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Mixed Load Container Testing

SUMMARY: Bluezone’s ultraviolet enhanced oxidation technology is a breakthrough approach to air purification; Bluezone kills or converts chemical and biological impurities inside a self-contained reaction chamber using both oxidation and ultraviolet irradiation.
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crane loading cargo container from truck to container ship in the international

Objective:

To quantify the effectiveness of the Bluezone Model 2400 in maintaining quality and extending the shelf life of FF&V stored or shipped in mixed loads.

method and material:

We conducted a side-by-side test of a mixed produce load over a 21 day storage period.

Configuration

  • Two, 8’X8’X20’ Refrigerated Containers, each set to 34°F with ventilation sufficient to maintain CO2 below 1%.
  • Mixed produce load of ethylene sensitive and ethylene producing FF&V.
  • Temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide and ethylene measurements taken at regular intervals.
  • One container with Bluezone, second container without Bluezone.

Duration
• 21 Days of Refrigerated Storage
• 5-10 Additional days of ambient temp storage for specified FF&V

results:

Test Results for Ethylene
The Bluezone Model 2400 maintained ethylene concentration in the mixed load container at 0.6ppm throughout the 21-day test. Uncontrolled ethylene concentration was 10ppm.
This dramatic reduction in ethylene concentration had a significant impact on the quality of ethylene sensitive produce.

Test Results for Produce
Produce test results show dramatic differences in produce quality between Bluezone and non-Bluezone mixed load containers.
Lettuce: Decreased russet spotting by 78%
Garlic: Reduced cracking by 39%, sprouting by 4% and surface mold by 2%
Asparagus: Reduced red tip by 43%, tip rot by 47%, curved spear by 35% and shrinkage by 76%
Cantaloupe: Reduced stem mold by 28%, surface mold by 55% and decay by 37%
Peaches: Increased firmness by 150%

conclusion:

Use of the Bluezone Fresh Preservation Technology significantly improved produce quality in a mixed load test across a variety of ethylene producing and ethylene sensitive FF&V.

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