Innovation in Dynamic Controlled Atmosphere for high-precision preservation of fruits and vegetables

Strategic presence at Fruit Attraction: During the recent edition of the trade fair in Madrid (October 6-8), the Poscosecha.com team had the pleasure of visiting the Marvil Engineering stand. The Italian company reaffirmed its international leadership in the development of Dynamic Controlled Atmosphere (DCA), Ultra Low Oxygen (ULO) systems, and ripening technology to preserve the commercial quality of fruits and vegetables.

Postharvest preservation requires analytical control of environmental conditions within cold storage facilities. The fluctuating physiological state of the produce necessitates systems capable of monitoring cellular respiration in real time, in order to extend commercial shelf life without resorting to invasive chemical treatments.

Engineering Solutions for Postharvest Preservation 

1. Dynamic Controlled Atmosphere (DCA) and ULO: The company’s DCA systems allow for the dynamic adjustment of oxygen and carbon dioxide levels to the physiological stress threshold of the fruit. This technology maintains firmness, reduces weight loss due to dehydration, and prevents physiological disorders such as superficial scald in pome fruits, pears, kiwis, and berries. 

2. Controlled Ripening and Technical Storage: Beyond long-term storage, the company’s engineering expertise extends to airtight ripening chambers designed for precise control of temperature, relative humidity, and ethylene flow, ensuring uniform batches that are ready for consumption. 

3. Industrial Diversification: The gas separation and atmospheric control technologies developed for the fruit and vegetable sector are also applied within the broader food industry for instance, in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and bottling resulting in a comprehensive portfolio of postharvest engineering solutions.

Key Technological Features:

Real-time respiration adjustment: monitoring O2, CO2, C2H4, and RH levels to optimize preservation. 

Extended shelf life: maintaining organoleptic qualities, color, and firmness for long-distance shipments. 

Sustainability: reduced commercial losses and lower energy consumption in managing the atmosphere within the storage chamber.

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