Each vegetable product has its own metabolism - each fruit is alive and breathes, consuming oxygen not only while in the fields, but also after it is harvested. The breathing process is characterised by the demolition and oxidation of carbohydrates such as sugars and acids. The final products are: heat, carbon dioxide, water vapour and some aromatic compounds. The more intense the breathing of a fruit, the quicker its ageing and the shorter its shelf-life.
These benefits are even more tangible thanks to the new CA techniques introduced to Italy by Isolcell. We're referring to the ULO (Ultra Low Oxygen) and the DCA-CF (Dynamic Controlled Atmosphere with Clorophill Fluorescence) techniques.
This year, the company is celebrating its 60th anniversary, as it was established in Bolzano in 1958. "We believe in constant innovation and in using our experience to come up with innovative technologies."
The Isolcell team celebrating the company's 60th anniversary at Fruit Logistica 2018.
"For example, storing blueberries with controlled atmosphere formulas can be seen as a new opportunity to shift sales in periods when there is less availability. We're talking about a few days or weeks and it could lessen the effect of local or Spanish/Polish harvesting peaks. CA systems can be used on single pallets or entire units," explains sales manager Hubert Wieser.
"For blueberries we usually employ gaseous formulas with high CO2 levels to reduce the formation of mould or rot. In northern Germany, ULO gaseous formulas have been successfully introduced. O2 and CO2 was reduced to 1% in apple storage to reduce the risk of fermentation during long storage periods."
Isolcell has also successfully introduced the ionisation technique with Aeroclean, which controls mould and rot even in handling units with no CA. The system uses the principle of inserting microorganisms and air polluting substances through oxidation with "activated oxygen". This means that Aeroclean basically sanitises storage units improving the quality and storage of products.
Contacts:
Hubert Wieser - sales manager
Cell.: +39 344 3483168
Isolcell SpA
via A. Meucci, 7
39055 Laives (BZ)
Tel.: +39 0471 954050
Fax: +39 0471 953575
Web: www.isolcell.com