Ethylene Gas Technology for Food Freshness
Ethylene gas is a naturally produced plant hormone – and probably the most important of all the plant hormones in terms of the number of processes it controls. Fruit and vegetables produce ethylene and use it as a signal to increase respiration and to speed up the natural maturation and ripening process.
The majority of fruits and vegetables, from berries to brassicas, are sensitive to and produce ethylene to varying degrees, making ethylene a key factor in the post-harvest life of produce. Even at extremely low concentrations (as low as 0.1ppm), ethylene causes accelerated ripening and aging.
It’s Fresh! removes ethylene from the local environment around the produce, slowing down the maturation process and therefore delaying quality deterioration.
The volume of ethylene production and sensitivity is varietal specific, and can vary from low producing / high sensitivity to high producing low / sensitivity and anywhere in between.This means even low emitters can be negatively impacted by surrounding produce.
Environmental stress plays a significant role in ethylene production. Such factors include but are not limited to rapid changes to or elevated temperature, high humidity and mechanical damage. This can induce greater ethylene production leading to accelerated deterioration.
It’s Fresh! products are made with our patented active produced from a proprietary blend of clay and minerals.
The active is formulated to be specifically selective to adsorb ethylene, therefore, it has no effect on larger desirable molecules such as flavour and aroma compounds leaving them present in and around the produce for a better consumer experience.
- Complementary to other technologies including chilling and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) – can be used on its own or in combination with other technologies.
- Can be used throughout the whole supply chain – from field to fork
- Reduces rate of ripening whilst still allowing fruit to ripen naturally.
- Safe for direct food contact use.
- No chemical release.