Chapter Twelve - Effect of evaporative cooling structures on the sensory attributes of fruits and vegetables and consumer acceptability

Fruits and vegetables are usually stored at reduced ambient temperature owing to their perishable nature; therefore, storage conditions with regulated temperatures may preserve their freshness and increase consumer acceptability. Such storage conditions will ensure that the rate of change in their chemical, biological, and physical properties is greatly reduced. Hence, an evaporative cooling system has been developed and utilized to increase the shelf life of horticultural crops. This system is highly efficient and effective in decreasing the temperature and improving the relative humidity in an enclosed environment, which is highly required to improve the quality of vegetables and fruits in regions with high temperatures to reduce wastage. Therefore, an evaporative cooling system can be potentially utilized for a short-to-medium storage duration of fruits and vegetables in tropical areas. This system not only reduces the temperature but also simultaneously improves the humidity in the cooling chamber. This is a necessary requirement for extending the quality, freshness, and acceptability of crops by consumers.