Cherries are loved by many consumers, but the shelf life of cherries is short, which is a big challenge for growers and sellers in production and sales. Post-harvest preservation of cherries is critical to maintaining their quality and freshness, and effective measures need to be taken to ensure that cherries retain their flavor, texture and nutrition, so that the fruit reaches consumers in optimal condition.
As an environmentally friendly plant growth regulator, 1-MCP can help cherries maintain their freshness and quality during post-harvest transportation, storage and sales. Chesen BioChem is a company specializing in the production of fresh-keeping products. Cathy, from the company, introduced the PlanFresh preservatives suitable for cherries.
According to Cathy, 1-MCP is a new type of fruit and vegetable preservative, which can delay the ripening and aging process of fruits and is widely used in the preservation of fruits and vegetables.
"Studies have shown that cherries treated with 1-MCP have a longer shelf life and better taste than untreated cherries. The pulp of 1-MCP-treated cherries maintains a better structure, is less likely to become soft and rotten, retains a brighter color and is crisper. In addition, the nutritional values of cherries treated with 1-MCP are also preserved, such as vitamin C and antioxidant substances.”
"Our PlanFresh 1-MCP products are very suitable for cherries. In order to ensure that 1-MCP can achieve its best fresh-keeping results in cold storage, it is recommended that merchants prepare well before storage." Cathy said.
"The first step in post-harvest cherries before storage is proper sorting. After harvesting, the cherries should be sorted by size, color and quality. This will help ensure that only the best cherries are selected for storage. Pre-cooling is an important step after harvest. Cherries should be cooled as soon as possible after harvest to slow down the natural ripening process and reduce bacterial and fungal growth. Pre-cooling can be done using various methods such as water cooling, forced air cooling, or vacuum cooling. "
"The optimum temperature and duration for PlanFresh 1-MCP treatment depend on the type and ripeness of the cherries. Generally speaking, the cherries are placed in an environment around 10°C and treated with 1-MCP at a concentration of 1-2 μL/L 20-24 hours to achieve the best fresh-keeping result. It should be noted that 1-MCP treatment does not keep cherries fresh forever, it only prolongs the fresh-keeping period and maintains the quality and nutrients.
Therefore, when using 1-MCP, other measures should also be taken to maximize the shelf life of cherries, such as controlling temperature and humidity. The storage environment after 1-MCP treatment should maintain proper temperature and humidity. Generally speaking, the best storage temperature for cherries is between 0°C and 4°C, and the humidity is between 80% and 90%. In such an environment, cherries can maintain good taste and freshness. "
"Combining pre- and post-storage preservation technologies, our PlanFresh 1-MCP can maximize the shelf life while maintaining the quality. 1-MCP treatment can delay the ripening and aging process of fruits and maintain the freshness, while other technologies can help control the water evaporation and cell activeness, and further extend the shelf life," Cathy said, "In addition, during long-distance transportation, merchants can also consider using the PlanFresh 1-MCP card. After the cherries are fumigated with PlanFresh 1-MCP powder or tablet in the cold storage or container, there will still be new ethylene receptors inside the cherry cells, and these new ethylene receptors may continue to combine with ethylene, which may cause damage. Continue to mature. Our PlanFresh 1-MCP card can solve this problem. The 1-MCP card can continuously release low concentrations of 1-MCP gas in the packaging box, which effectively inhibits the combination of new ethylene receptors and ethylene in the cells. "
"By inhibiting the activity of ethylene, 1-MCP can delay the onset of ripening and extend the shelf life of cherries by two weeks or more. The practical application of 1-MCP in cherries involves several steps, including harvesting, washing and pre-cooling, treatment and storage. With proper application and handling, 1-MCP can be a tool for growers and transporters in the cherry industry, ensuring consumers can enjoy fresh, high-quality cherries year-round."
Chesen BioChem has a license to sell its products in China. “We strive to provide quality agrochemicals for postharvest treatments and are actively promoting the registration of preservative products abroad. We are now looking for strategic partners interested in retailing PlanFresh 1-MCP and other agrochemicals,” Cathy said.