Hypoxic Nitric Oxide Ripening Delay for Agricultural Produce

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for controlling fruit and vegetable ripening, such as chemical NO donors and genetic modifications, are costly, harmful, and inefficient in extending shelf life due to rapid NO release and ethylene pathway inhibition limitations.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing endogenous nitric oxide production from plant materials under hypoxic conditions to delay ripening by creating a controlled environment for NO release, avoiding tyrosine nitration and maintaining freshness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If chemical treatments are used to delay ripening, then storage duration is improved, but harmful factors increase due to chemical residues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage durationVSAvoidchemical residues

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an atmosphere as an intermediary medium between the agricultural produce and the environment. By controlling the atmospheric composition (oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen levels) inside the storage container, the system delays ripening without direct chemical contact with the produce, thus avoiding harmful residues while extending storage duration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates an inert or controlled atmosphere environment within the storage container by adjusting gas compositions (reducing oxygen, increasing carbon dioxide and nitrogen). This inert environment slows down metabolic processes and ripening of agricultural produces without introducing harmful chemicals, thereby extending storage life safely

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If refrigeration is used to extend storage, then storage duration is improved, but temperature control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage durationVSAvoidtemperature control

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the approach from controlling temperature to controlling atmospheric parameters (gas composition: oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen levels). This parameter substitution simplifies the control system by using atmospheric composition adjustment instead of complex temperature regulation, while achieving similar or better storage duration extension

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical refrigeration system with an atmospheric control system. Instead of using mechanical cooling devices to extend storage, the system uses chemical composition control of the atmosphere (gas ratios) to slow ripening, thereby reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining storage duration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Duration of action of stationary object

If controlled atmosphere storage is used, then storage duration is improved, but device complexity increases due to gas control systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage durationVSAvoidgas control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the storage system into simple functional segments: a container for holding produce and basic gas injection/monitoring points. Rather than a complex integrated control system, the segmentation allows independent adjustment of atmospheric parameters, simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining extended storage duration capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 system effectively extends the shelf life of fruits and vegetables by sustained NO release, enhancing defense mechanisms and preventing spoilage without harmful side effects, thus reducing costs and maintaining quality.

Implementation Method 1

The ripening process of agricultural produces such as fruits and vegetables is generally accompanied by an increase in the respiration rate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRespiration control:

Implementation Method 2

The atmosphere control system 102 may be configured to maintain or adjust levels of various gases, such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and ethylene, within the storage container 104

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEthylene inhibition:

Data Source

PatentEP3972416B1System for delaying ripening of agricultural produce

Publication Date: 2026.04.29 NAT INST OF PLANT GENOME RES

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AI summary

The present subject matter relates to a system (100, 200, 300) for delaying ripening process of agricultural produces (102, 202). The system (100, 200, 300) includes a first air-tight chamber (104, 204, 302) to hold a plant material (124, 228) in contact with a nitrite source (126, 230) and to receive a hypoxia-inducing source to create a hypoxic condition in first air-tight chamber (104, 204, 302) to enable production of nitric oxide by plant material (124, 228). A second air-tight chamber (106, 206) holds agricultural produce (102, 202). The second air-tight chamber (106, 206) comprises a first inlet (132, 236) connected to first outlet (130, 234) of first air-tight chamber (104, 204, 302) to expose agricultural produce (102, 202) to nitric oxide received from first air-tight chamber (104, 204, 302) for delaying ripening of agricultural produce (102, 202).