Hot-water processing

Infestation by bitter rot pathogens can cause up to 50% of apples to rot in storage before marketing. In organic fruit production, the use of synthetic fungicides is strictly prohibited, making the fruit more susceptible to storage rot (unlike integrated fruit production). To combat the so-called Gloeosporium fungi, PALM Systems has developed a machine that can be easily integrated into the grading process: before storage, the apples are passed through a hot water bath to kill storage rot pathogens as well as fungal spores on the surface of the apples. This short-term hot water treatment can reduce fruit rot as well as fruit scab! The quality is not affected and it is an organic approved process.

INFORMATION

• Reduces storage rot (Gloeosporium fungi) and fruit scab in apples

• Apples are immersed in water at about 50°C for 30 seconds

• Gentle feeding and passing through the hot water bath

• Particularly suitable for organic and Demeter cultivation, as only hot water is used (process recognized by organic standards)

• Also suitable for conventional fruit cultivation

• No synthetic fungicides and therefore environmentally friendly

• The Palm hot water solution can be integrated into the already existing sorting process

• No additional effort or increase in cycle time (no bottleneck process)

• Our proven "in-line" dipping process requires less energy and is even more efficient than the conventional hot water dipping process

• No impairment of the inner fruit quality

• Acidity and sugar content as well as flesh firmness are preserved

REFERENCES

Research project of the Max Rubner Institute (Federal Research Institute for Nutrition and Food) in Karlsruhe.

Title: „Beeinflusst eine Heißwasserbehandlung die Qualität von Äpfeln?“

Research project 02OE213 of the Federal Research Institute for Nutrition (BFE) in Karlsruhe. Publisher: Office of the Federal Organic Farming Program at the Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food (BLE) in Bonn.

Title: „Bekämpfung der Gloeosporium-Fruchtfäule an ökologisch produzierten Äpfeln – Optimierung einer Heisswassertauchanlage.“