Oishii Launches Koyo Berry!
In a groundbreaking move, vertical farming leader Oishii has introduced the Koyo berry, the latest addition to its strawberry lineup.
100% Protected
Advanced Sustainable Nutrient-Preserving Packaging
Healthy Food
Edible Coatings
High-Barrier Packaging
Prevents Contamination
ECO Friendly
Not Harmful To The Environment
Bio Composite Solutions
Make A Water-Based Solution
About BerryCoat
BerryCoat, a Canadian chemical and agricultural research firm, is dedicated to developing an innovative large-scale packaging solution aimed at enhancing the preservation of fruit nutrition during storage and export. Recognizing the unique preservation needs of different agricultural products, BerryCoat’s primary emphasis is on creating a highly effective and environmentally sustainable edible packaging system with dual-barrier protection tailored specifically for blueberries, Canada’s leading fruit export valued at $550 million. What sets BerryCoat apart from other commercial offerings is its formulation, meticulously designed to provide optimal protection for fruits.
About Us
Protected And 100% ECO-Friendly
Vision
To become a global leader in eco-friendly fruit packaging, setting new standards for quality, sustainability, and innovation while emphasizing the health and well-being of the users.
Mission
To develop an innovative technology to simultaneously achieve advanced sustainable nutrient-preserving packaging that is cost-effective, edible, and highly efficient.
Providing Best Berries
- Increases shelf-life
- Edible Coatings
- High-Barrier Packaging
Problems We Work On
Post-harvest losses are one of the major concerns in the fruits and vegetable markets across the world. This issue negatively impacts the profitability of farming vendors and farmers. One of the major reasons for the post-harvest losses is the spread of post-harvest diseases due to the pathogen activities among fruits and vegetables. As a result, the demand for an effective post-harvest protection system increased, including the application of fruit and vegetable coatings.
In Canada, blueberries are the number one fruit export, and deal with post-harvest losses as well.
Additionally, the waste of fruit causes excessive use of cooling systems, storage, and transport systems which are very expensive.
Problems in Canadian blueberry trade include:
- Shorter Shelf-life: Microbial spoilage causes shorter shelf-life for blueberries. The average shelf-life is 3-10 days of freshness
- Needs careful storage: Blueberries are very difficult to store and transport. Blueberries need moisture maintenance as they must be kept in dry conditions and need to be refrigerated.
There are also problems relating to waste management in the fresh food packaging industry:
- Only 9% of plastic is recycled while the rest ends up as ocean pollution.
- 12.7 million tons/year end up in the oceans.
- 60% of all fruits and vegetables go to waste.
OUR SOLUTION
BerryCoat’s solution is an eco-friendly edible, two-barrier protection packaging system utilizing essential oils and extracts with nanocomposite technology. The first layer is an edible coating on the berry. The second layer is a nano composite film which prevents damage from gases and UV. BerryCoat is also good for the environment, as the product is fully biodegradable.
BerryCoat’s solution increases shelf-life 2-3 times
compared to the control fruits through the following
features:
1. Edible Coatings
- Prevents contamination.
- Kills microbes.
- Preserves flavour and nutrients.
2. High-Barrier Packaging
- Prevents contamination.
- Prevents damage from gases and UV.
- Safe and waste-free.
Product
BerryCoat is a two-barrier packaging system. The first layer is an edible coating on the berry. The second layer is a nano composite film which prevents damage from gases and UV. The motive is to develop a large-scale packaging system to effectively improve the preservation of fruits’ nutrition during the storage and export periods.
Production Process
- Extraction of essential oils and extracts: Extract essential oils from plants.
- Fabrication of bio composite solution: Make a water-based solution. It is a mix of sugars, proteins, and lipids.
- Coating application: Dip and/or spray the coating on the berries.
- Transferal to biodegradable nanocomposite packaging: The coated berries are transferred to the pre-made nano-composite bio-packaging.
Applications
BerryCoat could be applied in different ways depending on the type of fruits or vegetables. In case of the berry family, the harvested berries are immersed into the BerryCoat solution for a pre-optimized time interval, removed and dried on specific sieves, and then, is transferred to the packaging unit. BerryCoat has also designed a more efficient coating method using the spraying technique in which the BerryCoat solution is sprayed onto the surface of berries which are slowly moved on a shaking bed. The level of shaking and moving speed is adjusted in a way that a thin layer of BerryCoat covers the whole surface of fruits. In the packaging unit, the second barrier of BerryCoat is applied to the coated berries. They are placed in biodegradable and transparent packages in different sizes (100-1000 g). The top surface of the packaging is then sealed with a high barrier flexible nanocomposite film.
Technology Used
Barrier Packaging System
First Barrier
The first barrier is an edible composite coating, incorporated with essential oils and plant extracts, which is applied on the berries’ surface in the form of a thin uniform film and acts as a strong barrier toward transmission of different gases. The coating is edible and can be easily washed away before use. The applied edible coating imparts a significant antimicrobial and antifungal behavior to the fruits’ surface. The edible coating stops microbial contamination and moisture loss. This increases shelf-life and keeps in the nutrients. The berries also keep their flavor and firmness. Moreover, the improved impermeability toward water vapor led to the retainment of the fruit moisture keeping their stiffness and freshness for a longer period of time. The overall effect of the applied coating is the prolonged storage period of the berries which can lead to a significant reduction in the number of wasted berries around the globe.
Second Barrier
The coated berries are then transferred into a biodegradable transparent nanocomposite packaging with improved barrier properties to avoid the transmission of gases into the packaging. In fact, the first barrier (coating) acts as a barrier against the moisture loss of the fruit, and the second barrier (packaging film) acts as a barrier against the transmission of gases and microorganisms into the packaging and allows the berries to be stored and transported. The added nanomaterials create a tortuous path against the penetration of gases. The top surface of the rigid package is sealed by a high-barrier flexible film.
Antimicrobial Protection
Shelf Life
BEFORE/AFTER
Product Video
MEET THE TEAM
Nguyen Tuan Vuong
CEO
Mr. Nguyen Tuan Vuong is an outgoing and result-driven senior business executive with 12 years of leadership experience and 20+ years of experience in agricultural commodities supply chain management. He has worked as a Purchasing Supervisor Cum Technician, Purchasing Manager and Cocoa Team Lead. As Chief Executive Officer of BerryCoat, Mr. Nguyen Tuan Vuong’s result-driven passionate mindset, past leadership roles in the food industry, and people relations experiences will be crucial for its ability to succeed in Canada.
Phan To Hong Hai
CMO
Mr. Phan To Hong Hai is a hardworking and detail-oriented marketing and advertising executive, and real estate entrepreneur with 30+ years of experience in marketing and media. He has worked as a Traffic Controller Manager, Account Manager, Senior Account Manager, Communication Manager, Vice General Director, Business Development and Marketing Director, Sales and Marketing Manager, Vice General Manager, Marketing and Communication Director and Head Of Education. As Chief Marketing Officer of BerryCoat, Mr. Phan To Hong Hai’s extensive experience in leadership positions within marketing, sales, and advertising fields will be vital for the Company’s ability to build brand awareness within Canadian markets.
Ngo Minh Cuong
CTO
Mr. Ngo Minh Cuong is an ambitious scientific sales entrepreneur with more than 10 years of experience in science equipment trading and 20 years in scientific/medical instrument sales/services. He has worked as a Customer Engineer, Deputy Technical Manager, Founder/Director and owner – operator. As Chief Technical Officer of BerryCoat, Mr. Ngo Minh Cuong’s remarkable ability to network and use technology to enhance Company objectives will ensure BerryCoat’s success in Canada.
Our Blogs
Nutritional advantages of berries
The nutritional advantages of berries are undeniable, given their abundant antioxidants, high flavonoid content, and various health benefits
Blueberry Acreage Expansion in Canada
Did you know that blueberries rank as the leading fruit commodity in Canada in terms of both growing area and farm gate value? Over the past decade, the acreage dedicated to both wild (low bush) and cultivated (high bush) blueberries has seen a notable increase.
Edible food packaging
With the emergence of this innovative packaging solution, it’s worth delving into the reasons behind its increasing popularity compared to traditional packaging methods.
Power of Berries
Phytonutrients represent organic compounds derived from plants that exert influence over our genetic activity.
Understanding Blueberries’ Key Nutrients
Julia Zumpano, a registered dietitian (RD) and licensed dietitian (LD), offers valuable insights into the advantages of incorporating blueberries into your diet.
Frequently Ask Questions
The materials used in edible coating technology could be categorized into three main classes including polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids. The majority of commercialized edible coatings have used one of the abovementioned classes of biomaterials. BerryCoat employs a unique combination of all the three classes mentioned above. Due to their abundancy in nature, biocompatibility, biodegradability and non-toxicity, polysaccharides have been considered as the first and only option for edible films and coatings. However, their rather poor water vapor barrier and low mechanical properties limited their use especially for those fruits which are highly prone to the moisture loss such as grapes and berries. On the other hand, proteins have excellent gas barrier properties and satisfactory mechanical properties. Their major drawback is their hydrophilicity leading to a poor water barrier property.
Despite an optimal ratio of polysaccharide to protein, the hydrophobicity of the BerryCoat is further enhanced by the addition of a lipid phase in the form of essential oil hybrids. Apart from the improved hydrophobic character and water barrier properties, a strong antimicrobial/antifungal property is also imparted to the BerryCoat. To achieve a stable and homogeneous aqueous solution, some additives and emulsifying agents were also added to the system.
With the Company’s lab tests, it was determined that BerryCoat was effective in controlling the fungal growth until 36 days of storage as compared to the control fruits.
Prevent and Growth for 28 days
BerryCoat significantly delayed blueberries’ dehydration. Packaging in the nanocomposite further reduced the water loss. Using the two-barrier system, the reduction percentage in water loss was 70%. As a result, the blueberries remained fresher and firmer after a long storage period.
Dramatically less dehydration
Prevent and Growth for 28 daysBerryCoat significantly delayed blueberries’ dehydration. Packaging in the nanocomposite further reduced the water loss. Using the two-barrier system, the reduction percentage in water loss was 70%. As a result, the blueberries remained fresher and firmer after a long storage period.
Dramatically less dehydration
The coated blueberries retained their fresh appearance and look glossier than the uncoated blueberries at 20 days:
BerryCoat’s technology is very flexible. The Company can offer the coating process separately, but it works best when combined with the second packaging layer. Further Applications
BerryCoat formulation can also be used for postharvest preservation of other fruits, especially those prone to moisture loss such as cherry tomatoes and strawberries.
BerryCoat’s technology is very flexible. The Company can offer the coating process separately, but it works best when combined with the second packaging layer. Further Applications
BerryCoat formulation can also be used for postharvest preservation of other fruits, especially those prone to moisture loss such as cherry tomatoes and strawberries.
