High reliabilty, non-chemical disinfestation system of fruits and vegetables
Despite extensive production, pest infestation (i.e. all forms of insects) is a major problem in post-harvest processing, including in storage, packing and transportation of agricultural commodities. The SME partners of the CLEANFRUIT Consortium recognized that there is a clear need for the development of a system for the effective disinfestation of fruits and vegetables at the post-harvest phase so as to provide an effective alternative for chemical pesticides, to decrease the storage to market time, and to allow consortium SME members to more easily comply with EU legislation while satisfying increasing consumer demands. CLEANFRUIT aimed to fulfill this need by developing a reliable, non-invasive, rapid disinfestation system using radiofrequency technology that is economical and effective for treatment of a large range of fruit and vegetable products. The technology developed increases the competitiveness of SME partners by providing them with a low cost, rapid and effective technology to disinfest fruits and reducing the costs associated to pesticide use The use of a fumigant free disinfesting system for stored fresh fruits and vegetables also allows SMEs to increase profits by marketing this innovative technology to the growing EU and international organics food sector, as CLEANFRUIT is a non-invasive, chemical-free method that does not damage or compromise fruit and vegetable quality or nutritional value. A flexible RF generator is developed that makes the CLEANFRUIT system able to meet the requirements specified during the system specifications taking place at the beginning of the project. The development of a mechanical frame and the conveyor-belt makes the CLEANFRUIT system robust and reliable and that fits post-harvest conveyor-belt systems. Combined with the RF part, the integrated system forms the basis of a post-harvest disinfestation system. The strategic aim of the project is to provide an efficient non-chemical disinfestation method as an alternative to methyl-bromide and other chemical-based post-harvest treatments as well as commonly used quarantine methods such as cold storage and controlled atmosphere methods. Utilization of the CLEANFRUIT system results significant cost, energy and time savings for fresh fruit and vegetable producers.