PRODUCE STORAGE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 10 March 1939, Page 8

PRODUCE STORAGE

NEW CHEMICAL PROCESS FRUIT KEPT TEN WEEKS \ SOUTH AFRICAN DOCTORS FLAN ■ I the claims made by Dr. 11. A. lav. medical specialist, of Durban. South Africa, are substantiated, it | will be possible to store and transport fruit and vegetables for almost indefinite periods without ticteriorj ation. ! Explaining how the process was applied. Dr. Jay said that the boxes of- | fruit or vegetables -including potatoes were placed on a raised platform in a store room, sufficient space being left at floor and ceiling to place one chemical below the platform and suspend anolher from the ceiling. As soon ns the door was closed the live chemicals, which had an affinity for each other, like the anode and cathode of an elee--11 ic plating bath, set up a slow chemical action, during which a colourless and perfectly harmless gas was given ofT. This saturated and coated the fruit, j which \vould then keep for long periods without refrigeration, and in perfect condition Dr. Jay, who has received tempting offers from all over the world for the right .to use his process, says that he | hopes to negotiate with the Union Gov c/iiment, and so reserve the benefits largely for his adopted country. is particularly anxious that in the event of the process being used by any other country the produce so preserved wih ' rot ct mpetc on a South Afr-enn market, j and that the process shall be sold solr’y j on that understanding. FOR OVERSEA TRANSPORT 1 Dr. Jay explained that the wse of his j process for sea transport would not involve structural alterations to ships. | The fruit' would be put into wrappers treated with chemicals and packed in ordinary export cases which, after being subjected to a 24-hour treatment in a specially-prepared store, could be shipped as ordinary cargo. Fruit thus treated. he claimed, would keep for two and a-half months in perfect condition, after which it would be possible to keep I it almost indefinitely by subjecting it to repeated treatments at intervals. “Originally.” said Dr. Jay, "I intended my process solely for storing fruit over ' - long periods, but I now find that the 1 1 wrapper method is as infallible as the!' storage system. Large amounts will be i saved on freightage by the employment < of the scheme and there will be no need c for special freezing plants or cool j chambrs on ships.” The cost of the chemicals, for a storage room 90ft long by. 40ft wide* is said Lo be only £2 a year.