Since its first trials
on apples in 1997, the SmartFresh™ Quality
System has been called the produce industry's
most important advancement in years because
it makes it possible for farmers and packer-shippers
to maintain better just-harvested quality
of their fruits and vegetables throughout
storage, transport and retail display – right
through to the consumer.
SmartFresh Quality System
is globally recognized as an important
tool to enhance fruit quality management
practices.
SmartFresh technology
successfully controls fruit and vegetable
ripening by controlling naturally occuring
ethylene during storage and transport.
Ethylene triggers ripening and spoilage
in most fruits and vegetables; in some
cases it is responsible for important storage
disorders, which can cause the spoilage
and waste of entire storage areas.
SmartFresh Quality System
reduces fruit waste and maintains texture,
firmness, taste and appearance of fruits
by warding off negative ethylene effects.
SmartFresh technology's
active ingredient, 1-methylcyclopropene
( 1-MCP) is similar in its structure to
the naturally occurring ethylene. This
similarity allows SmartFresh technology
to interact with the ethylene receptors
of the fruits. SmartFresh technology preparation
is a sugar-based powder formulation, which
is dissolved in regular tap water at the
beginning of the storage of the fruits.
The 1-MCP is released readily in the room and then interacts with the receptors for blocking them temporarily
until the fruit comes out of the storage
facility or the refrigerated environment.
In ambient temperature, new ethylene receptors
are developed and ripening continues normally.
The application biodegrades
naturally and there is no SmartFresh technology
present when the application is completed.
- Higher marketing flexibility,
less pressure to sell the fruit and larger
marketing window of more consistent product
quality during the entire sales season
- Increased pack-out
yield
- Reduced fruit waste
- Better quality for
hard – to – store, quick
softening varieties
- Better firmness maintenance
for highly ethylene sensitive fruits
(like plums, persimmons, but also local
heritage apple varieties)
- For exports and long-distance
transportation, better quality at port
of arrival, better resistance to breaks
in the cool chain or unforeseen delays
in the supply chain.
- Improved shelf
life of fruits in ambient temperatures: In
French retail research studies, more
than 80% of plums with SmartFresh quality
maintained top quality after 7 days compared
to just 48% of control fruits.
- Increased customer satisfaction: marketing
tests have proven that consumers come
back for more quality fruit
- Better store differentiation through
improved apple category
- AgroFresh’s
traceability studies show: fruit shipped
long-distances arrive at stores in
better condition
- Compatible with residue-free programs
- Potential for higher profitability
An ACNielsen study in
24 stores in the Netherlands has proven
that consumers recognize and appreciate
the freshness, crunchiness and taste of
SmartFresh quality apples: The comparison
of 12 stores offering SmartFresh quality
Elstar apples with 12 stores displaying
regular Elstars over a three-month period
has shown a 12 % increase in sales volume.
- Taste tests in the
U.S. and in several European countries
have proven:
- 70% prefer crunchiness
- 60% prefer juiciness
- Two out
of three consumers would prefer
to buy SmartFresh quality
To speak with a AgroFresh
representative, contact
us now.
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