Ethylene is a plant hormone that promotes fruit ripening. AgraCo produces ethylene filters that use zeolite coated with potassium permanganate to oxidize and remove ethylene from the air, extending the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. The filters are placed in air circulation systems or near produce. Tests by the US Navy found the filters extended shelf life up to 245% for tomatoes and customers reported reduced spoilage and increased flower longevity when using the filters.

1. AgraCo Technologies
International LLC
Ethylene Filters
How they work

2. What is Ethylene?
“Ethylene, unlike the rest of the plant
hormone compounds is a gaseous hormone.
Like abscisic acid, it is the only member of its
class. Of all the known plant growth
substance, ethylene has the simplest
structure. It is produced in all higher plants
and is usually associated with fruit ripening
and the tripple response.”
(Arteca, 1996; Mauseth, 1991; Raven, 1992; Salisbury and Ross, 1992).

3. What does Ethylene do?
H2C=CH2
As they approach maturity, many fruits (e.g., apples, oranges, avocados) release ethylene.
Ethylene then promotes the ripening of the fruit.
Commercial fruit growers can buy equipment to generate ethylene so that their harvest ripens quickly
and uniformly. The presence of ethylene is detected by transmembrane receptors in the endoplasmic
reticulum (ER) of the cells. Binding of ethylene to these receptors unleashes a signaling cascade that
leads to activation of transcription factors and the turning on of gene transcription.
The ill-fated FlavrSavr tomato contains an antisense transgene that interferes with the synthesis of
ethylene and hence slows ripening.
Ethylene also affects many other plant functions such as: abscission of leaves, fruits, and flower petals;
• drooping of leaves;
• sprouting of potato buds;
• seed germination;
• stem elongation in rice (by promoting the breakdown of abscisic acid (ABA) and thus relieving ABA's
inhibition of gibberellic acid);
• flower formation in some species.
http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/E/Ethylene.html

4. Ethylene
Cell Wall
Plasma Wall
Being a gas, ethylene can permeate through barriers like; corrugated
cardboard, plastic containers, and natural barriers; cell walls, plasma
walls.
Ethylene
When the ethylene Receptor
makes contact with the Depending on which
ethylene receptors, a stage of the life cycle the
reaction on the genetic fruit is in, determines the
level is started. reaction.
Gene Gene Gene
Ripening PR Proteins Senescence

5. What does reducing ethylene mean to you?
Keeping fruits, vegetables and fresh cut flowers fresher longer means:
 A competitive edge with better looking and better tasting product
 Increased customer satisfaction
 Increased customer loyalty
 Decreased shrink due to spoilage
 Longer marketability of produce
 Increase in profitability
 Decreased rejections
 Reduced waste

6. So how does this work?
The process is fairly simple…
Our filters and sachets contain a mineral called
Zeolite. While there are many different zeolites,
they share something in common; a molecular
structure that is much like a honeycomb grid
work. This makes zeolites a natural odor
absorber.

7. So how does this work?
The zeolite is coated with potassium
permanganate (KMnO4)
Potassium Permanganate is an oxidizer, that
reacts with the ethylene in the air, and releases
carbon dioxide and water.

8. So how does this work?
AgraCo’s filters are encased in a pleated
stainless steel frame covered with Tyvek®
AgraCo’s ethylene absorbing
sachets uses Tyvek® to
Envelop the zeolite.

9. So how does this work?
For the filter to work optimally, it must be placed in the air-
flow either on the intake or the output in a closed system.
Ethylene is slightly heavier than air, so the better the air
circulation, the more ethylene will be captured by the filter.
AgraCo’s model 350 filter has perimeter tabs to allow you to
zip-tie directly to the cover of your current air circulation
system.

10. So how does this work?
Air Flow Extend-a-life filter
Reefer
Product
In refrigerated trailers and containers, place the filters directly
on to the air circulating system, directly in the flow of air. As air
passes through the filter, the potassium permanganate oxidizes,
“scrubbing” the air clean. The zeolite deodorizes by capturing
bacteria, and the Tyvek® cover captures dirt, mold, and fungus
spores. This method is also suggested for cold room storage.

11. So how does this work?
Product Air Flow
Extend-A-Life filters
In non-refrigerated trailers and containers, place the filters
directly on the bins of product. As air passes through the filter,
the potassium permanganate oxidizes, “scrubbing” the air
clean. The zeolite deodorizes by capturing bacteria, and the
Tyvek® cover captures dirt, mold, and fungus spores.

12. So how does this work?
AgraCo’s model 341 filters are specially designed to work with our blower unit.
AgraCo’s 345 model blower is built from stainless steel with four mounting eyes on the
top of the unit for easy installation.
The unit has a 9 amp, ½ hp electric motor, and is rated 1075 RPM high speed delivering
1580 CFM of air or 750 RPM to deliver 1120 CFM.
This unit uses 4 filters.
The ease of installation, allows you to turn virtually any room into a produce cooling
area.

13. Produce Saver™ & Floral Saver™
AgraCo’s Produce Saver™ Floral Saver™ work as mini filters. The sachets
are made of the same materials as the Extend-A-Life™ filters, but on a
smaller scale.
They are the perfect size for use inside 30-40 lb boxes of tomatoes,
avocados, peaches, nectarines, pears, and virtually any tree fruit.
Additionally, bagged fruit such as cherries and grapes. Placing the sachet
inside the master wrap bag, and will reduce the ethylene making the use
of MAP bags more effective.
Produce Saver™ are also ideal for fruit
baskets, fruit and vegetable displays, and
floral arrangements.
They are made of the same Tyvek® as the
Extend-A-Life™ filters and are printed with
food grade ink.

14. Ethylene producers and ethylene sensitive
products
Products such as melons, bananas, avocados and tomatoes for example are considered ethylene
producers. Products such as lettuce, broccoli, and carrots are considered ethylene sensitive; this
means that these products will decay rapidly when exposed to even the smallest amounts of
ethylene gas.
Ethylene producers: Ethylene sensitive:
apples nectarines bananas, unripe leafy greens
apricots papayas Belgian endive lettuce
avocados passion fruit broccoli okra
bananas, ripening peaches brussel sprouts parsley
cantaloupes pears cabbage peas
cherimoya persimmons carrots peppers
figs plantains cauliflower potted plants
guavas plums chard spinach
honeydew melons prunes cucumbers squash
kiwifruit, ripe quinces cut flowers sweet potatoes
mamey rambutan eggplant watercress
mangoes tomatoes florist greens watermelon
mangosteen green beans yams
kiwifruit, unripe

15. Odor sensitivity and odor “migration”
Odor produced by: Will be absorbed by:
apples cabbage, carrots, celery, figs, onions, meat,
eggs, dairy products
avocados pineapples
carrots celery
citrus fruit meat, eggs, dairy products
ginger root eggplant
grapes fumigated w/sulfur dioxide other fruits and vegetables
leeks figs, grapes
onions, dry apples, celery, pears
onions, green corn, figs, grapes, mushrooms, rhubarb
pears cabbage, carrots, celery, onions, potatoes
potatoes apples, pears
peppers, green pineapples
Herbs citrus fruit

16. US Navy Test Results for our Ethylene Absorption Filters
The US Navy has been using our filters for the past decade. Their tests
show:
• 245% improvement shelf life for tomatoes
• 88% for lettuce
• 10% for Cucumbers
• 9% for Oranges
The results of the test confirmed that the Extend-A-Life™ filters perform
extremely well, also the Extend-A-Life™ Ethylene filters reduces mold,
bacteria and odors in your cold storage

17. What our customer are saying
I would like to let you know that we believe your The situation occurred when an export container was
ethylene scrubbers are delayed two weeks (arriving 74 days after shipment)
a very effective tool in out storage and handling of and the temperature recorders had run out. The two
fresh eating apples. filters on the container worked perfectly – and the
As you know, its very important to have hard, fresh fruit arrived in good condition. Feel free to use this
tasting apples for testimonial and our business name:
consumers. I believe fresh apples create more Columbia River Farms.
apple sales. Karen Farris
The ethylene scrubbers are an important tool in
our quality control program.
Fred Hess PhilAbundance has utilized six (6) AgraCo Extend-A-
Hess Bros. Fruit Co Life™ Model 341 Ethylene Filter Systems to maintain
Upon learning the extent of damage that ethylene maximum freshness of its donated produce stored in
gas causes to flowers in storage we tried these the Galloway Warehouse. Prior to the installation of
filters, and have been very happy with how they the AgraCo Extend-A-Life™ filtering system,
work. PhilAbundance experienced a high rate of spoilage of
Our sales returns, (the amount we replace), have its fruits, vegetables, and other produce. Following
dropped approximately 35% over the last 5 years, the installation of AgraCo’s filters, a significant
and are the best they have been in our companies increase in the shelf life of produce was documented
history. You can’t see these work, but they can be by PhilAbundance, as well as a substantial reduction
judged by the numbers, and we are convinced they in expenses associated with waste disposal.
help the flowers in their longevity. Bill Clarke
Barry Spengler President and Executive Director
VP Operations, Royer’s Flowers & Gifts PhilAbundance

18. AgraCo Technologies International, LLC
Extend-A-Life Ethylene Removal
220 South Second Street
Dillsburg, PA 17019
717-502-0350
Fax 717-502-0353
www.agraco.com