Temperature-controlling system for fresh produce during distribution and transportation

Here, a novel temperature-responsive coating for corrugated boxes, using tetradecane as a thermoregulating material (TRM), was successfully developed. The thermal conductivity of TRM was improved by vacuum impregnation using expanded graphite (EG + TRM). Thermal insulation coating (EG/RH + TRM) was prepared using rice husk and E + TRM. Coatings were applied to the interior wall of corrugated boxes to improve their thermal buffering property. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy results showed that TRM and EG undergo physical but not chemical changes. Thermal properties of TRM were studied using differential scanning calorimetry, the melting point of TRM is 5.82 °C with a latent heat of 202.8 J g⁻¹ and crystallization begins at 2.43 °C with a latent heat of 198.6 J g⁻¹. Thermal insulation coating melts at − 4.69 °C with a latent heat of 60.71 J g⁻¹ and solidifies at 4.50 °C with a latent heat of 65.76 J g⁻¹. Fresh mushrooms were used to analyze the thermal buffering capacity of the temperature-responsive corrugated boxes through the evaluation of quality parameters such as texture, color, pH, polyphenol oxidase activity and mass loss. Thermally buffered package shows acceptable limits for all the quality parameters during storage time.