Technical services

Preserving greenness in fresh produce: a postharvest priority

Preserve vibrant greenness in table grapes with RYPEN’s ethylene‑moderating technology. Learn how reducing ethylene exposure slows chlorophyll loss, protects colour during long‑haul shipping, and improves arrival quality, delivering fresher, brighter grapes from harvest to retail.

2 min read
March 26, 2026

For green table grape varieties, colour is one of the strongest visual indicators of freshness and quality. Maintaining a vibrant green hue through storage, shipping, and distribution is essential—not just for appearance, but for protecting market value. Yet postharvest colour loss remains a common challenge across global supply chains.

Why greenness fades after harvest

Once grapes are harvested, they become vulnerable to several external factors that accelerate chlorophyll breakdown. Temperature fluctuations and light exposure can trigger metabolic changes that promote yellowing. But one of the most influential drivers is ethylene.

Ethylene, a naturally occurring plant hormone, activates genes that produce chlorophyll degrading enzymes. As chlorophyll levels decline, grapes lose their bright green colour, shifting toward yellow tones associated with ageing and lower quality. Even small increases in ethylene concentration can influence the rate of this transformation, making effective management critical for long-haul shipments.

How RYPEN protects colour

RYPEN’s ethylene moderating technology has been designed to capture excess ethylene to minimise the biochemical triggers that cause greenness loss. The RYPEN Case liners & Sheets actively remove excess ethylene inside each carton, helping preserve the pigments that define freshness.

By limiting ethylene exposure, RYPEN slows:

  • Chlorophyll degradation
  • Pigment destabilisation
  • Carotenoid development (which contributes to yellowing)

This creates a more stable microenvironment that supports colour retention from harvest to arrival.

Validation through real-world shipping trials

Previous midseason trials on Autumn Crisp grapes shipped from South Africa to the Netherlands over a 44-day period demonstrated the impact of this approach.

Grapes packed with the RYPEN Case liner outperformed the Control group:

  • 27× improvement in brightness
  • 16× better greenness retention

For growers and exporters, this means stronger arrival quality, reduced downgrades, and a more confident presentation on retail shelves.

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