A Singapore Government Agency Website
Newsletter home Newsletter home
Subscribe
  • Food Supply
  • Food Safety
  • Corporate News
  • Myth-busters
  • Infographics & How-to's
  • Videos
Click to search
Advanced Search
Date Range:
 
Back to Basic Search
Image Food Safety, Food Supply Using NASA technology to extend shelf-life
Food Safety, Food Supply

Using NASA technology to extend shelf-life

Space technology in air purification keeps fruits and vegetables fresh for a longer time.
By Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore Published 02 Feb 2017 | Updated 27 Feb 2020
  • Share this on Facebook
  • Share this on Twitter
  • Share this on E-mail
  • Share this on WhatsApp
  • Print this document
Image

An AVA officer (left) assists Ban Choon in setting up the air purification system, including monitoring its effects on improving the shelf-life of fresh produce in its store.

Temperature, humidity, and air quality are key factors that affect the shelf-life and quality of fresh produce. Undesirable odours, microorganisms (such as bacteria, mould and fungi), and ethylene gas can alter the quality of air, thus shortening shelf-life.

Ethylene gas is a naturally occurring ripening agent in certain fresh produce. It can accumulate in food warehouses and cold stores. Ethylene-sensitive produce such as berries, asparagus, broccoli, and lettuce ripen and deteriorate more quickly when they come into contact with this gas.

This problem is compounded by the fact that fresh fruits and vegetables are fast-moving goods; operators may not find time in between consignments to clear and decontaminate their premises.

To overcome the adverse effects of ethylene accumulation, there are various air purification systems that help to improve the air quality. One such system, called Airocide, adopts a technology developed by NASA to purify air using photocatalytic oxidation and ultraviolet light.

3
Ban Choon uses an air purification system developed using NASA technology to reduce the amount of ethylene gas in the store.


This system was tested by Ban Choon Marketing Pte Ltd (Ban Choon) with support from AVA for its effectiveness in maintaining the quality and extending the shelf-life of strawberries and romaine lettuce. Stored in chillers installed with Airocide, strawberries and romaine lettuce could last three to five days longer. This extended shelf-life translates to cost savings due to the reduction in food spoilage.

Besides adopting advanced air purification technology, the industry should also observe good management practices such as segregating ethylene-sensitive produce from ethylene-producing ones. Having good cold chain standards will also help to ensure that food stays fresh for as long as possible.

Tags:

  • Vegetable
  • Industry training/engagement
  • Food processing
Featured on Facebook
  1. Let's shape the future of our food story together Let's shape the future of our food story together 03 Jun 2021
Popular Stories
  1. Food Safety, Corporate News, Food Supply SG50 Special: Singapore's Food Farms - A Story of Then and Now 13 Mar 2015
  2. Food Safety, Food Supply Diversifying Singapore's sources of pork 01 Jan 2017
  3. Food Supply Resilient importers bring in new egg supply from Europe 14 Apr 2020
  4. Food Supply Singapore’s Modern Farms Series: Singapore Aquaculture Technologies 11 Oct 2018
Recommended Stories
Image
Food Safety, Corporate News, Food Supply New amendments to food regulations come into effect 02 Feb 2017
Popular Stories
  1. Food Safety, Corporate News, Food Supply SG50 Special: Singapore's Food Farms - A Story of Then and Now 13 Mar 2015
  2. Food Safety, Food Supply Diversifying Singapore's sources of pork 01 Jan 2017
  3. Food Supply Resilient importers bring in new egg supply from Europe 14 Apr 2020
  4. Food Supply Singapore’s Modern Farms Series: Singapore Aquaculture Technologies 11 Oct 2018
Featured on Facebook
  1. Let's shape the future of our food story together Let's shape the future of our food story together 03 Jun 2021
{1}
{1}
{1}
  • Food Supply
  • Food Safety
  • Corporate News
  • Myth-busters
  • Infographics & Tips
  • Videos

Food for Thought is a digital publication by

SFA home

SUBSCRIBE

Write to the Editor

© 2023 Singapore Food Agency

  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Use
  • Rate this Website
  • Attribution

Last updated on Tuesday, April 14, 2020

  • Facebook
Best viewed on the latest Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge and Safari. Adobe Reader is required for viewing and printing the Portable Document Format (PDF) documents.