An ethylene scrubbing system from France could provide growers with an effective chemical-free solution to storing fruit.

The system, made by Toulouse-based firm Absoger, works using a precious metal catalyst that runs at 250 degrees. Air in the store is sucked through the catalyst and returned to store sterile and ethylene free, using no chemicals.

According to Brian Martin of BRM Agencies - the agent for the Tubamet, the system’s licence holder in the UK - recent trials have been extremely encouraging.

Top-fruit specialist Norman Collett oversaw its use at two UK farms last season, which both used the system to store two 120-tonne stores of Bramley apples. After 11 months, fruit had not lost any pressure and had kept its colour, with the incidence of scald greatly reduced. And apples did not take on the “sticky” feel typical to stored fruit.

This year, growers are using the system to cover four 120-tonne stores of Bramley.

“We’re aiming at the Bramley grower because that’s a major variety for the UK and it works 100 per cent with that no question,” Martin told FPJ. “After 11 months in store, fruit came out absolutely beautifully.”

In France, the system is already used on a range of apples and kiwifruit. Following the success with Bramley in the UK, it is now being trialled with Cox - the highest ethylene-producing variety.

Martin says that with many supermarkets striving to reduce unnecessary chemical use in fresh produce, it could provide a welcome solution for storing apples in the UK.

Apart from the initial cost of the machine and its installation, Martin says growers can leave the machine running uninterrupted, with no repetitive annual cost required, giving it an advantage over other commercial systems that require continual outlay. Using one system for four stores of Bramley also effectively quarters the cost, he said. “It’s a one off payment and then you’re set up for at 10 years at least. There’s not reason why the machine - providing the store is relatively clean - could not last for 20 years.

“It can be used year on year and you can be completely ethylene free in store.”

Topics