Polish research shows controlled release of 1-MCP inside packaging helps cherries maintain firmness, stem colour and overall quality, offering potential solutions for growers and retailers
A new study has concluded that Fresh Inset’s Vidre+ solution can help extend the shelf-life of cherries.
Vidre+ technology uses 1-MCP, a substance that slows down ripening process and protects quality.
The solution sees the controlled, gradual release of 1-MCP, which happens inside the packaging post-harvest.
The study, conducted in summer 2022 by professor Dorota Wichrowska and a team from the University of Life Sciences in Bydgoszcz, Poland, explored how Vidre+ affects two cherry varieties, Kordia and Regina.
Over 21 days, the cherries were observed for changes in appearance, firmness, nutrient levels, and chemical composition.
It found that untreated cherries began losing quality after just three days, while degradation of those with Vidre+ protection was delayed to day nine.
In terms of weight loss, cherries protected with the technology experienced less weight loss over 21 days, while treated fruit, retained noticeably better firmness, especially from day six onward.
Finally, stem colour was fully maintained for 13 days in Kordia and for 21 days in Regina versus untreated cherries, which lost their bright green colour rating after nine and 13 days respectively.
”One of the biggest problems with cherries is how quickly they lose their appeal both visually and nutritionally,” explained Tim Malefyt, CTO at Fresh Inset.
“Vidre+ technology could be a part of the solution.
”Trials conducted on freshly harvested cherries placed into packaging with Vidre+ technology have shown promising results,” he said.
”Those cherries had the least weight loss, kept better quality, maintained stem colour, and firmness for longer compared to the control group.
”Growers and retailers may have a tool to tackle the freshness challenge,” Malefyt added.
