Reducing Ethylene Production Is Key To Longer Shelf Life For Fruits And Vegetables

June 4, 2012 - PRLog -- In 2013, food prices are on the rise… This bit of news affects every aspect of our lives. With energy and fuel prices on the rise, and the weakening of the US Dollar, it is only natural that food prices will follow. The question comes down to this, “What can I do about it?
Well, in the case of fresh fruits and vegetables the answer is simple. Find a way to make them last longer. Freezing, pickling, and dehydrating are established as tried and true methods to preserve vegetables and fruits. The problem is they are no longer fresh fruits and vegetables.
All fruits and vegetables release a gas known as ethylene. This occurs during the ripening process and accelerates as the product gets to the break point. The break point or “breaking” can best be described as the point where the fruit or vegetable is no longer ripening, but starting to decay.

The age-old adage of “one bad apple spoils the bunch” is in fact true. The increase in ethylene in the air will encourage other fruits and vegetables to start this process and accelerate the process in the vicinity.

Ethylene gas (C2H4) is a natural ripening hormone produced by fruits and vegetables and flowers. Ethylene gases that are contained or trapped in storage areas cause fruits to prematurely ripen and decay and vegetables & flowers to fade and wilt. It also causes bitterness in vegetables.

Virtually all fruits and vegetables give off a natural gas called ethylene. This gas starts the ripening cycle. Our Extend-A-Life™ filters and sachets absorb most of the ethylene produced by these fruits and vegetables. By absorbing this ethylene gas, our filters, sachets and systems will increase the shelf life of most fruits and vegetables by as much as two to four weeks longer than normal.

Generally all fruits and vegetables give off ethylene gas. However, most fruits and vegetables are categorized into two groups, those that are considered ethylene producers, and those that are considered ethylene sensitive. Products such as melons, bananas, avocados and tomatoes are considered ethylene producers. Products such as lettuce, broccoli, and carrots are considered ethylene sensitive.

It is important for Growers of fruits and vegetables that are ethylene producers need to find ways to reduce the amount of ethylene the products generate, whether it is in their warehouse, cold rooms, trucks or shipping containers. By reducing the ethylene with our Extend-A-Life™ filters, sachets and systems, we can give them longer shelf life and better quality arrivals of their fruits and vegetables. For growers of ethylene sensitive products, we can reduce the risk of ethylene contamination. Even small parts of ethylene gas have been proven to drastically affect the quality and shelf life of ethylene sensitive products. As little as 1 part per million of ethylene gas in the air can cause damage. Some particular problems that will occur with ethylene sensitive products are: lettuce will turn brown and spotted, carrots will taste bitter, and broccoli will turn yellow.

The United States Military Units have limited space, Navy ships are constrained by the ship designs, and many companies, particularly hotels, restaurants and wholesalers, still store fruits and vegetables together, either because of their limited storage facilities or lack of knowledge of the effects of ethylene gas and ethylene contamination. Our line of filters can greatly reduce the amount of ethylene in the cold rooms, trailers and refrigerated containers.

The active ingredient of our Extend-A-Life™ filters is potassium permanganate. This chemical has been scientifically proven to absorb ethylene. The second element of our filters is a mined mineral call zeolite. Zeolite has the appearance of small rock granules, and is purple when coated with Potassium Permanganate. Zeolite is used because it allows air to circulate throughout the filters and sachets. AgraCo's filter products are safe, have been approved by the California Organic Handbook, and recommended by the U.S. Department of Agricultural for use in removing ethylene gas in conjunction with the storage and transportation of fruits and vegetables. AgraCo filters contain no hazardous materials and may be disposed of in ordinary municipal waste

AgraCo Technologies International, LLC in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, brings innovative, yet simplistically elegant products to market for the agricultural and consumer market. The company’s Managing Director, Ken Potter, has developed such products as the Non-toxic Mosquito Patch, Extend-A-Life™, Produce Saver™, Floral Saver™, NitroMax™, NiCal™, and J&J Soil Conditioner.

For a short video on how these work: http://www.youtube.com/embed/_3avOvVVWAU



For more information and innovative products, visit our website at http://www.agraconew.com or call us at 1-800-337-4169.