Holy Guacamole! Using Science To Help Avocados Stay Fresh Longer

Researchers have developed a chitosan-based coating that can extend the shelf life of avocados, according to a study published in ACS Food Science & Technology. Chitosan, a biomaterial derived from shellfish exoskeletons, was compared with the commonly used 1-methyl-cyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment. Avocados treated with a 1.5% chitosan-based coating remained at optimal ripeness for 12 days, twice as long as untreated samples or those treated with 1-MCP. The team also developed an imaging technique using hyperspectral cameras and machine learning models to predict the shelf life of avocados, which could improve their quality for sale.

A chitosan-based coating has been developed by researchers to extend avocados’ shelf life and an imaging technique to predict their remaining shelf life. The coating outperformed traditional methods, keeping avocados optimally ripe for 12 days, while an accompanying machine learning model helps to assess quality.

Smashed on toast, creamed in guacamole, or blended into salad dressing, avocados always seem to be popular. However, the fruits are notoriously finicky, going from pale green and firm to brown and mushy in the blink of an eye. Now, researchers in ACS Food Science & Technology report a chitosan-based coating that preserves them for longer periods. The team also developed an imaging technique to quickly predict their shelf life.

To tell if avocados are ripe, most people gently squeeze them, and a little sponginess indicates that they’re mature. Producers conduct similar assessments to determine which avocados can withstand transportation to grocery stores. Despite these tests, some of them spoil prematurely. Therefore, researchers have developed techniques to delay ripening, using compounds such as 1-methyl-cyclopropene (1-MCP). And more recently, studies have shown that naturally-derived chitosan — a biomaterial derived from shellfish exoskeletons — imparts antimicrobial activity when applied as a coating to fruits, including avocados. So, Angie Homez-Jara, Angelica Sandoval-Aldana, and colleagues wanted to compare the effectiveness of the two preservation methods on avocados’ quality and shelf life.

A chitosan-based coating (used on the fruits shown here) and a prediction technique could improve the quality of avocados. Credit: Adapted from ACS Food Science & Technology 2023, DOI: 10.1021/acsfoodscitech.3c00084

The researchers treated commercially mature Hass avocados with either gaseous 1-MCP or water-based solutions that contained different concentrations of chitosan. Mimicking realistic transportation conditions, treated and untreated avocados were chilled at 41 degrees Fahrenheit for 21 days and then moved to room temperature to simulate a grocery store environment, until they were rotten. Untreated samples and those treated with either 1-MCP or 1% chitosan-based coating were at optimal ripeness for 6 days. Fruits treated with a 1.5% chitosan-based coating were best for 12 days. However, these samples also had uneven firmness once they were ripe, as well as green and purplish spots in the peel, which the researchers say shows that the chitosan coating could be improved in the future.

Throughout the study, the researchers also imaged the entire surface of the fruits with hyperspectral cameras in the visible and near-infrared spectrum. Then the reflectance data from the images were compared to the avocados’ firmness, peel color, oxygen consumption, and weight loss, using a number of computer models. Two machine learning models best explained the changes that occurred during the avocados’ ripening and could predict their remaining shelf life. The researchers say that their chitosan-based coating and prediction technique could help improve the shelf life and quality of avocados for sale.

Reference: “Postharvest Treatments of Hass Avocado (Persea americana Mill.) and Estimation of Its Quality Using Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI)” by Angie Homez-Jara, Henry Cardenas-Roa, Miguel Montealegre, Loong-Tak Lim, Maria G. Corradini, Henry Alexander Váquiro-Herrera and Angelica Sandoval-Aldana, 3 May 2023, ACS Food Science & Technology. DOI: 10.1021/acsfoodscitech.3c00084

The authors acknowledge funding and support from the Gobernación del Tolima, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Discovery Program, the Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program and the SMART Training Platform.

Although approved for use by the FDA and considered safe, there are other facts about chitosan not presented in the article. The "Apeel" label is one now used on chitosan preserved fruits/vegetables. The following UNSETTLING info was collected deom a private medical google forum re Apeel (chitosan) and gives pause for consideration of "trying" it as presented by expert Sarah Pope whose credentials are presented at the end of her discussion. To begim: https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/circular-examples/apeel photo of Apeel label link) ( Major chain stores are stocking the labelled produce already. The labels may be allowed to not be placed on the produce. Full discussion with many links regarding likely unsafe Apeel coatings although they have been approved as "safe": “Apeel” Produce (Organics too). Why You MUST Avoid It (and Never Even Touch It!) by Sarah Pope / Apr 13, 2023/ Affiliate Links ✔ TABLE OF CONTENTS[SHOW] - Health dangers of the patented produce coating known as Apeel, which is marketed to increase fruit and vegetable shelf life to reduce plastic and food waste. This article serves as an urgent health warning to all my readers about the new patented produce coating known as Apeel. The Weston Price Foundation wrote about this dangerous substance a few years ago when it was in early development, securing patents, and seeking FDA approval. (1,2) https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/apeel-health-dangers/#References Not surprisingly given the extent of regulatory capture today, the FDA has not only approved Apeel, but extended it GRAS status as well (Generally Recognized As Safe). (3) https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/apeel-health-dangers/#References Currently, this “edible” film purported to be a “green initiative” to reduce food waste by extending produce shelf life is quickly rolling out under the radar in Canada, the United States, and Europe. Consumers beware! It is on organic produce too! How to Spot Apeel Treated Produce: For now, Apeel-treated produce is marked with a sticker that makes it easily identified. Below are tweets from the official Apeel Twitter account showing treated avocados at a Ralphs supermarket in California. In addition to a sticker, Apeel fruits and vegetables may also appear in a specially marked bin that trumpets the alluring message that this produce lasts 2X longer as shown in this image from Cub Foods in Minneapolis Kroger contains Apeel-treated produce in 100% of its stores already. Clearly, Apeel feels that identifying it is a marketing boon for consumers, which is why they are currently labeling which produce has it. However, this is likely to change as consumers realize exactly what this stuff is. Then, I would anticipate the stickers being removed. More on that below. Who Funds and Promotes Apeel? I was tipped off to the fast and furious roll-out of Apeel by a friend in Oregon. Checking the Apeel store locator, I discovered that it is all over my community here in Florida at Target and Fresh Market. (4) https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/apeel-health-dangers/#References> The alarm bells really started going off when I did a deep dive into who funds and is promoting Apeel. I don’t know about you, but ANYTHING these groups and individuals are involved with is something I want to stay very far away from. - Grants from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (5) https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/apeel-health-dangers/#References World Economic Forum (6) https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/apeel-health-dangers/#References Apeel CEO James Rogers is a WEF “Young Leader” (7) https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/apeel-health-dangers/#References Susan Wojcicki (former Youtube CEO); (8) https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/apeel-health-dangers/#References Anne Wojcicki of 23andMe (DNA harvesting company) (9) https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/apeel-health-dangers/#References Katy Perry (also invested in Bragg’s ACV and wrecked it: (10) https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/best-acv-brand https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/apeel-health- dangers/#References I’ve taken screen gabs of the first three above since this type of information seems to conveniently get deleted from the internet these days… *Dangers of Consuming Apeel Coating* The Apeel website…”Food Gone Good”… describes the patented coating as containing one single ingredient, purified mono and diglycerides: (11) https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/apeel-health-dangers/#References Sounds harmless enough, right? However, a little more digging reveals that you cannot wash Apeel off the produce! (12) https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/apeel-health-dangers/#References> It’s very odd, don’t you think, that attempting to wash off Apeel could damage the fruit or the vegetable itself? Nano-Particle Alert! Given that mono and diglycerides in nature are simply fatty acid molecules, they should be easily washed off with soap and water. This would be true IF the molecules were of normal size. Given that Apeel isn’t easily removed by washing says to me that the coating is almost certainly comprised of industrialized lipid nanoparticles (LNP). This allows the coating to literally become one with the cells of the produce itself. This means that those who consume Apeel-treated produce are likely eating lipid nanoparticles. This would not be a healthy thing to do! The mRNA covid jabs contained LNPs too, which have since been found to collect in the organs of injection recipients, particularly the ovaries. (13) https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/apeel-health-dangers/#References In addition, lipid nanoparticles trigger inflammation and cross the placenta. In fact, they can cross EVERY membrane in the human body including the blood-brain barrier. (14) https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/apeel-health-dangers/#References This means LNPs can also cross the skin barrier with the potential for transference to systemic circulation. (15, 16) https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/apeel-health-dangers/#References> Please note that my hunch that Apeel is nano-based is just that…a hunch. However, the dancing around of the issue in the Apeel FAQ certainly would lead an educated consumer to this conclusion given the word salad answers. Given that globalist organizations such as the WEF, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, etc seem to be trying to get LNPs into humanity from every direction possible, Apeel seems in line with their nefarious “health” goals for the world’s population. It seems wise to avoid Apeel like the plague. Don’t Touch Apeel Produce! Given that Apeel is likely composed of nanoparticles, it would be wise not to touch any produce treated with it either. The nanoparticles could potentially cross the cell membranes of your hands and even get into your bloodstream. *I would suggest using the stealth roll-out of Apeel to redouble your efforts to buy only locally-grown produce Local produce will naturally last a long time because it is nutrient-dense. The soil-cultivated produce I buy from my local Urban Farm lasts for weeks. This is despite it being picked at peak freshness! This indicates high mineral density and quality. By contrast, organic produce I buy at Whole Foods typically starts rotting within days. This is indicative of poor quality, low nutrition, and/or hydroponics. Apeel Labeling Likely to End: You might think that Apeel is no big deal because it is labeled and you can simply not buy it. However, avoiding Apeel produce by keeping a lookout for the Apeel sticker is likely temporary my friends. The fact that Apeel has GRAS status by the FDA means that the stickers could eventually be removed entirely. This means consumers could eventually have no warning about which produce is treated and which is not. USDA Organic regulations allow for the application of Apeel to organic produce too, so sadly, this is no protection. Again, I suggest you take steps right away to wean yourself off supermarket produce entirely. Even healthfood stores like Whole Foods will likely stock Apeel eventually. Your only protection against nanos on your produce is support locally grown. Any produce that finds its way into your community via the industrialized food system would be a risk. This would include veggie co-ops that get deliveries from the same trucks that service healthfood store mega chains. Have you seen Apeel stickers on the produce in your supermarket or health food stores yet? References (1) Patents Assigned to aPEEL Technology Inc. (2) Is Apeel Appealing? (3) Is Apeel FDA-approved? (4) Apeel Store Locator (5) Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Committed Grants (6) World Economic Forum: Apeel Sciences (7) James Rogers, Apeel CEO, WEF Young Leader (8-10) Apeel bites into another $250M funding round, at a $2B valuation, to accelerate fresh food supply chains (11-12) Apeel FAQ (13) Dr Robert Malone MD: ”Something’s wrong … lipid nanoparticles accumulate on women’s ovaries (14) Lipid Nanoparticles: Are They Subtly Changing Human Beings? (15) Skin penetration of nanoparticles (16) Lipid nanocarriers as skin drug delivery systems Facebook Pin Email Print Category: Green Living , Healthy Home Plus Sarah Pope Sarah Pope MGA has been a Health and Nutrition Educator since 2002. She is a *summa cum laude* graduate in Economics from Furman University and holds a Master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania. She is the author of three books . Her mission is dedicated to helping families effectively incorporate the principles of ancestral diets within the modern household. She is a sought after lecturer around the world for conferences, summits, and podcasts. Sarah was awarded Activist of the Year in 2010 at the International Wise Traditions Conference, subsequently serving on the Board of Directors of the nutrition nonprofit the Weston A. Price Foundation for seven years. Her work has been covered by numerous independent and major media including USA Today, ABC, and NBC among many others. Thanks for this! Excuse my extreme ignorance on any kind of scientific method. Should some scientists get out the hazmat suits and test some of these awful apples? In a special lab where they cannot be contaminated by this evil coating? See what's in it? End of the issue discussed! They use the natural omega fatty acid cutin, the waxy material found on the peel of many fruits. If one reads the patents it shows they really make a polymer coating entirely based on cutin. Now, I would surely be curious about the effects of eating more plant wax than usual, but to me the health risks are minimal. LNP-s as a coating would be difficult to achieve both economically and technically. At least my understanding.

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