Berries may be small, but their role in human health and nutrition is anything but minor. Blueberries, in particular, are recognized for their high antioxidant content and health-promoting properties. However, these benefits come with a challenge: their high moisture content accelerates spoilage, compromising their shelf life and nutritional quality.
This is where the Marie-Curie funded project FRIETS “Optimization of the value chain of added value fresh and dried berries through the integration of Precision Agriculture management strategies and innovative dehydration and edible coating” steps in, exploring innovative preservation strategies with a keen focus on antioxidant capacity, nutritional retention, and shelf-life extension.
Osmotic Dehydration with Apple Juice: A Natural Innovation
One focus of the project is to investigate osmotic dehydration as a preservation method for blueberries. By using apple juice as a natural osmotic agent, the team achieved impressive results, yielding blueberries with significantly enhanced shelf life and retained sensory qualities, without the need for synthetic preservatives.
This method not only preserved antioxidants effectively but also aligned with clean-label trends in food production. The trade-off? A slightly higher environmental footprint, mainly due to the energy-intensive nature of juice processing. Still, the benefits in product quality, consumer health, and economic value more than justified the approach.
From Microalgae to Market: Edible Coatings Reinvented
In parallel, the FRIETS project explored edible coatings made from Chlorella vulgaris, a microalgae known for its protein and polysaccharide richness. These bio-based coatings were compared to traditional ones made with chitosan and starch. Applied to fresh blueberries, the algae-derived membranes demonstrated superior performance in terms of antioxidant activity retention, reduced weight and moisture loss, microbial stability, and visual and sensory preservation.
The coatings are not only biodegradable and edible, but also low-energy in production, making them a sustainable complement or alternative to conventional preservation techniques.
Weighing the Environmental Costs: LCA Insights
A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) provided a deeper look into the environmental impact of these techniques. While osmotic dehydration contributed the most to greenhouse gas emissions (up to 0.64 kg CO₂ eq./kg blueberries), it significantly improved logistical efficiency and reduced product losses. On the other hand, edible coatings had a minimal footprint and served as a viable, eco-friendly strategy, especially when paired with smart packaging.
Interestingly, among all berries assessed (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries), raspberries bore the highest environmental and health burdens, urging a reconsideration of preservation strategies tailored for each fruit type.
The Challenges Sellers Face
In Greece and across Southern Europe, berry producers and retailers often deal with high perishability due to warm climates, transport-related losses in antioxidant levels, limited cold chain infrastructure in remote regions, and seasonal market fluctuations requiring extended shelf life. Regular antioxidant testing helps mitigate these risks by monitoring product quality in real-time, ensuring that what reaches the consumer is still nutritionally valuable.
Why Regular Antioxidant Testing Matters — Especially for Sellers
Why is there a need for routine antioxidant assessments throughout the supply chain? From farm to fork, understanding how antioxidants evolve under different storage and processing conditions is essential for maximizing both nutritional quality and consumer trust. That’s why routine antioxidant testing is not just a lab formality—it’s a strategic business advantage for any seller aiming to deliver quality, trust, and shelf-life assurance to today’s health-conscious market.
The Benefits of Testing for Sellers
For both small-scale producers and large distributors, here’s why routine antioxidant tests are a game-changer:
- Build Trust with Health-Conscious Consumers
- Ensure Premium Product Positioning
- Manage Shelf Life More Effectively
- Support Clean Label and Sustainability Claims
- Open New Market Channels
How to Get Started?
🔬Partner with us and our big networks, including the Agricultural University of Athens, the National Technical University, the University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, the University of Huddersfield, and DIGNITY.
🧪Use the quick, affordable methods we offer.
📈Include our test results on batch sheets, packaging, and marketing material to show your transparency.
FRIETS showcases how sustainable innovation can preserve the health-promoting power of berries, ensuring they remain functional, flavorful, and market-ready—all while respecting our environmental boundaries.
Acknowledgments: This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 101007783.
More info: DOI 10.3390/foods14071167 | DOI 10.3303/CET24110014
Written by Angeliki Xyderou Malefaki, PhD candidate, Chemical Engineering, MSc Agronomist- Biotechnologist