Storage method, transportation method, storage device, and transportation device

Abstract

To provide a storage method that can restrain damage to at least one of a vegetable, a fruit, and a flowering plant stored in a storage cabinet, a storage container, or a storage bag.SOLUTION: A storage method according to the present invention comprises: a gas supply step of supplying ethylene gas into a storage cabinet, a storage container, or a storage bag; and an application step of decomposing the ethylene gas by applying light to a photocatalyst in the storage cabinet, the storage container, or the storage bag storing at least one of a vegetable, a fruit, and a flowering plant.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method, a device and an apparatus for storing and transporting at least one of vegetables, fruits and flowers. [Background technology]

[0002] Plant growth, ripening, and aging are controlled by the action of plant hormones. Ethylene gas, a plant hormone, promotes the ripening of fruits and vegetables; as fruit ripens, it becomes softer and sweeter. If fruit ripens too much, it will spoil and become unfit for eating. For this reason, controlling fruit ripening by removing or supplying ethylene gas makes it possible to provide consumers with fruit that is ripe to eat. Ethylene gas also promotes the aging of flowers. For example, a freshness preservation device is known that removes ethylene gas from within a container using an ethylene gas decomposition filter (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-188757 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional methods may not be effective enough in preserving freshness. The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and provides a storage method, a transport method, a storage device, and a transport device that can prevent damage to vegetables, fruits, or flowers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention provides a storage method comprising: a gas supply step of supplying ethylene gas into a storage facility, a storage container, or a storage bag; and an irradiation step of decomposing the ethylene gas by irradiating light to a photocatalyst in the storage facility, the storage container, or the storage bag in which at least one of vegetables, fruits, and flowers is stored. The present invention also provides a storage device comprising: a storage facility, storage container or storage bag for storing at least one of vegetables, fruits and flowers; a photocatalyst disposed in the storage facility, storage container or storage bag; a light irradiation unit configured to irradiate the photocatalyst with light; and an ethylene gas supply unit configured to supply ethylene gas into the storage facility, storage container or storage bag. The present invention also provides a transportation method comprising: a gas supply step of supplying ethylene gas into a cargo compartment, a transport container, or a transport bag; and an irradiation step of decomposing the ethylene gas by irradiating light to a photocatalyst in the cargo compartment, the transport container, or the transport bag, which contains at least one of vegetables, fruits, and flowers. The present invention also provides a transport device comprising a cargo compartment, a transport container or a transport bag for storing at least one of vegetables, fruits and flowers, a photocatalyst disposed in the cargo compartment, in the transport container or in the transport bag, a light irradiation unit arranged to irradiate the photocatalyst with light, and an ethylene gas supply unit arranged to supply ethylene gas into the cargo compartment, in the transport container or in the transport bag. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, damage to vegetables, fruits or flowers can be suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of a transport device according to one embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] The storage method of the present invention is characterized by comprising a gas supply step of supplying ethylene gas into a storage facility, a storage container or a storage bag, and an irradiation step of decomposing the ethylene gas by irradiating light to a photocatalyst in the storage facility, the storage container or the storage bag in which vegetables or fruits are stored.

[0009] It is preferable that the ethylene gas concentration in the storage facility, the storage container or the storage bag after the ethylene gas is supplied into the storage facility, the storage container or the storage bag is 5 ppm or more and 160 ppm or less. The irradiation step is preferably a step of irradiating the photocatalyst with light until the ethylene gas concentration in at least the storage facility, the storage container, or the storage bag becomes 2 ppm or less. The photocatalyst preferably contains tungsten oxide. The present invention also provides a storage device comprising: a storage facility, a storage container or a storage bag for storing vegetables or fruits; a photocatalyst disposed in the storage facility, the storage container or the storage bag; a light irradiation unit configured to irradiate the photocatalyst with light; and an ethylene gas supply unit configured to supply ethylene gas into the storage facility, the storage container or the storage bag.

[0010] The present invention also provides a transportation method comprising: a gas supply step of supplying ethylene gas into a cargo compartment, a transport container, or a transport bag; and an irradiation step of decomposing the ethylene gas by irradiating light to a photocatalyst in the cargo compartment, the transport container, or the transport bag, which contains at least one of vegetables, fruits, and flowers. The present invention also provides a transport device comprising a cargo compartment, a transport container or a transport bag for storing at least one of vegetables, fruits and flowers, a photocatalyst disposed in the cargo compartment, in the transport container or in the transport bag, a light irradiation unit arranged to irradiate the photocatalyst with light, and an ethylene gas supply unit arranged to supply ethylene gas into the cargo compartment, in the transport container or in the transport bag.

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The configurations shown in the drawings and the following description are merely examples, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to those shown in the drawings and the following description.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a storage device of this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a transport device of this embodiment. The storage method of this embodiment is characterized by having a gas supplying step of supplying ethylene gas into the storage facility 2, storage container 2 or storage bag 2, and an irradiation step of decomposing the ethylene gas by irradiating light to the photocatalyst 4 in the storage facility 2, storage container 2 or storage bag 2 in which at least one of vegetables, fruits and flowers 8 is stored. The storage method of this embodiment is a method for storing at least one of vegetables, fruits and flowers 8 in the storage facility 2, storage container 2 or storage bag 2. The storage method of this embodiment may be a method for preserving the freshness of vegetables, fruits or flowers.

[0013] The storage device 10 of this embodiment includes a storage facility 2, a storage container 2, or a storage bag 2 for storing at least one of vegetables, fruits, and flowers 8, a photocatalyst 4 arranged in the storage facility 2, the storage container 2, or the storage bag 2, a light irradiating unit 6 provided to irradiate light to the photocatalyst 4, and an ethylene gas supplying unit 3 provided to supply ethylene gas into the storage facility 2, the storage container 2, or the storage bag 2. The storage device 10 of this embodiment may be a freshness preservation device.

[0014] The transportation method of this embodiment is characterized by having a gas supply step of supplying ethylene gas into the cargo compartment 9, the transportation container or the transportation bag, and an irradiation step of decomposing the ethylene gas by irradiating light to a photocatalyst in the cargo compartment 9, the transportation container or the transportation bag which contains at least one of vegetables, fruits and flowers 8. The transport device 20 of this embodiment comprises a cargo compartment 9, a transport container or a transport bag for storing at least one of vegetables, fruits and flowers 8, a photocatalyst 4 arranged in the cargo compartment 9, in the transport container or in the transport bag, a light irradiation unit 6 arranged to irradiate light to the photocatalyst 4, and an ethylene gas supply unit 3 arranged to supply ethylene gas into the cargo compartment 9, in the transport container or in the transport bag.

[0015] The vegetables or fruits to be stored or transported may be, for example, climacteric fruits such as tomatoes, peaches, avocados, pears, bananas, apricots, melons, mangoes, papayas, kiwis, etc. In the storage device 10 shown in FIG. Furthermore, the flowers 8 to be stored or transported may be cut flowers such as carnations, gypsophila, sweet peas, snapdragons, lisianthus, roses, daffodils, chrysanthemums, tulips, lilies, etc. In the transport device 20 shown in Fig. 2, the flowers to be transported are roses (flowers 8).

[0016] The storage period of vegetables, fruits or flowers 8 in a storehouse 2, storage container 2, storage bag 2, luggage compartment 9, transport container or transport bag varies depending on the object to be stored or transported, but is, for example, from 1 day to 60 days, preferably from 1 day to 11 days. In addition, the temperature inside the storage shed 2, storage container 2, storage bag 2, cargo compartment 9, transport container or transport bag during the storage period of vegetables, fruits or flowers 8 in the storage shed 2, storage container 2, storage bag 2, cargo compartment 9, transport container or transport bag may be a temperature of not less than 2°C and not more than 35°C.

[0017] The storage 2 is, for example, a warehouse, a container, a trunk of an automobile, a refrigerator, a storage, etc. The storage container 2 is a container for storing vegetables, fruits, or flowers 8. The storage bag 2 is a bag for storing vegetables, fruits, or flowers 8. The internal space of the storage 2, the storage container 2, or the storage bag 2 may be a sealed space, a closed space, or a sealed space. The internal gas of the storage 2, the storage container 2, or the storage bag 2 may be air.

[0018] The storage facility 2, the storage container 2, or the storage bag 2 may have a transparent portion. This makes it possible for light from the light irradiation unit 6 arranged outside the storage facility 2, the storage container 2, or the storage bag 2 to be irradiated onto the photocatalyst 4 arranged inside the storage facility 2, the storage container 2, or the storage bag 2 through the transparent portion.

[0019] The luggage compartment 9 is, for example, a luggage compartment of a truck, a luggage compartment of an automobile, a luggage compartment of a ship, a luggage compartment of a train, a luggage compartment of a freight car, a luggage compartment of an airplane, and the like. The shipping container may be, for example, a sea container, a rail container, a truck container, or the like.

[0020] Ethylene gas (ethene) is an organic compound represented by the chemical formula CH2=CH2. In the gas supply step, ethylene gas from the ethylene gas supply unit 3 is supplied into the storage facility 2, the storage container 2, the storage bag 2, the cargo room 9, the transport container, or the transport bag. This allows the internal gas of the storage facility 2, the storage container 2, the storage bag 2, the cargo room 9, the transport container, or the transport bag to be air containing ethylene gas. As this internal gas contains oxygen gas, it becomes possible to oxidize and decompose the ethylene gas by photocatalytic activity.

[0021] The ethylene gas supply unit 3 includes, for example, an ethylene gas cylinder, an ethylene gas can, a chemical generation source (for example, a generation source provided so as to generate ethylene gas by the dehydration reaction of ethanol), a ripe climacteric fruit, and the like. The ethylene gas supply unit 3 may be disposed outside the storage facility 2, storage container 2, storage bag 2, cargo room 9, transport container or transport bag, and may be provided to inject ethylene gas into the storage facility 2, storage container 2, storage bag 2, cargo room 9, transport container or transport bag. The ethylene gas supply unit 3 may also be provided to inject ethylene gas diluted with air into the storage facility 2, storage container 2, storage bag 2, cargo room 9, transport container or transport bag. The ethylene gas supply unit 3 may be provided so as to be able to control the injection amount, the ethylene concentration of the injected gas, etc., in order to control the ethylene gas concentration inside the storage facility 2, storage container 2, storage bag 2, cargo room 9, transport container or transport bag.

[0022] The ethylene gas supplying unit 3 may be disposed inside the storage facility 2, the cargo room 9, or the transportation container. In this case, the ethylene gas supplying unit 3 can be provided so as to be able to control the amount of ethylene gas supplied, the ethylene concentration of the supplied gas, and the like, in order to control the ethylene gas concentration inside the storage facility 2, the cargo room 9, or the transportation container.

[0023] The ethylene gas concentration (initial ethylene gas concentration) in the storage 2, storage container 2, storage bag 2, cargo room 9, transport container, or transport bag after ethylene gas is supplied from the ethylene gas supply unit 3 to the storage 2, storage container 2, storage bag 2, cargo room 9, transport container, or transport bag in the gas supply step is preferably 5 ppm or more and 160 ppm or less, more preferably 8 ppm or more and 80 ppm or less. This allows the ethylene gas supplied to the storage 2, storage container 2, storage bag 2, cargo room 9, transport container, or transport bag in the gas supply step to be quickly oxidized and decomposed by photocatalytic activity, and the ripening of vegetables or fruits or the aging of flowers 8 due to the supplied ethylene gas can be suppressed. As a result, damage to the vegetables, fruits, or flowers 8 can be suppressed. In addition, it is believed that the oxidative decomposition products of ethylene gas inhibit the ripening of vegetables or fruits or the aging of flowers 8, and a sufficient amount of the oxidative decomposition products can be produced.

[0024] A photocatalyst 4 is disposed inside the storage shed 2, storage container 2, storage bag 2, luggage compartment 9, transport container, or transport bag. The photocatalyst 4 may be a photocatalyst layer provided on a substrate 5, may be a photocatalyst powder, or may be a photocatalyst porous body. The photocatalyst 4 may contain, for example, tungsten oxide (WO3), titanium oxide (TiO2), or the like. The photocatalyst 4 may also contain tungsten oxide particles carrying a cocatalyst such as platinum, or titanium oxide particles carrying a cocatalyst. The tungsten oxide or titanium oxide may have a composition deviated from the stoichiometric composition as long as it has photocatalytic activity. It is preferable that the photocatalyst contains tungsten oxide. This allows photocatalytic activity to be generated by irradiating the photocatalyst 4 with LED light.

[0025] The light irradiating unit 6 is a part provided so as to be able to irradiate light to the photocatalyst 4 arranged in the storage facility 2, the storage container 2, the storage bag 2, the cargo room 9, the transport container, or the transport bag. By irradiating the photocatalyst 4 with light, photocatalytic activity can be generated, and this photocatalytic activity can oxidatively decompose ethylene gas in the storage facility 2, the storage container 2, the storage bag 2, the cargo room 9, the transport container, or the transport bag. The light irradiating unit 6 can include, for example, a white LED lamp, a blue LED lamp, a fluorescent lamp, or an incandescent light bulb as a light emitting unit.

[0026] The light irradiation unit 6 may be disposed outside the storage facility 2, the storage container 2, the storage bag 2, the luggage compartment 9, the transport container, or the transport bag. In this case, the light from the light irradiation unit 6 is irradiated onto the photocatalyst 4 through a transparent portion of the storage facility 2, the storage container 2, the storage bag 2, the luggage compartment 9, the transport container, or the transport bag. The light irradiation unit 6 may also be disposed inside the storage facility 2, the storage container 2, the storage bag 2, the luggage compartment 9, the transport container, or the transport bag.

[0027] The irradiation step is a step of decomposing ethylene gas by irradiating light to the photocatalyst 4 in the storage shed 2, storage container 2, storage bag 2, cargo compartment 9, transport container, or transport bag in which the vegetables, fruits, or flowers 8 are stored. In this step, the ethylene gas supplied to the storage shed 2, storage container 2, storage bag 2, cargo compartment 9, transport container, or transport bag in the gas supply step is oxidatively decomposed by photocatalytic activity. It is considered that the oxidative decomposition products of this ethylene gas inhibit the ripening of the vegetables or fruits or the aging of the flowers 8. Furthermore, in the irradiation step, ethylene gas generated from the vegetables or fruits to be stored may be oxidatively decomposed by photocatalytic activity.

[0028] In the irradiation step, the light irradiation unit 6 can irradiate the photocatalyst 4 with light until the ethylene gas concentration in at least the storage shed 2, the storage container 2, the storage bag 2, the cargo room 9, the transport container, or the transport bag becomes 2 ppm or less. This can suppress the ripening of vegetables or fruits or the aging of flowers 8 caused by ethylene gas, and can suppress damage to the vegetables, fruits, or flowers 8. In addition, the light irradiation unit 6 can irradiate the photocatalyst 4 with light so that the ethylene gas concentration in the storage shed 2, the storage container 2, the storage bag 2, the cargo room 9, the transport container, or the transport bag is maintained at 2 ppm or less during the storage period of the vegetables, fruits, or flowers 8 that are the object of storage or transportation. The light irradiation unit 6 may irradiate the photocatalyst 4 with light continuously or intermittently.

[0029] Storage test 1 Storage tests were carried out for Examples 1 to 7, Comparative Examples 1 to 4, and Reference Examples 1 to 3, and the freshness of the tomatoes or peaches after storage was evaluated. First, a photocatalyst dispersion (0.3 wt% Pt-WO3 dispersion) with a solid content of 0.7 g was placed in a petri dish, and the thickness of the liquid layer of the photocatalyst dispersion was made uniform. After that, the liquid layer of the photocatalyst dispersion was dried at 90°C for 1 hour to form a photocatalyst layer in the petri dish.

[0030] One tomato or one peach and a petri dish with a photocatalytic layer were placed in a 1 L transparent gas bag, and ethylene gas diluted with dry air to the concentration (initial ethylene gas concentration) shown in Tables 3 to 5 was injected into the gas bag, and the gas bag was sealed. Blue LED light was irradiated onto the gas bag for the period shown in Tables 3 to 5 so that the light would strike the photocatalytic layer inside the gas bag (first storage). In addition, the ethylene gas concentration of the gas in the gas bag at the end of the first storage was measured. In the tests shown in Table 3, tomatoes removed from the gas bags after the first storage were subjected to a second storage, while in the tests shown in Table 4, tomatoes removed from the gas bags after the first storage were subjected to a third storage or both a second and third storage. After storage, the tomatoes or peaches were evaluated for freshness by visual inspection and touch. A similar evaluation was also performed before placing the tomatoes or peaches in the gas bags prior to the first storage. The tomatoes or peaches used in the test were approximately the same in color, shape, and size.

[0031] The evaluation criteria for visual appearance and for touch are shown in Table 1. The relationship between the evaluation of visual appearance, the evaluation of touch, and the overall evaluation is shown in Table 2. The evaluations of visual appearance and touch were indicated with A to D, and the overall evaluation was indicated with ◎, ◯, △, or ×. Tests that received an overall evaluation of ◎, ◯, or △ were judged to have a high practical freshness-retaining effect.

[0032] [Table 1]

[0033] [Table 2]

[0034] Table 3 shows the test conditions and evaluation results for Reference Example 1, Example 1, Comparative Examples 1 and 2, in which tomatoes were used as test subjects. In these tests, after the first storage, the tomatoes were taken out of the gas bag and subjected to a second storage (storage in a refrigerator at 5°C for 20 days). In the first storage in Reference Example 1, blue LED light (4500lx) was irradiated to the tomatoes that were not placed in the gas bag during the storage period. In Comparative Examples 1 and 2, no photocatalyst layer was placed in the gas bag. Also, in Comparative Example 2, air-diluted ethylene gas was not injected into the gas bag, and dry air was injected instead.

[0035] [Table 3]

[0036] In Reference Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the overall evaluation of the freshness of the tomatoes after the second storage was "x". On the other hand, in Example 1, the overall evaluation of the freshness of the tomatoes after the second storage was "good". In Example 1, the initial ethylene gas concentration in the gas bag during the first storage was 80 ppm, and the ethylene gas concentration in the gas bag after irradiating the photocatalyst layer with blue LED light for three days was 0 ppm. This is considered to be because ethylene gas was oxidized and decomposed by the photocatalytic activity of the photocatalyst layer. It is considered that the reaction products of the oxidative decomposition of this ethylene gas delayed the ripening of the tomatoes and suppressed the decrease in the freshness of the tomatoes.

[0037] Table 4 shows the test conditions and evaluation results of Reference Example 2 and Examples 2 to 6 using tomatoes as test subjects. In Reference Example 2 and Examples 2 to 4 and 6, after the first storage, the tomatoes were taken out of the gas bag and subjected to a third storage (storage for 10 days or 6 days in a refrigerator at 2°C). In Example 5, after the first storage, the tomatoes were taken out of the gas bag and subjected to a second storage (storage for 2 days at 26°C), and then the tomatoes were subjected to a third storage (storage for 10 days in a refrigerator at 2°C). In the first storage in Reference Example 2, blue LED light (4500lx) was irradiated to tomatoes that were not placed in a gas bag during the storage period.

[0038] [Table 4]

[0039] In Reference Example 2, the overall evaluation of freshness of the tomatoes after the third storage period was "x". On the other hand, in Examples 2 to 6, the overall evaluation of freshness of the tomatoes after the third storage period was "good" or "good". It is considered that in Examples 2 to 6, the reaction products of the oxidative decomposition of ethylene gas delayed the ripening of the tomatoes and suppressed the decrease in the freshness of the tomatoes.

[0040] Table 5 shows the test conditions and evaluation results of Reference Example 3, Example 7, Comparative Examples 3 and 4, which used peaches as test subjects. In Example 7 and Comparative Examples 3 and 4, in the first storage, the gas in the gas bag was replaced with ethylene gas diluted with dry air every two days. In addition, after the first storage, the freshness of the peaches taken out of the gas bag was evaluated (the second and third storages were not performed). In the first storage of Reference Example 3, blue LED light (2500 lx) was irradiated to the peaches that were not placed in the gas bag during the storage period. In Comparative Example 3, a photocatalyst layer was not placed in the gas bag. In Comparative Example 4, ethylene gas was not injected into the gas bag, and dry air was injected instead.

[0041] [Table 5]

[0042] In Reference Example 3 and Comparative Examples 3 and 4, the overall evaluation of the freshness of the peaches after the first storage was "x". On the other hand, in Example 7, the overall evaluation of the freshness of the peaches after the first storage was "△". In Example 7, the initial ethylene gas concentration in the gas bag during the first storage was 160 ppm, and the ethylene gas concentration in the gas bag at the end of the first storage was 2 ppm. This is considered to be due to the oxidative decomposition of ethylene gas by the photocatalytic activity of the photocatalytic layer. It is considered that the reaction products of the oxidative decomposition of this ethylene gas delayed the ripening of the peaches and suppressed the decrease in the freshness of the peaches.

[0043] Storage test 2 Storage tests were carried out for Examples 8 and 9, Comparative Examples 5 to 7, and Reference Examples 4 and 5, and the number of days until petal detachment or bent neck occurred (number of days freshness was maintained) of roses (variety: Samurai 08) were investigated. First, a photocatalyst dispersion (0.3 wt% Pt-WO3 dispersion) with a solid content of 0.7 g was placed in a petri dish, and the thickness of the liquid layer of the photocatalyst dispersion was made uniform. After that, the liquid layer of the photocatalyst dispersion was dried at 90°C for 1 hour to form a photocatalyst layer in the petri dish.

[0044] After harvesting roses (variety: Samurai 08), the cut ends of the rose stems were immersed in tap water or water containing an STS agent for 6 hours to allow the cut flowers (roses) to absorb water (watering). After watering, three roses with their stems cut to a height of 40 cm were placed in a vase containing water, and these roses together with the vase were placed in a 50 L transparent acrylic box. In Example 8, Comparative Examples 5 and 6, and Reference Example 4, roses that absorbed tap water were placed in the acrylic box, and in Example 9, Comparative Example 7, and Reference Example 5, roses that absorbed water containing an STS agent were placed in the acrylic box. In Examples 8, 9, and Comparative Example 5, a petri dish having a photocatalyst layer and a blue LED (light irradiation unit) for irradiating the photocatalyst layer with light were also placed in the acrylic box. The acrylic box was then sealed. The acrylic box was provided with a gas inlet for introducing ethylene gas into the box. The acrylic box was also provided with a gas sampling unit for measuring the ethylene gas concentration inside.

[0045] After the acrylic box was sealed, in Examples 8 and 9 and Comparative Examples 6 and 7, ethylene gas was introduced into the acrylic box so that the ethylene gas concentration in the acrylic box was 10 ppm. Thereafter, in Examples 8 and 9, Comparative Examples 5 to 7, and Reference Examples 4 and 5, the roses were stored in an acrylic box at 25°C until the petals of the roses detached or the bent neck occurred. In Examples 8 and 9 and Comparative Example 5, the photocatalyst layer was irradiated with light from a blue LED (light irradiating section) at 20,000 lx in the acrylic box during the storage period. It is believed that the ethylene gas is decomposed by the photocatalytic activity generated by this light irradiation.

[0046] During the storage period, the lights in the room in which the acrylic boxes were placed were turned on and off so that the room alternated between 12 hours of light (1000 lx) and 12 hours of darkness (excluding the light from the light-exposed area). In addition, the ethylene gas concentration in the acrylic box was measured at the end of storage. Bent neck is a condition in which the peduncle, a few centimeters below the petals, bends and the flower appears to droop. In tests, bent neck was determined to have occurred when the peduncle was bent 90 degrees or more.

[0047] Table 6 shows the number of days until petal detachment or bent neck occurs (freshness retention days), the ethylene gas concentration in the acrylic box at the end of storage, and an evaluation of the freshness retention of the flowers. In Table 6, tests in which the freshness retention period was 7 days or less are rated "XX", tests in which the freshness retention period was 8 days or more and 11 days or less are rated "X", tests in which the freshness retention period was 12 days or more and 15 days or less are rated "△", and tests in which the freshness retention period was 20 days or more are rated "◎". Tests in which the freshness retention period was 16 days or more and 19 days or less are rated "◯", but there were no tests that met this criteria.

[0048] [Table 6]

[0049] In Reference Examples 4 and 5, ethylene gas was not introduced into the acrylic box, and no photocatalyst was placed in the acrylic box. The roses stored in Reference Example 4 did not contain an STS agent, and their freshness was maintained for 10 days. The roses stored in Reference Example 5 contained an STS agent, and their freshness was maintained for 12 days. This shows that the freshness of roses can be extended by about 2 days by treating them with STS.

[0050] In Comparative Examples 6 and 7, ethylene gas was introduced into the acrylic box, and no photocatalyst was placed in the acrylic box. The freshness retention period in Comparative Example 6 was 5 days, and the freshness retention period in Comparative Example 7 was 6 days, which was shorter than that in Reference Examples 4 and 5. This is thought to be because the ethylene gas introduced into the acrylic box accelerated the aging of the roses.

[0051] In Comparative Example 5, ethylene gas was not introduced into the acrylic box, and blue LED light was irradiated onto the photocatalyst in the acrylic box. The freshness retention period in Comparative Example 5 was 12 days, which was 2 days longer than in Reference Example 4. This is thought to be due to the decomposition of organic gases and the like in the acrylic box by the photocatalytic activity.

[0052] In Examples 8 and 9, ethylene gas was introduced into the acrylic box, and blue LED light was irradiated onto the photocatalyst in the acrylic box. The freshness retention period in Example 8 was 20 days, 10 days longer than in Reference Example 4. The freshness retention period in Example 9 was 23 days, 11 days longer than in Reference Example 5. This is thought to be because the ethylene gas in the acrylic box was decomposed by the photocatalytic activity, and the reaction product inhibited the progression of aging of the roses. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 2: Storage, storage container or storage bag 3: Ethylene gas supply unit 4: Photocatalyst 5: Substrate 6: Light irradiation unit 7: Tomato 8: Flower 9: Cargo compartment 10: Storage device 20: Transport device

Claims

1. A gas supplying step of supplying ethylene gas into the storage facility, storage container, or storage bag; and an irradiation step of decomposing the ethylene gas by irradiating light to a photocatalyst in the storage facility, storage container, or storage bag in which at least one of vegetables, fruits, and flowers is stored.

2. 2. The storage method according to claim 1, wherein the ethylene gas concentration in the storage facility, the storage container or the storage bag after the ethylene gas is supplied into the storage facility, the storage container or the storage bag is 5 ppm or more and 160 ppm or less.

3. 3. The storage method according to claim 2, wherein the irradiation step is a step of irradiating the photocatalyst with light until the ethylene gas concentration in at least the storage facility, the storage container, or the storage bag becomes 2 ppm or less.

4. The storage method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the photocatalyst comprises tungsten oxide.

5. A storage device comprising: a storage facility, a storage container, or a storage bag for storing at least one of vegetables, fruits, and flowers; a photocatalyst disposed in the storage facility, the storage container, or the storage bag; a light irradiation unit arranged to irradiate the photocatalyst with light; and an ethylene gas supply unit arranged to supply ethylene gas into the storage facility, the storage container, or the storage bag.

6. A gas supply step of supplying ethylene gas into the luggage compartment, the carrier container, or the carrier bag; and an irradiation step of decomposing the ethylene gas by irradiating light to a photocatalyst in the cargo compartment, the transport container, or the transport bag, which contains at least one of vegetables, fruits, and flowers.

7. A transport device comprising: a cargo compartment, a transport container or a transport bag for storing at least one of vegetables, fruits and flowers; a photocatalyst disposed in the cargo compartment, in the transport container or in the transport bag; a light irradiation unit arranged to irradiate the photocatalyst with light; and an ethylene gas supply unit arranged to supply ethylene gas into the cargo compartment, in the transport container or in the transport bag.

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