Case study with AiroCide PPT? Photocatalytic Air Purifiers: preventing mold on tomato calyxes and stems

AiroCide PPTTM Photocatalytic Air Purifiers contain the same NASA-developed technology that is used in a variety of AiroCide product lines. In addition to serving the floral and perishable preservation and food safety industry the AiroCideTM technology has been developed to kill/remove/eliminate airborne pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms in vegetative and spore states (bacteria, mould, viruses and dust mites), allergens, odours and harmful volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) in air in a variety of commercial, government, and residential market applications including the medical healthcare industry (AiroCide is listed as an FDA Class II Medical Device). SummaryTomato is one of the most popular vegetable on the market. Greenhouse facilities are able to produce 11 months annually, the rest of the year technical maintenance happens. Trussies of tomato has 25-40% higher prices, therefore the right storage condition is crucial. FacilityNemeskert Ltd is a second generations family company, was established in 1975, located south part of Hungary. 13 hectares of greenhouses heated by geothermal energy. Main product is the tomato, 9 hectares planted, annual yield is 4 – 4500 tones.Secondary products green peppers and hot green peppers, cucumber, lettuce. Since 2014 company has an audited packaging facility, with cooling rooms. Testing ProtocolComparable trial was made in 2 equal sizes cooling room. (12 meters x 20 meters, 3 meters) For the trial we used four sample products from four different producers; the samples are marked as product 1,2,3,4 and each sample was placed in both cold-rooms. The cold-rooms are marked “B” and “D”. Both are set to 14 degrees Celsius. Cold room “B” is equipped with an Airocide GCS-100 Air Purification System. Fridge “D” is equipped with an ethylene filtration system, its filters were changed seven days prior the beginning of trial. At the beginning of the trial (2016.08.03.), sample was taken from product 4 to laboratory analysis. At the end of the trial (2016.08.30.), samples from product 4 were once again sent to laboratory with the exception that we requested separate analyses for the samples stored in “B” and “D” cold rooms. Ethylen gas measurement was made by Bioconervacion ppm Ethylen unit, measurement range between 0-99.9 ppm. Only a few mould spots were detected in cooling room “B” stems were still green, had no mould on the surface. Pictures show that mould appeared on the stems of the tomatoes stored in fridge “D” during storage, while no such issue occurred with tomatoes stored in fridge “B” (which was equipped with an Airocide GCS-100 Air Purification System). If you would like to try AiroCide technology in your warehouse (could be used for all fruits, vegetables, salads, flowers), send your inquiry to info@freshproduceinstruments.com with a note that you have seen this on Poscosecha.STUDY with pictures For inquiries and testing AiroCide in your warehouse:Fresh Produce Instruments+31-850601835info@freshproduceinstruments.comwww.freshproduceinstruments.com Pictures1 - AiroCide PPT™ Photocatalytic Air Purifiers vertical2 - Nemeskert Ltd facility3 - Bioconservacion ethylene measurement