Is the future of apple shelf-life measuring systems represented by chlorophyll? It could be, at least if we consider what is currently being developed by Dutch company Besseling Group BV, which specialises in measurement plants and controlled atmosphere storage techniques.
"We are developing a system that can measure the chlorophyll content in apples," explains sales manager Erik Van Der Zwet.
Eric Van Der Zweet (sales manager for Besseling) and Francesca Gentilini at Interpoma 2014.
"Chlorophyll reacts to low levels of oxygen and stress, providing us with important feedback on shelf-life. It's not so much that it diminishes as time passes, but rather that it changes. If we know how, we can estimate the shelf-life of a fruit."
This would enable a more precise management of apples, making it possible to decide which batches to sell before others based on their shelf-life. It would also make it easier to organise shipments.
Will it be revolutionary? "I hope so, but it will be up to the market to decide. We still need one or two years before we can start selling the new system," concludes Van Der Zwet.