Postharvest Horticulture Research Articles

Rapid and non‐destructive determination of total phenolic contents using UV–NIR spectroscopy of dehydrated mushroom (Lentinus edodes)

AbstractMultispectral imaging (MSI) is an emerging technique that ranges from light spectrum of UV–NIR (405–970 nm) used for rapid determination of phenolic contents. The current study focuses on the determination of total phenolic content (TPC) in a fast and non‐invasive way in hot‐air dehydrated Lentinus edodes. The spectral information of MSI has been combined with various chemometrics like partial least squares (PLS), back propagation neural networks (BPNN), and least squares‐support vector machines (LS‐SVM) for the quantitative prediction of phenolic contents. Fresh mushrooms possessed 1.49 and 1.73 GAE g kg−1 TPC in processed samples at 10% moisture content. Comparing models, PLS acquired significant Rp with a lower RMSEP of 0.9980 and 0.1039 and was considered an outstanding algorithm, followed by LS‐SVM of 0.9777 and 0.1417 coefficient of determination and error of prediction data set, respectively. It is concluded that MSI spectroscopy produces highly significant results to determine functional food properties in a rapid and non‐destructive way. The present study will provide a strong platform for the fast online determination of phenolic profile of agricultural commodities.Practical applicationsUtilization of spectroscopy for non‐destructive detection of phenolic contents is defined through the combination of chemometrics with spectra of multispectral imaging system and emphasizes control processing of postharvest horticulture produces. Prediction results R2 above 80% describe that these chemometrics are successfully capable of estimating total phenolic contents in control processing for quality preservation.

Machine Learning Application in Horticulture and Prospects for Predicting Fresh Produce Losses and Waste: A Review.

The current review examines the state of knowledge and research on machine learning (ML) applications in horticultural production and the potential for predicting fresh produce losses and waste. Recently, ML has been increasingly applied in horticulture for efficient and accurate operations. Given the health benefits of fresh produce and the need for food and nutrition security, efficient horticultural production and postharvest management are important. This review aims to assess the application of ML in preharvest and postharvest horticulture and the potential of ML in reducing postharvest losses and waste by predicting their magnitude, which is crucial for management practices and policymaking in loss and waste reduction. The review starts by assessing the application of ML in preharvest horticulture. It then presents the application of ML in postharvest handling and processing, and lastly, the prospects for its application in postharvest loss and waste quantification. The findings revealed that several ML algorithms perform satisfactorily in classification and prediction tasks. Based on that, there is a need to further investigate the suitability of more models or a combination of models with a higher potential for classification and prediction. Overall, the review suggested possible future directions for research related to the application of ML in postharvest losses and waste quantification.

Effects of Exogenous Application of Glycine Betaine Treatment on 'Huangguoggan' Fruit during Postharvest Storage.

Loss of quality in citrus fruit is a common occurrence during postharvest storage due to oxidative stress and energy consumption. In recent years, glycine betaine (GB) has been widely applied to postharvest horticulture fruit. This study aimed to investigate the effect of GB treatment (10 mM and 20 mM) on the quality and antioxidant activity of 'Huangguogan' fruit during postharvest storage at room temperature. Our results indicated that both 10 mM and 20 mM treatments effectively reduced weight and firmness losses and maintained total soluble solid (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), and ascorbic acid contents. Additionally, GB treatment significantly increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes, maintained higher levels of total phenols and total flavonoids, and led to slower accumulation of H2O2. A transcriptome analysis conducted at 28 days after treatment (DAT)identified 391 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between 20 mM GB (GB-2) and the control (CK) group. These DEGs were enriched in various pathways, particularly related to oxygen oxidoreductase, peroxidase activity, and flavonoid biosynthesis. Overall, the application of GB proved beneficial in enhancing the storability and extending the shelf life of 'Huangguogan' fruit.

Potensi Daun Sirsak (Annona Muricata L.) sebagai Kandidat Fungisida Nabati Penghambat Pertumbuhan Cendawan Patogen Colletotrichum Gloeosporioides

The attack of the Colletotrichum gloeosporioides fungus causes losses to farmers. The prolonged use of synthetic fungicides to treat this fungus harms the environment and consumers. Soursop leaves (Annona muricata L.) contain antioxidant compounds that act as antifeedants, contact poisons, and stomach poisons for plant pests and can potentially become a vegetable fungicide as a growth inhibitor for Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in postharvest horticulture. This study used a multilevel extraction method with solvents of n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and 95% ethanol. Tests for the content of secondary metabolites of soursop leaf extract in the form of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins were carried out qualitatively and quantitatively using a UV-Vis Shimadzu 1800 spectrophotometer. The inhibition test of the extract against the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides was carried out using disc paper soaked with soursop leaf extract for a certain time. The qualitative test results of soursop leaf extract showed that it contained alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins. The fungal inhibition zone test showed the most optimal results on soursop leaf extract with a long extraction time of 144 hours and a content of 50%, indicated by the largest diameter of the inhibition zone against the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, namely 1.7 cm.

Improvement of postharvest quality and shelf life of banana cv. Malbhog using different plant extracts and modified atmosphere packages in Chitwan, Nepal

Banana has a very short storage life. It is highly perishable, and therefore susceptible to several diseases resulting in extensive postharvest losses. A research entitled “Improvement of Postharvest Quality and Shelf life of Banana cv. Malbhog using different Plant Extracts and Modified Atmosphere Packages in Chitwan, Nepal” was conducted at the Post-Harvest Horticulture laboratory of Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal. The main objective of the research is to know the appropriate plant extracts and modified atmosphere package (MAP) for banana ripening and to now the effect of different plant extract on disease incidence and severity of banana. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design which consisted of eight treatments viz. Control, Garlic extracts, Neem extracts, Onion extracts, Sesamum oil, Ginger extract, Unperforated low-density polyethylene (50 µm) containing cotton soaked with KMnO4 and perforated low-density polyethylene (50 µm) containing cotton soaked with KMnO4 respectively and replicated thrice. Different post-harvest parameters were recorded at three days intervals for 15 days. From the experiment, the lowest firmness (0.467kg/cm2) and the highest pulp (4.075) to peel ratio was noted with control. The maximum vitamin C content (6.633 mg/100 g) was recorded with the Neem extract. Regarding the organoleptic test, the index value of overall acceptability (0.87), sweetness (0.80) and flavor (1.0) were depicted highest with control whereas the low-density polyethylene containing cotton dipped in KMnO4 resulted in minimum spoilage loss (43.77%). The minimal disease incidence was noticed with the unperforated LDPE containing KMnO4 (25%) followed by Neem extracts. From the experiment, it was concluded that the low-density polyethylene-containing cotton dipped in KMnO4 and Neem extract performed significantly better in terms of post-harvest parameters and disease incidence. Further studies regarding the use of other plant extracts and modified atmospheric packages were recommended.

Evaluasi Kualitas Nutrisi Microgreen Bayam Merah dan Hijau Menggunakan Cahaya Buatan

Microgreen is a functional plant that is beneficial for human health. Microgreen is a type of cultivation that can be harvested at the nursery stage. In fact, another issue is that it is increasingly difficult to find agricultural land owned by the community, especially in urban areas, so that only a few people cultivate crops. This problem can be overcome by developing a microgreen planting system that is supported by a hydroponic system with artificial lighting for plant growth needs. The experiment was carried out to study about the effect of different types of artificial light color on the nutritional quality of red and green spinach microgreen. The experiment was conducted at the Laboratory of Plant Analysis and Post-Harvest Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Padjadjaran. The experimental design used was randomized block design with two factors: light color consisting of five levels and plant species consisting of two levels. The light color factor consists of sunlight-control, artificial fluorescent-control, full spectrum LEDs, blue LEDs, and red LEDs. Plant varieties were red and green spinach. The results showed that there was an interaction between light color and plant varieties on nutritional quality of microgreen, such as phenol, flavonoid content, and DPPH radical scavenging activity. The responses of red and green spinach showed different nutritional quality. The red, blue, and full spectrum LEDs gave the best results in each of the tests

Light emitting diode and its application in pre and postharvest horticulture : A Review

Natural light is imperative for the growth and development of plants. Nevertheless, spectrum of natural light is inadequate to meet the requirement of crops. Artificial lighting system by use of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) could be adopted in horticulture in closed chambers, in greenhouses, in open fields, before pre-harvest until post-harvest storage in controlled environment. Various beneficial and physical properties of LEDs make it convenient for revolutionizing crop cultivation even in earth and on space. Selection of appropriate LED light could boost crop production, improve colour in ornamental plants, enhance phytochemical and nutrient contents, regulate flowering, induce or delay ripening, delay senescence, reduce microbial growth and tremendously improve crop production and preservation in the non-chemical way safe for consumption. LED light in combination with different colours and alteration of wavelength could lead to revolution of horticulture technology in producing super food microgreens and other vegetables possessing desired qualitative and quantitative traits. This innovative and futuristic advancement can be exploited to feed salubrious horticultural crops to the burgeoning population on land and off land. Monochromatic light and combination of LED lights can be employed in cold storage for preventing crop spoilage while enhancing various qualitative traits. Though previous researches have reported numerous benefits of LEDs still there is a vast scope for breakthrough novel inventions which could ameliorate LED lighting to an enormous extend.

Ripening Regulation and Post-harvest Improvement of Banana Cv. Malbhog by Treating with Ethephon

A study entitled “Ripening regulation and post-harvest life improvement of banana Cv. Malbhog using ethephon” was under taken to assess the effect of ethephon on banana fruit ripening and quality parameters after harvest under ordinary room condition. The experiment was conducted at Central laboratory of Post-Harvest Horticulture of Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal in 2016. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) in which the experiment comprised of five treatments; control(no use of ethephon), ethephon @ 250 ppm, ethephon @ 500 ppm, ethephon @ 750 ppm and ethephon @ 1000 ppm replicated four times. On the final day of storage, the maximum physiological loss in weight was observed with ethephon @ 1000 ppm (24.52 %) and the colour score (7.75). Similarly the highest Total Soluble Solids content (19.32ºBrix) was observed with ethephon @ 1000 ppm and the maximum shelf life was found with control (14 days). From the experiment, the use of ethephon @ 1000 ppm and ethephon @ 750 ppm was found more effective regarding banana ripening and other various post harvest parameters and in case, if the bananas are to be stored for long duration, the control treatement is recommended to the farmers because it increases the shelf life.

Postharvest horticulture in Nepal

Postharvest horticulture in Nepal

Chitosan extraction from seafood waste and its potential application in production and postharvest horticulture

Chitosan extraction from seafood waste and its potential application in production and postharvest horticulture

Nature and Extent of Extension Delivery on Postharvest Handling of Horticultural Perishables in the Philippines

While postharvest operations account for more than 55 percent of the economic value of the agricultural sector, losses are high, the science or technology is relatively new, and the postharvest horticulture extension delivery system in the Philippines has not met the challenge. Thus, the delivery of extension services to the people involved needed to be assessed. Primary data from key informant interviews and secondary data from available publications and reports were analyzed. The two major extension providers for postharvest handling of fresh fruits, vegetables, and cut flowers are the Postharvest Horticulture Training and Research Center (PHTRC) of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), and the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA). From 2000–2010, the PHTRC implemented 93 percent of national extension projects and services in terms of training (51 training programs with 1,132 participants), technical assistance, production and dissemination of information (24 extension materials with 21,105 copies), and a few action research projects. On the other hand, out of the remaining 7 percent of the extension projects, which were implemented by PhilMech, 99 percent were related to development and establishment of tramlines, cold chain facilities, and facilities support for hot water tanks and packinghouses including 16 training programs with 437 participants. The number of extension workers, who have been trained over the last three decades and who could be potential trainers of growers and traders, was only 4.8 percent of the total number of participants of training programs of both institutions. The number of personnel in extension delivery was also reduced due to budget constraints for PHTRC and rationalization moves for PhilMech. Twenty-five personnel, 10 from PHTRC and 15 from PhilMech rendered extension services. All PHTRC staff and three from PhilMech were trained on perishables handling. Government support for the extension delivery of postharvest handling of horticultural perishables remains negligible. The major recommendations to improve the extension delivery system on postharvest horticulture sector are training of more extension workers in this field and establishment of zonal centers on postharvest research and extension.

Extension of Small-Scale Postharvest Horticulture Technologies—A Model Training and Services Center

A pilot Postharvest Training and Services Center (PTSC) was launched in October 2012 in Arusha, Tanzania as part of a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded project. The five key components of the PTSC are (1) training of postharvest trainers, (2) postharvest training and demonstrations for local small-scale clientele, (3) adaptive research, (4) postharvest services, and (5) retail sales of postharvest tools and supplies. During the years of 2011–2012, a one year e-learning program was provided to 36 young horticultural professionals from seven Sub-Saharan African countries. These postharvest specialists went on to train more than 13,000 local farmers, extension workers, food processors, and marketers in their home countries in the year following completion of their course. Evaluators found that these specialists had trained an additional 9300 people by November 2014. When asked about adoption by their local trainees, 79% reported examples of their trainees using improved postharvest practices. From 2012–2013, the project supported 30 multi-day training programs, and the evaluation found that many of the improved practices being promoted were adopted by the trainees and led to increased earnings. Three PTSC components still require attention. Research activities initiated during the project are incomplete, and successful sales of postharvest goods and services will require commitment and improved partnering.

Inhibitory effect of exogenous sodium bicarbonate on development and pathogenicity of postharvest disease Penicillium expansum

Penicillium expansum, a widespread filamentous fungus, is a major causative agent of fruit decay and may lead to the production of patulin which causes harmful effects on human health. In this study, P. expansum isolated from naturally infected pears (Pyrus bretschneideri Rehd.) was identified by morphological observation and rDNA-internal transcribed spacer analysis. Then, the effects of exogenous sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) on development and pathogenicity of P. expansum were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Results indicated that NaHCO3 at 0.6% (w/v) significantly (P<0.05) reduced the germination of P. expansum conidia by up to 80% compared to the control after 10h incubation. NaHCO3 also showed good ability to inhibit germ tube elongation, mycelia expansion and hypha production of P. expansum. The lesion diameter and disease incidence of blue molds were markedly reduced by 0.6% NaHCO3 treatment. Loss of membrane integrity was examined and quantified under 0.6% NaHCO3 condition by the method of propidium iodide fluorescent staining. Furthermore, we found that NaHCO3 obviously affected the relative expressions of four genes involved in patulin biosynthesis and effectively prevented patulin accumulation. These data will provide theoretical foundations for improving the application potential of NaHCO3 on postharvest horticulture pathogens control.

Reduction of energy usage in postharvest horticulture through management of ethylene.

Cool chain management is the preferred technology to extend the postharvest life of horticultural produce, but with rising energy costs and community pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, there is a need to use less energy-intensive technologies. Minimising the level of ethylene around horticultural produce inhibits ripening and senescence and therefore has the potential to reduce the use of refrigeration. The long-distance transport of bananas within Australia and from Central America to Europe is used as a case study to show that the need for refrigeration could be reduced if the appropriate concentrations of ethylene were maintained around fruit during transit. Data are also presented to show a similar benefit of ethylene control with green beans, as well as another study showing that apples treated with the ethylene action inhibitor 1-methylcyclopropene could be stored at a higher temperature without loss of quality to the consumer. The range of technologies available to manage ethylene levels is discussed.

POSTHARVEST HORTICULTURE EDUCATION AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION

Since the mid to late 1980s there has been a decline, for a range of reasons, in undergraduate student numbers and programmes that target postharvest horticulture and horticultural science. Postharvest horticulture has often been relegated as an elective or minor status within these undergraduate programs offered in science and/or biotechnology. Much of the postharvest horticulture teaching and research in the Asia-Pacific region is taken at the postgraduate level (M.Sc. and Ph.D. levels) both of which have demonstrated steady increases in student numbers and research projects. The objective of this paper is to investigate the current status of postharvest horticulture education and training programs associated with the universities and vocational training colleges in the Asia-Pacific region. Methodology involved a 14 question electronic survey emailed to the major universities in the Asia-Pacific region that targeted postharvest horticulture units offered in their curriculum. Results showed that approximately one-third of the universities in the Asia-Pacific region, who participated in the survey, offered postharvest horticulture as a unit or major within their undergraduate or postgraduate degree program. Less than 6% of institutions offer postharvest horticulture at the vocational level. Most undergraduate degree programs, were of 3-4 years in duration and included a 6-12 week period of industry experience. No training program or industry placement was required for seeking admission in a postgraduate qualification. Results indicated that the standards for postgraduate training in postharvest horticulture have been maintained through rigorous entry requirements with funding often coming from scholarship sources. High numbers of undergraduate students come directly from high school whereas graduate entrants principally came from government, industry researchers or as graduates from established undergraduate programs. Successful postgraduates principally found employment in teaching and research organisations and middle-senior management industry positions. The general consensus was that there were insufficient graduates entering the market to replace those that were retiring. The major challenges for education and training in postharvest horticulture, at the undergraduate level, is to make strategic curriculum changes in postharvest subjects, and in the case of vocational education providers, improve operational skills training in postharvest horticulture. At the postgraduate level there was a need to provide stronger incentives that emphasised the systems approach in the supply chain system, and provide for diversification of postharvest horticulture into non-postharvest horticulture outcomes in order to ensure longer term sustainability.

POSTHARVEST HORTICULTURE EDUCATION, RESEARCH AND CONSULTANCY: FUTURE CHALLENGES IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION

Between 2010 and 2050, the economies of China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Thailand and Malaysia could account for some 57% of the world’s total population as well as 91% of the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the Asia-Pacific region. In addition the region, where 80% of the world’s small and marginal farmers live and work, has the potential to loose or waste up to one-third of food produced as it moves along the supply chain. These significant features require a rethink in horticultural education programming, research and consultancy training in the region. The objective of this paper is to describe the current status of postharvest horticulture education, research training and consultancy in the Asia-Pacific region with an emphasis on the universities in the region. In a recent survey conducted results show that about one-third of universities in the region have baccalaureate and/or postgraduate qualifications that target postharvest horticulture. However, there is a general consensus that there are insufficient postgraduates in postharvest horticulture currently entering the market to replace those that were retiring. There is also an emerging opportunity for training people at the vocational level to provide the necessary skills/artisan training in postharvest horticulture and food technology. Higher priority areas for research training are in quality assurance, handling, packaging and transport, maturation, ripening and product losses, and storage and in consultancy area the higher priority areas are in handling, packaging and transport, cool chain and storage, economics, market access, and quality assurance. Challenges to be faced in the research and teaching sectors of postharvest horticulture include the need to seek further investment so as to strengthen a weak research and development sector, and greater collaborative and interdisciplinary research and teaching with the institutions and institutes, both nationally and internationally.

AN OVERVIEW OF POSTHARVEST RESEARCH, EXTENSION AND EDUCATION CAPACITY IN THE PACIFIC WITH A FOCUS ON WESTERN SAMOA, TONGA AND THE FIJI ISLANDS

Historically there has been limited institutional postharvest research, education and training in the South Pacific. In Fiji, Western Samoa and Tonga, of the three universities, four government ministries and one regional agency, that currently posses horticulture research, extension or training capacity, few have any dedicated postharvest specialists. While private-sector postharvest extension services do exist they are often fragmented and commonly limited to specific export-focused supply chains. In the last decade, increasing concerns about regional food security and a greater emphasis towards expanding horticultural trade and exports have resulted in significant investment in new postharvest infrastructure in the region. Since 2008, postharvest research infrastructure has been established in Western Samoa and in Tonga, coupled with ongoing donor assistance of private-sector postharvest-export infrastructure in Fiji. Unfortunately there has been desultory attention towards concurrently improving postharvest skills and training. This is of particular concern as it undermines the ultimate effectiveness of this investment, creating questionable sustainability. This paper reviews the current postharvest horticulture research and education capacity in the Pacific highlighting the key challenges and opportunities.

Antifungal effect of gaseous nitric oxide on mycelium growth, sporulation and spore germination of the postharvest horticulture pathogens, Aspergillus niger, Monilinia fructicola and Penicillium italicum

To evaluate the antifungal activity of nitric oxide (NO) against the growth of the postharvest horticulture pathogens Aspergillus niger, Monilinia fructicola and Penicillium italicum under in vitro conditions. Different volumes of NO gas were injected into the Petri dish headspace to obtain the desired concentrations of 50-500 microl l(-1). The growth of the fungi was measured for 8 days of incubation in air at 25 degrees C. All concentrations of NO were found to produce an antifungal effect on spore germination, sporulation and mycelial growth of the three fungi, with the most effective concentration for A. niger and P. italicum being 100 and 500 microl l(-1) for M. fructicola. Short-term exposure to a low concentration of NO gas was able to inhibit the subsequent growth of A. niger, M. fructicola and P. italicum. NO gas has potential use as a natural fungicide to inhibit microbial growth on postharvest fruit and vegetables.

Litchi quality in the postharvest horticulture chain

Litchi quality in the postharvest horticulture chain

Prospects for cut-flower postharvest disease management with host defence elicitors

Purpose of the review: There is increasing public awareness of socio-environmental risks in using synthetic fungicides. This imperative drives a move to seek more generally acceptable alternatives to protect cut-flowers and other fresh produce from pathogens. In the context of postharvest management of cut-flowers, this paper considers natural disease resistance (NDR) and its potential activation with environmentally sound chemical elicitors. Main findings: Plant NDR mechanisms are comprised of constitutive and induced defences. Induced defences involve the hypersensitive response, local and systemic acquired resistance, and induced systemic resistance. The various systemic resistance defence mechanisms differ in their natural elicitors, signalling pathways, and resultant defence compounds (eg, pathogenesis-related proteins). A range of exogenous biotic and abiotic agents can be used as elicitors to either prime (potentiate) or activate (elicit) NDR. Understanding the molecular, biochemical and physiological mechanisms involved in elicitation of NDR provides a basis for practical utilisation of this approach in both pre- and postharvest disease management. However, for the most part, basic studies are carried out on model or immature plants (eg, Arabidopsis) grown in controlled environments. The cut-flowers of commerce are diverse in both botanical structure and physiological changes during postharvest handling. Nonetheless, most are generally highly perishable, with many being vulnerable to pathogen attack. The polyphagus fungus Botrytis cinerea (Botrytis) is the single most important cut-flower pathogen. The diseases and symptoms it causes include petal specking, flower blight, and accelerated (ethylenemediated) abscission. Exogenous treatments with host defence elicitors, such as methyl jasmonate and benzothiadiazole, potentially could suppress fungi infecting cut-flowers. However, their efficacy has proven limited in applied experimentation conducted to date. If elicitors of natural defence mechanisms are to find practical application in postharvest disease management for cut-flowers, then substantial research effort will be required to understand how production practices and conditions (eg, climate, nutrition, pest and disease pressures) and postharvest management practices (eg, temperature management) influence the ability of host plant tissues to respond. In the medium to long term, it is probable that elicitation of natural defence against pathogens, like Botrytis, will find a place within integrated pre- and postharvest disease management programs (IDM) for cut-flowers and other ornamentals. Direction for future research: Detailed molecular, biochemical and physiological studies on specific cut-flower pathosystems are needed, in the context of postharvest horticulture, to gain an understanding of the complex nature, magnitude and timing of host defence responses to elicitor treatments. Also, the possibility of priming, particularly preharvest, for enhancement of subsequent elicitation of induced resistance merits attention. Finally, research is warranted into the prospects for integration of elicitation of natural defence into IDM packages for cut-flowers.