Marvil Engineering Presents Dynamic Controlled Atmosphere and ULO Systems for Postharvest Fruit and Vegetable Preservation at Fruit Attraction

Italian engineering firm Marvil Engineering used its stand at the Fruit Attraction trade fair in Madrid (October 6–8) to present its portfolio of postharvest preservation systems, including Dynamic Controlled Atmosphere (DCA), Ultra Low Oxygen (ULO) technology, and controlled ripening chambers. The Poscosecha.com team visited the stand during the event.

The engineering challenge

Postharvest preservation in cold storage demands continuous analytical control of the internal atmosphere. Because the physiological state of fruit and vegetables fluctuates over time, static gas settings are insufficient. Operators need systems that track cellular respiration in real time so that commercial shelf life can be extended without resorting to invasive chemical treatments.

DCA and ULO: matching gas levels to fruit physiology

Marvil's DCA systems dynamically adjust oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations to the physiological stress threshold of the stored produce. According to the company, this approach maintains firmness, reduces weight loss from dehydration, and prevents physiological disorders such as superficial scald in pome fruits, pears, kiwis, and berries. The ULO variant pushes oxygen levels below conventional CA ranges for further respiration suppression.

Ripening chambers and industrial applications

Beyond long-term storage, Marvil designs airtight ripening chambers that allow precise control of temperature, relative humidity, and ethylene flow, producing uniform batches ready for consumption. The same gas-separation and atmospheric-control technologies developed for the fruit and vegetable sector are also applied in the broader food industry, including modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and bottling operations.

Monitoring parameters and stated outcomes

The systems monitor O₂, CO₂, C₂H₄, and relative humidity in real time to optimise preservation conditions. Marvil states that the result is extended shelf life with maintained organoleptic qualities, colour, and firmness suitable for long-distance shipments, alongside reduced commercial losses and lower energy consumption in managing the storage-chamber atmosphere.

Source: Postharvest: Cooling and CA.