AgraCo Technologies International LLC

Ethylene Filters

How they work

What is Ethylene?

“Ethylene, unlike the rest of the plant hormone compounds is a gaseous hormone. Like abscisic acid, it is the only member of its

class. Of all the known plant growth substance, ethylene has the simplest

structure. It is produced in all higher plants and is usually associated with fruit ripening

and the tripple response.”

(Arteca, 1996; Mauseth, 1991; Raven, 1992; Salisbury and Ross, 1992).

What does Ethylene do?

H2C=CH2 As they approach maturity, many fruits (e.g., apples, oranges, avocados) release ethylene.

Ethylene then promotes the ripening of the fruit.

Commercial fruit growers can buy equipment to generate ethylene so that their harvest ripens quickly and uniformly. The presence of ethylene is detected by transmembrane receptors in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of the cells. Binding of ethylene to these receptors unleashes a signaling cascade that leads to activation of transcription factors and the turning on of gene transcription.

The ill-fated FlavrSavr tomato contains an antisense transgene that interferes with the synthesis of ethylene and hence slows ripening.

Ethylene also affects many other plant functions such as: abscission of leaves, fruits, and flower petals;

• drooping of leaves;

• sprouting of potato buds;

• seed germination;

• stem elongation in rice (by promoting the breakdown of abscisic acid (ABA) and thus relieving ABA's inhibition of gibberellic acid);

• flower formation in some species.

http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/E/Ethylene.html

Ethylene

Ethylene Receptor

Cell Wall

Plasma Wall

Gene Gene Gene

Ripening PR Proteins Senescence

Being a gas, ethylene can permeate through barriers like; corrugated cardboard, plastic containers, and natural barriers; cell walls, plasma

walls.

When the ethylene makes contact with the ethylene receptors, a reaction on the genetic level is started.

Depending on which stage of the life cycle the fruit is in, determines the reaction.

What does reducing ethylene mean to you? Keeping fruits, vegetables and fresh cut flowers fresher longer means:

A competitive edge with better looking and better tasting product Increased customer satisfaction Increased customer loyalty Decreased shrink due to spoilage Longer marketability of produce Increase in profitability Decreased rejections Reduced waste

So how does this work?

The process is fairly simple… Our filters and sachets contain a mineral called Zeolite. While there are many different zeolites, they share something in common; a molecular structure that is much like a honeycomb grid

work. This makes zeolites a natural odor absorber.

So how does this work?

The zeolite is coated with potassium permanganate (KMnO4) Potassium Permanganate is an oxidizer, that reacts with the ethylene in the air, and releases carbon dioxide and water.

So how does this work?

AgraCo’s filters are encased in a pleated

stainless steel frame covered with Tyvek® AgraCo’s ethylene absorbing

sachets uses Tyvek® to Envelop the zeolite.

So how does this work?

For the filter to work optimally, it must be placed in the air-flow either on the intake or the output in a closed system.

Ethylene is slightly heavier than air, so the better the air circulation, the more ethylene will be captured by the filter. AgraCo’s model 350 filter has perimeter tabs to allow you to

zip-tie directly to the cover of your current air circulation system.

So how does this work?

Reefer

Product

Air Flow

In refrigerated trailers and containers, place the filters directly on to the air circulating system, directly in the flow of air. As air passes through the filter, the potassium permanganate oxidizes, “scrubbing” the air clean. The zeolite deodorizes by capturing bacteria, and the Tyvek® cover captures dirt, mold, and fungus spores. This method is also suggested for cold room storage.

Extend-a-life filter

So how does this work?

Product Air Flow

In non-refrigerated trailers and containers, place the filters directly on the bins of product. As air passes through the filter, the potassium permanganate oxidizes, “scrubbing” the air clean. The zeolite deodorizes by capturing bacteria, and the Tyvek® cover captures dirt, mold, and fungus spores.

Extend-A-Life filters

So how does this work?

AgraCo’s model 341 filters are specially designed to work with our blower unit. AgraCo’s 345 model blower is built from stainless steel with four mounting eyes on the top of the unit for easy installation. The unit has a 9 amp, ½ hp electric motor, and is rated 1075 RPM high speed delivering 1580 CFM of air or 750 RPM to deliver 1120 CFM. This unit uses 4 filters. The ease of installation, allows you to turn virtually any room into a produce cooling area.

Produce Saver™ & Floral Saver™ AgraCo’s Produce Saver™ Floral Saver™ work as mini filters. The sachets are made of the same materials as the Extend-A-Life™ filters, but on a smaller scale. They are the perfect size for use inside 30-40 lb boxes of tomatoes, avocados, peaches, nectarines, pears, and virtually any tree fruit. Additionally, bagged fruit such as cherries and grapes. Placing the sachet inside the master wrap bag, and will reduce the ethylene making the use of MAP bags more effective. Produce Saver™ are also ideal for fruit

baskets, fruit and vegetable displays, and floral arrangements.

They are made of the same Tyvek® as the Extend-A-Life™ filters and are printed with

food grade ink.

Products such as melons, bananas, avocados and tomatoes for example are considered ethylene producers. Products such as lettuce, broccoli, and carrots are considered ethylene sensitive; this means that these products will decay rapidly when exposed to even the smallest amounts of ethylene gas.

Ethylene producers: Ethylene sensitive:

apples nectarines bananas, unripe leafy greens apricots papayas Belgian endive lettuce avocados passion fruit broccoli okra bananas, ripening peaches brussel sprouts parsley cantaloupes pears cabbage peas cherimoya persimmons carrots peppers figs plantains cauliflower potted plants guavas plums chard spinach honeydew melons prunes cucumbers squash kiwifruit, ripe quinces cut flowers sweet potatoes mamey rambutan eggplant watercress mangoes tomatoes florist greens watermelon mangosteen green beans yams kiwifruit, unripe

Ethylene producers and ethylene sensitive products

Odor produced by: Will be absorbed by: apples cabbage, carrots, celery, figs, onions, meat, eggs, dairy products avocados pineapples carrots celery citrus fruit meat, eggs, dairy products ginger root eggplant grapes fumigated w/sulfur dioxide other fruits and vegetables leeks figs, grapes onions, dry apples, celery, pears onions, green corn, figs, grapes, mushrooms, rhubarb pears cabbage, carrots, celery, onions, potatoes potatoes apples, pears peppers, green pineapples Herbs citrus fruit

Odor sensitivity and odor “migration”

US Navy Test Results for our Ethylene Absorption Filters The US Navy has been using our filters for the past decade. Their tests show:

• 245% improvement shelf life for tomatoes • 88% for lettuce • 10% for Cucumbers • 9% for Oranges

The results of the test confirmed that the Extend-A-Life™ filters perform extremely well, also the Extend-A-Life™ Ethylene filters reduces mold, bacteria and odors in your cold storage

What our customer are saying

I would like to let you know that we believe your ethylene scrubbers are a very effective tool in out storage and handling of fresh eating apples. As you know, its very important to have hard, fresh tasting apples for consumers. I believe fresh apples create more apple sales. The ethylene scrubbers are an important tool in our quality control program.

Fred Hess Hess Bros. Fruit Co.

Apples produce ethylene gas. Ethylene gas

ripens apples. When we remove

the ethylene gas with your scrubbers, we

market a higher quality apple.

Lise' Shore, Dog Trainer,

Chugiak, Alaska

The situation occurred when an export container was delayed two weeks (arriving 74 days after shipment) and the temperature recorders had run out. The two filters on the container worked perfectly – and the fruit arrived in good condition. Feel free to use this testimonial and our business name:

Columbia River Farms. Karen

PhilAbundance has utilized six (6) AgraCo Extend-A-Life™ Model 341 Ethylene Filter Systems to maintain maximum freshness of its donated produce stored in the Galloway Warehouse. Prior to the installation of the AgraCo Extend-A-Life™ filtering system, PhilAbundance experienced a high rate of spoilage of its fruits, vegetables, and other produce. Following the installation of AgraCo’s filters, a significant increase in the shelf life of produce was documented by PhilAbundance, as well as a substantial reduction in expenses associated with waste disposal.

.

I would like to let you know that we believe your ethylene scrubbers are a very effective tool in out storage and handling of fresh eating apples. As you know, its very important to have hard, fresh tasting apples for consumers. I believe fresh apples create more apple sales. The ethylene scrubbers are an important tool in our quality control program. Fred Hess Hess Bros. Fruit Co

The situation occurred when an export container was delayed two weeks (arriving 74 days after shipment) and the temperature recorders had run out. The two filters on the container worked perfectly – and the fruit arrived in good condition. Feel free to use this testimonial and our business name: Columbia River Farms. Karen Farris

Upon learning the extent of damage that ethylene gas causes to flowers in storage we tried these filters, and have been very happy with how they work. Our sales returns, (the amount we replace), have dropped approximately 35% over the last 5 years, and are the best they have been in our companies history. You can’t see these work, but they can be judged by the numbers, and we are convinced they help the flowers in their longevity. Barry Spengler VP Operations, Royer’s Flowers & Gifts

PhilAbundance has utilized six (6) AgraCo Extend-A-Life™ Model 341 Ethylene Filter Systems to maintain maximum freshness of its donated produce stored in the Galloway Warehouse. Prior to the installation of the AgraCo Extend-A-Life™ filtering system, PhilAbundance experienced a high rate of spoilage of its fruits, vegetables, and other produce. Following the installation of AgraCo’s filters, a significant increase in the shelf life of produce was documented by PhilAbundance, as well as a substantial reduction in expenses associated with waste disposal. Bill Clarke President and Executive Director PhilAbundance

AgraCo Technologies International, LLC

Extend-A-Life Ethylene Removal

220 South Second Street Dillsburg, PA 17019

717-502-0350 Fax 717-502-0353 www.agraco.com