Centennial, Colo.-based Verdant Technologies says a Michigan State University study on the effectiveness of HarvestHold Fresh found the product’s slow and controlled release of industry-standard 1‑methylcyclopropene to be more effective in extending the shelf life of broccoli compared to traditional in-room 1-MCP applications.
As part of the study, university researchers also found a positive benefit on the retention of green coloration of cucumbers treated with HarvestHold Fresh following an extended storage period, according to a news release. Led by MSU horticulture professor and 1-MCP expert Randy Beaudry, the study conducted a series of tests and analyses to independently evaluate the effectiveness of HarvestHold Fresh compared to single-dose 1-MCP applications, which are often referred to as rapid release applications, the release said.
Verdant Technologies said the study’s key findings include:
- Extended freshness — Cucumbers treated with HarvestHold Fresh remained edible even after 30 days at above optimal temperatures. For growers, this could mean an added benefit of knowing their produce can retain quality for a longer period of time and also reduce food waste.
- Superior performance — HarvestHold Fresh’s slow and controlled release mechanism outperformed a traditional single-dose application.
“HarvestHold Fresh’s superior performance in this study reinforces our commitment to providing growers with the best solutions to enhance the freshness and quality of their produce,” Verdant Technologies CEO Gordon Robertson said in the release. “We’re proud to be at the forefront of post-harvest innovation, and this study, conducted by renowned experts at Michigan State University, provides robust validation of our product’s effectiveness.”
Introduced in late 2021, HarvestHold Fresh is a post-harvest technology designed to significantly extend the shelf life and maintain the quality of fruits and vegetables. The technology operates through a unique humidity-released approach that gradually delivers 1‑MCP based on each plant’s natural chemistry, the release said.
Verdant Technologies said this ensures that every type of produce receives the optimal amount of 1-MCP at the right moment, enhancing its freshness and overall quality. By doing so, HarvestHold Fresh offers growers, wholesalers, and retailers the advantage of reduced waste, improved storability, and the ability to deliver fresher produce to consumers, ultimately making the entire food supply chain more efficient and sustainable, the release said.
In 2022, a study by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Science showcased the remarkable benefits of HarvestHold Fresh on grape tomatoes, the release said. That study found that grape tomatoes treated with HarvestHold Fresh experienced a 50% reduction in weight loss, maintained firmness during cold storage and had 25% less decay compared to untreated tomatoes, according to the release.
