Evaluation of the dynamic shelflife of fresh grapes in the cold chain for intelligent distribution management

• Grant number: 15/15570-2
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: December 01, 2015 - November 30, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Food Science and Technology - Food Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Vivaldo Silveira Junior
• Grantee: Vivaldo Silveira Junior
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos (FEA). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Wigberto Antonio Spagnol

Abstract

This proposal covers the application of new technologies called the internet of things, to reduce losses of perishable products that require or not a cold chain infrastructure. The aim of this proposal is to determine subsidies that allow the application of the Wireless Sensor Network technology (WSN), monitoring real-time exposure conditions (temperature and relative humidity) of fruit in post-harvest operations, storage and distribution, whether in containers, refrigerated trucks or others. Associated with the study of WSN, we will also study means to transmit and store data in a online cloud, to allow secure access for mobile devices. In this sense, a shelflife dynamics algorithm will be developed in order to estimate the quality loss due to exposure conditions, since there are inevitable variations in time/temperature conditions for the cold chain stages. Thus, we intend to create conditions for the implementation of the form of FEFO management (First Expired First Out, which allows selling the product with less time in the shelflife), whose basic idea consists of an intelligent management, considering the shelflife dynamics products for setting target markets. Therefore, we propose to organize a pilot Project involving all cold chain phases of fresh grapes produced by the JD-SP Group, whose production area is located in the city of Petrolina (State of Pernambuco, Brazil) and the distribution of its production is carried out by the DC (Distribution Center) Itapetininga (State of São Paulo, Brazil) in the major retail chains of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. (AU)