Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Reduction of the incidence of postharvest quality losses, and future prospects

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Food Security Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Both quantitative and qualitative food losses of extremely variable magnitude occur during all harvest and postharvest stages, from harvesting, through handling, storage, processing and marketing, to final delivery to the consumer. The latest values published indicated that industrialized and developing countries dispose of roughly similar quantities of food. Whereas in developed countries the losses occur at the retailer and consumer stages, in the developing countries the losses occur during the production, harvest, postharvest and processing phases, because of poor infrastructure, low levels of technology, and low investment in food production systems. Quality cannot be improved after harvest, only maintained; therefore it is important to harvest fruits, vegetables and flowers at the proper stage and size and at peak quality. Preharvest production practices and factors such as cultivation practices, water supply, type of soil, environmental temperature and mechanical damage may seriously affect postharvest quality and result in the rejection or downgrading of produce at the point of sale. In addition, after harvest, improper temperature and humidity management as well as packaging and handling may have adverse effects on storage life and quality. Thus, integration of treatment methods calls for specific differential combinations of treatments for each product in each country.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adams, P., & Ho, L. C. (1993). Effects of environment on the uptake and distribution of calcium in tomato and on the incidence of blossom-end rot. In M. A. C. Fragoso & M. L. van Beusichem (Eds.), Optimization of plant nutrition (pp. 583–588). Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Adaskaveg, J. E., & Förster, H. (2009). New developments in postharvest fungicide registrations for edible horticultural crops and used strategies in the United States. In: D. Prusky & M. Lodovica Gullino (Eds.), Plant pathology in the 21st century (pp. 43–54). Springer Verlag.

  • Aharoni, N., Dvir, O., Chalupowisz, D., & Aharon, Z. (1993). Coping with postharvest physiology of fresh culinary herbs. Acta Horticulturae, 344, 69–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anonymous (2004). Postharvest management of fruit and vegetables in the Asia-Pacific Region. Reports of the APO seminar on Reduction of Postharvest Losses of Fruit and Vegetables, India, 5–11 October 2004. Asian Productivity Organization Tokyo, Japan and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Agricultural and Food Engineering Technologies Service, Rome, Italy.

  • Anonymous (2005). Marketing and food safety: Challenges in postharvest management of agricultural/horticultural products in the Islamic Republic of Iran. 23–28 July 2005. Asian Productivity Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

  • Bar-tal, A., Aloni, A. B., Karni, L., Oserovitz, J., Hazan, A., Itach, M., et al. (2001). Nitrogen nutrition of greenhouse pepper. I. Effects of nitrogen concentration and NO3:NH4 ratio on yield, fruit shape, and the incidence of blossom-end rot in relation to plant mineral composition. Hortscience, 36, 1244–1251.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blond, R. D. (1984). The agricultural development systems project in Egypt. University of California, Davis, 42–48, 190–194.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buzby, J. C., Wells, H. F., Axtman, B., & Mickey, J. (2009). Supermarket loss estimates for fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, poultry, and seafood and their use in the ERS loss-adjusted food availability data. United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service. Economic Information Bulletin, 44, 20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Byczynski, L. (1997). Storage crops extend the season. Growing for Market, 1, 4–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chiabrando, V., Giacalone, G., & Rolle, L. (2009). Mechanical behaviour and quality traits of highbush blueberry during postharvest storage. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 89, 989–992.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • De Padua, D. (1978). Rice post-production and processing: its significance to agricultural development. In J. D. Drillon & D. F. Sangit (Eds.), Accelerated agricultural development (pp. 247–260). Laguna: SERCA College.

    Google Scholar 

  • Droby, S., Prusky, D., Jacoby, B., & Goldman, A. (1986). Presence of an antifungal compound and its relation in the latency of Altenaria alternata in unripe peel of mango fruits. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology, 29, 173–183.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Droby, S., Hofstein, R., Wilson, C. L., Wisniewski, M., Fridlender, B., Cohen, L., et al. (1993). Pilot testing of Pichia guilliermondii: a biocontrol agent of postharvest diseases of citrus fruit. Biological Control, 3, 47–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Droby, S., Cohen, L., Daus, A., Weiss, B., Horev, B., Chalutz, E., et al. (1998). Commercial testing of Aspire: a yeast preparation for the biological control of postharvest decay of citrus. Biological Control, 12, 97–101.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ejeta, G. (2009). Revitalizing agricultural research for global food security. Food Security, 1, 391–401.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) (1997). Estimated Postharvest Losses of Rice in Southeast Asia. Available online at: http://www.fao.org/News/FACTFILE/FF9712-E.HTM (July 16, 1997).

  • FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) (1989). Prevention of post-harvest food losses fruits, vegetables and root crops a training manual. Pre-harvest factors in produce marketing: Training series 17/2.

  • Gooch, J. (1998). Getting into the ‘o’zone. Fruit Grower. January. pp. 10–11.

  • Graham, D. M. (1997). Use of ozone for food processing. Food Technology., 51, 72–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grolleaud, M. (1997). Post-harvest losses: Discovering the full story. Rome: FAO. Available from: http://www.fao.

  • Gustavsson, J., Cederberg, C., Sonesson, U., van Otterdijk, R., Meybeck, A. (2011). Global food losses and food waste: extent causes and prevention. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. International congress Save Food!, International packaging industry fair Interpack2011, Dusseldorf, Germany.

  • Hansen, M. A. (2000). Blossom end rot of tomato. Publication 450–703 W. Virginia Cooperative Extension Plant Disease Factsheets, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA.

  • Hardenburg, R. E., Watada, A. E., & Wang, C. Y. (1986). The Commercial Storage of Fruits, Vegetables, and Florist and Nursery Stocks. USDA-ARS Handbook No. 66, pp. 12, 62.

  • Harry, J., & Howell, R. (1993). Principles of the heating and ventilation and air conditioning. In: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers‏: Handbook--Fundamentals, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers, Inc.

  • Herner, R. C. (1989). Sources of loss cited during post harvest handling. Great Lakes Vegetable Growers News. May. p. 16.

  • Howell, J. C. (1993). Postharvest handling. Vegetable notes: Growing and marketing information for Massachusetts Commercial Growers, pp. 1–5.

  • Kader, A.A. (1980). Postharvest losses of fruits and vegetables in some countries of the Near East and North Africa. UNDP/FAO/RNEA Rep. REM 503-2/80, pp. 110.

  • Kader, A. A. (1983). Postharvest quality maintenance of fruits and vegetables in developing countries. In M. Lieberman (Ed.), Postharvest physiology and crop preservation (pp. 455–570). New York: Plenum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kader, A. A. (2003). A perspective on postharvest horticulture (1978–2003). HortScience, 38, 1004–1008.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kader, A. A. (2005). Increasing food availability by reducing postharvest losses of fresh produce. Acta Horticulturae, 682, 2168–2175.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kader, A. A. (2010). Handling of horticultural perishables in developing vs. developed countries. Acta Horticulturae, 877, 121–126.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kader, A. A., & Rolle, R. S. (2004). The role of post-harvest management in assuring the quality and safety of horticultural produce, FAO Agricultural Services Bulletin, ISSN: 1010–1365.

  • Kantor, L. S., Lipton, K., Manchester, A., & Oliveira, V. (1997). Estimating and addressing America’s food losses. Economic Research Services, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved from http://www1.calrecycle.ca.gov/ReduceWaste/Food/FoodLosses.pdf.

  • Kobiler, I., Akerman, M., Huberman, L., & Prusky, D. (2010). Integration of pre- and postharvest treatments for the control of black spot caused by Alternaria alternata in stored persimmon fruits. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 59, 166–171.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maheshwar, C., & Chanakya, T. S. (2006). Postharvest losses due to gaps in cold chain in India—a solution. Acta Horticulturae, 712, 777–783.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mazaud, F. (1997). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Agro-Industries and Postharvest Management Service, Rome.

  • Melnick, R. (1998). Safety sets the table. American Vegetable Grower. February: 9–11.

  • Parfitt, J., Barthel, M., & Macnaughton, S. (2010). Food waste within food supply chains: quantification and potential for change to 2050. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London-B, 365, 3065–3081.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Phan, H. H., & Nguyen, L. H. (1995). Drying research and application in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. In: Proc., 17th ASEAN Technical Seminar on Grain Postharvest Technology, July 25–27.

  • Prusky, D., Ben-Arie, R., & Guelfat-Reich, S. (1981). Etiology and histology of Alternaria rot of persimmon fruits. Phytopathology, 71, 1124–1128.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prusky, D., Fuchs, Y., & Yanko, U. (1983). Assessment of latent infections as a basis for the control of postharvest disease of mango. Plant Disease, 67, 816–817.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prusky, D., Plumbley, R., & Kobiler, I. (1991). Modulation of natural resistance of avocado fruits to Colletotrichum gloeosporioides by CO2. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology, 39, 325–334.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Prusky, D., Perez, A., Zutkhi, Y., & Ben-Arie, R. (1997). Modified atmosphere for the control of Alternaria alternata on stored persimmon fruits. Phytopathology, 87, 203–208.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Prusky, D., Fuchs, I., Kobiler, I., Roth, I., Weksler, A., Shalom, Y., et al. (1999). Effect of host water brushing, prochloraz treatment and waxing on the incidence of black spot decay caused by Alternaria alternata in mango fruit. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 15, 165–174.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prusky, D., Shalom, Y., Kobiler, I., Akerman, M., & Fuchs, Y. (2002). The level of quiescent infection of Alternaria alternata in mango fruits at harvest determines the postharvest treatment applied for the control of rots during storage. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 25, 339–347.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Prusky, D., Kobiler, I., Akerman, M., & Miyara, I. (2006). Effect of acidic solutions and acidic prochloraz on the control of postharvest decay caused by Alternaria alternata in mango and persimmon fruits. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 42, 134–141.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pusey, P. L., & Wilson, C. L. (1984). Postharvest biological control of stone fruit brown rot by Bacillus subtilis. Plant Disease, 68, 753–756.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quick, G. (1998). Trash: a heavy cost to bear. Farmer’s Newsletter, 150, 12–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Satin, M. (1997). The State of Food and Agriculture. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Agro-Industries and Postharvest Management Service, Rome, July 1997.

  • Smittle, D. A., & Miller, W. R. (1988). Rabbiteye blueberry storage life and fruit quality in controlled atmospheres and air storage. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science, 113, 723–728.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stuart, T. (2011). Post-harvest losses: A neglected field. State of the World 2011: Innovations that Nourish the Planet. Chapter 9. Worldwatch Institute report. www.NourishingthePlanet.org.

  • Suslow, T. (1997). Microbial food safety: an emerging challenge for small-scale growers. Small Farm News, pp. 7–10.

  • Suslow, T. V. (2000). Postharvest handling for organic crops. Organic Vegetable Production in California Series. Pub. 7254. University of California Davis.

  • Toivonen, P. M. A. (2008). Fruit maturation and ripening and their relationship to quality. Stewart Postharvest Review (E-journal), 3, 1–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilhelm, L. R., Mullins, J. A., Mullins, C. A., & Johnson, L. (1992). Effect of cooling treatment on the quality of sweet corn. Tennessee Farm and Home Science. Winter. pp. 30–35.

  • Wilson, L. G., Boyette, M. D., & Estes, E. A. (1995). Postharvest handling and cooling of fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers for small farms. Leaflets 800–804. North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, pp. 17.

  • Wilson, C., Wilson, R., Pace, D., Bromfield, E., & Lu, J. (1998). Consumer acceptance of vegetarian sweet potato products intended for space missions. Life Support & Biosphere Science, 5, 339–346.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wojciechowska, R., RoŜek, S., & Leja, M. (2006). The effect of differentiated nitrogen fertilization on nitrate reduction in broccoli heads of ‘Lord F1’ in spring cultivation. Folia Horticultura, 18, 101–110.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wright, W. R., & Billeter, B. A. (1975). Marketing losses of selected fruits and vegetables at the wholesale, retail and consumer level in the Chicago Area. USDA Mktg. Res. Rpt. No. 1017, pp. 21.

  • Yong, H., Bao, Y., Liu, X., & Algader, A. H. (1997). Grain postproduction practices and loss estimates in South China. Agricultural Mechanization in Asia, Africa & Latin America, 28, 37–40.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dov Prusky.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Prusky, D. Reduction of the incidence of postharvest quality losses, and future prospects. Food Sec. 3, 463–474 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-011-0147-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-011-0147-y

Keyword

Navigation