Aug 1, 2008 12:00 PM

Purfresh, formerly known as Novazone Inc., and pear supplier Diamond Fruit Growers announced that Diamond Fruit has saved an estimated 30 percent of its chemical and water expenses each year, and helped prevent spoilage in millions of dollars' worth of fruit, since installing Purfresh products in its post-harvest fruit operations.

Oregon-based Diamond Fruit is a cooperative representing more than 100 fruit orchards covering more than 6,000 acres in the Hood River Valley. Collectively, the cooperative produces more than 55,000 tons of fresh pears annually.

Diamond Fruit has installed multiple Purfresh systems for purification, washing, and storage of produce. The company uses Purfresh in combination with its recently upgraded pear-processing tank; Purfesh's ozone system extends the useful life of the tank solution. Diamond Fruit also uses Purfresh-Cold Storage, which distributes targeted doses of ozone to control ripening and eliminate pathogens in storage. Purfresh is also used for cherry processing, replacing chlorine with ozone-treated water to disinfect and preserve fresh cherries. Ozone reduces cherry stem necrosis and losses caused by chlorine burn, while also resulting in brighter, greener stems.

Access www.purfresh.com for complete details.