Novel system to improve grape quality & shelf life, reduce waste & increase supplier income

Grape bunches can contain a variety of large debris, such as spiders, webs as well as pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and molds (and the toxins that they produce). These can present a number of different problems, including: • Accelerate rotting of fruit & reduce shelf life - 47% of grapes are affected at end of life by rots and molds (MMUK data); • Represent a human health hazard; • Generate economic losses in excess of £39 mpa for retailers and wholesalers throughout the UK; through produce losses between packing & sale and replacing customer punnets where unwanted debris (eg. dangerous spiders/webs) or rotten fruit is present; • Cause waste of up to 12,900 tonnes of grapes per annum between packing and consumption (MMUK data & WRAP, 2008). Our aim is to develop a novel technology which will recognise and remove debris from grapes as well as kill micro-organisms which may cause fruit rotting and decreased shelf life. It is envisaged the benefits of the technology will include: • Extension of grape shelf life by 2 days; • Reduce grape waste by 50% between packing and sale (5,250 tonnes per annum if GrapeWash is adopted by the entire UK grape market); • Reduce CO2 emissions by 1,575 tonnes per annum through reducing grape waste.