METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR APPLYING DECAY INHIBITORS TO POST-HARVEST CROPS IN STORAGE FACILITIES

• US 20150173381A1
• Filed: 12/18/2014
• Published: 06/25/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: JMC Enterprises Incorporated
• Original Assignee: JMC Enterprises Incorporated
• Inventors: Lewis, Michael, Micka, Joel, Arias, Carlos
• Application Number:
  US14/575,486
• Publication Number:
  US 20150173381A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A23B 7/10 Preserving with acids; Acid fermentation
• CPC Class Codes: A23B 7/148 in a controlled atmosphere, e.g. partial vacuum, comprising only CO2, N2, O2 or H2O
• CPC Class Codes: A23B 7/154 Organic compounds; Microorganisms; Enzymes

Abstract

Methods and systems for applying peracetic acid and/or other decay inhibitors to post-harvest crops stored in controlled atmosphere storage facilities are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of applying a decay inhibitor includes forming an aerosol of particles comprising peracetic acid and directing at least a portion of the aerosol into a controlled atmosphere storage facility to provide a substantially uniform distribution of the decay inhibitor over the crops stored therein.

Claims

1. A method for inhibiting decay of post-harvest pome fruits stored in a controlled atmosphere storage facility, the method comprising:

forming an aerosol including particles of a solution comprising a concentration of peracetic acid between about 0.2% and about 90% by volume; and

releasing at least a portion of the aerosol into a controlled atmosphere storage facility containing post-harvest pome fruits.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a characteristic of one or more of the fruits; and

adjusting the concentration of peracetic acid in the solution based on the determined characteristic.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein forming an aerosol comprises forming a thermal fog.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein forming an aerosol comprises forming an aerosol comprising particles having a diameter of about 10 microns or less.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the releasing comprises providing a substantially uniform distribution of the decay inhibitor to the fruits.

6. A method for inhibiting decay of post-harvest fruits stored in a controlled atmosphere storage facility, the method comprising:

assessing a property of post-harvest fruits stored in a controlled atmosphere storage facility;

forming an aerosol comprising particles of a solution having a concentration of a decay inhibitor, wherein the concentration is selected at least partially based on the assessed property; and

releasing at least a portion of the aerosol into the controlled atmosphere storage facility to provide a substantially uniform distribution of the solution to the fruits.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the decay inhibitor comprises peracetic acid, and wherein the concentration is between about 0.2% and about 90%.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein forming an aerosol comprises adjusting the concentration of the decay inhibitor in the solution from a first concentration to a second concentration based on the assessed property of the fruits.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein forming an aerosol comprises forming a thermal fog.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein releasing at least a portion of the aerosol includes releasing at least a portion of the aerosol at a first time, the method further comprising:

repeating the assessing, forming and releasing a second time after a predetermined delay.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the predetermined delay is between about 1 day and about 14 days.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the predetermined delay is between about 14 days and about 30 days.

13. The method of claim 6 wherein the assessing comprises assessing a skin condition of one or more of the fruits.

14. The method of claim 6 wherein the fruits comprise apples or pears.

15. The method of claim 6 wherein the fruits comprise pit fruits.