Preservation of the perishable food, especially fresh fruits and vegetables (FF&V), is particularly challenging due to substantial amount of refrigeration required to prevent spoilage. In the case of FF&V, the refrigerated air can quickly become contaminated with ethylene gas produced by the fruits and vegetables, which can lead to autocatalytic ripening of FF&V and accelerate spoilage even at ideal refrigeration temperatures. In the proposed Phase I effort, we will focus on the demonstration of an innovative technology utilizing electrocatalysis for scrubbing ethylene gas to prevent an adverse storage environment. Combining with our electrochemical sensor, the proposed decomposition system provides an opportunity for the development of a compact and inexpensive ethylene control system capable of maintaining less than 100-ppb ethylene levels in the 10 or 20 multi-temperature refrigerated container systems (MTRCS). During Phase II, we will demonstrate the performance of two different prototypes in which the control and sensing of ethylene are integrated.
Benefits:Increasing yield, reducing damage, and controlling fruit quality are the three ways that the U.S. growers return can be increased. The outcome of this project, an ethylene management and control system, is expected to have tremendous impact on fruit quality during postharvest storage, shipping, and distribution. The beneficiaries of our technology in the commercial agricultural sector will be horticultural and plant physiology researchers, growers, packing houses, distributors, and retailers of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Keywords:Electrochemical sensor, electrocatalysis, scrubber, decomposition, ethylene gas, cold storage, fresh fruit, postharvest
