Date: Tuesday, 5 November 2019
Location: Stellenbosch University
Presenter: Hubert Wieser (Isolcell Agronomist & Sales Manager)
Contact: +39 344 3483168 | hubert.wieser@Isolcell.com
Agenda
- What is this Isolcell brand?
- DCA-CF HarvestWatch™ – Dynamic Controlled Atmosphere using HarvestWatch Fluorescence Sensors
- Abate Fetel pear storage – a preliminary research update
- CO₂ Scrubber functional developments as consequence to the DCA-CF technology market introduction
- RQ STOREFRESH by Isolcell
- Latest Isolcell developments
1. The Isolcell DNA
- Family owned company based in Bolzano, North Italy
- Located in one of the world’s most specialized apple production areas
- Over 60 years of experience in fruit & vegetable storage
- Operating in more than 60 countries worldwide
- Quality 100% made in Italy
- High capacity to react with tailor-made solutions on customer request
- World leader in the production of Controlled Atmosphere equipment for fresh fruit & vegetable storage
2. DCA-CF – HarvestWatch™
Dynamic Controlled Atmosphere using Chlorophyll Fluorescence Sensors
- On the market since 2003
- In 2019, more than 2300 commercial CA rooms worldwide (160 in RSA)
- About 25 research institutes in 18 countries working with DCA-CF HarvestWatch
Principle in Short
- Real-time communication with the fruits inside a storage room using special sensors
- Measuring the chlorophyll fluorescence signal in the fruit peel
- Below a specific oxygen level (ACP – anaerobic compensation point), the fluorescence signal clearly increases
- Dynamically controls O₂ level, adapting it to the physiological fruit conditions
Advantages of Storing at the Lowest Possible O₂ Level (vs. Standard ULO)
For Apple Cultivars (Golden Delicious, Gala, Granny Smith, Red Delicious, Rosy Glow/Cripps Pink, Braeburn):
- Reduction of rots and storage-related losses
- Higher firmness and better freshness retention
- Preservation of natural colour and organoleptic properties
- Extended shelf-life after storage
- Delaying of senescence scald or internal browning
- Scald control without post-harvest use of chemicals
- Control of internal browning (diffuse or radial)
- Possibility of increased storage temperatures
For Pear Cultivars (Packhams, Forelle, Williams):
- Preservation of natural colour
- Better firmness control and freshness retention
- Preservation of organoleptic properties (ripening on demand)
- Reduction of rots and storage-related losses
- Extended shelf-life after storage
- Scald control without post-harvest use of chemicals (notably on Packhams)
Combining DCA-CF Storage with 1-MCP
- Common practice in Italy for apple storage, especially for long shipping periods after storage
- Adds 1-MCP benefits to DCA-CF storage behavior, but also its weaker features
- If combining both technologies, discuss an adequate application protocol with the local 1-MCP representative
- Recommended: First apply the 1-MCP protocol (step-wise cooling, possible RA periods), then follow the DCA-CF protocol (even if this postpones DCA-CF application)
Why DCA-CF?
Main benefits compared to other low O₂ storage systems:
- SAFE and RELIABLE: ~2300 commercial rooms worldwide, strong research support
- HarvestWatch Sensors are accurate and independent of other gas analyzing systems
- Real-time communication with stored fruits is the safest method to keep lowest O₂ levels during storage
- Possibility to increase the number of sensors for exact values from selected batches (avoiding generalized averages)
- Not dangerous for operators (no need to take periodic samples from asphyxiation environments)
3. Abate Fetel Pear DCA-CF Storage – Preliminary Research Update
- Abate Fetel general storage limits: Sensitive to common scald, soft scald, and internal browning
- Sensitivities are strongly related to production practice, area, and yearly environmental factors
The Isolcell Approach
- Trial in collaboration with Opera
- 6 growers from 3 different pedo-climatic areas around Modena
- 4th year of examination
- 8 different air-tight tents inside a refrigerated storage room, with 8 different DCA-CF protocols
Main objective:
Find a solution for medium-term (6 months) Abate Fetel storage without any post-harvest chemical treatments
Preliminary Winning DCA-CF Protocol
- Room filling at -0.5°C
- Initial storage period in RA
- Then O₂ pull-down until reaching fluorescence spike within 3 days
- Final atmospheric levels: O₂ = ACP + 0.1%, CO₂ = 0.6%
Lessons from 3 Years
- Initial delay of CA necessary to overcome soft scald
- Do not exceed maximum time in CA (~100 days) to avoid forcing soft scald
- Keep O₂ levels near ACP for optimal common scald control
- Keep CO₂ constant at 0.6% to avoid internal disorders (IB, cavities)
4. CO₂ Scrubber Functional Developments (DCA-CF Market Introduction)
- DCA-CF can be implemented in new and existing storage rooms (if air tightness is sufficient)
- New generation of CO₂ scrubbers are necessary
New CO₂ Scrubber Functionalities
Automatic Cycle Adjustment
- Real-time communication between CO₂ scrubber and analyzing system
- Dynamic modification of scrubber operational parameters based on actual atmosphere levels
- Optimizes scrubbing cycle, reduces energy consumption, and minimizes residual oxygen introduction during cycle changes
Cycle Ending Function
- Ensures CO₂ scrubbing cycle ends in the room and switches to the next room only after activated carbon is fully regenerated
- Prevents cross-contamination of air between rooms (important if different atmospheric levels or ethylene/pathogenic fungi contamination)
Turbo Regeneration (T.R.)
- More powerful blower for enhanced regeneration of active carbon
- Increases scrubber performance (up to 20%), reduces operation time and energy consumption, extends activated carbon life
Nitrogen Injection Function (N.I.F.)
- Injects nitrogen into the regeneration tank at the end of the cycle (if necessary)
- Requires a source of pressurized nitrogen
5. RQ STOREFRESH by Isolcell
Advantages of measuring RQ values in a separate container:
- Overcomes technology issues: RQ measured in the room is critical (requires disabling CA actions for hours and only gives average values)
- Overcomes mathematical issues: Small sensor errors can greatly affect RQ value
- Overcomes safety issues: Disabling CA actions stresses the storage room
6. Latest Isolcell Developments
AEROCLEAN – The Air Ionizer from Isolcell
- Controls and avoids appearance of moulds and fungal pathogens
- Efficient in controlling harmful volatile substances and odours; also reduces ethylene
- Deactivates microorganisms and air contamination with active oxygen (R.O.S. = Reactive Oxygen Species)
AMILON
- Automatic determination of starch level (fruit ripening)
- Eliminates human error
- Works with the most popular starch scales worldwide
Closing
Highest Technology Made Simple
Thank you for your kind attention.