Technology for extending the shelf life of apples exported to foreign markets
Researching and developing technologies for pork meat processing in order to extend shelf life, preserve nutritional values, health-enhancing benefits and allow scope for further processing and consumption of the meat and its products.
A short summary of the project, including a description of aims and major tasks to be completed. Anticipated results.
The operation’s main objective is to develop a significantly improved technology for producing apples with an increased shelf life, along with maintaining the nutritional, health-promoting properties and the commercial quality of the products.
The research will use the latest science and technological achievements in the field of the synergy of magnetic field use (constant and alternating), ozone treatment in the water and gas environment, as well as the controlled release of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP). In creating innovative, improved technology and products, research will also be focused on improving the agroproduction process (including optimizing the harvesting and storing process, as well as apples’ distribution).
It is planned that about 15 methods (including combined methods) of extending the apples’ shelf life will be tested in laboratory conditions. Based on our domestic and international research and publications data, it is planned to develop an improved technology – overcoming several barriers in the storage and distribution process. The optimal selection method will consider the preservation of the best nutritional and health-promoting properties and commercial quality of apples, reflecting the criteria of organizational, technological, and economic efficiency.
The methods developed in scientific laboratories will be tested in industrial conditions in the Cooperative Group of Fruit Producers ‘Szeliga’ (SGPO) in Żurawica, near Przemyśl. The process of testing the technology will be subject to observation and scientific analysis, and the results of the industrial trial will be verified with the results of the research.
As a result of the works, it is planned to develop improved technology for extending storage and commercial durability for a minimum of 3 selected apple cultivars (while maintaining their quality) – by approx. 30 days (i.e. by approx. 25% compared to the standard storage period of approx. 4 months). Also the apples’ shelf after the storage, in the distribution phase – will be extended by approx. 20 days (i.e. by about 50% compared to the current standard apple distribution period of 20-40 days).
In addition, the management process of the entire group of fruit producers activity will be defined and implemented – a significantly improved method of the organization not used so far in SGPO, and a quality system for fruit production will be developed and implemented in SGPO and fruit farms associated with the group – which will contribute to the efficient implementation of innovative technology and effective use of improved products (apples).
Main benefits of introducing single or all of the anticipated project outcomes to the beneficiary.
The operation aims to develop improved technology for extending the shelf life of apples, taking into account the spatial, time, and assortment distance of deliveries to the international markets. In addition, the project intends to develop and implement a quality system for fruit production and a process management system for the whole activity of a group of fruit farms – as a tool for monitoring agrotechnics of production and the course of technological processes extending the shelf life of apples.
The direct addressee of the activities carried out under the operation is the Cooperative Group of Fruit Producers ‘Szeliga’. It is planned that the development of a significantly improved technology will make it possible to extend the shelf life by 25% to 50% for at least 3 varieties of apples, and -what is very important – while maintaining their nutritional and health-promoting properties and commercial quality. Selected by the operating group, the best and the most effective technology that meets the organizational and economic selection criteria will be tested in industrial conditions. Verification of the technology developed in laboratory conditions and obtaining positive results of the pilot implementation of these technologies in industrial conditions will give a strong motivation to implement such technology. It is a key element for the group of fruit producers on the way to gaining a competitive advantage in the fruit (apple) market. This may create an opportunity to put into practice the developed technology by groups of fruit producers in our country and increase the competitiveness of Polish products in the domestic and international fruit markets. The beneficiaries of the expected results of the operation are the recipients of the products, including their consumers. Extending the apples’ shelf life will contribute to reducing losses in the supply chain to domestic and international markets while optimizing the costs of production, storage, and distribution of fruits.
As part of the operation, it is also planned to develop and implement a significantly improved method of organization – process management of the entire sphere of activity of the producer group (including fruit farms – members of the group), more effective (than traditional) in a company using several complex technological processes in the production process using modern technologies. In addition, a fruit production quality system will be developed and executed. It will be integrated with the management system and support the elements and processes of the improved technology.
The subject of the operation concerns an innovation that has not been used in Poland so far, because the result of this operation, which is the extension of the shelf life of apples, will be achieved as a result of the synergistic effect of the use of several preservation techniques, which have not been used so far jointly in the entire process of agroproduction, storage, and distribution of apples.