Fruit Loss Research Articles

Fruits and vegetables at the supply center of Bahia, Brazil: why not just supply, but also loss?

Food loss is a global challenge with significant economic, environmental, and social implications. In Brazil, it is estimated that fruit and vegetable losses range between 30% and 35% from production to the final consumer. This study analyzed the extent of fruit and vegetable loss and its determinants at the Supply Center of the State of Bahia (CEASA-Bahia), Brazil, taking into account the diversity of sales establishments. A cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach was conducted using questionnaires administered to sellers at the Salvador Supply Center in Bahia, Brazil. The sample consisted of 132 sellers, representing three categories: stalls, stones, and boxes. Over 85% of the sellers had not received any training in food handling. Precarious facilities and insufficient conservation technologies were observed, with only 12.9% of sellers having refrigeration facilities. Although 56.1% of the sellers denied experiencing losses, a weekly loss of 26.30 t of vegetables and 127.4 t of fruit was estimated, representing 2.26% of the acquired amount. In absolute values, this corresponds to over 150 t of wasted food. There was no policy in place at the Center to prevent or reduce food loss, with only timid initiatives such as donations (28.8%) and discounts (6.8%). The findings highlight the potential for implementing programs aimed at preventing food losses.

Drying kinetics of camellia oleifera seeds under hot air drying with ultrasonic pretreatment

Camellia oleifera seeds with high moisture content are prone to decay, leading to oil rancidity and seriously affecting subsequent processing and tea oil quality. Thus, an efficient drying method is needed. Hot air drying with ultrasonic pretreatment is a potential drying method for camellia oleifera seeds. In this paper, the effects of key parameters such as ultrasound power, ultrasound pretreatment time, and hot air drying temperature on the moisture ratio of camellia oleifera seeds, as well as the changes in microstructure of both seed shell and seed kernel, and the main quality parameters such as peroxide value and acid value of tea oil were explored. Results showed that the shorter the ultrasound pretreatment time, the greater the ultrasound power, the higher the temperature, the faster the drying rate, and the shorter the drying time. The drying time and specific energy consumption was reduced by up to 26.7 % and 16.8 % with the ultrasonic pretreatment, respectively. The optimal ultrasonic pretreatment time is 2 min, and the ultrasonic power is 300 W. A Genetic Algorithm Optimized Backpropagation Artificial Neural Network (GA-BP-ANN) drying model was proposed to predict the changes in moisture ratio during the drying process of camellia oleifera seeds to provide guidance for the development of intelligent drying system. The experimental results showed that the proposed drying model had a good predictive performance, with an RMSE of 0.0076969 and an R2 of 99.909 %, which can accurately estimate the effect of ultrasonic pretreatment on hot air drying. The research results of this study are expected to reduce post-harvest losses of camellia oleifera fruits and provide theoretical support for the development of drying systems of camellia oleifera seeds and similar agricultural products.

2-Phenylethanol biocontrol postharvest tomato gray mold and its effect on tomato quality

Botrytis cinerea is a highly destructive fungal pathogen responsible for substantial economic losses in fruit and vegetable production. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by plants or microorganisms show promise as sources for novel biocontrol strategies. This study evaluated the effect of 2-phenylethanol (2-PE) on the quality of tomatoes and its antifungal efficacy against B. cinerea, alongside exploring possible mechanisms of action. The results showed that 2-PE notably increased the soluble sugar content in postharvest tomatoes without adversely affecting other quality parameters. Moreover, 2-PE markedly suppressed the growth of B. cinerea mycelium and reduced the incidence of infection in tomatoes in a dose-dependent manner. It also increased the activity of peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), β-1,3-glucanase (GLU), chitinase (CHI), and their corresponding gene expression, enhancing the host defense capability of tomatoes. Treatment with 2-PE led to the downregulation of genes linked with the pathogenicity of the fungus. Concurrently, 2-PE triggered the expression of autophagy-related genes and provoked the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in B. cinerea. The resulting ROS-induced oxidative stress compromised membrane integrity, which facilitated the leakage of cellular components and culminated in the death of B. cinerea cells. Collectively, these outcomes suggest significant potential for 2-PE in the development of a novel biocontrol agent.

1-Methylcyclopropene and Bacillus Treatment Affects Blueberry Storage Quality and Antioxidant Levels

Blueberries are rich in a variety of functional substances and have high nutritional and health values, but they are not resistant to decline during fresh storage. Here, the effects of six Bacillus species on the storage quality of, and antioxidant levels in, the southern highbush blueberry ‘O’Neal’ fruit were investigated. Bacillus treatments reduced the fruit decay rate, slowed fruit quality decline, inhibited malondialdehyde accumulation, and increased superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activity levels. Bacillus altitudinis Y-14 had the best effect overall. Furthermore, the effects of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), B. altitudinis Y-14, and 1-MCP + B. altitudinis Y-14 treatments on the storage quality and antioxidant of rabbiteye blueberry ‘Brightwell’ fruit were investigated, and each treatment effectively reduced the decay rate and weight loss of fruit. When stored for 25 days, the decay rate of the 1-MCP + B. altitudinis Y-14 group was only 8.33%, significantly lower than that of the control. The three treatments delayed the decline in fruit quality, inhibited malondialdehyde accumulation, and increased superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activity levels. The 1-MCP + B. altitudinis Y-14 treatment was more conducive to prolonging the postharvest storage period of blueberries and had the best effect in delaying the decline in fruit quality. Thus, combined 1-MCP and B. altitudinis Y-14 treatment may be an effective way to improve the storage quality and extend the storage period of blueberries, which provides a new way for storing and transporting blueberries to reduce costs and improve economic benefits.

Detection and classification of spongy tissue disorder in mango fruit during ripening by using visible-near infrared spectroscopy and multivariate analysis

The esteemed Alphonso mango, cherished in India for its taste, saffron color, texture, and extended shelf life, holds global commercial appeal. Unfortunately, the prevalent spongy tissue disorder in Alphonso mangoes results in a soft and corky texture, with up to 30% of mangoes within a single batch affected. This issue leads to outright rejection during export due to delayed disorder identification. The current assessment method involves destructive sampling, causing substantial fruit loss, and lacks assurance for overall batch quality. In light of the mentioned challenges, this current study focuses on utilizing visible-near infrared (Vis-NIR) spectroscopy as a non-invasive method to assess the internal quality of mangoes. It also enables innovative classification models for automated binary categorization (healthy vs spongy tissue-affected). Through preprocessing and principal component analysis of spectral reflectance data, wavelength ranges of 670–750 nm, 900–970 nm, and 1100–1170 nm were identified for distinguishing healthy and damaged mangoes. Soft independent modelling of class analogy (SIMCA) modelling is a novel approach that can be used to classify mango into healthy and spongy tissue-affected categories for better postharvest management. The accuracy of SIMCA models for classifying mangoes into healthy and spongy tissue-affected classes was highest in the wavelength regions of 670–750 nm and 900–970 nm, being 94.4% and 96.7%, respectively. The spectral reflectance between wavelength region 650–970 nm gave significant and visible differentiation between all stages of spongy tissue, that is, mild, medium, and severe. Furthermore, the application of Vis-NIR spectroscopy alongside SIMCA modelling offers a viable avenue for examining internal abnormalities resulting from diseases or injuries in fruits, broadening its utility for diverse inspection needs.

The MiTGA1 stimulates MiPR1 expression and H2O2 production to enhance mango disease resistance in response to Bacillus siamensis treatment

Postharvest disease caused by fungi is a major issue that leads to quality decline and economic losses in mango fruit during storage and distribution. TGA transcription factors and pathogenesis-related proteins (PR) play crucial roles in modulating plant tolerance to pathogens. However, the roles of TGAs in the disease resistance of mango fruit remain unclear. Here, we investigated the impact of applying the antagonist Bacillus siamensis (N-1) on disease occurrence and the expression levels of MiTGA1 and MiPR1 genes in “Tainong No. 1” mango. We also explored the molecular mechanism of MiTGA1 interaction with MiPR1 gene. Results demonstrated that N-1 treatment significantly increased the level of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and effectively suppressed disease expansion during mango storage at 25 °C. Analyses of transcriptome data and qRT-PCR revealed the obvious up-regulation of MiTGA1 and MiPR1 genes in response to the N-1 treatment. Further subcellular localization identified the MiTGA1 protein as being located in the nucleus. Yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) and dual-luciferase reporter (DLR) assays confirmed that MiTGA1 could bind to the MiPR1 promoter and activate its transcription. Furthermore, transient over-expression of MiTGA1 in mango was found to enhance the accumulation of disease-resistant substances such as H2O2 by modulating MiPR1 expression, thereby bolstering the disease resistance of mango fruit. Our study suggests that MiTGA1 is a promising target gene and its interaction with MiPR1 may contribute to disease resistance induction and decay mitigation in postharvest mango fruit.

Changes in hemicellulose metabolism in banana peel during fruit development and ripening

Hemicellulose is key in determining the fate of plant cell wall in almost all growth and developmental stages. Nevertheless, there is limited knowledge regarding its involvement in the development and ripening of banana fruit. This study investigated changes in the temporal-spatial distribution of various hemicellulose components, hemicellulose content, activities of the main hydrolysis enzymes, and transcription level of the main hemicellulose-related gene families in banana peels. Both hemicellulose and xylan contents were positively correlated to the fruit firmness observed in our previous study. On the contrary, the xylanase activity was negatively correlated to xylan content and the fruit firmness. The vascular bundle cells, phloem, and cortex of bananas are abundant in xyloglucan, xylan, and mannan contents. Interestingly, the changes in the signal intensity of the CCRC-M104 antibody recognizing non-XXXG type xyloglucan are positively correlated to hemicellulose content. According to RNA-Seq analysis, xyloglucan and xylan-related genes were highly active in the early stages of growth, and the expression of MaMANs and MaXYNs increased as the fruit ripened. The abundance of plant hormonal and growth-responsive cis-acting elements was detected in the 2 kb upstream region of hemicellulose-related gene families. Interaction between hemicellulose and cell wall-specific proteins and MaKCBP1/2, MaCKG1, and MaHKL1 was found. The findings shed light on cell wall hemicellulose's role in banana fruit development and ripening, which could improve nutrition, flavor, and reduce postharvest fruit losses.

Wax Patterns, Textural Properties, and Quality Attributes of Two Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) Cultivars during Storage

Two eggplant cultivars (Brigitte and Dalong) were stored under ambient conditions for 8 days to examine the postharvest quality and shelf life. Results indicated that the respiration rate, firmness and springiness, and nutritional quality of both eggplant cultivars decreased with the extension of shelf life. On the contrary, opposite trends were observed in weight loss, gumminess, and chewiness of eggplant fruits. In addition, the weight loss of ‘Brigitte’ eggplant fruits was 3.3% and 6.9% lower compared with ‘Dalong’ eggplant fruits at 4 and 8 days after storage. Thicknesses of epidermal cells and the stratum corneum, the epicuticular wax content of ‘Brigitte eggplant fruits increased by 42.9%, 766.7%, and 58.8% compared with ‘Dalong’ eggplant fruits, respectively, with a concomitant increase in the dense wax layer structure. In conclusion, the storage tolerance of ‘Brigitte’ eggplant fruits was higher than that of ‘Dalong’ eggplant fruits due to the higher epicuticular wax content and dense wax layer structure.

Biodegradable films from soyhull cellulosic residue with UV protection and antioxidant properties improve the shelf-life of post-harvested raspberries

Post-harvest loss of fruits and vegetables, and health risks and environmental impact of current plastic packaging warrant new biodegradable packaging. To this end, cellulosic residue from agricultural processing byproducts is suitable due to its renewability and sustainability. Herein, soyhulls cellulosic residue was extracted, solubilized in ZnCl2 solution, and crosslinked with calcium ions and glycerol to prepare biodegradable films. The film combination was optimized using Box Behnken Design and film properties were characterized. The optimized film is translucent and exhibits tensile strength, elongation at break, water vapor permeability, hydrophobicity, and IC50 of 6.3 ± 0.6 MPa, 30.2 ± 0.9%, 0.9 ± 0.3 × 10−10 gm−1 s−1 Pa−1, 72.6°, and 0.11 ± 0.1 g/mL, respectively. The water absorption kinetics follow the Peleg model and biodegrade within 25 days at 24% soil moisture. The film extends the shelf life of raspberries by 6 more days compared to polystyrene film. Overall, the value-added soyhull cellulosic films are advantageous in minimizing post-harvest loss and plastic-related issues, emphasizing the principles of the circular bioeconomy.

An Overview of Low-Cost Approaches for the Postharvest Storage of Fruits and Vegetables for Smallholders, Retailers, and Consumers

Food loss and waste occur throughout the food supply chain and represent food security and environmental, economic, and societal problems. Fresh fruit and vegetables contribute to over 40% of global food loss and waste. A significant portion of fruit and vegetables loss takes place on the farm during postharvest handling in developing countries, which is linked to smallholders’ financial and geographic constraints in purchasing modern postharvest handling technologies. While in developed countries, waste is the main problem identified at the retail and consumption levels because of inadequate logistics management, storage, and consumer behavior. The loss and waste deprive the population of a significant quantity of healthy food. To address this challenge, cost-effective, easy-to-use, and affordable approaches could be supplied to stakeholders. These strategies encompass the utilization of shading, low-cost packaging, porous evaporative cooling, zero-energy cooling chambers, and pot-in-pot coolers, for reductions in loss in developing countries. Meanwhile, in developed countries, biosensors, 1-methylcyclopropene, and imaging processing are employed to assess the quality of fresh fruit and vegetables at both retail and consumer levels. By exploring these methods, the review aims to provide smallholders, retailers, and consumers with efficient methods for improving produce operating techniques, resulting in reduced losses and waste and higher income.

Response of tomato fruit to consecutive impact loading

Tomato fruits receive successive impacts during harvest and postharvest operations. This paper is a study of the response of tomato fruit to mono and multiple dynamic loadings and the ability to withstand consecutive impacts, which play the most critical role in downgrading and postharvest loss of fresh tomato fruits and designing harvest, and postharvest handling and processing equipment. The fruits were subjected to consecutive impacts by an instrumented pendulum one to three times successive impacts at the same location with the three different impact energy levels: 125, 250, and 500 mJ to establish a comprehensive model and refining by adding various groups of contributing factors to understand better and find out which parameters are more likely to cause and contribute in tomato mechanical damage. Twenty sub-models were evaluated using AIC and R2 values. The parameters of the preferred logistic model consist of response variables (peak contact force, contact time, and Elast), loading conditions (one, two, and three-times impact at the same location), and fruit quality parameter (total soluble solids). Also, another model was suggested for rapid assessment of bruise development.

Spraying with encapsulated nitric oxide donor reduces weight loss and oxidative damage in papaya fruit

The combination of nitric oxide (NO) donors with nanomaterials has emerged as a promising approach to reduce postharvest losses. The encapsulation of NO donors provides protection from rapid degradation and controlled release, enhancing the NO effectiveness in postharvest treatments. Moreover, the application method can also influence postharvest responses. In this study, two application methods were evaluated, spraying and immersion, using S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO, a NO donor) in free and encapsulated forms on papaya fruit. Our hypothesis was that GSNO encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles would outperform the free form in delaying fruit senescence. In addition, this study marks the pioneering characterization of chitosan nanoparticles containing GSNO within the framework of a postharvest investigation. Overall, our findings indicate that applying encapsulated GSNO (GSNO-NP-S) through spraying preserves the quality of papaya fruit during storage. This method not only minimizes weight loss, ethylene production, and softening, but also stimulates antioxidant responses, thereby mitigating oxidative damage. Consequently, it stands out as the promising technique for delaying papaya fruit senescence. This innovative approach holds the potential to enhance postharvest practices and advance sustainable agriculture.

Study of Eco-Enzyme Application in Reducing Nitrite Concentration and Ph Value in Water Sample

The number of high fruit loss must be resolved immediately. East Java produces the highest number of banana and orange. To prevent the fruit loss, as mitigation, the fruit loss can be used to make eco-enzymes as biodegradable agents which was made from nature to treat contaminated water from nitrite contamination and high pH value. Contaminations such as nitrite in water pose significant risks, particularly to organisms. Nitrite contamination can adversely affect humans by reacting with hemoglobin, leading to the formation of methemoglobin, which hampers the blood's ability to bind with oxygen and transport it to body tissues. Eco-enzymes serve as biocatalysts to accelerate the nitrification process, converting ammonia into nitrate with nitrite as an intermediate product. This study was conducted on a laboratory scale, using water samples comprised of distilled water and nitrite standard solution. Two types of eco-enzymes, derived from banana and orange waste, were applied at a 5% concentration to reduce nitrite levels and pH values in the water samples. The results indicated that the orange eco-enzyme reduced nitrite concentrations by 73.2% and pH values by 38.42%, while the banana eco-enzyme achieved a reduction of 93.89% in nitrite concentrations and 23.15% in pH values. As an application of this study, the 5% eco-enzyme solution holds promise for use in biological treatment within wastewater treatment plants, particularly in aeration tanks, to enhance the nitrification process, thereby aiding in the reduction of nitrite concentrations and pH values in wastewater.

Implementing Internet of Things for Real-Time Monitoring and Regulation of Off-Season Grafting and Post-Harvest Storage in Citrus Cultivation: A Case Study from the Hilly Regions of Nepal

Citrus fruit cultivation, especially mandarin oranges, is crucial to the economy of Nepal’s hilly regions due to their ideal geoclimatic conditions. Despite its economic importance, the sector faces several challenges, such as inadequate grafting techniques, low-quality saplings, and ineffective post-harvest storage. This paper explores these issues and proposes innovative solutions through the use of Internet of Things (IoT) technology. To address these challenges, we identified key areas for improvement. First, we focused on extending grafting practices during the off-season to ensure a higher success rate and better-quality saplings. Second, we examined different post-harvest storage methods to determine their effectiveness in terms of shelf life, decay loss, and quality of fruit. In addition to exploring post-harvest strategies, this paper provides preharvest recommendations for farmers, emphasizing methods to enhance fruit quality and longevity through effective pre-storage practices. Our IoT-based approach introduces off-season grafting in polyhouses and advanced monitoring for post-harvest storage. The results are promising: We achieved grafting success rates of 91% for acid lime and 92% for local mandarin orange varieties. Additionally, our research compared different post-harvest storage methods for mandarin oranges, including room, cellar, and cold chamber. We assessed these methods based on shelf life, physiological weight loss, and the total soluble solids (TSS) to titratable acidity (TA) ratio. The cold chamber proved to be the most effective method, offering superior conditions for storing mandarin oranges. The IoT-based monitoring system played a crucial role in maintaining optimal temperature, humidity, and gas content within the cold chamber, resulting in reduced post-harvest losses and extended shelf life. These findings highlight the transformative potential of IoT technology in mandarin orange cultivation and post-harvest storage.

Enhancing the Storage Longevity of Apples: The Potential of Bacillus subtilis and Streptomyces endus as Preventative Bioagents against Post-Harvest Gray Mold Disease, Caused by Botrytis cinerea.

Gray mold, caused by Botrytis cinerea Pers. Fr., is one of the most vital plant diseases, causing extensive pre- and post-harvest losses in apple fruits. In the current study, we isolated and identified two potential endophytic bioagents, Bacillus subtilis and Streptomyces endus. Both bioagents exhibited a potent fungistatic effect against B. cinerea under both in vitro and in planta conditions. Moreover, two experiments were carried out; (i) the first experiment was conducted at room temperature after artificial inoculation with B. cinerea to monitor the progression of the infection and the corresponding biochemical responses of the apples. Our in vivo findings showed that the treated B. cinerea-infected apple fruits with the cell-free bacterial filtrate of B. subtilis and S. endus (dipping or wrapping) significantly reduced the rotten area of the treated apple at room temperature. Additionally, B. subtilis and S. endus enhanced the enzymatic (POX and PPO) and non-enzymatic (phenolics and flavonoids) antioxidant defense machinery in treated apples. (ii) The second experiment focused on the preventive effects of both bioagents over a 90-day storage period at 1 °C of healthy apples (no artificial inoculation). The application of both bacterial filtrates prolonged the storage period, reduced the relative weight loss, and maintained high-quality parameters including titratable acidity, firmness, and total soluble solids of apple fruits under cold storage at 1 °C. The Kaplan-Meier analysis of rotten apples over 90 days during cold storage showed that the treated apples lasted longer than the non-treated apples. Moreover, the lifespan of apple fruits dipped in the culture filtrate of B. subtilis, or a fungicide, was increased, with no significant differences, compared with the non-treated apples. The current results showed the possibility of using both bioagents as a safe and eco-friendly alternative to chemical fungicides to control gray mold disease in apples.

Managing Postharvest Losses of Vegetables and Fruits: A Methodological Review.

Vegetables and fruits are highly perishable agricultural commodities cultivated all over the world. However, inadequate handling practices have led to significant postharvest losses of these agricultural commodities, as well as the wastage of valuable resources, such as time and money. Hence, it can be observed that cultivators often experience significant financial setbacks as a result of inadequate comprehension regarding the nature and origins of these losses, insufficient preservation practices, and ineffective approaches to transportation and marketing. In addition, the utilization of suitable chemical agents during both the pre- and postharvest phases has the potential to prolong the shelf life of agricultural products. This preservation technique safeguards vegetables and fruits from pathogenic organisms and other forms of environmental harm, thereby enabling their availability for an extended duration. Therefore, this review proposes a methodology for managing fruits and vegetables postharvest to minimize losses and optimize returns.

Analysis of Brondolan Fruit Loss in Palm Oil Harvesting Activities in the Case Study of Sentekan Estate PT Rea Kaltim Plantations

Brondolan is an oil palm fruit that is separated from spikelets because it is too ripe during harvesting activities. Apart from that, brondolan is part of the fresh fruit bunch which produces maximum quality Crude Palm Oil (CPO). The aim of this research is to analyze losses from harvesting activities in the form of oil palm fruit stalks. The research method is to carry out quantitative and descriptive analysis. Loss of brondolan fruit during palm oil harvesting activities from the research sample was 10% of the sample block area in the disk area, pickle market area and yield collection area (TPH), amounting to 16,946 Kg/month of the total Kg/division oil palm fruit production. This occurs because the fruit is abandoned or left behind as a result of weak supervision and poor maintenance or maintenance activities in the plate area, pickle market area and TPH area which are not controlled by the growth of weeds, kentosan, this has an impact on the potential loss of 3,2% of total TBS production in the division.

Continuous Ozonation Coupled with UV-C Irradiation for a Sustainable Post-Harvest Processing of Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait. Fruits to Reduce Storage Losses

Ozonation and UV irradiation are promising sustainable methods for extending the shelf life of stored fruits. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of the constructed system, enabling simultaneous ozonation and UV-C irradiation of cranberry fruits in extending their shelf life. The effectiveness of this solution was determined by analyzing the properties of fruits subjected to the processes. The impact of these processes on the shelf life of fruits was assessed during 42 days of storage at a temperature of 8 °C and 80% humidity. It was demonstrated that applying the ozonation process to fruits, as facilitated by the developed solution’s throughput, led to a reduction in microbiological load (fermentation bacteria count reduction by 3.4 log cfu−1), resulting in an extension of their shelf life and a reduction in storage losses (8.98% by mass). The implementation of the developed solution, by reducing water loss and limiting fruit losses (approximately 5% less compared to the control group) during storage, contributes to tangible benefits for the producers and distributors of these fruits. The proposed modification has a positive environmental effect by reducing waste and makes the cultivation of cranberries more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Investigating Co-Innovation strategies to prevent food loss in the fruits and vegetables sector

The transition towards sustainable food systems implies the exploration of drivers and challenges for the adoption of innovative solutions by the operators on the value chains. The development of innovative approaches is critical to improve the collaboration of different stakeholders on sustainability topics. The Q-methodology combines qualitative and quantitative analysis to navigate subjective stakeholder perspectives, aiming to find shared strategies and enhance collaborative approaches on complex topics. This study employs Q-methodology to investigate stakeholders' viewpoints on reducing food losses in the Italian fruit and vegetable sector, focusing on the upstream phases of the supply chain. The aim is to explore the perspectives of producers, experts, and institutional representatives towards sustainable innovations in food losses prevention and management practices. The integration of technological innovation is described as a key factor, but the adoption process is hampered by structural supply chain burdens. The results enforced the adoption of sustainable technologies by operators, reporting that collaboration can enhance efficiency, quality management, and sustainability during fruit and vegetable production and distribution operations. Innovative solutions to mitigate food losses risk are driven by resource-efficiency network strategies that should imply a positive environmental and social performances. The application of the Q-methodology allows for a deeper understanding of the emerging challenges during the adoption of food loss reduction strategies. The findings reported the significance of collaboration, technological innovation integration, and sustainable practices across the supply chain. This research contributes to the development of effective, stakeholder-supported strategies and informs policymakers in the fruit and vegetable sector about different solutions to mitigate food losses.

Influence of Conservation Methods on the sour cherry (Cerasus vulgaris Mill.) fruits quality

Objective: Sour cherry fruits (Cerasus vulgaris Mill.) belong to the Rosaceae family and are designed as a GRAS ingredient based on the FDA data. Animal experiments and clinical practice confirm that there are many positive pharmacological effects mainly related to anthocyanins. Development of standard regulations for this kind of medicinal plant raw materials is actual to introduce sour cherry fruits into official medical practice. In our research, we investigate macroscopic and microscopic properties and determine the content of tanning substances and anthocyanins in sour cherry fruits of various kinds of conservation. Materials and methods: Modern complex of physicochemical methods was used in pharmacognostical research. Microscopic analysis was performed on a LOMO Micmed-6 microscope with 10× eyepieces, 4×, 10×, 40× and 100× objectives, photographies were taken with a Sony Xperia Z3 compact digital camera. The content of total anthocyanins in terms of cyanidin-3-О-glucoside was determined by differential UV-spectrophotometry, total tannins content – by redox titration. Results and discussion: The anomocytic stomatal complex, fruits pulp druses, anthocyanins containing in the epidermis and fruits pulp cells, and vessels are typical signs for the sour cherry fruits anatomy structure. A conservation method has not to effect on visual representation of diagnostic signs. The contents of tanning substances are little; it is from 2.73±0.08% to 4.12±0.13% in terms of tannin. Maximal anthocyanin contents (in terms of cyanidin-3-glucoside and in absolutely dried raw material) were determined in fresh-frozen sour cherry fruits (after defrosting (with juice and without kernel) is 5.40±0.15% or in terms of moisture-containing raw materials (without kernel) – 0.690±0.019%. In the defrosted fruits without juice, the content of anthocyanins is two times lower in terms of completely dried raw material (without kernel), it is 2.77±0.12% or in terms of moisture-containing raw material (without kernel), it is 0.410±0.018%. In the juice released from cherry fruits after defrosting anthocyanin content in terms of cyanidin-3-glucoside is of 0.450±0.007% (g/100ml juice), in dried sour cherry fruits (without kernel) – 4.34±0.17%, which is lower than in fresh-frozen raw materials. It can be explained by the varietal features, as well by the conservation conditions; this matter is to be further studied. Contents of tanning substances in fresh-frozen and dried sour cherry fruits when storage during 4 months is insignificantly reduced, but it is established that contents of anthocyanin in terms of cyanidin-3-glucoside reduces 1.5 times in 4 months, if the raw material is frozen, and it reduces by 10% if the raw material is dried. Conclusion: Diagnostic signs of macroscopic and microscopic structures, contents of tanning substances and anthocyanins in terms of cyanidin 3-glycoside in sour cherry fruits were studied. The content of the main groups of biologically active substances decreases equally during storage of dried and frozen cherry fruits. When defrosting, it is necessary to carefully collect the juice, as it contains the bulk of the anthocyanins. It is promising to study various options for freezing and drying of cherry fruits with kernels in order to reduce the loss of fruits juice to a minimum. In this case, it is important to ensure that the kernels are whole (not destroyed), in order to avoid the ingress of cyanogenic glycosides into the medicinal plant material. The results will be used to develop normative documentation for sour cherry fruits.