A study has examined the use of FreshInset's Vidre+ complex as an active packaging solution for cherries, aimed at slowing ripening and reducing post-harvest losses.
Cherries are considered sensitive to heat and dehydration during shelf life, with their fragility often resulting in quality and nutritional losses across the supply chain. The trial tested whether Vidre+, a technology based on the gradual release of 1-MCP, could help preserve fruit firmness, stem colour, and overall quality for a longer period.
The research was carried out in summer 2022 by Professor Dorota Wichrowska and a team at the University of Life Sciences in Bydgoszcz, Poland. The trial focused on Kordia and Regina cherry varieties and assessed parameters including appearance, firmness, nutrient levels, and chemical composition over 21 days.
According to the results, untreated cherries began to lose quality after three days, while those exposed to Vidre+ started to show degradation after nine days. The treated fruit was reported to maintain firmness for a longer period, particularly from day six onward.
The Vidre+ complex can be placed inside a clamshell or other packaging formats post-harvest, where 1-MCP is gradually released within 24 hours. Farmers or packers can adjust dosage depending on the crop variety and packaging size.
The study contributes to wider research into active packaging technologies, which aim to extend the shelf life of fresh produce and flowers by influencing ripening processes. In parallel, research from Chalmers University of Technology earlier this year tested canned tuna packaged in a water-based solution of amino acid cysteine, which was said to remove up to 35% of accumulated mercury. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has identified mercury as one of the ten most harmful chemicals to human health.
Source: Packaging Europe