Provided is a method of storing persimmons comprising the step of exposing persimmons to an atmosphere that contains a cyclopropene compound, wherein either (a) the persimmons are in a modified-atmosphere package during exposure to the cyclopropene compound, or (b) the persimmons are placed into a modified-atmosphere package after exposure to the cyclopropene compound, and the persimmons remain in the modified atmosphere package for at least two hours. In some embodiments, the modified-atmosphere package is constructed so that the transmission rate of oxygen for the entire package is from 200 to 40,000 cubic centimeters per day per kilogram of persimmons.

Provided is a method of storing persimmons comprising the step of exposing persimmons to an atmosphere that contains a cyclopropene compound, wherein either (a) the persimmons are in a modified-atmosphere package during exposure to the cyclopropene compound, or (b) the persimmons are placed into a modified-atmosphere package after exposure to the cyclopropene compound, and the persimmons remain in the modified atmosphere package for at least two hours. In some embodiments, the modified-atmosphere package is constructed so that the transmission rate of oxygen for the entire package is from 200 to 40,000 cubic centimeters per day per kilogram of persimmons.

The system for cleaning fresh and freshly-cut produce is designed to clean produce as soon as practicable after the produce is cut. As the produce falls downwardly, a spray manifold directs a produce-washing liquid upwardly so that the produce-washing liquid directly sprays and impacts the falling produce. The impact of the produce-washing liquid causes the produce to tumble and the descent of the produce is slowed, and consequently the produce is thoroughly coated and cleaned by the produce-washing liquid. In an alternative embodiment, a suspending fluid (preferably air) is simultaneously directed to the falling produce to slow the descent of the produce and further ensure that the produce is thoroughly washed and directly sprayed by the produce-washing liquid.

The system for cleaning fresh and freshly-cut produce is designed to clean produce as soon as practicable after the produce is cut. As the produce falls downwardly, a spray manifold directs a produce-washing liquid upwardly so that the produce-washing liquid directly sprays and impacts the falling produce. The impact of the produce-washing liquid causes the produce to tumble and the descent of the produce is slowed, and consequently the produce is thoroughly coated and cleaned by the produce-washing liquid. In an alternative embodiment, a suspending fluid (preferably air) is simultaneously directed to the falling produce to slow the descent of the produce and further ensure that the produce is thoroughly washed and directly sprayed by the produce-washing liquid.

A control system for controlling the storage of metabolically active produce in a defined confined environment. The control system comprises gas analyzing and pressure measurement means including a control unit for determining an adjusted gas medium composition of the confined environment for protecting the produce against metabolic degradation. An operating/actuating means for adapting the gas medium in the confined storage environment is based on the determined adjusted gas medium composition. The control unit is adapted for determining the adjusted gas medium composition based on a mathematical model of the system that determines a metabolic coefficient of the produce by combining measured changes of gas composition in the confined environment with dynamic pressure changes in the confined space. The value of the metabolic coefficient is used as input for a control algorithm to continuously adjust the gas composition in the confined space in response to the metabolic activity of the produce.

An inclusion complex of an amorphous -cyclodextrin, or derivative thereof, with encapsulated ethylene is provided by exposure of the dry solid amorphous -cyclodextrin to ethylene gas under pressure. The inclusion complex will have applications in a number of fields including fruit ripening.

An inclusion complex of an amorphous -cyclodextrin, or derivative thereof, with encapsulated ethylene is provided by exposure of the dry solid amorphous -cyclodextrin to ethylene gas under pressure. The inclusion complex will have applications in a number of fields including fruit ripening.

A fogging apparatus for atomizing a medium includes an atomizer chamber defined by an atomizer chamber wall extending substantially from a supply side to a distal outlet side, at least one supply located at the supply side of the atomizer chamber for dispensing the medium to be atomized and an air supply duct extending from an air flow source to an air supply opening on the supply side of the atomizer chamber, the air flow source being adapted to, in operation, generate an air flow, such that the air flow is fed through an air heating unit into the air supply duct and wherein at least a portion of the air supply duct is configured to be in a heat exchange contact with the atomizer chamber wall.

A fogging apparatus for atomizing a medium includes an atomizer chamber defined by an atomizer chamber wall extending substantially from a supply side to a distal outlet side, at least one supply located at the supply side of the atomizer chamber for dispensing the medium to be atomized and an air supply duct extending from an air flow source to an air supply opening on the supply side of the atomizer chamber, the air flow source being adapted to, in operation, generate an air flow, such that the air flow is fed through an air heating unit into the air supply duct and wherein at least a portion of the air supply duct is configured to be in a heat exchange contact with the atomizer chamber wall.

Systems and methods are disclosed for the generation of a treatment compound fluid to inhibit the ripening process of agricultural products, the application of the treatment compound fluid to a confined atmosphere at a location at which the products are stored, and the collection of a sample of the treated atmosphere. In one form, the system includes a treatment compound generator and a sampling subsystem. The treatment compound generator has an exit port fluidly connectable to the confined atmosphere and is configured to generate a treatment compound fluid in-situ. The sampling subsystem includes an inlet port fluidly connected to a pump and a collection chamber. The inlet port is fluidly connectable to the confined atmosphere such that the sampling subsystem can collect a sample of the treated atmosphere through the inlet port and store the sample within the collection chamber.