Extended Release Delivery of Organic Sprout Inhibitors to Control Potato Sprouting Postharvest in the Supply Chain

Recipient Organization
HAZEL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
8025 LAMON STE 446
SKOKIE,IL 60077

Performing Department
(N/A)

Non Technical Summary
A major limitation on agricultural productivity is the postharvest deterioration of products. Hazel Technologies, Inc. is dedicated to reducing food waste to improve efficiency of agricultural production and commercialization. The potato is a key part of the global sustainable food system as it produces more food energy on less land than corn, wheat or rice. As a starchy vegetable, potatoes are an excellent source of macro, micro and phytonutrients with a high nutrient-to-price ratio compared to other crops. The potato is an essential food that addresses the need for a sustainable food supply, establishes food and nutrition security, and alleviates the effects of poverty. While being essential to the US food system, wastage of potato from retail to the consumer is substantial. 50% of consumers check for evidence of sprouting, while 47% throw away uncooked sprouted potatoes. The USDA has a strategic goal to maximize the production of American agriculture. The EPA has an aggressive goal to half food waste by 2030. It is difficult to imagine addressing these strategic goals without improving the potato supply chain to reduce waste.

Animal Health Component

40%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

20%

Applied

40%

Developmental

40%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
711	1310	1020	80%
203	1310	1020	20%

Knowledge Area
711 - Ensure Food Products Free of Harmful Chemicals, Including Residues from Agricultural and Other Sources; 203 - Plant Biological Efficiency and Abiotic Stresses Affecting Plants;

Subject Of Investigation
1310 - Potato;

Field Of Science
1020 - Physiology;

Keywords

organic

plant growth regulator

postharvest

potato

sprout

Goals / Objectives
This project will screen different formulations of slow-release matrix materials for ideal vapor release properties in known volatile sprouting inhibitors, while establishing efficacy and total dose targets over the course of a storage season in multiple varieties of organic potato. Successful formulations will be subjected to rigorous taste panel analysis to confirm that no organoleptic effects are observed. Following this, commercial partners will assist Hazel Technologies in supply chain deployment in highly relevant commercial conditions in multiple real-world shipment tests.ObjectivesObjective I.Screen vapor application technologies. Objective II. Identify the optimal dose to suppress sprouting without impacting the sensory acceptance of the product.Objective III. Quantify suppressedsprouting during commercial supply chain.

Project Methods
This project will screen different formulations of slow-release matrix materials for ideal vapor release properties in known volatile sprouting inhibitors, while establishing efficacy and total dose targets over the course of a storage season in multiple varieties of organic potato. Successful formulations will be subjected to rigorous taste panel analysis to confirm that no organoleptic effects are observed. Following this, commercial partners will assist Hazel Technologies in supply chain deployment in highly relevant commercial conditions in multiple real-world shipment tests.

Progress 09/01/20 to 04/30/21

Outputs
Target Audience:Organic and conventional producers of potatoes will benefit from this research and the development of new products and offerings in this technological space. In particular, organic potato producers who ship product will benefit from having a new solution for increasing the shelf-life of their produce. As a subset of the $4B US potato industry, Potato export is a growing area, having grown 9% each of the past five marketing years. Furthermore, organic potato production in the United States is also on a rapid growth trajectory. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Following initial results, we have reached out to growers about their involvement in the second phase of the project, commercial pilots of the technology at scale. We have presented results at (1) conference on postharvest technologies to the broader community of logistics and supply chain technologists. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? All three objectives were successfully addressed in the course of this project. A formulation of a volitile delivery system was found that could supress sprouting without impacting the sensory acceptance of the product. The technology was deployed in a commercial scenariosuccessfully.

Publications