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05.08.2026 - News article

Novelty: More reliable cleaning of salad leaves, salad mixes, and leafy vegetables in the case of aphid outbreaks

AphidWash has been specifically developed to improve washing performance for lettuce, salad mixes, and leafy vegetables. When using AphidWash, an aphid reduction of 85% to 90% can be achieved. This innovative processing aid facilitates the mechanical removal of aphids, even from leaf surfaces that are difficult to wet, ensuring simple and reliable cleaning for optimal product quality.

 

Effectively removing aphids when washing salad leaves with AphidWash

Natural Aphid Removal by KRONEN

The surface of aphids is protected by a wax-like, water-repellent layer. When washing products with water, this may cause a thin layer of air to remain on the body. The water therefore fails to fully reach the surface of the aphid and can only reach in between the leaf and the aphid to a limited extent. This physical effect makes aphids difficult to remove, even with strong turbulence.

AphidWash changes the wetting properties of the wash water. As a result: The surface tension is reduced. The layer of air around the aphid is ruptured. The water can reach in between the leaf and the aphid more successfully. The adhesion of the aphids to the leaf surface weakens. The removed aphids can be transported away from the product with the wash water flow. The mechanism of action is therefore solely physical. AphidWash plays no role whatsoever in the final product after washing and rinsing.

AphidWash significantly reduces the aphid population: Reduction of aphids by 85 to 90 % can be achieved with a washing time of 30 to 60 seconds and a process temperature of 7 °C in combination with water filtration and subsequent rinsing.

KRONEN supports processors in designing and testing a washing process to suit their application. 

Do you need advice? Feel free to contact us!

The advantages of AphidWash for salad and fresh-cut producers at a glance

  • Supports the effective physical removal of aphids from salad leaves, salad mixes, baby leaf greens, and leafy vegetables

  • Helps rinse off honeydew and sticky deposits

  • Simple three-stage treatment process

  • Produced from food-safe non-animal ingredients – suitable for vegan and vegetarian product

  • Odorless and tasteless

  • No pesticide, insecticide, or disinfectant function

  • For professional use in food processing facilities
     

More about AphidWash - Natural Aphid Removal

AphidWash: more reliable cleaning of salad leaves, salad mixes, and leafy vegetables in the case of aphid outbreaks
Aphids pose a significant challenge to processors of salad leaves and leafy vegetables. AphidWash was specially developed to improve the washing performance for salad leaves, salad mixes, and leafy vegetables.
Rinsing off sticky contaminants more successfully with AphidWash
A processing aid for a high-performance washing process: AphidWash makes it easier to mechanically remove aphids and sticky contaminants from salad leaves and leafy vegetables.
An effective combination of treatment and filtration when using AphidWash
The combination of surface wetting, controlled detachment, and filtration is essential for an optimal washing result.
The aphids were effectively removed from salad leaves, salad mixes, and leafy vegetables thanks to AphidWash.
Clean product: The aphids are effectively removed from salad leaves, salad mixes, and leafy vegetables thanks to AphidWash.