Development and Assessment various Materials for the Adsorption of Ethylene for Prolonging Vegetables and Fruits Shelf-life

Preserving fruits and vegetables represents a significant global challenge due to their high susceptibility to spoilage driven by the phytohormone ethylene. Ethylene accelerates ripening, leading to a rapid decline in the quality and shelf life of produce, ultimately causing substantial postharvest losses. Currently, traditional approaches, such as potassium permanganate, are widely used for ethylene absorption and reaction. However, several limitations exist, including concerns about toxicity and environmental hazards associated with potassium permanganate. This project aims to evaluate the performance of existing ethylene adsorbents, such as the zeolite family, while introducing novel adsorbents based on the emerging and highly efficient class of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs). Zeolites, renowned for their high adsorption capacity and favorable surface properties, have been applied in ethylene control. Nevertheless, further optimization is required to maximize their efficiency. MOFs, on the other hand, with their precisely engineered structures, exceptional chemical stability, and tunable properties, emerge as a groundbreaking alternative for ethylene adsorption. By focusing on the development of advanced adsorbents, this research seeks to enhance the performance of zeolites by properly functionalizing them and designing novel MOFs with superior efficacy. The ultimate objective is to significantly extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables, reduce food waste, and promote sustainability within the food supply chain. Experimental studies will be conducted with a model produce such as tomatoes, to assess the efficacy of the existing zeolitic, modified zeolitic, and MOF adsorbents on the shelf-life of the selected produce. These efforts align closely with the mission of Quiper Canada Inc. committed to developing innovation in food preservation, offering substantial benefits to producers, retailers, and consumers across Canada.

Faculty Supervisor:

Sohrab Rohani

Student:

Partner:

Quiper

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Agriculture

University:

The University of Western Ontario

Program: