Horticultural crops are high-value crops and of higher profit than staple food crops per unit of land. It also generates income since it can be used for several purposes to achieve zero hunger and food security. The major problem with fruits and vegetables is the short postharvest shelf life. They are highly delicate and are endangered to rapid quality loss after harvest. Using best postharvest handling practices or factors like optimum temperature, right ratio, right gases in storage, right sanitizers, etc. and best physical handling procedures to take care of the standard after harvest is extremely critical. There is inadequate information on handling strategies and facilities to improve their keeping quality. To establish a good management system for the postharvest quality of these produce, food farmers’ handlers and processors must follow standard strategies to ensure availability on off-seasons. This work achieved these objectives of providing information on strategies for reducing losses during postharvest handling of fruits and vegetables, factors to consider during their storage, artificial ripening of fruits and wrong use of calcium carbide and food storage structures and facilities. Until these factors are properly considered and managed, loss in quality is inevitable for farmers, handlers and food processors. Also, good knowledge of advances in technology in this area is going to be paramount in facing a future challenge in the food handling process.
Cite this paper
Ariwaodo, C. A. (2022). Handling Strategies and Facilities for Horticultural Crops. Open Access Library Journal, 9, e8577. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1108577.
Asmaru, G., Samuel, S. and Subramanian, C. (2013) Assessment of Fruit Management Gondar Town Markets of North Western, Ethiopia. Global Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Health Science, 2, 4-8.
Abdullahi, N. (2015) Postharvest Management of Fruits and Vegetables: A Review. Techno Science Africana Journal, 11, 93-103.
http://www.researchgate.net/publication/307976552
Marta, M., Alessandra, D. and Paolo, B. (2014) Control of Fruit Postharvest Diseases: Old Issues and Innovative Approaches. Stewart Postharvest Reviewer, 10, 1-4.
https://doi.org/10.2212/spr.2014.1.1
Enyiukwu, D.N., Awurum, A.N. and Nwaneri, J.A. (2014) Efficacy of Plant Derived Pesticides in the Control of Myco-Induced Postharvest Rot of Tubers and Agricultural Products: A Review. Net Journal of Agricultural Science, 2, 30-46.
https://doi.org/10.15580/GJMA.2014.3.0521014241
Lisa, K. and Karder, A.A. (2003) Small-Scale Postharvest Handling Practices: A Manual for Horticultural Crops, 4th Edition. Postharvest Horticulture Series No. 8E, University of California, Davis Postharvest Technology Research and Information Centre, 7-8, 91-107.
Wang, Y.C. (1997) Effect of Postharvest Factors on Postharvest Quality: Introduction to the Colloquium. HortScience, 32, 807.
https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI.32.5.807
Hewett, E.W. (2006) An Overview of Preharvest Factors Influencing Postharvest Quality of Horticultural Products. International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, 1, 4-15. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJPTI.2006.009178
Cuquel, F.L., Motta, A.C.V., Tutida, I. and De Mio, L.L.M. (2011) Nitrogen and Potassium Fertilization Affecting the Plum Postharvest Quality. Revista Brasileira de Fruticultura, 33, 328-336. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-29452011000500041
Anttonen, M.J. and Karjalainen, R.O. (2009) Evaluation of Means to Increase the Content of Bioactive Phenolic Compounds in Soft Fruits. Acta Horticulturae, 839, 309-314. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2009.839.39
Tahir, I.I., Johansson, E. and Olsson, M.E. (2007) Improvement of Quality and Storability of Apple Aroma by Adjustment of Some Pre-harvest Conditions. Scientia Horticulturae, 112, 164-171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2006.12.018
Woolf, A.B. and Ferguson, I.B. (2000) Postharvest Responses to High Fruit Temperatures in the Field. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 21, 7-20.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0925-5214(00)00161-7
Beckles, D. (2012) Factors Affecting the Post-Harvest Soluble Solids and Sugar Content of Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum) Fruit. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 63, 120-140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2011.05.016
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2008) Basic Harvest and Postharvest Handling Consideration for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Handling and Preservation. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome.
Crane, J.H., Salazar-Garcia, S., Lin, T.S., De Queiroz Pinto, A.C. and Shu, Z.H. (2009) Crop Production: Management. In: Litz, R.E., Ed., The Mango: Botany, Production and Uses, 2nd Edition, Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International, Wallingford, 432-483. https://doi.org/10.1079/9781845934897.0432
Akbudak, B.A. (2012) Effects of Pre-Harvest Harpin and Modified Atmosphere Packaging on Quality of Cherry Tomato Cultivars ‘Alona’ and ‘Cluster’. British Food Journal, 114, 180-196. https://doi.org/10.1108/00070701211202377
Ferreira, M.D., Brecht, J.K., Sargent, S.A. and Aracena, J.J. (1994) Physiological Responses of Strawberry to Film Wrapping and Precooling Methods. Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society, 107, 265-269.
Pokhrel, B. (2020) Review on Post-Harvest Handling to Reduce Loss of Fruits and Vegetables. International Journal of Horticulture and Food Science, 2, 48-52.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (1999) Handling of Fresh Fruts, Vegetables and Root Crops. A Training Manual for Grenada by Gaetano Paltrinier. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, 89.
Hoa, T.T., Ducamp, M.-N., Lebrun, M. and Baldwin, E.A. (2002) Effect of Different Coating Treatments on the Quality of Mango Fruit. Journal of Food Quality, 25, 471-486. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-4557.2002.tb01041.x
Hagenmaier, R.D. and Baker, R.A. (1994) Wax Micro Emulsions and Emulsions as Citrus Coatings. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 42, 899-902.
https://doi.org/10.1021/jf00040a012
Hofman, P.J., Smith, L.G., Holmes, R., Campbell, T. and Meiburg, G. (1994) Mango Fruit Quality at Harvest Is Affected by Production Conditions. Proceedings of Mango 2000 Marketing Seminar and Production Workshop, Townsville, 199-208.
Atanda, S.A. Pessu, P.O., Agoda, S., Isong, I.U. and Ikotun, I. (2011) The Concepts and Problems of Post-harvest Food Losses in Perishable Crops. African Journal of Food Science, 5, 603-6013.
Arah, I.K., Ahogtrrbo, G.K., Anku, E.K., Kumah, E.K. and Amaglo, H. (2016) Methods for Tomato Handlers in Developing Countries: A Mini Review. Advances in Agriculture, 2016, Article ID: 6436945. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/6436945
Zhang, S. and Farber, J.M. (1996) The Effects of Various Disinfectants Against Listeria Monocytogenes on Fresh-Cut Vegetables. Food Microbiology, 13, 311-321.
https://doi.org/10.1006/fmic.1996.0037
Kim, J.G., Yousef, A.E. and Chism, G.W. (1999) Use of Ozone to Inactivate Microorganisms on Lettuce. Journal of Food Safety, 19, 17-34.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-4565.1999.tb00231.x
Park, C.-M., Hung, Y.-C., Doyle, M.P. and Kim, C. (2001) Pathogen Reduction and Quality of Lettuce Treated with Electrolyzed Oxidizing and Acidified Chlorinated Water. Journal of Food Science, 66, 1368-1372.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2621.2001.tb15216.x
Sapers, G.M. (2001) Efficacy of Washing and Sanitizing Methods for Disinfection of Fresh Fruits and Vegetable Products. Food Technology and Biotechnology, 39, 305-311.
Venkitanaraynana, K.S., Lin, C.H., Bailey, H. and Doyle, M.P. (2002) Inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes, on Apples, Oranges, and Tomatoes by Lactic Acid and Hydrogen Peroxide. Journal of Food Protection, 56, 100-105. https://doi.org/10.4315/0362-028X-65.1.100
Rodgers, S.T., Cash, J.N., Siddiq, M. and Ryser, E.T. (2004) A Comparison of Different Chemical Sanitizers for Inactivating Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes in Solution and on Apples, Lettuce, Strawberries, and Cantaloupe. Journal of Food Protection, 67, 721-731.
https://doi.org/10.4315/0362-028X-67.4.721
Prakash, A., Guner, A.R., Caporaso, F. and Foley, D.M. (2000) Effects of Low-dose Gamma Irradiation on Shelf Life and Quality Characteristics of Cut Romaine Lettuce Packaged under Modified Atmosphere. Journal of Food Science, 65, 549-553.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2621.2000.tb16046.x
Ahmad, M.S. and Siddiqui, M.W. (2015) Postharvest Quality Assurance of Fruits: Practical Approaches for Developing Countries. Springer, Cham, 224.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-21197-8
Alao, S.L. (2000) The Importance of Post-Harvest Loss Prevention. Graduation Ceremony of School of Food Storage Technology. Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute, Kano, 1-10.
Thompson, J.F. and Mitchell, F.G. (2002) Packages for Horticultural Crops. In: Kader, A.A., Ed., Postharvest Technology for Horticultural Crops, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 85-95.
Dhatt, A.S. and Mahajan, B.V.C. (2007) Horticulture Post Harvest Technology Harvesting, Handling and Storage of Horticultural Crops. Punjab Horticultural Postharvest Technology Centre, Punjab Agricultural University Campus, Ludhiana.
Wills, R.B.H. and Golding, J.B. (2016) Postharvest: An Introduction to the Physiology and Handling of Fruit and Vegetables. 6th Edition, Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International, Wallingford, Oxon; Cambridge, MA.
https://doi.org/10.1079/9781786391483.0000
Paul, V., Pandey, R. and Srivastava, G.C. (2012) The Fading Distinctions between Classical Patterns of Ripening in Climacteric and Non-climacteric Fruit and the Ubiquity of Ethylene—An Overview. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 49, 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-011-0293-4
Farcuh, M., Toubiana, D., Sade, N., Rivero, R.M., Doron-Faigenboim, A., Nambara, E., et al. (2019) Hormone Balance in a Climacteric Plum Fruit and Its Non-climacteric Bud Mutant during Ripening. Plant Science, 280, 51-65.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plantsci.2018.11.001
Jia, H., Wang, Y., Sun, M., Li, B., Han, Y., Zhao, Y., et al. (2013) Sucrose Functions as a Signal Involved in the Regulation of Strawberry Fruit Development and Ripening. New Phytologist, 198, 453-465. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.12176
Li, Y., Lu, Y.G., Li, L.L., Chu, Z.N., Zhang, H.Y., Li, H.X., et al. (2019) Impairment of Hormone Pathways Results in a General Disturbance of Fruit Primary Metabolism in Tomato. Food Chemistry, 274, 170-179.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2018.08.026
Chen, Y., Grimplet, J., David, K., Castellarin, S.D., Terol, J., Wong, D.C.J., et al. (2018) Ethylene Receptors and Related Proteins in Climacteric and Non-Climacteric Fruits. Plant Science, 276, 63-72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plantsci.2018.07.012
Bakshi, P., Masoudi, F.A., Chauhan, G.S. and Shah, T.A. (2005) Role of Calcium in Postharvest Life of Temperate Fruits: A Review. Journal of Food Science and Technology-Mysore, 42, 1-8.
Garcia, J.M., Herrera, S. and Morilla, A. (1996) Effects of Postharvest Dips in Calcium Chloride on Strawberry. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 44, 30-33.
https://doi.org/10.1021/jf950334l
Manganaris, G.A., Vasilakakis, M., Diamantidis, G. and Mignani, I. (2007) The Effect of Postharvest Calcium Application on Tissue Calcium Concentration, Quality Attributes, Incidence of Flesh Browning and Cell Wall Physicochemical Aspects of Peach Fruits. Food Chemistry, 100, 1385-1392.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2005.11.036
Luna-Guzman, I. and Barrett, D.M. (2000) Comparison of Calcium Chloride and Calcium Lactate Effectiveness in Maintaining Shelf Stability and Quality of Fresh-Cut Cantaloupe. Postharvest in Biology and Technology, 19, 61-72.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0925-5214(00)00079-X
Rettke, M.A., Pitt, T.R., Maier, N.A. and Jones, J.A. (2006) Quality of Fresh and Dried Fruit of Apricot (cv. Mooprark) in Response to Soil Applied Nitrogen. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 46, 123-129.
https://doi.org/10.1071/EA04211
Sharples, R.O. (1980) The Influence of Orchard Nutrition on the Storage Quality of Apples and Pears Grown in the United Kingdom. In: Atkinson, D., Jackson, J.E., Sharples, R.O. and Waller, W.M., Eds., Mineral Nutrition of Fruit Trees, Butterworths, London, 17-28. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-408-10662-7.50008-9
Khemira, H. 1991. Influence of Canopy Orientation on Fruiting of ‘Anjou’ Pears and Postharvest Urea Spray on Ovule Longevity and Fruit Set of ‘Cornice’ Pears. MS Thesis, Oregon State University, Corvallis.
Raese, J.T. (1986) Nitrogen and Calcium Important in Determining Yield, Fruit Quality, and Disorders of ‘Anjou’ Pears, In: Pear Production in the Pacific Northwest, Shortcourse, University of Washington, Seattle, 156-168.
Tripathi, K., Pandey, S., Malik, M. and Kaul, T. (2016) Fruit Ripening of Climacteric and Nonclimacteric Fruit. Journal of Environmental and Applied Bioresearch, 4, 27-34.
Singal, S., Kumud, M. and Thakral, S. (2012) Application of Apple as Ripening Agent for Banana. Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources, 3, 61-64.
Pendharkar, P.Y., Hiwale, S.S. and Patilstudies, H.B. (2011) Studies on the Effect of Post-Harvest Treatmets on Chemical Changes during Ripening of Banana Fruits Cv. Grand Naine. International Journal of Processing and Post-Harvest Technology, 2, 32-34.
Rees, D., Westby, A., Tomlins, K., Van Oirschot, Q., Cheema, M.U., Cornelius, E. and Amjad, M. (2012) Tropical Root Crops. In: Rees, D., Farrell, G. and Orchard, J., Eds., Crop Post-Harvest: Science and Technology, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Hoboken, 392-413. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781444354652.ch18
Kale, S.J., Nath, P., Jalgaonkar, K.R. and Mahawar, M.K. (2016) Low-Cost Storage Structures for Fruits and Vegetables Handling in Indian Conditions. Indian Horticulture Journal, 6, 376-379.
Basediya, A.L., Samuel, D.V. K. and Beera, V. (2013) Evaporative Cooling System for Storage of Fruits and Vegetables—A Review. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 50, 429-442. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-011-0311-6
Ndukwu, M.C. and Manuwa, S.I. (2014) Review of Evaporative Cooling in Preservation of Fresh Agricultural Produce. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, 7, 85-102.
Liberty, J.T., Okonkwo, W.I. and Echiegu, E.A. (2013) Evaporative Cooling: A Pyostharvest Technology for Fruits and Vegetables Preservation. International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, 4, 2257-2266.
Odesola, I.F. and Onyebuchi, O. (2009) A Review of Porous Evaporative Cooling for the Preservation of Fruits and Vegetables. Pacific Journal of Science and Technology, 10, 935-941.
Khan, F.A., Bhat, S.A. and Narayan, S. (2017) Storage Methods for Fruits and Vegetables. Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar.
Khalid, S., Majeed, M., Ullah, M.I., Shahid, M., Riasat, A.R., Abbas, T., Aatif, H.M. and Farooq, A. (2020) Effect of Storage Conditions and Packaging Material on Postharvest Quality Attributes of Strawberry. Journal of Horticulture and Postharvest Research, 3, 195-207.
Tzortzakis, N. and Chrysargyris, A. (2017) Postharvest Ozone Application for the Preservation of Fruits and Vegetables. Food Reviews International, 33, 270-315.
https://doi.org/10.1080/87559129.2016.1175015
Sahoo, K., Bandhyopadhyay, B., Mukhopadhyay, S., Sahoo, U., Kumar, T.S., Yadav, V. and Singh, Y. (2019) Cold Storage with Backup Thermal Energy Storage System. In: Sahoo, U., Ed., Progress in Solar Energy Technologies and Applications, Wiley, Online Library, 181-232. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119555650.ch4
Sevillano, L., Sanchez-Ballesta, M.T., Romojaro, F. and Flores, F.B. (2009) Physiological, Hormonal and Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Chilling Injury in Horticultural Species. Postharvest Technologies Applied to Reduce Its Impact. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 89, 555-573. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.3468
Soltani, M., Alimardani, R., Mobli, H. and Mohtasebi, S.S. (2015) Modified Atmosphere Packaging: A Progressive Technology for Shelf-life Extension of Fruits and Vegetables. Journal of Applied Packaging Research, 7, 33-59.
Zhang, M., Meng, X., Bhandari, B., Fang, Z. and Chen, H. (2015) Recent Application of Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) in Fresh and Fresh-Cut Foods. Food Reviews International, 31, 172-193.
https://doi.org/10.1080/87559129.2014.981826
Beaudry, R.M. (1999) Effects of O2 and CO2 Partial Pressure on Selected Phenomena Affecting Fruit and Vegetable Quality. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 15, 293-303. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0925-5214(98)00092-1
Cameron, A.C., Beaudry, R.M., Banks, N.H. and Yelanich, M.V. (1994) Modified Atmosphere Packaging of Blueberry Fruit: Modeling Respiration and Package Oxygen Partial Pressures as Function of Temperature. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science, 119, 534-539. https://doi.org/10.21273/JASHS.119.3.534
Gatellier, P., Hamelin, C., Durand, Y. and Renerre, M. (2001) Effect of a Dietary Vitamin, E. Supplementation on Color Stability and Lipid Oxidation of Air and Modified Asmosphere-Packed Beef. Meat Science, 59, 133-140.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0309-1740(01)00063-8
Purushotam, K. and Ganguly, S. (2014) Role of Vacuum Packaging in Increasing Shelf-life in Fish Processing Technology. Asian Journal of Bio Science, 9, 109-112.
Mangaraj, S., Goswami, T.K. and Mahajan, P.V. (2009) Applications of Plastic Films for Modified Atmosphere Packaging of Fruits and Vegetables: A Review. Food Engineering Reviews, 1, Article No. 133. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12393-009-9007-3
Stenvers, N. and Bruinsma, J. (1975) Ripening of Tomato Fruits At Reduced Atmospheric and Partial Oxygen Pressures. Nature, 253, 532-533.
https://doi.org/10.1038/253532a0
Vithu, P. and Moses, J.A. (2017) Hypobaric Storage of Horticultural Products: A Review. In: Goyal, M.R. and Sivanappan, R.K., Eds., Engineering Practices for Agricultural Production and Water Conservation, Apple Academic Press, 155-170.
Khadre, M.A., Yousef, A.E. and Kim, J.-G. (2001) Microbiological Aspects of Ozone Applications in Food: A Review. Journal of Food Science, 66, 1242-1252.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2621.2001.tb15196.x
Kim, J.G., Yousef, A.E. and Dave, S. (1999) Application of Ozone for Enhancing the Microbiological Safety and Quality of Foods: A Review. Journal of Food Protection, 62, 1071-1087. https://doi.org/10.4315/0362-028X-62.9.1071
Miller, F.A., Silva, C.L.M. and Brandão, T.R.S. (2013) A Review on Ozone-Based Treatments for Fruit and Vegetables Preservation. Food Engineering Reviews, 5, 77-106.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12393-013-9064-5
Guzel-Seydim, Z.B., Greene, A.K. and Seydim, A.C. (2004) Use of Ozone in the Food Industry. LWT—Food Science and Technology, 37, 453-460.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2003.10.014
Carletti, L., Botondi, R., Moscetti, R., Stella, E., Monarca, D., Cecchini, M. and Massantini, R. (2013) Use of Ozone in Sanitation and Storage of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables. Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment, 11, 585-589.
Cullen, P.J., Valdramidis, V.P., Tiwari, B.K., Patil, S., Bourke, P. and O’Donnell, C.P. (2010) Ozone Processing for Food Preservation: An Overview on Fruit Juice Treatments. Ozone: Science & Engineering, 32, 166-179.
https://doi.org/10.1080/01919511003785361
Albrecht, M.A., Evans, C.W. and Raston, C.L. (2006) Green Chemistry and the Health Implications of Nanoparticles. Green Chemistry, 8, 417-432.
https://doi.org/10.1039/b517131h
Heinlaan, M., Ivask, A., Blinova, I., Dubourguier, H.-C. and Kahru, A. (2008) Toxicity of Nanosized and Bulk ZnO, CuO and TiO2 to Bacteria Vibrio fischeri and Crustaceans daphnia Magna and Thamnocephalus platyurus. Chemosphere, 71, 1308-1316.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2007.11.047
