Postharvest Biology and Technology
Muhammad Ahmad; Musa Mohammed Abubakar; Sani Sale
Abstract
Purpose: Postharvest losses of fruits and vegetables are major problem for countries that agriculture is one of the source economy and that losses in tomato have reported from 20 to 50%. It is one of the very perishable fruit and it changes continuously after harvesting. The aim was to evaluate the effect ...
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Purpose: Postharvest losses of fruits and vegetables are major problem for countries that agriculture is one of the source economy and that losses in tomato have reported from 20 to 50%. It is one of the very perishable fruit and it changes continuously after harvesting. The aim was to evaluate the effect of guava (Psidium guajava) and physic nut (Jatropha curcas) leaf extract on fresh ripe tomato fruits. Research method: Two tomato varieties obtained (UTC and Tandilo) from Gombe Main Market and were then treated with aqueous and ethanolic extract of Psidium guajava and Jatropha curcas leaves to extend their shelf life and maintain the quality of tomato fruits during storage. The experiment was laid out using completely randomized block design, (CRBD). Number of days to deterioration was recorded on visual eating quality. The recorded data were analyzed using analysis of variance. Findings: Ethanolic extracts of P. guajava and J. curcas was highly effective on UTC variety. The postharvest decay that was the main quality factor in this experiment significantly reduced in Tandilo and UTC tomato fruits after using 2.5g/1000ml ethanolic J. curcas leaves extract by 24 and 25 days respectively; and 22 and 23 days after using 2.5g/1000ml ethanolic P. guajava leaves extract. Limitations: No limitations were founded. Originality/Value: These findings indicate that application of leaves extracts proved to be effective in extending the shelf life of test tomato fruits.
Food Science and Technology
Munir Abba Dandago; Daniel T. Gungula; Hycenth Nahunnaro
Abstract
Purpose: Tomato postharvest losses are as high as 60% in Nigeria despite being 13th producer. This could be reduced when tomatoes were carefully treated and packaged. This research investigated the effects of chemical dips and packaging on storability of tomatoes. Research method: The research was a ...
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Purpose: Tomato postharvest losses are as high as 60% in Nigeria despite being 13th producer. This could be reduced when tomatoes were carefully treated and packaged. This research investigated the effects of chemical dips and packaging on storability of tomatoes. Research method: The research was a factorial design laid out in RCBD with three replications. The field work was done in Kura while the laboratory was done at Kano University of Science and Technology. Tomatoes were harvested, sorted, weighed into 3 kg lots and treated (D1= dip in water, D2= dip in 200 ppm NaOCl and 1% CaCl2 for 5 minutes and D3= dip in 200 ppm NaOCl and 3% C6H7KO2 for 5 and 1 minutes respectively) and packaged as follows: (P1= kraft paper, P2= perforated polyethylene and P3= sealed polyethylene). Analyses of firmness, % weight loss, % rot, ascorbic acid and lycopene were carried out every 3 days. Data collected were analyzed using GLM procedure (SAS) and means separated using LSD. Main findings: Results showed fruits dipped in 200 ppm NaOCl and CaCl2 for 5 minutes; packaged in perforated PE; and fruits dipped in 200 ppm NaOCl and CaCl2 for 5 minutes and packaged in sealed polyethylene were the best combinations. The treatments maintained physico-chemical parameters of tomatoes within acceptable limit for 24 days. Limitations: Firmness measurement was a challenge of the study. Originality/Value: A combination of the two factors is novel in the study environment and this could help in reducing the postharvest losses thereby improving farmers’ income.
Postharvest Biology and Technology
Vivian Ku; Bouthsakone Inthalangsee; Ron Wills
Abstract
Purpose: Demand for tomato is increasing in Laos but marketing options are limited due to ripening during transit. This study quantified changes in fruit ripening during commercial transit to the major urban market in Laos, and investigated extension in market life achieved by inclusion of an ethylene ...
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Purpose: Demand for tomato is increasing in Laos but marketing options are limited due to ripening during transit. This study quantified changes in fruit ripening during commercial transit to the major urban market in Laos, and investigated extension in market life achieved by inclusion of an ethylene absorbent into packages of green fruit. Research method: Ripening during the transport tomatoes of mixed maturity in the same package from to Vientiane was assessed by scoring fruit colour at harvest and arrival at the market. An intervention trial was then conducted where green tomatoes were packed with an ethylene absorbent and ripeness assessed over seven days at ambient temperature. Findings: During the 24-hour journey of 750 km from farm to urban market, the mean colour score increased from 2.4 to 3.5 with the proportion of green fruit (score 1) decreasing from 35 % at harvest to 5 % at Vientiane. In the trial where tomatoes were sorted so only green (score 1) and breaker (score 2) fruit were packed in containers, the inclusion of sachets of a low-cost potassium permanganate ethylene absorbent significantly delayed ripening - 75% of fruit remained green after 7 days storage which was double that in control boxes. Research limitations: Findings need to be confirmed on larger shipments to a range of markets. Originality/Value: On-farm sorting for maturity coupled with the marketing of ripening fruit on local markets and green fruit held in reduced ethylene to more lucrative markets can increase the economic situation for Lao farmers.
