Digital twins for selecting the optimal ventilated strawberry packaging based on the unique hygrothermal conditions of a shipment from farm to retailer

Berries are one of the most challenging products to preserve after harvest due their high perishability and short shelf life. Ventilated packaging plays a key role in maintaining fruit quality along supply chain. However, every chain is composed different unit operations, shipment encounters unique hygrothermal conditions such as air temperature fluctuations over time, sub-optimal humidity conditions, risk condensation. Therefore, has an optimal that provides best climate ventilation fruit. Given vast space potential scenarios configurations, in-silico studies attractive alternative for selecting this packaging. In study, we developed physics-based digital twins ventilated strawberries. We utilized measured data from actual farm retail store. With these twins, mimicked how strawberries evolve hygrothermally, physiologically, microbiologically inside 21 types predicted actionable metrics life packages. These include total mass loss, putative mold infection Botrytis cinerea, retention time condensate, remaining based on respiration, transpiration, growth. addition, analyzed impact package-related metrics, vent area, degree filling, pressure drop across package, seven-eighths cooling metrics. approach, pinpointed critical loss points package. identified package performs balancing three-way trade-off between respiration-driven biochemical life, transpiration-driven physical growth-driven microbial Our findings showed performance open trays comparable clamshells, long maintained Flow-wrapped packages presented highest condensation also quantified spatial heterogeneity within highlighted vulnerable locations each type. study presents novel, holistic approach select retailer its fingerprint. This can help reduce food contribute towards making chains smart efficient.