Active Pouches for Controlled 1-MCP Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laminated constructions for 1-MCP/CD release are often too slow for effective treatment of fresh produce, and there's a need to prevent direct contact between 1-MCP/CD and living plant materials while ensuring controlled release of 1-MCP.
Innovation Solution
Active pouches with a clathrate of 1-methylcyclopropene with α-cyclodextrin (1-MCP/CD) are used, which are sealed containment structures with permeable portions for water vapor and 1-MCP gas, allowing for controlled release and preventing direct contact with living plant materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If laminated constructions are used to prevent direct contact between 1-MCP/CD and living plant materials, then safety is improved, but the release rate of 1-MCP becomes too slow for effective treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The pouch is divided into multiple functional layers (impermeable layer and permeable layer) that can be selectively applied. The impermeable layer provides safety by preventing direct contact, while the permeable layer enables effective treatment by allowing controlled gas exchange, thus resolving the contradiction between safety and release rate.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the pouch structure have different permeability properties. The impermeable layer provides protection where direct contact must be prevented, while the permeable layer allows 1-MCP gas to escape at effective rates for treatment. This spatial differentiation of properties resolves the contradiction between safety and productivity.
2Productivity
If permeable pouches are used to enable faster release of 1-MCP, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but direct contact with living plant materials cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The pouch structure is segmented into distinct functional layers: an impermeable layer that prevents direct contact with plant materials and a permeable layer that enables effective 1-MCP release. This segmentation allows both contradictory requirements to be satisfied simultaneously in different portions of the same system.
Solution Approach 2:
The impermeable layer acts as an intermediary barrier between the 1-MCP/CD source and the living plant materials, preventing direct contact while still allowing the permeable portion to facilitate effective gas release for treatment.
3Reliability
If sealed containment structures are used to control 1-MCP release, then release control is improved, but the release rate may be too slow compared to unlaminated constructions
Solution Approach 1:
The pouch employs local quality differentiation where specific portions (permeable layers) have high permeability to enable fast release rates, while other portions (impermeable layers) provide sealing and control. This resolves the contradiction between release control and release rate by optimizing different regions for different functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The pouch is constructed as a composite structure combining materials with different permeability properties. The composite nature allows simultaneous achievement of controlled release (through the sealed structure) and fast release rates (through the permeable portions), resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The active pouches provide a controlled and faster release of 1-MCP, outperforming laminated constructions in release rate and preventing direct contact with fresh produce, thus effectively extending the shelf life of plant materials.
Implementation Method 1
the active pouch includes at least a portion, the active pouch that is permeable to water vapor
Implementation Method 2
the water vapor proximal to the coated substrate, provided naturally by respiration of the living plant material, initiates the anti-senescence treatment by causing disgorgement of 1-MCP from the 1-MCP clathrate
Implementation Method 3
the active pouch includes at least a portion, the active pouch that is permeable to 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) gas
Implementation Method 4
Daly et. al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,017,849 and 6,313,068 teach a clathrate of 1-methylcyclopropene with α-cyclodextrin (1-MCP/CD or 1-MCP clathrate). The 1-MCP gas complexes readily with α-cyclodextrin to form a crystalline solid
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are active pouches for obtaining selected release rates of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) therefrom. A pouch is a sealed thermoplastic containment or envelope defining an interior volume that is excluded from free exchange with the atmosphere, yet is permeable to both 1-MCP gas and water vapor. The active pouches enclose and contain a clathrate of 1-methylcyclopropene with α-cyclodextrin (1-MCP/CD). The rate of 1-MCP release from an active pouch subjected to a selected set of humidity-mediated disgorgement conditions may be varied by varying the interior volume of the active pouch relative to the amount of 1-MCP/CD contained within the active pouch.