• Ogbuagu Nneka J.
• Oluka S. I
• Ugwu K. C

This work presents the development of an evaporative cooling structure for storage of fresh fruits and vegetables. Before now, it was estimated that losses from inadequate storage of agricultural products especially fruits and vegetables is 40-50% of the production level in Nigeria. These losses have led to wasted human efforts, farm input and investment and at large, it has given rise to food insecurity in the country. A double wall storage structure of outer wall (3.35m long x 3.65m wide x 3.10m high) and inner wall (2.51m long x 2.81m wide x 2.7m high) that uses the principle of evaporative cooling was constructed. Temperature and relative humidity of the storage structure were recorded over time in the morning (8am), afternoon (12noon) and evening (4pm) using a digital temperature/humidity meter. Evaluation of the cooling structure was performed in dry (November-December) and rainy (June-July) weather conditions. Fresh fruits and vegetables were also stored in the structure and the results were compared with those stored at ambient air condition. Average cooler temperature in the morning, afternoon and evening were measured to be 24.77oC, 25.44oC and 26.07 oC, while the mean relative humidity were 93.88%, 94.41%, and 93.41% respectively in rainy season. In dry season, the mean cooler temperature in the morning, afternoon and evening were 20.77oC, 24.04oC and 25.21oC while the mean relative humidity were 50.23%, 42.47%, 43.94% respectively. Also, shelf life of 13-15 days was recorded for carrot, okra and garden egg while water melon and tomatoes were able to be stored for 15-18day before spoilage. Similarly, the fruits and vegetables stored at ambient air condition had shelf life of 10-12 days for okra, carrot and garden egg while water melon and tomatoes stored for 13-14 days.

Evaporative storage, fruits, vegetables, temperature, relative humidity

"Development of a Passive Evaporative Cooling Structure for Storage of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.4, Issue 8, page no.180-186, August-2017, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1708034.pdf

"Development of a Passive Evaporative Cooling Structure for Storage of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.4, Issue 8, page no. pp180-186, August-2017, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1708034.pdf