FoodsCross ΒIO Microgreens grow with space technology!

FoodsCross’ organic microgreens production unit in Elliniko, the largest of its kind in Greece, was recently equipped with the Airocide® air purification system, developed by NASA.

NASA developed Airocide® to remove ethylene gas from its Space Stations, which is produced by plants and accelerates the curing process of astronauts’ food.

In particular, in the 1990s NASA was looking for ways to solve the problem of feeding astronauts in the case of long-duration missions. However, growing in a closed environment resulted in the build-up of an undesirable gas, ethylene. To that end, NASA’s Marshall Space Flights Center’s product development program funded the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Department of Space Automation and Robotics to solve this problem.

The solution was a device which they called a “scrubber” which was tested in closed plant growing chambers. Air was introduced into tubes coated with thin layers of titanium dioxide. At the same time, an ultraviolet (UV) light source in the tubes acted on the titanium and ethylene was converted into water and carbon dioxide.
Note that both are beneficial to plants.

This is how Airocide® was created as the most revolutionary technology for cleaning the air from microorganisms, viruses, aerobic microbes, mould etc.
Airocide® is approved and classified by the FDA as a Class II medical device and has been clinically proven to clean the air by oxidising on contact: with ethylene, mold, mycotoxins, bacteria, viruses and volatile organic compounds.

The system enhances FoodsCross’ facilities and production process, helping to grow healthier micro-vegetables, stronger in taste and flavour and able to stay fresh for up to twice as long after packaging.

On the occasion of the new partnership, Airocide®’s representative in Greece, said: “We are very happy about our partnership with FoodsCross. Airocide® is an internationally innovative product that proves in the best way that research and innovation know no boundaries and industries. We are honoured that FoodsCross, which is the largest microgreens production facility in Greece, has entrusted us with the selection and installation of Airocide®.”

Aliki Vassilopoulos, co-founder of FoodsCross, said: “FoodsCross aims at the continuous evolution of the production process, to provide pure, exceptional and raw food products. In this context, it has chosen to proceed with the installation of a NASA-signed air purification system for the cultivation of micro-vegetables. Airocide® is an innovative high-tech product, available from a Greek company, making us proud. And FoodsCross’ journey continues.”