Citrosol promotes range and knowledge of avocado and mango in Peru
The Peruvian city of Lima hosted, from November 9 to 11, the 3rd International Palta Congress (avocado) organised by Pro Hass (Association of Producers and Exporters of Palta Hass of Peru). At this leading technical and scientific congress, attendees numbering around 600 from Peru and overseas were informed of the most important and innovative research studies in the Peruvian and international avocado industry.
Also, on November 10 and 11, the XXI International Congress of Peruvian Mango took place, organised by APEM (Peruvian Association Producers and Mango Exporters) with more than 500 registered attendees. Citrosol had a major presence at these two important events, with stands showcasing successful new post-harvest solutions and conferences from experts of the Valencian firm.
Avocado
The Citrocide® Palta system allows hygienic washing with food safety guarantees by eliminating bacteria, coliforms and moulds from the surface of fruit. The excellent control of peduncular mold addresses one of the main problems affecting this fruit. The input used in this system is Citrocide® PC, which leaves no residue in the fruit and is also certified as suitable for organic agriculture (EU).
The treatment commonly used for peduncular mould control includes a Procloraz fungicide, with high efficiency, but prevents export to some countries where residues of this active substance are not allowed. The results of the industrial process corroborate that, while Procloz controls with 79% efficiency the appearance of peduncular mould, the Citrocide® Palta system increases the effectiveness to 84%.
Meanwhile, the Plantseal® Tropicals coating reduces weight loss by up to 40% depending on travel time and conservation temperature. This coating also minimises internal necrosis caused by cold damage by up to 84%. Plantseal® Tropicals has been used in this campaign to protect more than 200 avocado containers (avocado) sent to China and other destinations from Asia, with excellent results and without affecting the maturation process at the destination point. The strategy recommended by Citrosol to double the life of the avocado combines the Plantseal® Tropicals coating and the Citrocide® Palta wash system.
Mango
At the International Congress of Peruvian mango, Citrosol also presented its post-harvest solutions for maximising the commercial life of this fruit and reducing losses in the supply chain. These solutions include a complete range of coatings, as well as efficient solutions for the hygienic handling of mango. The Plantseal® Tropicals coating aroused special interest, since it is a totally innovative coating for this fruit given its a 100% plant covering.
In addition, the Valencian firm made a presentation within the conference programme. Dr Martín Motura, a researcher of the Citrosol scientific team, presented “Losses in the Fruit and Vegetable Supply Chain, and how to prevent them: Citrosol Solutions to reduce post-harvest loss in handling.” In the presentation, Motura explained general concepts regarding costs and losses along the fruit and vegetable supply chain, as well as tools to reduce or prevent such losses. He also presented the main solutions that Citrosol offers to maximise the commercial life of the mango and thus reduce post-harvest losses. These solutions include the Plantseal® Tropicals plant coating and the Citrocide® Mango system, which allows the hygienic washing of this fruit, guaranteeing its food safety and making efficient use of resources (water, energy and disinfectant). This system aroused special interest, since it is the first of its kind to allows real-time monitoring of the concentration of the disinfectant (Citrocide® PC) in the washing water, always maintaining an optimal dose and performing the dosing and control process totally automatically.
