Recipient Organization
HAZEL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
8025 LAMON STE 446
SKOKIE,IL 60077
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Potatoes are the world's third most consumed staple crop behind wheat and rice, with a number ofagronomic benefits, includingresistance and adaptabilityin the face of climate change. Despite theiragronomic benefits, potatoes spoil more easily than other staples, and year-round availability relies on postharvest storage procedures, with growth of sprouts being a principal driver of loss within the supply chain. It was estimated that loss and shrinkage due to sprouting of potatoes account for 24% of total production throughout the supply chain. Once a potato sprouts, marketability decreases due to deterioration in visual quality that affects consumer purchase, weight loss, and change in flavor. With consumers increasingly rejecting chemical residues on foods, and the worldwide trend of the regulatory phase out of the most common sprout inhibitor, Chloropham, there are few commercially available options for postharvest sprout control of potatoes, especially those with certified organic labels. Moreover, current organic certified solutions require multiple applications that can result in organoleptic taints.Trials will be conducted with grower partners to determine the efficacy of Hazel Root in reducing sprout growth of potatoes. The trials will cater to each grower's supply chain system to ensure robustness of the technology. This includes varying temperature, time, packing styles and cultivar selections. The trials will evaluate key quality parameters such as sprout length, weight of tubers, firmness of tubers to quantify supply chain shrink. To ensure the treatments do not cause organoleptic effects on the potatoes, extensive sensory testing with varying dosing amount, potatoes cultivars and cooking method will be conducted with trained and untrained sensory panelists. We aim to enhance the shelf-life of potatoes, reduce food waste, and improve the economic viability of potato agriculture in the US by providing an efficient, organic method for inhibiting sprout growth in potatoes. Ultimately, this project will benefit the sustainability and profitability of potato farmers, potato exporters, and retailers in the US.
Animal Health Component
30%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
0%
Applied
30%
Developmental
70%
Goals / Objectives
Potatoes are the 3rd most consumed crop in the world and the 4th most produced crop in the United States, with a sales volume of $3B. Owing to a limited harvest window, a yearly supply of potatoes requires successful long-term storage. Growth of sprouts is a key driver of loss during storage and sprout growth worsens as storage periods lengthen. Losses from sprouting are especially problematic in organic potatoes where common synthetic sprout inhibitors are not permitted for use and current organic treatmentspresent many challenges. This project will commercialize an anti-sprouting packaging insert capable of inhibiting sprouting growth and extending potato shelf-life. The proprietary delivery system offers continuous release of sprout-suppressing actives from organic essential oils to curb sprouting from the farm to consumer table. Work under this project seeks continual product improvement, cost reduction, and a focus on third-party validation of efficacy.At the conclusion of Phase II, Hazel Technologies, Inc. will have a fully commercial product; an in-box sachet capable of extending the shelf-life of most potato cultivars. Under this award we will, enhance product economics, conduct extensive sensory analysis of treated produce, and validate the technology at commercial scale.
Project Methods
We will conduct commercial-scale logistic trials with our organic potato grower partners. Hazel's postharvest scientists at our Chicago and Fresno research facilities will conduct potato quality assessments at each point in the supply chain, including sprout weight, tuber weight loss, and tuber firmness. We will measure supply chain shrink through domestic and export shipping routes and directly quantify sprouting when treated with Hazel Root. We will demonstrate a reduction of supply chain waste of 30%.Organoleptic evaluation of the treatment on different potato cultivars will be conducted to ensure the treatment does not cause organoleptic taints on the potatoes. 120-people untrained consumer panels will be conducted throughout the treatment period. In parallel, essential oil residues on treated potatoes will be analytically quantified to determine the residue thresholds that cause sensory effects.