Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/60127
Amit Dhingra's research shows that the new product delays ripening differently than MCP. derived from sugar beet molasses, is sold in Europe under the tradename Bluestim to help plants overcome the environmental stresses caused by heat, drought, or cold, and osmotic stress. It is also used to prevent cherry cracking. Dr. Amit Dhingra, molecular biologist at WSU, has discovered that when the product is applied to pears 30 days before harvest, it can help delay ripening in storage but in a different way from MCP (methylcyclo- propene), a product widely used in the tree fruit industry to preserve fruit quality. Whereas MCP blocks ethylene receptors in the fruit, the sugar beet product stabilizes the chlorophyll, or photosynthetic pigments, in the fruit and has no effect on ethylene. Normally, as fruit ripens, it loses pig- ments, and so green fruit tends to turn yellow, Dhingra explained. As long as those pigments are maintained by the product, the fruit stays unripe. The product is water soluble and can be sprayed on trees before harvest. MCP alternative tested A AgroFresh is cooperating with WSU to test a new product that delays ripening. by Geraldine Warner n organic compound that has the potential to enhance stora- bility of pears and apples is being patented by the Washing- ton State University Foundation. Glycinebetaine, a natural product Tests at WSU show that the compound does not prevent the pears from ripening, but keeps them immature and and firmer for a longer time. Treated pears ripen properly after storage. "This product is metabolized inside the cell eventually," Dhingra explained. Further research will be done with apples. Dhingra said the WSU Research Foundation has received a provisional patent for this new use of the product and is pursuing a full utility patent for use on fruits and vegetables. AgroFresh markets MCP under the trade name SmartFresh as a postharvest treatment and has also developed a preharvest MCP product called Harvista. The patent on MCP expires in 2014. MCP is widely used on apples around the world, but has not always pro- duced the desired results on pears. While it can improve the storability of pears, there have been reports of MCP-treated pears losing their ability to ripen after storage. Tom Kelly, WSU's technology licensing officer, said the Research Foundation has signed an agreement with AgroFresh to cooperate with WSU scientists to test the new product. Terms of the agreement are confidential. Dhingra said the university approached four or five different companies, and AgroFresh was the first to be ready to sign the agreement. It seemed like a good strategic move because of the company's experience with MCP and its ability to get a product to market quickly, Dhingra said. "I want to move this quickly into the realm where it can be used." The product is still available for licensing, according to the foundation. • World Class Fruit Deserves World Class Care The exper tise, servic e , and pr oduct youw an t for business can for your tr ee fruit & viney ard be found found Five Narrow Orchard Models To Choose From 60 to 85 HP Ryan Kelsey Cell: 509.308.9262 McGregor Company. R y an & Todd with c omplete to at lines T he Todd ar e fully equipped pr oduc t for infor mation, with o ith for for conv en tional & organic produc tion, are well ac cess netw or ked w quick per tinent M8540HDNBC with factory cab WALLA WALLA (509) 525-4550 14 APRIL 1, 2012 GOOD FRUIT GROWER SUNNYSIDE (509) 839-2066 GEORGE (509) 785-2595 PASCO (509) 545-6678 MOXEE (509) 248-8411 1560 S. Main Milton-Freewater, OR 541.938.0205 5251 Eltopia West Rd, Eltopia, WA WA 509.297.4296 www.mcgregor.com The McGregor Company www.mcg egor.com 1020 S. Clodfelt er Rd Kennewick,WA Kennewick WA 509.627.3917 www.goodfruit.com