Postharvest

Consideration of the interactions between decisions made at one point in the supply chain and its effects on the subsequent stages is the core concept of a systems approach. Postharvest Handling is unique in its application of this systems approach to the handling of fruits and vegetables, exploring multiple aspects of this important process through chapters written by experts from a variety of backgrounds. Newly updated and revised, this second edition includes coverage of the logistics of fresh produce from multiple perspectives, postharvest handing under varying weather conditions, quality control, changes in consumer eating habits and other factors key to successful postharvest handling. The ideal book for understanding the economic as well as physical impacts of postharvest handling decisions. Key Features: *Features contributions from leading experts providing a variety of perspectives *Updated with 12 new chapters *Focuses on application-based information for practical implementation *System approach is unique in the handling of fruits and vegetables

Due to the nature of agricultural commodities as carriers of exotic pests, importing countries have employed varying methods of pest control for postharvest products. Thermal treatments are emerging as effective, environmentally-friendly alternatives to traditional methods, eliminating chemical residues and minimizing damage to produce. This book provides comprehensive information of these increasingly important treatments, covering temperature measurement, heat transfer, physiological responses of plants, insects and pathogens to heat, and an introduction to current and potential quarantine treatments based on hot air, hot water, and radio frequency energy.

This book contains 12 chapters focusing on the basic tenets of postharvest technology of fruits and vegetables and how this influences their postharvest behaviour. Key information about their composition, biochemistry, respiration and physiology are presented. The importance of the management of temperature and humidity for maintaining fresh quality is discussed. The susceptibility of fresh produce to various pathogenic diseases and physiological disorders and their identification and control by environmentally friendly methods are pointed out and technologies that are adjuncts to temperature management, i.e. atmosphere control, controlled ripening, packaging and transport, are highlighted. The principles underlying the food safety based quality assurance systems that also meet environmental requirements are outlined. The influence of consumers on the marketing and storage of fruit and vegetables are also examined.

As a collection of papers that includes material presented at the 2008 International Congress for Plant Pathology, this text features research right at the leading edge of the field. The latest findings are particularly crucial in their implications for fruit production; an important market sector where in some areas up to 50 per cent of the crop can be lost after harvest. While post-harvest fruit treatments with fungicides are the most effective means to reduce decay, rising concerns about toxicity have led to the development of alternative approaches to disease control, including biological methods, the subject of three chapters of this book. With several new techniques requiring modification of current post-harvest practices, it is more important than ever to stay abreast of the latest information. Other chapters deal with the mechanisms of host fruit and vegetable resistance, fungal pathogenicity factors and their relationship with the host response, and a number of subjects related to disease assessments before harvest as well as their relationship to the postharvest treatment of fruits and vegetables. The book also includes several useful case studies of crops such as kiwifruit and peaches, where different approaches at the pre- and post-harvest levels are combined to good effect. With food production issues gaining an ever higher profile internationally, this text makes an important contribution to the debate.

Focusing exclusively on postharvest vegetable studies, this book covers advances in biochemistry, plant physiology, and molecular physiology to maximize vegetable quality. The book reviews the principles of harvest and storage; factors affecting postharvest physiology, calcium nutrition and irrigation control; product quality changes during handling and storage; technologies to improve quality; spoilage factors and biocontrol methods; and storage characteristics of produce by category. It covers changes in sensory quality such as color, texture, and flavor after harvest and how biotechnology is being used to improve postharvest quality.

While products such as bananas, pineapples, kiwifruit and citrus have long been available to consumers in temperate zones, new fruits such as lychee, longan, carambola, and mangosteen are now also entering the market. Confirmation of the health benefits of tropical and subtropical fruit may also promote consumption further. Tropical and subtropical fruits are particularly vulnerable to postharvest losses, and are also transported long distances for sale. Therefore maximising their quality postharvest is essential and there have been many recent advances in this area. Many tropical fruits are processed further into purees, juices and other value-added products, so quality optimisation of processed products is also important. The books cover current state-of-the-art and emerging post-harvest and processing technologies. Volume 1 contains chapters on particular production stages and issues, whereas Volumes 2, 3 and 4 contain chapters focused on particular fruit. Chapters in Volume 4 review the factors affecting the quality of different tropical and subtropical fruits from mangosteen to white sapote. Important issues relevant to each product are discussed, including means of maintaining quality and minimising losses postharvest, recommended storage and transport conditions and processing methods, among other topics. With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, Volume 4 of Postharvest biology and technology of tropical and subtropical fruits, along with the other volumes in the collection, are essential references both for professionals involved in the postharvest handling and processing of tropical and subtropical fruits and for academics and researchers working in the area. Along with the other volumes in the collection, Volume 4 is an essential reference for professionals involved in the postharvest handling and processing of tropical and subtropical fruits and for academics and researchers working in the area Reviews factors affecting the quality of different tropical and subtropical fruits, concentrating on postharvest biology and technology Important issues relevant to each particular fruit are discussed, such as postharvest physiology, preharvest factors affecting postharvest quality and pests and diseases

A wider understanding of potato postharvest practices is needed to improve working relations between growers, agronomists, pathologists and crop store managers. Providing a comprehensive examination of international potato production, this book identifies which storage systems suit particular climatic zones as well as considering interactions between crop microclimate, dehydration, crop cooling, condensation and disease development. Potatoes Postharvest will guide the reader through the activities following harvest from store loading, store management, and grading to packaging and dispatch.

Postharvest losses of fresh produce have always been an obstacle in agriculture. About one third of global fresh fruits and vegetables are lost because their quality has dropped below an acceptance limit. The postharvest quality and shelf life of fresh produce are also determined before harvest. However, postharvest quality is also affected by many practices during and after harvest such as temperature management, controlled and modified atmosphere, coatings, physical treatments, biocontrol, and more. This Special Issue on “Postharvest Disease Development: Pre and/or Postharvest Practices” gathers papers that deal with preharvest and postharvest factors that affect and maintain fresh produce quality after harvest.