The present application relates to large-scale methods of uniformly coating packaging surfaces with a benzoxaborole compound.

The present application relates to large-scale methods of uniformly coating packaging surfaces with a benzoxaborole compound.

The present invention provides a method for treating crops in field or in a processing facility comprising the steps of producing a dry composition comprising a metabisulphite, a benzoate salt and a cellulose additive; preparing said dry composition as a formulation; and applying the formulation to a crop, wherein said treatment is for prevention or reduction of crop damage by plant pathogens, or reduction of bacterial, fungal or human pathogens.

Methods and systems for selectively applying a treatment to a plant item is provided. The method may include conveying, in an industrial processing line, at least one plant item in the batch of plant items to a sensing region having one or more sensors, assessing, with the one or more sensors and a computing device, one or more properties of the at least one plant item associated with ripeness and/or another attribute, conveying the at least one plant item to a treatment region, determining a treatment to apply to the at least one plant item based on the assessed one or more properties; and applying, in the treatment region, the treatment to the at least one plant item.

Methods and systems for selectively applying a treatment to a plant item is provided. The method may include conveying, in an industrial processing line, at least one plant item in the batch of plant items to a sensing region having one or more sensors, assessing, with the one or more sensors and a computing device, one or more properties of the at least one plant item associated with ripeness and/or another attribute, conveying the at least one plant item to a treatment region, determining a treatment to apply to the at least one plant item based on the assessed one or more properties; and applying, in the treatment region, the treatment to the at least one plant item.

This invention is, in general, related to the technological field of packaging of vegetable products, such as whole fresh fruits and vegetables that tend to have certain surface microbial load. Specifically, this invention relates to a new cardboard packaging which is characterised by having an antimicrobial active coating based on a polymeric compound in combination with essential oils forming inclusion complexes with cyclodextrins. Vapours of essential oils are emitted from the cardboard as sufficiently high relative humidities are reached in the vicinity of this coating which is next to the packed product, and these vapours have an antimicrobial action against fungi, yeasts and bacteria, which both spoil product quality and are pathogenic for consumers. This new packaging significantly achieves increasing food safety and the shelf life of foods packed therein.

This invention is, in general, related to the technological field of packaging of vegetable products, such as whole fresh fruits and vegetables that tend to have certain surface microbial load. Specifically, this invention relates to a new cardboard packaging which is characterised by having an antimicrobial active coating based on a polymeric compound in combination with essential oils forming inclusion complexes with cyclodextrins. Vapours of essential oils are emitted from the cardboard as sufficiently high relative humidities are reached in the vicinity of this coating which is next to the packed product, and these vapours have an antimicrobial action against fungi, yeasts and bacteria, which both spoil product quality and are pathogenic for consumers. This new packaging significantly achieves increasing food safety and the shelf life of foods packed therein.

The disclosure relates to systems and methods for improving the manufacturing of silk solutions and powders containing silk fibroin obtained from silkworm cocoons. The solutions and powders can be used to improve the post-harvest preservation of perishables and to improve the performance of packaging, including biodegradable packaging.

An improved system and method for treating, precooling, and handling perishable products uses a mobile container enhanced with increased capacity refrigeration and air flow to recirculate functional substances including sanitizers, and ripening management and conditioning agents across the surface of palletized perishable products during the precooling step. As the perishable is precooled, the system integrates humidity control to reduce dehydration. Sanitizing substances are dispensed into the recirculating air to significantly reduce micro-organisms on the surface coming from the field and avoid recontamination from the cooling warehouse. Conditioning and ripening management substances are recirculated to enable managing the ripeness of a perishable to a target. The mobile container is modified from a standard intermodal container or over-the-road semi-trailer. The enhanced forced air and/or refrigeration equipment is contained within the container and/or mounted on the top and/or side exterior of the container and can accomplish rapid cooling. The system and method has thus combined rapid cooling, reduced dehydration, reduced surface micro-organism contamination, and conditioning or ripeness control for enhanced quality and shelf life. The mobile container is able to operate independently outside of a refrigerated warehouse used for storage and distribution of the cooled perishable product. The materials of construction used and operational independence enable safely using highly active sanitizing, ripening management, and other functional substances. The mobile container can be located near harvest or facilities with no colling assets. A combined system using conveyors and operational controls provides automated handling of the perishables from receiving, through precooling and treatment, preferably to a MAP process, and then distribution.

An improved system and method for treating, precooling, and handling perishable products uses a mobile container enhanced with increased capacity refrigeration and air flow to recirculate functional substances including sanitizers, and ripening management and conditioning agents across the surface of palletized perishable products during the precooling step. As the perishable is precooled, the system integrates humidity control to reduce dehydration. Sanitizing substances are dispensed into the recirculating air to significantly reduce micro-organisms on the surface coming from the field and avoid recontamination from the cooling warehouse. Conditioning and ripening management substances are recirculated to enable managing the ripeness of a perishable to a target. The mobile container is modified from a standard intermodal container or over-the-road semi-trailer. The enhanced forced air and/or refrigeration equipment is contained within the container and/or mounted on the top and/or side exterior of the container and can accomplish rapid cooling. The system and method has thus combined rapid cooling, reduced dehydration, reduced surface micro-organism contamination, and conditioning or ripeness control for enhanced quality and shelf life. The mobile container is able to operate independently outside of a refrigerated warehouse used for storage and distribution of the cooled perishable product. The materials of construction used and operational independence enable safely using highly active sanitizing, ripening management, and other functional substances. The mobile container can be located near harvest or facilities with no colling assets. A combined system using conveyors and operational controls provides automated handling of the perishables from receiving, through precooling and treatment, preferably to a MAP process, and then distribution.