New Zealand scientists are studying the use of a remotely-activated device to start the process of ripening in packaged fruit and vegetables. YVONNE O'HARA reports.
They will lie dormant in boxes or bags of green and hard fruit and vegetables until the retailer or distributor remotely activates the devices, which will then release the [ripening] volatiles.
Dr Keith SharrockInnovative idea . . . While a prototype Racer (Remotely activated controlled extended release of natural volatiles) has yet to be created, Plant and Food Research scientists suggest it may well look something like this sachet in a bag of pears.
Active and Intelligent Packaging team leader Dr Keith Sharrock, of Ruakura, and his team submitted a successful proposal to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to develop a small disposable unit that could be turned on by retailers or distributors towards the end of the supply chain, to release natural plant volatiles (such as the ripening hormone ethylene) into the packages or boxes.
The natural volatiles ripen the produce to ensure it has the right flavour, aroma and juiciness for the consumer at the right time, as well as increasing the shelf life and decreasing losses in transit due to storage rot. Dr Sharrock said they received $500,000 per year for two years to develop the Racer TM (Remotely activated controlled extended release) devices.
''They will lie dormant in boxes or bags of green and hard fruit and vegetables until the retailer or distributor remotely activates the devices, which will then release the volatiles,'' Dr Sharrock said.
''It has not been done in any other part of the world.''
Other natural volatiles would also activate the fruit's own natural defence systems to inhibit the dormant surface pathogens that could cause rot.
He said the team's vision was to have a cost-effective device or capsule - shape and size yet to be decided - which could sit dormant with the packaged fruit for months until the fruit neared its destination.
''This will possibly create a whole new high-value marketing opportunity,'' he said. The potential export market for RacerTM devices could be worth $10 million per annum or more and have cost-saving benefits to New Zealand fresh produce exporters by controlling rot and permitting perishable crops such as tomatoes, capsicums and feijoas to be exported by sea.
''For example, the ability to sea-freight produce as a result of volatiles preventing rot, will enable the capsicum sector to realise its export growth potential from $36 million to $96 million pa by 2025,'' he said.
''We envisage something like a six or seven-day release period, so it is designed to work at the end of the supply chain when fruit needs to be ripening and also becomes most vulnerable to rot pathogens.''
The produce packaging, such as plastic film box liners, will adequately confine the volatiles released within each box.
The device could be used on most fruit, including cherries, as well as flowers and could also be activated manually, for use in domestic situations.
Plant and Food Research hopes to eventually partner with a commercial entity to both manufacture and sell the device.
''It will be a couple of years before we get a prototype to take to a commercial partner and say `how about this?''' Dr Sharrock said.