Atom8, Essential Citrus Protector
Beautiful export Citrus, healthy and shiny
Synthetic fungicides have been used as a major tool for reducing postharvest decay and improving the shelf life of citrus fruits. The growing concerns about consumer’s health, environmental pollution and high handling cost of chemical fungicides have forced to move the modern citrus industry into safer alternatives. The edible coatings like Chitosan enriched with essential citrus oils have been developed as an alternative and eco-friendly approach to control post-harvest decay and maintain the quality and shelf life of citrus fruits. Chitosan has proven itself as good and valuable for protection against many citrus pre and post-harvest problems.
This new product from Dry Tech Aerogels (Pty) Ltd (DTA) “Atom8, Essential Protector” intended to review the efficacy of Chitosan and Essential oils amended coating on citrus fruits with respect to disease control (blue mold and green mold), physical quality attributes [physiological weight loss, firmness, total soluble solid (TSS), vitamin C and physiological processes (respiration rate and ethylene production) and tried to correlate their applicability in the South African context. The integration of antifungal edible coatings along with the existing management practices (sanitation, physical methods and cold storage) could provide effective results in postharvest quality and disease management of citrus. The applicability and efficacy of essential oils amended coatings should be tested on a commercial scale to variable environmental conditions of South Africa.
The commercial citrus coatings are collectively known as waxes or their combination such as beeswax, carnauba, shellac, wood rosin, candelilla wax and polythene or petroleum waxes. The main purpose of waxing is to reduce fruit weight loss, shrinkage and improve appearance. The commercial citrus waxes are often amended with synthetic chemical fungicides to control postharvest diseases especially blue mold and green mold. However, the emerging concerns of consumer health, food safety and environmental aspects draw the attention of researchers and policymakers to develop natural, biodegradable and edible coating formulations to replace the use of existing conventional non-edible commercial waxes and synthetic fungicides for better.
Methodology
In our manufacturing process we manufacture hydrophilic nano chitosan (40 – 70nm) particles that have a huge internal surface that have a good appetite for absorbing liquids. We then load pure essential citrus oil into the nano particles and then via infusion method we load the nano particle in and on the citrus fruit skin. This not only provide an edible skin but is also a protective film on the fruit. The high level of citrus essential oil replenish lost oil through the cleaning process but also help with fluid retention and provide a shiny healthy skin.
Treatments method
Currently wax baths have wax or have a combination of a synthetic fungicide, this must be removed and replaced with Atom8, Essential Protector 1 liter per 1 000 liter water. Water pH must be between pH 5,5 and pH 6,5.
Packaging
1 liter, 5 liter and 25 liter.