Wonderful Citrus, North America's largest citrus producer, uses ArcAqua's ozone sanitation technology to sustainably improve their fruit wash systems across their citrus packing facilities in California and Mexico.
Not only have there been significant business benefits, the citrus grower says, but the technology, developed in South Africa, supports sustainability and safety standards within the operating environment.
Sonya Carrillo, vice-president of packaging operations, and Dr Arno Erasmus, post-harvest plant pathologist at Wonderful Citrus, remark that ArcAqua's ozone technology is fully integrated into the packing line. Also, it is easier to manage than previous post-harvest control mechanisms.
There are other advantages: "We have witnessed lowered levels of sour rot by improving exposure time to the active, in this case ozone. Additionally, ozone is less corrosive and more user-friendly than previous chemically based systems, which translates in less required maintenance of pack-house equipment."
Ozone sterilisation has reduced sour rot levels in Wonderful Citrus' packhouses in California and Mexico.
Ozone-treated water can be recycled
Crispin Russell, chief technology officer at Cape Town-based ArcAqua says: "In a time when sustainability and water management are essential, the ArcAqua system reduces the use of water, and unlike through the use of chemicals, the water can be recycled back into production."
Current estimates of ozone usage in the South African postharvest industry are at 15 to 20%, he observes, and only expected to increase as the industry pivots to greater water management and sustainability.
Since 2015, ArcAqua has been delivering market leading products around the world and across multiple sectors.
ArcAqua will be at the South African Citrus Research Symposium in August and the International Fresh Produce Association's Global Produce & Floral Show in October 2024 in Atlanta, USA.
For more information:
Crispin Russell
ArcAqua
Tel: +27 82 829 4460
Email: [email protected]