Discussion of mainstream opinion on technology and theory of hypobaric storage

Abstract: Stanley P. Burg founded the theory of hypobaric storage preservation and invented the corresponding technology in 1960s. At the beginning of 21 century, the introduction, exposition and review of the technology and theory of hypobaric storage preservation increased gradually in the textbooks for university, and they represented the mainstream opinion on hypobaric storage in China. However, there are biased opinions and misunderstandings in a certain extent on the discussion of the technology and theory of hypobaric storage in the mainstream opinion. This paper will discuss some of the mainstream opinions on the main technology and theory on hypobaric storage only in 11th Five-Year and 12th Five-Year planed textbooks, which were pressed by Science Press for common higher education. For example, the hypobaric storage is a special controlled atmosphere storage; the products under hypobaric storage are easy to water loss and wilting, and original aroma and flavor are very easily lost; adversity condition of hypobaric storage can lead to new physiological obstacle and disease; the technology of hypobaric storage still remains at the laboratory research period; compression resistance and manufacturing costs are the key factors to hinder the development of the technology of hypobaric storage, and so on. But through expounding the literatures of Burg et al. and own research and practice, the author found that the principle of hypobaric storage differs from that of controlled atmosphere storage entirely, and it is a preservation technology distinguished from the controlled atmosphere storage; the products under hypobaric storage will not lose water and wilt, original aroma and flavor can be kept very well, and new physiological obstacle and disease will not be caused if in an appropriate hypobaric technology; the hypobaric technology has been in scale application in practice; the technology of hypobaric storage will be hindered if misunderstanding this kind of technology and stored in some improper hypobaric trial conditions. The paper aims to clarify some conceptions and clear some misapprehensions of hypobaric storage. Also it aims to provide help for the students and the people who are engaged in research and application, and to promote research, application and development of the preservation fresh technologies of both hypobaric storage and controlled atmosphere storage.