The Jim Mount Building
Purpose-built for postharvest storage research
The facility has adaptable controlled temperature rooms from −2°C to 30°C, controlled atmosphere storage with automated monitoring and control in chambers ranging from 10 to 500Kg of produce, monitoring of respiration, ethylene and ethanol production, capability for precise monitoring of quality characteristics including texture, colour, sugars, acids and starch assessment, plus shelf-life evaluation facilities.
Research Capabilities
A comprehensive suite of facilities for every stage of postharvest analysis and evaluation.
Temperature Control
Adaptable controlled temperature rooms ranging from −2°C to 30°C for precise storage condition simulation.
Atmosphere Storage
Automated monitoring and control in chambers ranging from 10 to 500Kg of produce capacity.
Respiration Monitoring
Continuous measurement of respiration rates, ethylene and ethanol production during storage.
Quality Analysis
Precise monitoring of texture, colour, sugars, acids and starch assessment in stored produce.
Shelf-life Evaluation
Dedicated facilities for comprehensive shelf-life testing across a range of storage conditions.
Sensory Evaluation
Consumer acceptability testing and sensory analysis to assess produce quality and market readiness.
Controlled Atmosphere Chambers
The Jim Mount Building houses state-of-the-art controlled atmosphere chambers with automated monitoring systems. These chambers allow precise manipulation of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and temperature to simulate any commercial storage regime.
With capacities from 10 to 500Kg, we can test at both pilot and semi-commercial scale, providing results that translate directly to industry practice.
Analytical Laboratories
Our laboratories provide comprehensive product analysis including volatile and compositional analysis by LC and GC-MS, pathology and storage microbiology, molecular biology, and advanced microscopy including scanning and transmission electron microscopy and confocal light microscopy.
These facilities enable detailed investigation of quality attributes, disease progression and biochemical changes during storage.
Field & Commercial-Scale Facilities
In addition to the Jim Mount Building, the PQC benefits from a wide range of state-of-the-art facilities across the University of Greenwich and NIAB EMR, including field facilities, food safety laboratories, and commercial-scale controlled atmosphere storage.
This combination of pre-harvest technical expertise and postharvest research capability gives us a unique whole-chain perspective on produce quality.
