Purfresh has announced that an increasing number of kiwifruit growers and shippers are deploying its Purfresh Cold Storage and Purfresh Transport systems to maintain fruit quality in refrigerated storage rooms and containers for long-distance ocean transport.

According to the food protection and preservation technology group, Purfresh's options outperform competitors in comparative studies, promoting higher quality and value by maintaining post-harvest freshness, taste, firmness and smell of both conventional and organic kiwifruit.

Unlike controlled atmosphere technologies, which can do little to prevent mould growth, and fungicidal treatments, which can limit market opportunities, Purfresh's engineered ozone-based technologies are ideal for decay-prone and ethylene-sensitive kiwifruit - reducing the risk of quality degradation that is high in the fruit as they ripen and soften.

Sierra Kiwi, the largest organic kiwifruit producer in California, selected Purfresh Cold Storage to protect fruit quality in two of its refrigerated storage rooms, due to its 'outstanding service, innovative technology and outstanding reputation'.

'After the first two weeks of deploying the Purfresh Cold Storage system, we experienced a 50 per cent reduction in our ethylene levels – an extremely impressive number,' said Tom Schultz of Sierra Kiwi. 'In addition, we've been re-inspecting our kiwifruit prior to exporting to Asia and very little mould on the fruit has been present.'

Similar results were reported by the Technological Educational Institute of Kavala in Greece, with Purfresh outperforming ethylene scrubber in maintaining firmness during a 150-day study, while results also showed that ozone treatments slowed the normal growth of Botrytis cenera and prevented mycelia sporulation.

'Growers and shippers continue to look for new technologies that are cost-effective, enhance food safety, maintain quality, and deliver where traditional solutions such as controlled atmosphere and chemical usage fall short,' said David Bouchard general manager, post-harvest and transport solutions for Purfresh.

'The science behind our solutions is designed to help growers and shippers sustain and increase revenue while promoting the reduction of post-harvest chemicals,' he added. 'With Purfresh, everyone throughout the food supply chain benefits from fresher, safer, higher-quality produce.'

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