The Role of Post-harvest Management in Assuring the Quality and Safety of Horticultural Produce


Book Description

Basic approaches to maintaining the safety and quality of horticultural produce are the same, regardless of the market to which this produce is targeted. This bulletin reviews the factors which contribute to quality and safety deterioration of horticultural produce, and describes approaches to assuring the maintenance of quality and safety throughout the post-harvest chain. Specific examples are given to illustrate the economic implications of investing in and applying proper post-harvest technologies. Criteria for the assessment of post-harvest needs, the selection of post-harvest technologies appropriate to the situation and context, and for extending appropriate levels of post-harvest information are also discussed.










Postharvest Management of Horticultural Crops


Book Description

This book presents several pre- and postharvest strategies that have been developed to modify these physiological activities, resulting in increased shelf life. The book also discusses the best technologies that positively influence quality attributes of the produce, including senescenal changes and, afterwards, the consumers’ decision to purchase the product in the marketplace. With contributions from experts with experience in both developed and developing regions, the book includes chapters covering thorough discussions on postharvest management strategies of fresh horticultural commodities.







Handbook of Food Preservation


Book Description

The processing of food is no longer simple or straightforward, but is now a highly inter-disciplinary science. A number of new techniques have developed to extend shelf-life, minimize risk, protect the environment, and improve functional, sensory, and nutritional properties. Since 1999 when the first edition of this book was published, it has facilitated readers’ understanding of the methods, technology, and science involved in the manipulation of conventional and newer sophisticated food preservation methods. The Third Edition of the Handbook of Food Preservation provides a basic background in postharvest technology for foods of plant and animal origin, presenting preservation technology of minimally processed foods and hurdle technology or combined methods of preservation. Each chapter compiles the mode of food preservation, basic terminologies, and sequential steps of treatments, including types of equipment required. In addition, chapters present how preservation method affects the products, reaction kinetics and selected prediction models related to food stability, what conditions need be applied for best quality and safety, and applications of these preservation methods in different food products. This book emphasizes practical, cost-effective, and safe strategies for implementing preservation techniques for wide varieties of food products. Features: Includes extensive overview on the postharvest handling and treatments for foods of plants and animal origin Describes comprehensive preservation methods using chemicals and microbes, such as fermentation, antimicrobials, antioxidants, pH-lowering, and nitrite Explains comprehensive preservation by controlling of water, structure and atmosphere, such as water activity, glass transition, state diagram, drying, smoking, edible coating, encapsulation and controlled release Describes preservation methods using conventional heat and other forms of energy, such as microwave, ultrasound, ohmic heating, light, irradiation, pulsed electric field, high pressure, and magnetic field Revised, updated, and expanded with 18 new chapters, the Handbook of Food Preservation, Third Edition, remains the definitive resource on food preservation and is useful for practicing industrial and academic food scientists, technologists, and engineers.




Polymers for Agri-Food Applications


Book Description

This book presents an exhaustive analysis of the trends in the development and use of natural and synthetic polymer systems aimed at sustainable agricultural production. The polymers have allowed the development of controlled and released systems of agrochemicals such as pesticides, fertilizers and phytohormones through micro and nanoencapsulated systems, which protect and stimulate the growth of crops at low costs and without damage to the environment. Hydrogel systems from natural and synthetic polymers have also had their place in the agricultural industry, since they allow to maintain the humidity conditions of the crops for their correct development in drought times. Mulch films made of polymers have also become important in the control of weeds and pests in crops, as well as the use of edible coatings applied to fruits and vegetables during post-harvest, which reduce the losses of these perishable foods. Currently, the systems indicated, as well as others, are already used on a large scale. However, research studies in this area have been limited compared to other polymer applications. This book collects useful information for researchers, students and technologies related to the polymer technology and agri-food production. In this book, world-renowned researchers have participated, including associate editors of important journals, as well as researchers working in the area of research and development (R&D) of leading agri-food industries in the manufacture of agricultural inputs.




Horticultural Chain Management for East and Southern Africa


Book Description

Horticultural Chain Management for Eastern and Southern Africa is a two-volume work designed to help trainers develop suitable materials to assist small farmers and producers to supply high quality horticultural produce for sale.This Practical Manual complements the theoretical manual and provides the trainer with simple practical tasks that reinforce and enhance comprehension of theoretical training. The whole package is structured to provide the trainer with technical background and reference materials that allow customised training in accordance with the needs of the target group to be trained.




Controlled and Modified Atmospheres for Fresh and Fresh-Cut Produce


Book Description

Controlled and Modified Atmospheres for Fresh and Fresh-Cut Produce is the ultimate reference book of CA/MA recommendations for selected commodities. It includes the basic knowledge of physiology and technologies to the current application of recommended CA/MAP conditions for fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables. For each commodity, a summary with requirements and recommendations is presented. The book is divided into three parts, with each focusing on different aspects of CA/MA, including fundamental topics on the physiological and quality effects of CA and MAP for fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, optimal CA/MAP conditions and recommendations, and optimal conditions for fresh-cut fruits and vegetables. Provides guidelines and recommendations of CA/MAP for the fresh produce industry Illustrates the benefits and defects caused by CA/MA in full color Brings more than 54 fruits and vegetables and their respective summary with the requirements and recommendations of CA/MA conditions Includes the optimal CA/MAP conditions and recommendations for selected fresh fruits and vegetables




Packaging and Storage of Fruits and Vegetables


Book Description

This new volume shares a plethora of valuable information on the recent advances in packaging and storage technologies used for quality preservation of fresh fruits and vegetables. This book, with chapters from eminent researchers in the field, covers several essential aspects of packaging and storage methods and techniques generally used in fruit and vegetables. Important considerations on selection and characteristics of packaging materials, new packaging methods, storage hygiene and sanitation issues along with recent trends in storage technology are discussed in this volume. Key features: Provides an inclusive overview of fruit and vegetable requirements and available packaging materials and storage systems Imparts an understanding of the fundamentals of the impact of packaging on the evolution of quality and safety of fruits and vegetables Includes examples of mathematical modeling and mechanical and engineering properties of packaging materials Provides an in-depth discussion of innovative packaging and storage technologies, such as MA/CA packaging, active packaging, intelligent packaging, eco-friendly materials, etc., applied to fruit and vegetables Packaging and Storage of Fruits and Vegetables: Emerging Trends will be useful for graduate and postgraduate students and teaching professionals of horticultural science, food science and technology, packaging technology etc. It will also provide valuable scientific information to the academic scientific research community as well as to the packaging and storage industries for preservation of quality characteristics of fruits and vegetables. The professional community involved in handling processing and commercialization of horticultural crops will benefit as well.