Postharvest Biology and Technology
Farid Moradinezhad; Nida Firdous; Maryam Dorostkar
Abstract
Purpose: In recent years, tropical and citrus fruits have become increasingly important in global fruit production. However, postharvest fruit loss due to spoilage and decay remains a significant challenge, impacting the global food supply chain. Owing to their perishable nature, horticultural products ...
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Purpose: In recent years, tropical and citrus fruits have become increasingly important in global fruit production. However, postharvest fruit loss due to spoilage and decay remains a significant challenge, impacting the global food supply chain. Owing to their perishable nature, horticultural products can experience losses of approximately 20–40% during postharvest handling and storage. Findings: Tropical and subtropical fruits are important commodities that play a significant role in human nutrition and health. Citrus fruits, bananas, mangoes, papaya, and pineapples are among the main traded tropical and subtropical fruits worldwide. Edible coatings have emerged as a sustainable solution to extend the shelf life, improve the quality of fruits and reduce postharvest losses. They are environmentally friendly and meet consumer preferences for natural, safe, and healthy food products. The exact composition and application of these coatings are crucial for determining their ability to prevent microbial growth, reduce enzymatic browning, and maintain the sensory properties of fruits. Additionally, incorporating nanotechnology into edible coatings has the potential to enhance their properties, such as improved barrier functions, regulated release of active substances, and increased antimicrobial capabilities. Recent progress regarding the influence of edible coatings is emphasized in this review, demonstrating how they contribute to extending shelf life, maintaining quality, and minimizing postharvest losses of important tropical and citrus fresh/fresh-cut fruits on a global scale. Limitations: There were no limitations. Directions for future research: Despite their potential, challenges in production, storage, and commercial-scale usage exist, requiring continuous research and innovation. Overall, edible coatings show promise in reducing postharvest losses and promoting sustainable agricultural practices on a global scale.
Postharvest Biology and Technology
Farid Moradinezhad; Nida Firdous
Abstract
Purpose: Temperate fruits not only provide essential nutrients but also contribute to the diversity and sustainability of horticultural production systems worldwide. The total production of fruits, increased during the past twenty years. However, postharvest losses of fruits due to spoilage, decay, and ...
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Purpose: Temperate fruits not only provide essential nutrients but also contribute to the diversity and sustainability of horticultural production systems worldwide. The total production of fruits, increased during the past twenty years. However, postharvest losses of fruits due to spoilage, decay, and physiological deterioration pose a significant challenge to the global food supply chain, which leads to a decline in fruit quantity and quality after harvest. Findings: Edible coatings have emerged as a sustainable solution for extending the shelf life of fruits while reducing postharvest losses. The use of edible coatings is not only environmentally friendly but also addresses consumer demands for natural, safe, and healthy food products obtained through minimal processing. A wide array of edible coating materials is available, each possessing unique properties that influence their effectiveness in preserving fruits. The specific composition and application of edible coatings play a crucial role in their effectiveness in inhibiting microbial growth, reducing enzymatic browning, and maintaining the sensory quality of the fruits. Limitations: No limitations were found. Directions for future research: Future research should focus on exploring and developing new, sustainable, and biodegradable coating materials derived from renewable sources. Additionally, incorporating nanotechnology into edible coatings can enhance their properties, such as improved barrier properties, controlled release of active compounds, and enhanced antimicrobial activity. Continued research and innovation in this area hold significant promise for reducing postharvest losses, improving food security, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. This review summarizes recent advances in different edible coating materials and their uses in prolonging shelf life and decreasing postharvest losses of important temperate fresh/fresh-cut fruits worldwide.
Postharvest Biology and Technology
Nida Firdous
Abstract
Purpose: Tomato, being a climacteric and soft textured fruit, faces many challenges in postharvest life, and many factors influence its quality during storage. It faces price fluctuation in Pakistan due to postharvest losses. This review focuses on intensive research in recent years regarding edible ...
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Purpose: Tomato, being a climacteric and soft textured fruit, faces many challenges in postharvest life, and many factors influence its quality during storage. It faces price fluctuation in Pakistan due to postharvest losses. This review focuses on intensive research in recent years regarding edible coatings and films to minimize crop losses, and to maintain tomatoes quality by giving structural integrity. Findings: Tomato is a highly demanded vegetable due to its extensive uses, but its postharvest losses are 33-46% in developing countries. The application of edible coating is one of many methods used to extend the shelf life of tomatoes. The edible coating acts as semipermeable barriers to gases and water vapors. It is not a new concept and dates back to the 12th century. Edible coatings are made from lipids, carbohydrates, or protein-based materials, with additional additives like emulsifiers, plasticizers, release agents, and lubricants. The use of edible coating with different formulations is an effective method for extending the shelf life of fresh produce and tomatoes. Limitations: Edible coating formulations should be wet and uniformly spread on fruit surfaces, as proper adhesion, cohesion, and durability matter. Significantly less eco-friendly coatings are available compared to chemically synthesized layers. Directions for future research: These days, many new materials are evolving as coating solutions based on their film-forming properties, and these materials can replace synthetic plastic-based films. Composite and multi-layer coatings should be developed and micro encapsulation techniques should be adopted for better results.
Postharvest Biology and Technology
Nida Firdous
Abstract
Purpose: International agencies have advocated that monitoring food security and world food resources are necessary to meet the needs of growing populations and to minimize postharvest losses. This paper focuses on the biochemical and physiological bases of changes that causes post-harvest losses and ...
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Purpose: International agencies have advocated that monitoring food security and world food resources are necessary to meet the needs of growing populations and to minimize postharvest losses. This paper focuses on the biochemical and physiological bases of changes that causes post-harvest losses and ways to mitigate them. By controlling these metabolic changes, some degree of preservation is possible. Findings: Postharvest losses are 30-50% in developing countries due to energy crisis and lack of proper handling procedures and refrigeration; in contrast to less than 15% in developed countries. Highly perishable commodities like fruits and vegetables are living entities which are characterized by life evolving activities like respiration, transpiration, ripening and metabolic changes. Various compositional changes, such as chlorophyll degradation, softening, and ascorbic acid losses can result in short shelf life. Total 63 species of vegetables are grown in Pakistan but onions, potatoes, tomatoes, garlic, green chilies, coriander, spinach, pumpkin and okra are mostly grown and consumed. Limitations: In Pakistan due to energy crisis and economic constraints no cold food chains/transport is available as a result of which fresh produce endured post-harvest losses. There is a need to use production technologies supplemented with postharvest techniques to mitigate postharvest losses.Directions for Future Research: Many new technologically viable preservation techniques like modified atmosphere packaging and controlled atmosphere storage should come into existence due to increased health consciousness, increased purchasing power and an increase in percentage of postharvest losses (25-80% fresh produce) which could be applied with such economic constraints.
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