Chemical compositions, their manufacture and use in improving the storage characteristics of apples and pears

摘要

Stable concentrated acidic formulations containing calcium ions and phosphate ions, in the weight/volume ranges of 1.9% to 5.0% and 7% to 40% respectively, are made by dissolving a source or sources of those ions in an aqueous acidic medium, for instance, in the presence of orthophosphoric acid, and then effecting controlled reduction of the acidity, e.g. to pH 1.6 to 2.0, by adding alkali. A surfactant is preferably included. On dilution with water, the formulations remain stable and can be converted into equally stable formulations which can be applied to fruit trees, the reduced acidity avoiding damage to the tree leaves. Take-up of the formulations by the trees results in fruit which is less prone to defects and is more storage-stable.