The towns of Ovalle and Santiago brought together professionals from the sector where key topics on citrus post-harvest were presented.
The Valencian company Citrosol and Innoprint (Empack Group) organized last April 2 and 4 the First Post-harvest Technical Conference in Chile. The towns of Ovalle and Santiago welcomed professionals of the sector from these Chilean citrus growing areas. The conference in Ovalle was attended by more than 110 experts, while the conference held on April 4 in Santiago brought together more than 60 participants.
Key topics on citrus postharvest were presented at this conference, with the external participation of Edgard Álvarez, Coordinator of the Postharvest Quality Laboratory of the INIA La Platina center. Citrosol experts made various technical presentations on different aspects of citrus postharvest.
Presentation
The seminar began with the presentation of the conference by Andrés Vejares, head of post-harvest at Innoprint, and Raúl Perelló, director of international operations at Citrosol. Raúl Perelló also presented Citrosol's latest innovations, highlighting CATsystem®. This is a system that allows maintaining constant fungicide concentrations in the drenchers and flooders, performing analysis and corrections of the treatment broth in real time, so that rot control will be optimized.
CATsystem® is a disruptive system, as until now there was no equipment capable of analyzing the concentrations of treatment broths in real time. Thanks to this system, it is possible to reduce the incidence of rot and ensure a more rational consumption of fungicides. This system will be of great benefit to Chilean exporters, as it will enable them to reach more distant markets with fewer wastes.
CATsystem® technology is not only applied to citrus fruits. "It is important to highlight its value in the control of post-harvest treatment of cherries. Thanks to the analysis and correction of fungicides and disinfectants in the treatment broths, we improve rot control and ensure food safety. In addition, we optimize the use of fungicides and achieve a more homogeneous residue in the fruit," emphasizes Raúl Perelló.
Presentation Celia Murciano
The first presentation was given by Dr. Celia Murciano, R&D Manager of Citrosol, who made a technical presentation on the control of post-harvest rot, the biology of the fungi causing this rot in citrus and the problem of resistance to fungicides, evaluating its causes and consequences.
Dr. Murciano explained the methodology applied by Citrosol in the monitoring of customer resistance, a protocol that makes it possible to anticipate serious rotting problems that may arise as a result of the accumulation of resistance.
Presentation Edgar Álvarez
Edgard Álvarez, from INIA, presented the results of his research group on the effect of the irrigation regime in pre-harvest and on the quality of clementines in postharvest. These studies showed how irrigation conditions have direct consequences on important postharvest parameters such as color development, size and the appearance of oleocelosis and creasing.
Presentation Juanjo Ferrandis
In the last presentation of the day, Juanjo Ferrandis, post-harvest technician at Citrosol, gave a presentation on the technical fundamentals and practical recommendations in the degreening of citrus fruits. In this presentation he reviewed the different parameters that influence this practice and proposed unified parameters for degreening conditions in different varieties.
Juanjo Ferrandis also discussed the importance of disinfection in packaging and particularly in degreening chambers, where the accumulation of inoculum is high. In this regard, the results of Greenfog-AS® were presented, a tool that allows the disinfection of environments and fruits in a single application.
Greenfog-AS® is a highly effective fumigant against several types of fungi that cause stalk rot and/or stalk mold in fruits and vegetables, including Penicillium sp., Geotrichum sp., Cladosporium sp. Fusarium sp. Rhizopus sp. or Aspergillus sp. A dual solution, with high disinfectant efficacy and can be used for the treatment of fruits in chambers and containers. Its active ingredient is a green chemistry compound (approved for citrus postharvest treatment) and a GRAS substance for the US FDA, and a "minimal risk" fungicide for the US EPA.
Round Table
The program ended with a round table in which all the speakers participated and which allowed the attendees to share their comments and doubts, establishing a very productive debate.
About Citrosol
Although founded in 1994 as Productos Citrosol, S.A., the activity of post-harvest treatments and technology began in the 60's within Electroquímica del Serpis, S.A., both in Potries, Valencia. As a result of an important organic growth in the last 10-15 years, Citrosol currently has 109 employees, 8 of them based in different countries and in its subsidiaries in South Africa, Citrosol South Africa Pty, and Peru, Citrosol Peru. At its facilities in Potries, the company has an R&D&I laboratory and a pilot plant of just over 1,200 m2. Its organic growth has been largely due to its strong innovative character, having received the Innovation Award from CEPYME in 2015 and 2020 and the Innovation in Business Award 2020 from the Valencia Chamber of Commerce.
Citrosol was born as a specialist in post-harvest treatments and technology for citrus fruits, but for more than 10 years, as a result of its R+D+i work, it has been developing solutions to extend the shelf life of avocados, peppers, tomatoes, peeled garlic and other fruits and vegetables. Citrosol is currently implementing in the market its solution for pre-prepared convenience food, the Citrocide® Fresh-Cut System, which considerably reduces the water and carbon footprint in the production of pre-prepared convenience fruit and vegetables. With all its treatments and technologies , Citrosol contributes greatly to reducing losses and food waste in fresh fruit and vegetables.
Innoprint is a strategic distributor of Citrosol, for the development of Chilean post-harvest, which applies the same model of service and attention to customers that Citrosol does in all the countries where it has presence.
For more information: Marina Orihuel (morihuel@citrosol.com)
- CITROSOL PRODUCTS S.A.
- PARTIDA ALAMEDA PARC. C. - 46721
- POTRIES (VALENCIA). SPAIN.
- Tel.: +34 96 280 05 12
- citrosol@citrosol.com @Citrosol_com
Andrés Vejares (avejares@innoprint.cl)
- INNOPRINT EMPACK GROUP
- Santa Rita 03551 - San Bernardo
- SANTIAGO. CHILE.
- Tel: +56940113317
- www.innoprint.cl
