Storex presents in Berlin an ethylene and ethanol analyzer to track ripening and prevent fermentation in storage rooms

At Fruit Logistica, recently held in Berlin, the poscosecha.com team had an informal conversation with Storex about one of its most decision-oriented proposals for storage management: an ethylene and ethanol gas analyzer designed to work with air samples taken directly from the storage room.

As the company explained, the device is based on an optical measurement principle. Air from the room is routed into a gas cell and, using a light source and filters, the system records how molecules absorb energy at different wavelengths. That signal is interpreted through specific calibrations to quantify ethylene—linked to the progression of ripening—and ethanol, a compound that tends to rise when fruit is under stress or approaching fermentation scenarios.

Reading both parameters together is intended to give storage managers clearer context: on the one hand, tracking the lot’s ripening dynamics; on the other, detecting early deviations that could translate into sensory defects and loss of commercial value.

Measuring ethanol to anticipate fermentation when operating at very low oxygen levels

Storex positioned the analyzer for a particularly sensitive scenario: controlled-atmosphere storage when working with very low oxygen levels to slow fruit metabolism and extend shelf life. Under these conditions, the margin between an optimal atmosphere and one that pushes fruit toward anaerobic metabolism can be narrow. The operational challenge is well known: when the defect is confirmed by tasting or through a claim, corrective action often comes too late.

In this context, ethanol measurement is presented as an early signal to adjust management before damage becomes irreversible, keeping oxygen as low as possible without triggering fermentation. During the conversation, the company also pointed to a development line with mid-term potential: using this type of measurement to generate a “fingerprint” of each room’s gaseous environment and flag progressive changes linked to deterioration, damage, or the presence of decaying fruit.

With this approach, the proposal aims to bring a simple idea into day-to-day operations: if you can measure in time what the fruit is “saying” through gases, you can decide earlier—and lose less quality.

About Storex

Storex (Controlled Atmosphere) develops postharvest storage solutions based on managing and monitoring the atmosphere in storage rooms, with a particular focus on applications where gaseous stability is critical to preserving firmness, flavor, and marketable life. At Fruit Logistica, the company emphasized its focus on tools that provide greater visibility into what is happening inside the room, connecting measurements of key parameters with finer, safer management decisions throughout storage.