Coimbatore: Mango lovers now have a explanation why to have a good time. The fruit, which floods the markets right through summer time, typically vanishes after that. But now, researchers at the department of nano science and generation of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) have get a hold of a generation to extend the ripening cycle and shelf lifetime of the fruit.
The generation, christened ‘Enhanced Freshness Formulation’ (EFF), uses hexanal or hexanaldehyde, an natural compound secreted by way of plants. Hexanal is incorporated in a components of nano-particles. This is then dissolved in water. The resolution is sprayed on bushes prior to harvest. Fruits are dipped within the resolution after harvest. Hexanal, which vaporizes easily, gets into the skin of the fruit and thickens it in nanometres, making it sturdier, say researchers at the department.
“Hexanal also inhibits the manufacturing of Phsopholipase D enzyme, which in turn slows down the manufacturing of ethylene, the enzyme chargeable for ripening in end result. This has been confirmed to extend the shelf lifetime of the end result by way of a mean of 12 days,” stated G J Janavi, head of the dep. of nano science and generation, who was once the co-principal investigator of the research mission, which was once being carried out from April 2012.
The hexanal components was once first developed and patented by way of researchers in Canada. “They had used it on temperate end result like cherries and berries. The TNAU labored on the usage of the components on tropical end result, basically mangoes. We made the components simpler and cost-effective,” she stated. Janavi added that they conducted trials with around 4,000 farmers in Dindigul, Theni, Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri.
“We have observed after spraying the bushes with the components 30 days and 15 days prior to harvest, the stalks get more potent and the end result don’t come off easily. Also, the shelf lifetime of the end result gets extended by way of a mean of 12 days,” she stated.
Farmers, who have used the generation, say they've had sure results. “By the usage of EFF, the harvest gets delayed by way of 15 to 20 days,” stated M C Santhakumar, 68, a mango grower from Krishnagiri.
“If the marketplace is flooded with mangoes right through the season, the price drops tremendously. But, by way of delaying ripening and prolonging the harvest, shall we build up the price. I've been the usage of the components on trial foundation for the previous 5 years on my 35-acre mango field. I've got Rs 1,500 further profit in step with tonne,” stated Santhakumar, in whose field the components was once tested first.
The components provides a win-win situation for farmers and shoppers, says Arun R Nagarajan, 50, secretary of fruit growers association. “The generation is helping in decreasing wastage and also to supply end result for an extended time,” he stated. He added that EFF is helping in figuring out a staggered harvest, which streamlines the availability and also prevents value drop.
Researchers at TNAU say they've also used the generation on bananas. “We have tried dipping bananas in EFF resolution and have got good results. Santhakumar stated he tried the components on banana and located that it delayed ripening by way of almost 20 days.
The generation, christened ‘Enhanced Freshness Formulation’ (EFF), uses hexanal or hexanaldehyde, an natural compound secreted by way of plants. Hexanal is incorporated in a components of nano-particles. This is then dissolved in water. The resolution is sprayed on bushes prior to harvest. Fruits are dipped within the resolution after harvest. Hexanal, which vaporizes easily, gets into the skin of the fruit and thickens it in nanometres, making it sturdier, say researchers at the department.
“Hexanal also inhibits the manufacturing of Phsopholipase D enzyme, which in turn slows down the manufacturing of ethylene, the enzyme chargeable for ripening in end result. This has been confirmed to extend the shelf lifetime of the end result by way of a mean of 12 days,” stated G J Janavi, head of the dep. of nano science and generation, who was once the co-principal investigator of the research mission, which was once being carried out from April 2012.
The hexanal components was once first developed and patented by way of researchers in Canada. “They had used it on temperate end result like cherries and berries. The TNAU labored on the usage of the components on tropical end result, basically mangoes. We made the components simpler and cost-effective,” she stated. Janavi added that they conducted trials with around 4,000 farmers in Dindigul, Theni, Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri.
“We have observed after spraying the bushes with the components 30 days and 15 days prior to harvest, the stalks get more potent and the end result don’t come off easily. Also, the shelf lifetime of the end result gets extended by way of a mean of 12 days,” she stated.
Farmers, who have used the generation, say they've had sure results. “By the usage of EFF, the harvest gets delayed by way of 15 to 20 days,” stated M C Santhakumar, 68, a mango grower from Krishnagiri.
“If the marketplace is flooded with mangoes right through the season, the price drops tremendously. But, by way of delaying ripening and prolonging the harvest, shall we build up the price. I've been the usage of the components on trial foundation for the previous 5 years on my 35-acre mango field. I've got Rs 1,500 further profit in step with tonne,” stated Santhakumar, in whose field the components was once tested first.
The components provides a win-win situation for farmers and shoppers, says Arun R Nagarajan, 50, secretary of fruit growers association. “The generation is helping in decreasing wastage and also to supply end result for an extended time,” he stated. He added that EFF is helping in figuring out a staggered harvest, which streamlines the availability and also prevents value drop.
Researchers at TNAU say they've also used the generation on bananas. “We have tried dipping bananas in EFF resolution and have got good results. Santhakumar stated he tried the components on banana and located that it delayed ripening by way of almost 20 days.
Longer mango season, shelf life made possible
![Longer mango season, shelf life made possible]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
March 22, 2018
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