%) carbon dioxide. Such controlled atmosphere treatments of grains may take several weeks at lower temperatures (<15 °C). A typical schedule for complete disinfestation of dry grain (<13% moisture content) with carbon dioxide at approximately 25 °C is a concentration above 35%(v/v) carbon dioxide in air for at least 15 days. These atmospheres can be created either by: The method is most commonly used on apples and pears, where the combination of altered atmospheric conditions and reduced temperature allow prolonged storage with only a slow loss of quality.