Abstract

Organic standards include a well-defined set of practices and a list of technical tools that are permitted by regulation. Organic products are mainly purchased for their safety and absence of synthetic pesticide residues. Furthermore, a diet based on organic products claims to provide health benefits due to the high nutritional value compounds that are more concentrated in organic products compared to conventional ones. As the scientific basis of the differences between organically- and conventionally-grown fruits and vegetables is under debate, some of the published work, together with some recent unpublished results, will be covered in the present review. In addition, the effect of different approaches to organic horticultural production will be described. Many studies have confirmed lower nitrate content, especially in leafy vegetables, and higher antioxidant compounds in organically-grown fruits in comparison to conventional ones. A recent study reported organic kiwifruit as higher in ascorbic acid and total phenol content than conventional kiwifruit. These differences were maintained throughout cold storage. Similarly, in organic grapes, antioxidant-related compounds were significantly higher than in conventionally-grown grapes. Analogous results were obtained with organic strawberries grown in protected conditions. However, conventional products usually result in higher moisture content, and this should be taken into account to confirm the differences on a dry matter basis. Possible explanations for the effects of organic farming practices on nutritional quality and postharvest performance of fresh produce are the following: (i) organic amendments provide a high input of exogenous organic matter and of nutrients for a long period; in contrast, mineral fertilizers, allowed only in conventional farming systems, are highly concentrated in nutrients that are directly available for root uptake in a shorter time period; (ii) the use of synthetic pesticides (only possible in conventional agriculture) slows down defence mechanisms against pathogens, with the consequence of favoring primary metabolism; (iii) cultural practices may result in different plant composition and nutritional quality, which in turn influence cold storage performance of the products as these differences, both in fertility and pest management, affect the allocation of secondary plant metabolites (such as ascorbic acid and phenolic compounds).

Highlights

  • Organic standards include a well-defined set of practices and a list of technical tools that are permitted by regulations (i.e., Reg n.889/08 in UE and the National Organic Program in U.S.)

  • Diet based on organic products claims to provide health benefits due to the higher concentration of nutritional compounds compared to conventional ones, and the absence of pesticide residues [1]

  • Organic production systems may be a way to ensure the sustainability of production, allowing preservation of natural resources for present and future generations, while providing a high quality and long shelf life of the product [2]

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Summary

Introduction

Organic standards include a well-defined set of practices and a list of technical tools that are permitted by regulations (i.e., Reg n.889/08 in UE and the National Organic Program in U.S.). A diet based on organic products claims to provide health benefits due to the higher concentration of nutritional compounds compared to conventional ones, and the absence of pesticide residues [1]. Horticulturae 2016, 2, 4 surely based on food availability and access, and on food safety and nutritional quality. Organic production systems may be a way to ensure the sustainability of production, allowing preservation of natural resources for present and future generations, while providing a high quality and long shelf life of the product [2]. Comparison studies that were conducted under similar environmental conditions with respect to climate, soil characteristics and availability of nutrients, have been considered for the effect of diverse pre-harvest practices on postharvest performance

Diverse Plant Response to Different Systems of Production
Postharvest Performance of Organically and Conventionally Grown Kiwifruits
Postharvest Quality of Organic and Conventional White Table Grapes
Findings
Conclusions
Full Text
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