Postharvest Factors Affecting Shelf Life and Quality of Harvested Tomatoes; a Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Tomatoes are a member of the Solanaceae family and are one of the most widely grown and consumed vegetable crops on the planet. In most developing nations, tomato farming can provide a source of income for most rural and periurban growers. However, in these regions of the world, postharvest losses make production unprofitable. Tomatoes can lose up to 42% of their value after harvesting. The quality of tomatoes after harvest was influenced by several preharvest methods used during cultivation. Fertilizer treatment, trimming, maturity stage, cultivar selection, and irrigation are some of these aspects. Maintaining the quality after harvest required the use of optimum postharvest handling methods or parameters such as temperature, relative humidity and physical handling protocols. The major goal of this review of literature was to look at how pre-harvest and post-harvest variables impact the quality and shelf life of tomatoes. The current review of literature concluded that postharvest quality losses in tomatoes may be reduced by proper informations and regulating both preharvest and postharvest variables.