Application of Controlled Atmosphere Storage Technology to Extend the Shelf Life and Nutritional Integrity of Indigenous Nigerian Vegetables: A Translational Research Approach

Controlled atmosphere (CA) storage technology has transformed post-harvest management of temperate horticultural commodities globally but remains virtually unexplored for Nigerian indigenous vegetables, where post-harvest losses often exceed 50 percent. The translational potential of CA storage for indigenous vegetables such as Gnetum africanum, Vernonia amygdalina, Corchorus olitorius, and Telfairia occidentalis represents a significant research gap with major food security and market development implications. This dissertation develops and validates optimized CA storage protocols for four Nigerian indigenous leafy vegetables through systematic investigation of gas composition, temperature, and humidity interactions on quality retention and nutritional integrity. Box-Behnken response surface methodology was applied to identify optimal CA parameter combinations for each species. Quality attributes including color score, texture, chlorophyll content, total antioxidant activity, ascorbic acid, and microbial load were monitored at 3-day intervals over 21 storage days. Nutritional integrity metrics were benchmarked against fresh-harvested and ambient-stored controls. Optimal CA conditions varied by species, with Gnetum africanum requiring higher CO2 concentrations (8%) than others for effective quality retention. Under optimized conditions, shelf life was extended by 300 to 450 percent compared to ambient storage without significant nutritional loss. The study provides the first scientifically validated CA storage guidelines for Nigerian indigenous leafy vegetables, establishing a translational framework for commercial CA technology investment. Keywords: controlled atmosphere storage, indigenous vegetables, shelf life, nutritional integrity, post-harvest technology