Chapter 8.58
8.58-Hexanal: Spray to Prevent Post-Harvest Fruit Losses
Hailey Cahill , University of Guelph, Canada
Suggested citation for this chapter.
Cahill,H. (2022) Hexanal: Spray to Prevent Post-Harvest Fruit Losses,In Farmpedia, The Encyclopedia for Small Scale Farmers. Editor, M.N. Raizada, University of Guelph, Canada. http://www.farmpedia.org
The problem of very high post-harvest losses of fruit
Excessive post-harvest fruit losses poses a serious threat to food security and agricultural sustainability. Most harvested fruits perish before being consumed, even with improvements in farming practices and transportation infrastructure (Neme, K., et al., 2021). This situation results in financial losses for farmers and makes the world's food shortage problems worse. A naturally occurring substance found in plants called hexanal can prolong the shelf life of fruits by blocking the synthesis of ethylene, a gas hormone released by plants which is what causes ripening and subsequent decay (Lehtonen et al., 2020). Hexanal sprays can be used by the agriculture industry to avoid losses during post-harvest handling and increase the efficiency of food production and distribution networks.
What is hexanal
TIn agriculture, hexanal, a substance that plants naturally make as a pest defence mechanism (University of Guelph, 2019), has two uses. It helps preserve fruit freshness after harvest and extends the time that it is left on the tree (University of Guelph, 2019). Hexanal can be produced synthetically for scalability, but it can also be obtained from natural plant-based substrates, which is in line with sustainable practices (University of Guelph, 2019). Its safety record and application as a flavouring agent in food items also highlight its sustainability (Lehtonen et al., 2020).
Figure 1. Hexanal spray is applied to apples pre-harvest (Subramanian, J., 2021).
Figure 2. The apples on the right have applied hexanal, while the ones on the right have not (Subramanian, J., 2021).
What are the benefits of using hexanal
Consumer Benefits:
Hexanal slows down the ripening and aging process of fresh food in addition to giving fruits an amazing 9–12 day shelf life (University of Guelph, 2019). This \result guarantees that fruits keep their flavour and freshness for extended periods, which enhances customer satisfaction and minimizes financial waste (University of Guelph, 2019). Moreover, hexanal prevents fruit from turning brown and becoming too mealy over time, maintaining its texture and aesthetic appeal (University of Guelph, 2019). Its use also makes it easier for fragile fruit to be transported abroad, giving consumers more access to better selection (University of Guelph, 2019). Furthermore, hexanal's capacity to prevent the activity of a membrane disintegration-causing enzyme amplifies its efficacy in preserving fruit freshness (Ranjan et al., 2020). Given the benefits, hexanal appears to be an adaptable remedy that not only reduces post-harvest losses but also raises the quality and availability of fresh fruit for consumers.Farmer Benefits:
Farmers can get substantial benefits from the use of hexanal, especially in areas of South Asia and Africa. According to research, hexanal can help farmers make more money by increasing harvest yields and prolonging the fruit's shelf life (University of Guelph, 2019). Hexanal spray, for example, has been shown to be effective in increasing productivity; mango growers in India reported a significant increase in their crop of about 5 kg per tree after using it (University of Guelph, 2019). Hexanal use can also assist farmers in extending the growing season by enabling them to continue producing fruits for a longer amount of time, potentially resulting in a rise in revenue (University of Guelph, 2019). Critically, hexanal also gives farmers more negotiating power in the market by prolonging the shelf life and maintaining fruit quality, which increases the price at which they can sell their produce (University of Guelph, 2019). These results highlight the considerable potential of hexanal to enhance farming methods and its favourable effects on the socioeconomic status of farmers in areas where mango agriculture is important.Excellent findings are found from a study in Africa examining the effectiveness of hexanal treatment in lowering postharvest losses of mangoes of the Kent type during cold storage while preserving fruit quality. According to the research, treating mangoes with hexanal dramatically lowered their susceptibility to rotting and decay during storage, lowering farmers' postharvest losses (Silué, et al., 2022). It also emphasizes how the use of hexanal helps to maintain the fruit's flavour, texture, and appearance over a longer period of storage, guaranteeing that the mangoes stay marketable and bring in higher revenues for the growers (Silué, et al., 2022). These findings highlight the usefulness of hexanal as a postharvest treatment in the production of mangos, providing a long-term way to raise the productivity and profitability of mango farming methods. Finally, women make up a sizable portion of the agricultural labour force in many countries (Krishnakumar, 2018). Research shows that women feel more empowered on the farm and in their homes when they are in charge of important farm choices including production, harvesting, grading, and packing (Krishnakumar, 2018). This empowerment enables them to prioritize resources for education and medical costs, spend more time with their family, and improve feeding their kids wholesome meals (Krishnakumar, 2018). In this context, hexanal may empower women farmers who often play important roles in selling and gaining income from fruit in developing nations, and in supervising children who are involved in climbing trees to pick fruit on small scale farms.
How farmers can implement hexanal (Hutchinson, 2022)
Materials needed: distilled water, a spray bottle, measuring cups, a stirring rod, and a concentration of around 0.05% to 0.1% hexanal. Step by step on how farmers can use this product:
1. Mix Hexanal and Solvent: Put the measured amount of hexanal and the solvent in a clean container. To guarantee adequate distribution, give the mixture a thorough stir.
2. Add Distilled Water: To dilute the solution after the hexanal and solvent have been well combined, add distilled water. The concentration of hexanal and the intended final volume of your spray solution will determine how much water is required.
3. Stir Well: To guarantee that all of the ingredients are distributed evenly, stir the mixture one more.
4. Transfer to Spray Bottle: Gently fill a clean spray bottle with the hexanal solution. If a funnel is required, use it to prevent spills.
5. Label and Store: Write the contents and solution concentration on the spray bottle's label, along with the preparation date.
Critical Analysis
Hexanal's cost and safety issues are critically examined, and the results show both possible advantages and obstacles to the chemical's broad use in agriculture. Hexanal is a reasonably priced option for postharvest fruit treatment, costing $11 USD per litre at an effective dilution rate of 0.02% (Krishnakumar, 2018). However, variables like the size of farming operations and product accessibility may affect the total cost-effectiveness. Health Canada's certification of hexanal and its proven lack of harmful effects on plants, insects, or animals reduce worries about its safety (University of Guelph, 2019). Its use as a food additive and natural production by all plants also support its safety profile (University of Guelph, 2019). Despite these guarantees, farmers might need sufficient training in the administration and management of hexanal, which could provide logistical difficulties. Furthermore, it's possible that hexanal itself is currently difficult to access, which could prevent its widespread acceptance. Hexanal's viability and adoption as a postharvest solution might be increased by addressing these issues through outreach initiatives, information campaigns, and better distribution networks, which would eventually help with efforts to ensure food security and agricultural sustainability. Adopting this practice depends on hexanal being available in remote, poor regions, but this presents challenges in terms of logistics because of inadequate infrastructure and restricted transportation options. Numerous approaches, including promoting local production, establishing efficient distribution networks, enhancing techniques for preservation and storage, providing government support, embracing technical advancements, and providing training and education, can be used to address this problem. By securing a steady supply of hexanal, these measures hope to enhance food security and agricultural productivity in remote areas.
Conclusion
In conclusion, immediate action is required to address the persistent problem of significant post-harvest fruit losses to protect agricultural sustainability and global food security. These losses continue despite improvements in farming techniques, creating major challenges for farmers and aggravating global concerns about food scarcity. Fortunately, innovative methods to reduce these losses, such as hexanal sprays, appear promising. Plants naturally contain hexanal, which successfully prolongs fruit shelf life by blocking the synthesis of ethylene and postponing ripening and deterioration. Hexanal usage has several advantages for both farmers and consumers. Fruits keep longer and are fresher for consumers, which lowers food waste and improves food quality. Extended growing seasons, higher harvest yields, and enhanced market competitiveness are advantageous to farmers. Research from South Asia and Africa shows that hexanal is effective in lowering post-harvest losses and maintaining fruit quality, suggesting that it has the potential to revolutionize agricultural practices everywhere. However, there are still issues with hexanal's safety and cost, so more work has to be done to improve accessibility and give farmers the training they need. Hexanal can significantly contribute to the global advancement of agricultural sustainability programs and post-harvest fruit losses through focused campaigns and enhanced distribution networks.
Further Reading
Fresh Fruits Forever: Using molecular, physiological, and analytical chemistry techniques, hexanal is used to extend the shelf life of nectarines. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snC3X0L_kPw
The Hexanal Project: Discussing the use of hexanal to increase shelf life. https://www.tvo.org/video/the-hexanal-project-0
The mango-saving molecule https://idrc-crdi.ca/en/stories/mango-saving-molecule
A website to purchase hexanal https://dir.indiamart.com/search.mp?ss=hexanal&prdsrc=1&com-cf=nl&res=RC3&Mspl=1_ML&qry_typ=P&qu-cx=1
References
1. Hutchinson, M., Ouko, J., Yumbya, P., Ambuko, J., Owino, W., & Subramanian, J. (2022). Efficacy of Hexanal Field Spray on the Postharvest Life and Quality of Papaya Fruit (Carica papaya L.) in Kenya. Advances in Agriculture. 2022, 4262734. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/aag/2022/4262734/
2. Kayal, W., Sharkaway, C., Dowling, C., et al. (2017). Effect of preharvest application of hexanal and growth regulators in enhancing shelf life and regulation of membrane-associated genes in strawberry. Canadian Journal of Plant Science. 97(6) 1109-1120 https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/CJPS-2016-0351
3. Krishnakumar, S. (2018). The Hexanal Project. University of Guelph. https://www.uoguelph.ca/research/sites/default/files/public/Research_4pager_Hexanal_Web.pdf
4. Lehtonen, M., Kekalainen, S., Kikkila, I., et al. (2020). Active Food Packaging Through Controlled Situ Production and Release of Hexanal. Food Packaging and Shelf Life. 5(30) 2-10. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590157519300768
5. Neme, K., Nafady, A., Uddin, S., Tola, Y. (2021). Application of nanotechnology in agriculture, postharvest loss reduction and food processing: food security implication and challenges. Heliyon. 7(12). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844021026426
6. Ranjan, S., Chandrasekaran, R., Paliyath, G., et al. (2020). Effect of hexanal loaded electrospun fibre in fruit packaging to enhance the post-harvest quality of peach. Food Packaging and Shelf Life. 23, 100447. a. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2214289419303709
7. Silué, Y., Nindhin, C., Cissé, M., et al. (2022). Hexanal application reduces postharvest losses of mango (Mangifera indica L. variety "Kent") over cold storage whilst maintaining fruit quality. Postharvest Biology and Technology. 189, 111930. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0925521422000989
8. University of Guelph. (2019). For younger-looking, fresher-tasting fruit, use hexanal. University of Guelph, Canada. a. https://news.uoguelph.ca/2019/01/for-younger-looking-fresher-tasting-fruit-use-hexanal/