Cactus pear cauterizer increases shelf life without cooling processes

Mexico is the world's largest cactus pear producer and aspires to be the world's largest exporter. Export pear quality depends significantly on good cuts during harvest, so a cauterizer was developed to cut and seal 600 fruits per hour. Shelf life of pears (variety Opuntia spp.) increased without storage room ventilation or cooling. The cauterizer uses a battery recharged from a solar panel to provide the energy required during cutting. The system was energy-optimized in order to use the smallest solar cell to decrease high initial costs. Cuts at 150^oC destroyed thorns and cauterized the fruits. After 2 months of storage, 78% of the pears were healthy. Maturation began after 45 days when weight loss was 2%.