Evaluating the Impact of UV-C Radiation on the Shelf life of Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch)

Background: Strawberries are a major fruit crop in Benguet Province, Philippines, especially in the municipality of La Trinidad. However, their short shelf life and high susceptibility to spoilage present significant challenges for farmers and sellers. The cool climate in Benguet makes it an ideal environment for strawberry cultivation, which is why the fruit is widely grown in the province. Methods: This study comprised an experimental method that utilized a descriptive quantitative approach for the investigation of the shelf life of strawberries, having a variable of shelf life and parameters of color and mold growth formation, incorporating descriptive statistics and ANOVA for data analysis. One (1) controlled (unexposed) and five (5) treatment groups (exposed) to determine the shelf life variable, with five (5) strawberries in every group stored in a refrigerator, and another set of similar groups one (1) controlled (unexposed) and five (5) treatment groups (exposed) was also used and stored at a room temperature. Results: Results show that without the use of a refrigerator, the most effective way to delay mold to 3.0 days and color change to 3.0 days is the 2.0 kJ/m², while the least effective is the 1.2 kJ/m² only shifting mold to 2.0 days and color to 2.0 days, which is barely above the 1.6 or 1.9 days of the control. As for refrigeration, the most effective in extending mold formation to 34.3 days and color stability to 26.8 days is 1.2 kJ/m², while the least effective is 1.6 kJ/m² with mold and color change at 14.7 days (even below the 20.5 or 18.8 days of the refrigerated control). Conclusion: The study revealed that the most effective UVC treatment protocol for extending the shelf life of strawberries was a UV-C dose of 1.2 kJ/m² under refrigerated storage conditions, significantly enhancing mold resistance and color stability. This research explores the impact of different UV-C energies on strawberry color and overall quality, potentially contributing to improved post-harvest handling and storage practices in the region.