Understanding Ethylene and Its Impact on Produce

OZEANO

What is Ethylene?

The Gas That Drives Ripening

Ethylene is a natural plant hormone in gas form that regulates critical physiological processes in plants. It is the only plant hormone that exists as a gas, making it unique in its function.

Primary effects of Ethylene

  • Facilitates fruit ripening
  • Accelerates chlorophyll degradation, leading to changes in color and texture.

The effects of Ethylene on fruits and vegetables

Excess ethylene can significantly accelerate:

  • Ripening: Quick changes in color, taste, aroma, and texture.
  • Decay: Increases vulnerability to bacteria and fungi.
  • Loss of Shelf Life: Shortens the freshness and marketability of fruits and vegetables.
 
 

In addition to the natural production of ethylene by fruits, they are often exposed to external sources during storage and transport:

  • Pathogens: Many bacteria and fungi species produce ethylene.
  • Human Sources: Any activity involving combustion releases ethylene gas.
  • Cross-Contamination Between Fruits:
    • Ripe fruits or those with post-harvest diseases emit large amounts of ethylene.
    • Contamination can occur within the same container or between different chambers.

Climateric vs. Non-climateric Fruits

Fruits are classified based on their respiration and ethylene production patterns during ripening:

Frutas climatéricas

These fruits experience a significant increase in respiration and ethylene production during ripening, causing rapid and intense changes in:

  • Color
  • Taste
  • Texture
  • Aroma
 
Learn more about climacteric fruits: 
Pome fruit
Banana
Tomato
Watermelon
Avocado
Mango
Caqui
Stone fruit

Non-Climateric Fruits

These fruits ripen gradually, maintaining consistently low levels of respiration and ethylene production. Their changes are less intense and occur over time.Estas frutas maduran gradualmente, manteniendo niveles consistentemente bajos de respiración y producción de etileno. Sus cambios son menos intensos y ocurren con el tiempo.

Learn more about Non-Climacteric Fruits:

Strawberry
Citrus
Blueberry
Kiwi
Lime

Managing Ethylene in the Supply Chain

The Ozeano solution for eliminating ethylene consists of a mixture of porous clays and permanganate.
The OZEANO granulate is not an additive; it is 100% disposable and eliminates:

  • Ethylene and other gases: (acetaldehyde, ethanol, etc.)
  • Odors: (sulfur compounds, etc.)
  • Microorganisms: Bacteria and fungi (Botrytis, Penicillium, etc.)

 

How the Ozeano Solution Works:

  • Physical Absorption: Related to the large specific surface area of Ozeano clays.
  • Oxidation: Through an oxidation process, permanganate transforms ethylene and other contaminants such as SO₂, NOx, H₂S, and many other volatile organic compounds (VOCs), eliminating their harmful effects.

  • Anti-Microbial Action:

    Bacteria in contact with the filter encounter a pH of 9.2, which exceeds their survival limit.
    • The clays are negatively charged and attract positively charged particles, over which most microorganisms regularly move in the air.
    • OZEANO eliminates many of the gases fungi use to communicate, thereby interrupting fungal development.

    • Permanganate is a powerful disinfectant known since the 19th century (Condy’s Fluid):

By removing air contaminants, the fruit retains its organoleptic properties throughout the distribution process.

Advantages of Ozeano Ethylene Absorption Filters (Ozeano L and Ozeano XL):

The Ozeano filters feature significant improvements over the products currently available on the market.

One of their main innovative advantages is their high-performance, drip-proof design:

  • Prevents box staining.
  • Higher tube efficiency through micro-channels and a wider mesh aperture.
  • Absorption capacity of the granulate: > 3.5 liters C₂H₄/kg of product.
  • Faster reaction of the granulate.
  • More compact filling, reducing bypass.

We offer ethylene filters to preserve fruits' freshness and quality

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