International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation (6 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Effect of pre-harvest nutrients and packaging on quality, antioxidants and enzymatic activity of Haribhanga mango during ambient storage  
  by Md. Tariqul Islam, Mosa. Sumi Aktar, Mosa. Lajina Begum, Md. Atikur Rahman, Md. Arifuzzaman, Mst. Ananya Khatun 
  Abstract: Mangoes ripen quickly and lose quality when stored at ambient temperature. This study assessed the effects of pre-harvest packaging, 2% calcium chloride (CaCl2), 1.5% potassium sulphate (K2SO4), and 2% CaCl2+1.5% K2SO4+ packaging on the post-harvest quality and shelf life of mango fruits at ambient temperature for 16 days. Fruits were sprayed three times at 30, 20, and 10 days and packaged in brown paper bags 20 days prior to harvesting. The results revealed that 2% CaCl2+1.5% K2SO4+ packaging significantly improved fruit quality than control in terms of peel color, firmness, ascorbic acid, total sugar, total phenol, antioxidant, peroxidase and catalase activity; reducing decay percentage, total soluble solids, polyphenol peroxidase; delaying weight loss, respiration rate and ethylene production. Consequently, 2% CaCl2-treated fruits had higher titratable acidity and -carotene compare than control at 16th days of storage. These physio-chemical data suggest that 2% CaCl2+1.5% K2SO4+ packaging may improve Haribhanga mango storage.
  Keywords: Mango; pre-harvest treatments; phenolic compounds; decay incidence; storage.
  
  
• Premature harvesting of guavira fruit (Campomanesia xanthocarpa O.Berg) as a strategy to reach far-away sales locations  
  by Juan Marcelo Gauna, Alejandra Bárcena, Mariela Bayardo, Corina Graciano, Lorenza Costa 
  Abstract: The guavira is a rainforest native fruit with a very short postharvest life. This limits both the possibility of consumption and processing far from the harvesting sites. The objective of this research was to analyse whether harvesting immature fruit would be an adequate strategy to increase their postharvest life. Different guavira maturity stages were defined at the time of harvesting based on the skin colour of the fruit on the plant. The fruit harvested at 100% orange were highly perishable compared to the 75% and 50% orange ones. The validation of selecting the ripening stage based on eye-detected skin colour was confirmed by measuring colour, firmness, acidity, and soluble solids. After four days at room temperature, the postharvest ripening of guavira resulted in organoleptic qualities (colour and firmness) and nutritional qualities (antioxidants) similar to those of tree-ripened fruit. Storage at 8-10 C did not increase the post-harvest life of guavira compared to room temperature.
  Keywords: tropical fruit; rainforest native fruit; harvesting immature fruit; postharvest maturation; superficial colour; quality attributes; postharvest handling.
  
  
• Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Jewel) quality as influenced by handling methods  
  by Karl Fritze S. Sampiano, Leizel B. Secretaria, Maria Victoria O. Pasilan, Emma Ruth V. Bayogan 
  Abstract: Appropriate handling at the farmers level can help maintain the postharvest life of produce and reduce losses. In this study, a low-cost improved handling method for tomatoes was employed at the farm level. The usual practice of farmers in handling newly harvested tomatoes was compared with a slightly improved technique. The improved method involved the packing of tomatoes in wooden crates with newspaper liners and limiting volumes to a maximum of 25 kg per crate compared to the usual 2728 kg per crate. The improved handling treatment at the farm level resulted in lower weight loss (5.4%), higher percentage (22.2%) of fruit with good visual quality and slightly delayed ripening at 40 days in a CoolBot-equipped storage. The improved handling method also reduced the percentage of rejects (lower at 11.4%) at the end of the storage by limiting the incidence of bruises, physical, and microbial damage on Jewel tomato fruit.
  Keywords: improved handling; CoolBot storage; newspaper liners; postharvest quality; wooden crates.
  
  
• Mechanical damages reduction of transported papaya using alternative partition packaging and its physiological changes in storage  
  by David Septian Sumanto Marpaung, Miftahul Fauzi, Ayu Oshin Yap Sinaga, Nova Anika, Setyadi Gumaran 
  Abstract: The high demand for Papaya (Carica Papaya L.) comes from their rich nutritional composition and excellent flavours. However, this climacteric fruit could rapidly degrade if poor postharvest handling occurs during distribution. Mechanical damage during transportation is inevitable, but it can be minimised using proper packaging. To reduce the mechanical damage of the fruit, partition cardboard packaging was used in this study. The results showed that compared to the control (wooden crate), the partition packaging could suppress mechanical damage of Papaya fruit by 26.7% reduction. Furthermore, the physical parameters, such as weight loss, firmness, and colour, as well as physiological parameters (TSS), were investigated. The partition packaging resulted in the lowest weight loss, highest firmness, well-maintained greenness, and highest TSS of transported Papaya after six days of ambient temperature storage. These results suggested the partition packaging could be used for commercialised packaging in transportation to desirable quality of Papaya.
  Keywords: post-harvest technology; carboard packaging; wooden crate; partition packaging; mechanical damages; papaya.
  
  
• Evaluation of critical infrastructure and operation process of a fresh produce wholesale market in South Africa  
  by Ikechukwu Kingsley Opara, Umezuruike Linus Opara, Olaniyi Amos Fawole 
  Abstract: Globally, the substantial losses and waste of fruits and vegetables continue to pose a significant challenge for stakeholders throughout the food value chain. In South Africa, fruits and vegetables are the second highest contributors to food losses and waste, amounting to 19%, behind cereals at 50%. In this light, postharvest audits are important in pinpointing loss and waste hotspots and understanding the root causes, thereby informing strategic policy development and timely interventions. This study aimed to evaluate the infrastructure and operation process at a fresh produce wholesale market in South Africa. The methodology followed a monitoring and observation approach. The results indicated a break in the cold chain, improper handling, and infrastructure deficit as the causes of postharvest losses and waste. Solutions to reducing postharvest losses at the market were identified. These include the adoption of sustainable handling practices, improved market infrastructure, and expanded access to cold storage facilities.
  Keywords: postharvest; losses and waste; fruits; vegetables; wholesale market; infrastructure; cold chain; operation.
  
  

Special Issue on: AAPHCE 2023 Innovative Solutions for Food Loss and Waste Reduction in Africa

• Effective dosing of different 1-Methlylcyclopropene formulations to extend the shelf life of 'Hass' avocado (Persea americana) fruit  
  by Edwin Ademba, Jane Ambuko, Margaret J. Hutchinson 
  Abstract: This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of two 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) formulations (Smarttab powder and Inbox sachet) applied at various dosing ranges 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 ppm to prolong the shelf life of Hass avocado. Fruits were harvested at two maturity stages based on Dry Matter (DM) content: stage 1 (2022%) and stage 2 (2530%). After 1-MCP treatment, the fruits were kept at ambient conditions (24
  Keywords: avocado; ethylene; 1-MCP; 1-Methylcyclopropene; post-harvest; shelf life; maturity stage; Smarttab powder; Inbox sachet.