The importance of eliminating ethylene in banana shipments

Ethylene is a hormone in the form of gas produced naturally by all vegetables. The accumulation of this gas causes the accelerated maturation of these perishables and, therefore, leads to a loss of quality and a decrease in their useful life. There are also free pathogens in the air that affect the quality of fruits, vegetables, and flowers which, in the presence of ethylene, increase their proliferation degenerating the vegetable tissues of perishable products. 

"Banana is a climacteric fruit that is very sensitive to ethylene. It is harvested in a green state and artificially matured once it reaches its destination. It's been proven that, during maritime transport, ethylene decrease the banana's quality. They may present signs of loss of quality, such as less firmness, yellowing, low homogeneity, higher incidence of infections, and decay. These signs become more evident after ripening," stated Marc Benarie, Export Manager of BEfresh.

"On the contrary, when bananas travel with purified air, their quality will be higher and more homogeneous, and that is where BEfresh Technology can help the banana producer/exporter," he added.

The BEfresh Technology company, which was presented to the post-harvest sector at Fruit Logistica Berlin in February this year, was created to provide solutions to protect fruits, vegetables, and flowers. The BEfresh team is made up of professionals with extensive experience in this sector. In addition, BEfresh Technology is part of an industrial and international group with several companies dedicated to technical ceramics and the electrical sector. This industrial experience has been applied in BEfresh, and has provided an automated production model, from the manufacture of absorbents, to the filling of filters, modules, and sachets. According to Marc Benarie, this process is unique in the sector, and differentiates them from their competitors. "It allows us to have a better control of the production, and guarantees a greater stability of our products," he said.

"We specialize in the production of ethylene absorbents, both in sachets, and in transport filters and modules, with the highest level of absorption on the market, certified by several prestigious institutions. Our technology is non-invasive and complies with high food safety requirements, it does not interfere with the natural cycle of perishable products, which maintain their flavor and aroma. In fact, it is compatible with organic farming and applicable to the entire distribution chain: producers, exporters, logistics operators, wholesalers, and large areas."

BEfresh products, sachets, and transport filters are the ideal solution for the elimination of ethylene and other pollutants (VOCs, fungal spores, bacteria) present during sea and land transport. "One of the advances we have developed in the transport filters is the BEsafe® caps, which guarantee a perfect seal of the filter. In addition, installing them is very simple thanks to the new integrated anchorage system, which facilitates perfectly fixing them on the ventilation grates," stated Marc Benarie.

The sachets are made of 100% Tyvek material, on both sides, which allows high air permeability with great resistance to humidity, enabling the high absorption capacity of our BEfreh + absorber. Both the material and the printed ink are certified for food contact, and approved by the EU and the FDA.

BEfresh is the ideal solution for exporters of bananas, and many other fruits and vegetables, so that they can protect their fruit during transport with a very small investment. Their product will arrive with a better quality and appearance, giving prestige to their brand.