Verdant™ Technologies, an ag-tech post-harvest solutions company, announced the findings of a study from Michigan State University that found HarvestHold Fresh® slow and controlled release of industry-standard 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) to be more effective in extending the shelf life of broccoli compared to traditional in-room 1-MCP applications. As part of the study, researchers at Michigan State also found a positive benefit in the retention of green coloration of cucumbers treated with the application following an extended storage period.
The study, led by Dr. Randy Beaudry, a professor of horticulture at Michigan State University and 1-MCP expert, conducted tests and analyses to independently evaluate the effectiveness of HarvestHold Fresh compared to single-dose 1-MCP applications, which are often referred to as rapid-release applications.
The key findings include:
- Extended freshness: Cucumbers treated with HarvestHold Fresh remained edible even after 30 days at above-optimal temperatures. For growers, this could mean an added benefit of knowing their produce can retain quality for a longer period and also reduce food waste.
- Strong performance: HarvestHold Fresh's slow and controlled release mechanism outperformed a traditional single-dose application. The extended-release feature ensures consistent and prolonged freshness for broccoli, which is often a key indicator of produce freshness for grocery shoppers, and cucumbers.
"The performance in this study reinforces our commitment to providing growers with the best solutions to enhance the freshness and quality of their produce," said Gordon Robertson, CEO at Verdant Technologies. "This study, conducted by renowned experts at Michigan State University, provides robust validation of our product's effectiveness."
Introduced in late 2021, HarvestHold Fresh is a post-harvest technology designed to significantly extend the shelf life and maintain the quality of fruits and vegetables, as evident by this study. The technology operates through a humidity-released approach that gradually delivers 1-MCP based on each plant's natural chemistry. This ensures that every type of produce receives the optimal amount of 1-MCP at the right moment. By doing so, there is reduced waste, improved storability and the ability to deliver fresher produce to consumers.
In 2022, a study by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Science (UF-IFAS) showcased the benefits of HarvestHold Fresh on grape tomatoes. Led by Dr. Steven A. Sargent, that study found that grape tomatoes treated with the product experienced a 50 percent reduction in weight loss, maintained firmness during cold storage and had 25 percent less decay compared to untreated tomatoes.
For more information
Scott Moody
Verdant Technologies
smoody@thevariable.com
https://verdant-tech.com/