Development and evaluation on a wireless multi-sensors system for fresh-cut branches of the North American holly cold chain

North American holly (Ilex Verticillata), deciduous shrub of the Aquifoliaceae genus, is commonly known as winterberry, having a high ornamental and medicinal value. The fresh-cut branches of North American holly are prone to rapid deterioration during the cold chain. The paper presents a wireless multi-sensors system to improve postharvest quality of the fresh-cut branches of North American holly in the cold chain. The system was evaluated and validated at a sampled chain from Weihai city to Beijing. The critical ambient parameters including temperature, relative humidity, CO2 and ethylene are real-time monitored and analyzed in fresh-cut branches of the North American holly cold chain. Results show that the system can monitor accurately and transfer steadily data on critical ambient parameters through the logistics process. The traceability system can improve the quality control by tracing the critical ambient parameters and provides an early warning. The quality loss of fresh-cut branches of North American holly decreased from 25% similar to 30% to below 15%, and the market price increased from below 20yuan/bundle to above 50yuan/bundle, which heighten benefit of cold chain.