SEMPERFRESH ®

Sucrose ester coatings to extend the storage and improve the shelf life and quality of fresh market pome fruit.

INTRODUCTION

AgriCoat Industries Limited offers a range of speciality edible coatings designed for the post harvest protection of fresh fruit. Utilising the special properties of sucrose ester ingredients, the AgriCoat products are effective on a range of fruit varieties providing the following benefits:

• Delayed maturation
• Maintained fresh appearance and skin colour
• Reduced softening, shrivelling and breakdown
• Reduced bruising and skin marking
• Reduced chilling injury

Premature ripening is reduced and fruits are maintained in a fresh, healthy condition for longer - in certain commercial applications, marketable shelf life may double. The recommended coating for apples and pears is Liquid SEMPERFRESH®

WHEN TO APPLY

Before Storage

Semperfresh can be applied before regular cold storage by dip, drench or spray methods. Apple varieties which are susceptible to core-flush (e.g. Delicious & Jonathon) should be treated at lower concentrations than varieties such as Granny Smith. Do not apply before Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage of apples since this can increase problems such as core flush or flavour taints associated with low oxygen damage.

After storage

Alternatively, Semperfresh may be applied after refrigerated or CA storage. This is most commonly achieved using fixed or traversing jet sprays over brush rollers during post storage packing and grading.

Compatibility

The AgriCoat coatings are compatible with most approved post harvest chemicals - allowing pre-storage fungicide or anti-scald treatments to be carried out in the same operation. The only exceptions where compatibility problems may arise are:

a) where the pH of the mixture is not within pH 6 - 8,

or

b) where calcium chloride treatments are used.

In these situations, an alternative AgriCoat coating should be used or treatment should be carried out in a separate operation. When applying any additives in combination with SEMPERFRESH, mix in additives following dilution of SEMPERFRESH.

WHAT IT DOES

Fresh produce continues to respire after harvest and is susceptible to injury, disease and spoilage during post harvest handling, storage and shipping.

Liquid Semperfresh creates an edible, odourless and tasteless membrane on the surface of the fruit which slows respiration and creates a modified atmosphere inside the individual fruit. In this way, the fruit effectively goes to sleep and the production of ethylene is reduced, whilst potentially damaging by-products of respiration pass relatively unrestricted through the membrane. The coatings form a protective barrier which protects against oxidative browning, scuffing and bruising during packing and grading operations.

HOW TO USE

Semperfresh is supplied as highly concentrated, user-friendly, liquid concentrates. The product is packaged in plastic containers which should be shaken thoroughly before pouring, slowly into water. The packs are designed to be used in a single dose for the specific use volume and should not be sub-divided.

Leave diluted product for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

The standard packaging is a 1 quart plastic jug which contains a 50 % active Semperfresh concentrate. Each jug contains 500 grams of Semperfresh active.

Table 1: Recommended Treatment Rates

Depending upon the method of application - 100 litres of diluted product will treat between 35,000 and 40,000 kg of fruit.

Provided the material is stored in its original, un-opened packaging, it should remain stable for up to two years.

Once diluted with water, the treatment solutions are stable for up to 5 days and may be used on successive days over this period of time.

When adding to water, minimise foaming by adding slowly to the water flow as the treatment tank is filled. The mixture should be stirred occasionally and will be ready for use approximately 30 minutes after dilution.

Treatment can be carried out by any method which ensures total coverage is achieved, such as by dip, drench or spray.

Where there is a risk of superficial scald, an approved anti-scald treatment such as diphenylamine or ethoxyquin must be included in the Semperfresh treatment.

After treatment, allow excess solution to drain from the fruit before packing or storage.

TECHNICAL BENEFITS

a) FIRMNESS:

Softening is delayed, and this is especially important in pears. Firmer fruit is better able to withstand handling, packing and storage. It is more resistant to spoilage rots such as blue and grey mould which usually infect fruit through breaks and wounds in the skin.

The coatings are especially valuable when applied to fruit as it is packed out of Controlled Atmosphere. In such situations, Semperfresh protected pears can remain acceptable to the retail trade for several days longer than normal.

For Packhams pears, 0.7 - 0.8% Semperfresh a.i. concentration, when applied on packing out of store, is effective in extending the shelf life of the fruit. Typically fruit responds best to treatment when fruit pressures range from 11 - 15 lb

b) COLOUR HOLD:

Apples and pears maintain their fresh colour for longer. This is especially important for green apple varieties such as Granny Smith and Golden Delicious.

c) REDUCED SCUFFING:

The application of Semperfresh during pack line processing can effectively reduce problems associated with abrasion. The coatings provide lubrication which can reduce damage caused by contact between fruit and between fruit and packline surfaces. This problem is especially prevalent among delicate pear varieties such as comice, and with the larger green apple varieties which tend to show such marking. Bruised and damaged fruit may be down graded or even become unmarketable. Damaged fruit is also more susceptible to postharvest diseases and is more likely to produce exogenous ethylene.

d) SLOWED RESPIRATION:

AgriCoat coatings slow respiration of treated fruits. Trials have demonstrated that the coatings reduce the up take of oxygen, which has the effect of reducing the rate of respiration, reducing the production of ethylene and delaying the onset of the respiratory climacteric.

The special properties of Semperfresh create a protective barrier around the fruit which is differentially permeable to oxygen and carbon dioxide gas. Potentially damaging gases pass relatively unrestricted through the Semperfresh coating, preventing their accumulation inside the fruit.

The slowed respiration effectively extends the storage life of the fruit whilst minimising respiration induced weight loss.

SUPERFICIAL SCALD:

Semperfresh is compatible with anti-scald chemicals (e.g. diphenylamine (DPA) and Ethoxyquin) which are typically used for long term storage of scald susceptible apple and pear varieties. Where there is a risk of scald developing, it is recommended that anti-scald agents are included with the Semperfresh treatment.

The coatings alone do not have any significant anti-scald effect - although trials have demonstrated that very effective scald control is achieved when used in combination with anti-scald agents.

APPROVALS:

All AgriCoat fruit coatings are derived from food approved ingredients which are accepted by the United States FDA, the food laws of the European Union and the Ministry Of Health and Human Welfare in Japan. For further information contact us:   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

SEMPERFRESH ® is a registered trademark of AgriCoat Industries Limited - A Mantrose (UK) Company.