This book focuses on quality of produce by addressing its various aspects. By applying a disciplinary perspective, we work toward an integrated view, placing papers in the broader context of the processes that are responsible for the supply of fresh produce. While a number of technical papers focus on factors affecting quality, policy issues are also discussed. Several papers link the market performance with the ability of the existing institutional structures to provide incentives to supply the optimal quality produce. The topics covered in this contributed volume address quality issues ranging from cultural practices to postharvest handling, retailing, and home consumption. Perspectives of horticulturists, agronomists, food scientists, engineers, and economists should be looked upon as a system applied to solve practical problems faced by scientists, the produce industry, and policy makers. The immediate benefit of this book is improved understanding of specific quality issues and marketing problems, while suggesting the need for a multidisciplinary approach for optimal solutions. This book is of interest to horticulturists, agronomists, food scientists, engineers, and economists, as well as the produce industry, and policy makers in food quality and safety.

Improved quality requires integration across business functions and scientific disciplines. Based on this premise, Fruit and Vegetable Quality: An Integrated View presents 15 unique perspectives on achieving greater quality and guidance for a more integrated approach to postharvest handling and fruit and vegetable research. Designed for anyone involved in the management, production, handling, distribution, or processing of fruits and vegetables, it provides concise descriptions of important issues, roadmaps to the literature in specific fields, assessments of current knowledge and research needs, and specific examples of product-based research. Your guide to the dynamic developments in integrating fruit and vegetable quality projects, Fruit and Vegetable Quality: An Integrated View also presents a range of options for achieving better coordination of research across scientific disciplines.

Improved quality requires integration across business functions and scientific disciplines. Based on this premise, Fruit and Vegetable Quality: An Integrated View presents 15 unique perspectives on achieving greater quality and guidance for a more integrated approach to postharvest handling and fruit and vegetable research. Designed for anyo

Postharvest Handling, Third Edition takes a global perspective in offering a system of measuring, monitoring, and managing produce processing to improve food quality, minimize food waste, reduce risks and uncertainties, and maximize time and resources. This unique resource provides an overview of the postharvest system and its role in the food value chain, and offers essential tools to monitor and control the handling process. It shows how to predict and combat unexpected events (e.g., spoilage), and manage the food quality and safety within a facility. Proven research methods and applications from various viewpoints are available to help you maintain high-quality produce and achieve the highest yields possible. The book also explores current challenges—including oversupply, waste, food safety, lack of resources, sustainability—and best practices for production to thrive in spite of these challenges. - Presents current research methods and applications in temperature control and heat treatments to help minimize moisture content, to prevent spoilage and mold, and more - Addresses challenges of traceability and sustainability - Presents testing and measurement techniques and applications - Provides technological tools to create crop value and improve both food safety and food quality

Consideration of the interactions between decisions made at one point in the supply chain and its effects on the subsequent stages is the core concept of a systems approach. Postharvest Handling is unique in its application of this systems approach to the handling of fruits and vegetables, exploring multiple aspects of this important process through chapters written by experts from a variety of backgrounds.Newly updated and revised, this second edition includes coverage of the logistics of fresh produce from multiple perspectives, postharvest handing under varying weather conditions, quality control, changes in consumer eating habits and other factors key to successful postharvest handling.The ideal book for understanding the economic as well as physical impacts of postharvest handling decisions.Key Features:*Features contributions from leading experts providing a variety of perspectives*Updated with 12 new chapters*Focuses on application-based information for practical implementation*System approach is unique in the handling of fruits and vegetables

The processing of food is no longer simple or straightforward, but is now a highly inter-disciplinary science. A number of new techniques have developed to extend shelf-life, minimize risk, protect the environment, and improve functional, sensory, and nutritional properties. Since 1999 when the first edition of this book was published, it has facilitated readers’ understanding of the methods, technology, and science involved in the manipulation of conventional and newer sophisticated food preservation methods. The Third Edition of the Handbook of Food Preservation provides a basic background in postharvest technology for foods of plant and animal origin, presenting preservation technology of minimally processed foods and hurdle technology or combined methods of preservation. Each chapter compiles the mode of food preservation, basic terminologies, and sequential steps of treatments, including types of equipment required. In addition, chapters present how preservation method affects the products, reaction kinetics and selected prediction models related to food stability, what conditions need be applied for best quality and safety, and applications of these preservation methods in different food products. This book emphasizes practical, cost-effective, and safe strategies for implementing preservation techniques for wide varieties of food products. Features: Includes extensive overview on the postharvest handling and treatments for foods of plants and animal origin Describes comprehensive preservation methods using chemicals and microbes, such as fermentation, antimicrobials, antioxidants, pH-lowering, and nitrite Explains comprehensive preservation by controlling of water, structure and atmosphere, such as water activity, glass transition, state diagram, drying, smoking, edible coating, encapsulation and controlled release Describes preservation methods using conventional heat and other forms of energy, such as microwave, ultrasound, ohmic heating, light, irradiation, pulsed electric field, high pressure, and magnetic field Revised, updated, and expanded with 18 new chapters, the Handbook of Food Preservation, Third Edition, remains the definitive resource on food preservation and is useful for practicing industrial and academic food scientists, technologists, and engineers.