New technologies seek to improve the ripening, storage and quality control of fruits and vegetables
Post-harvest technologies are evolving towards simpler systems that automate processes and provide information on fruit and vegetable quality without destroying the product.
In ripening facilities, catalytic ethylene generators are presented as an alternative to centralized gas distribution systems. One of their main advantages is that they require a lower initial investment, as they do not need pipes, connections, or complex infrastructure for installation.
"The maturation process shouldn't be complicated. You simply plug it in and it works," explains Jakub Slezák, Titbit's quality manager, regarding the use of Easy-Ripe generators with Ethy-Gen II.
Simon Goisser of Fruchtimport vanWylick GmbH also points out that this type of equipment can mitigate the consequences of certain technical failures. He explains that a valve malfunction in a centralized system can lead to the loss of large quantities of gas and delivery delays, whereas in a catalytic generator, a similar incident would, at worst, result in the loss of one or two liters of liquid.
Remote control of ethylene application: Digitalization is also maturing. Catalytic Generators plans to launch Smart-Ripe later this year, an update for Easy-Ripe users that will allow for remote monitoring and control of ethylene application.
The technology can be managed from a smartphone or via a web interface and, according to the company, will not require sensors or ethylene analyzers. The system will also provide real-time alerts, facilitating process monitoring without the need for on-site personnel.
Air purification to extend shelf life. Another area of innovation is air quality control during storage. Mold spores, bacteria, excessive concentrations of ethylene, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can accelerate the ripening and spoilage of fresh produce, thus reducing its shelf life.
At Fruit Attraction 2026, Jupitair will be presented, a photocatalytic air purification system designed to operate continuously, without producing ozone or using disposable HEPA filters.
Also on display will be Airocide, a technology derived from NASA developments and used in fresh produce storage and transportation facilities. Commercial evaluations and user experiences with this technology have reported reductions in airborne contaminants and ethylene, as well as improvements in product preservation and quality.
Measuring fruit without destroying it: Non-destructive measurement technologies represent another advance with the potential to transform quality control.
Normec has incorporated non-destructive dry matter measurements to assess avocado quality. The system allows for maturity analysis without cutting or opening the fruit, significantly increasing the number of samples that can be examined and preventing the analyzed product from losing its commercial value.
According to the information presented, this system has made it possible to reduce a process that previously could take up to 3.5 working days to about 2 hours.
Fresh Produce Instruments, for its part, supplies equipment from Felix Instruments, Sunforest and Baxlo that allows for non-destructive measurements of parameters such as dry matter, firmness, Brix degrees and color.
These tools can be used on a variety of products, including avocados, berries, mangoes, kiwis, apples, and tomatoes. The offering also includes fruit and texture analyzers with automatic data transfer and storage systems, designed for laboratories, packing plants, and quality control departments.
Taken together, these technologies aim for post-harvest management with greater monitoring and automation capabilities, from the controlled application of ethylene during ripening to the preservation of the stored product and the evaluation of its quality before it reaches the market.
