Palash Biswas
Doctor of Philosophy, (Food Technology)
Study Completed: 2013
College of Health
Citation
Thesis Title
Role of intermittent warming in reducing chilling injury in tomato
Read article at Massey Research Online: 
Dr Biswas tackled a problem which limits the export potential of tomatoes from New Zealand. At present, tomatoes have to be exported by air (which is expensive, and freight space is limited) because they would suffer from chilling injury if stored for long enough to send by sea. Dr Biswas investigated the mechanisms underlying chilling injury, and the reasons why a complicated storage technology (intermittent warming) is successful in alleviating chilling injury. Using this information he developed a simple storage treatment which allowed four weeks’ cold storage without chilling injury. This technique has potential for expanding New Zealand tomato exports to Asian markets.
Supervisors
Professor Julian Heyes
Mr Errol Hewett
Professor Andrew East