Modified atmosphere (MA) and controlled atmosphere (CA) technologies have great potential in a wide range of applications. The increasingly global nature of food production and the increased emphasis on reducing chemical preservatives and pesticides have put the spotlight on these centuries-old technologies. Yet until now, there have been very few

Postharvest Technology of Perishable Horticultural Commodities describes all the postharvest techniques and technologies available to handle perishable horticultural food commodities. It includes basic concepts and important new advances in the subject. Adopting a thematic style, chapters are organized by type of treatment, with sections devoted to postharvest risk factors and their amelioration. Written by experts from around the world, the book provides core insights into identifying and utilizing appropriate postharvest options for maximum results. - Presents the most recent developments in processing technologies in a single volume - Includes a wide range of perishable products, thus allowing for translational insight - Appropriate for students and professionals - Written by experts as a reference resource

Fresh-cut products are estimated to account for about 18 to 20 percent of the value of fresh fruit and vegetables marketed through retail and food service channels in the United States. From salad mixes to "baby" carrots, broccoli and cauliflower florets to slaw mixes, these products continue to grow in popularity with consumers. For the consumer, fresh-cut fruit and vegetables offer several potential benefits. They can reduce meal preparation time, provide more uniform quality, and increase access to healthy produce. For the processor, successful fresh-cut products can actually be more cost-effective because of reduced waste for the end user. Concerns about fresh-cut products include their variable shelf life, the need for temperature control, microbial food safety, and inconsistent overall product quality, including flavor and nutrition. Whereas most food-processing techniques stabilize products and lengthen their storage and shelf life, fresh-cut processing increases the perishability of fruit and vegetables. This volume addresses the physiology of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, treatments for maintaining quality, optimal storage temperatures, and modified atmospheres. The chapter on processed products covers the principles of horticultural crop preservation, the importance of raw material quality, and common unit operations and technologies used for processing horticultural crops. The advantages and disadvantages of various technologies are addressed, followed by general information on packaging and quality control.

Because they meet the needs of today’s consumers, fresh-cut plant products are currently one of the hottest commodities in the food market of industrialized countries. However, fresh-cut produce deteriorates faster than the correspondent intact produce. The main purpose of Fresh-Cut Fruits and Vegetables: Technology, Physiology, and Safety is to provide helpful guidelines to the industry for minimizing deterioration, keeping the overall quality, and lengthening the shelf life. It provides an integrated and interdisciplinary approach for accomplishing the challenges, where raw materials, handling, minimal processing, packaging, commercial distribution, and retail sale must be well managed. It covers technology, physiology, quality, and safety of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables. In this book, the chapters follow a logical sequence analyzing most of the important factors affecting the main characteristics of fresh-cut horticultural products. The most relevant technologies to prevent deterioration and improve final overall quality of fresh-cut commodities are described in detail. This book covers the basics of the subject from quality preservation, nutritional losses, physiology, and safety to industry-oriented advancements in sanitization, coatings, and packaging. It examines such novel preservation technologies as edible coatings, antimicrobial coatings, natural antimicrobials, gum arabic coatings, and pulsed light treatments. Minimal processing design and industrial equipment are also reviewed. With its international team of contributors, this book will be an essential reference work both for professionals involved in the postharvest handling of fresh-cut and minimally processed fruits and vegetables and for academic and researchers working in the area.

This book, chock full of color illustrations, addresses the main postharvest physiological disorders studied in fruits and vegetables. For a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, Postharvest Physiological Disorders in Fruits and Vegetables describes visual symptoms, triggering and inhibiting mechanisms, and approaches to predict and control these disorders after harvest. Color photographs illustrate the disorders, important factors, physiology, and management. The book includes a detailed description of the visual symptoms, triggering and inhibiting mechanisms, and possible approaches to predict and control physiological disorders. The mechanisms triggering and inhibiting the disorders are discussed in detail in each chapter, based on recent studies, which can help readers better understand the factors regulating each disorder. The description of possible approaches to predict and control each disorder can help growers, shippers, wholesalers, and retailers to determine the best management practices to reduce disorder incidence and crop losses. Features: Presents visual symptoms of postharvest physiological disorders that will help readers to precisely identify the disorders in fruits and vegetables Details mechanisms triggering and inhibiting the postharvest disorders Explains possible approaches to predict and control these disorders Suggests the best postharvest management approaches for each crop Although there are many scientific publications on postharvest physiological disorders, there are no recent reviews or books putting together the most recent information about the mechanisms regulating, as well as about the possible approaches to predict and control these disorders.

Tropical and sub-tropical fruits have gained significant importance in global commerce. This book examines recent developments in the area of fruit technology including: postharvest physiology and storage; novel processing technologies applied to fruits; and in-depth coverage on processing, packaging, and nutritional quality of tropical and sub-tropical fruits. This contemporary handbook uniquely presents current knowledge and practices in the value chain of tropical and subtropical fruits world-wide, covering production and post-harvest practices, innovative processing technologies, packaging, and quality management. Chapters are devoted to each major and minor tropical fruit (mango, pineapple, banana, papaya, date, guava, passion fruit, lychee, coconut, logan, carombola) and each citrus and non-citrus sub-tropical fruit (orange, grapefruit, lemon/lime, mandarin/tangerine, melons, avocado, kiwifruit, pomegranate, olive, fig, cherimoya, jackfruit, mangosteen). Topical coverage for each fruit is extensive, including: current storage and shipping practices; shelf life extension and quality; microbial issues and food safety aspects of fresh-cut products; processing operations such as grading, cleaning, size-reduction, blanching, filling, canning, freezing, and drying; and effects of processing on nutrients and bioavailability. With chapters compiled from experts worldwide, this book is an essential reference for all professionals in the fruit industry.

The increase in global population compels growers to use excessive fertilizers to enhance agricultural production. Excessive fertilizer use may also negatively affect the nutritional quality and preservation of horticultural products, reducing the shelf life and overall quality of fruits and vegetables. Postharvest Physiology and Handling of Horticultural Crops contains fundamental information that helps readers understand postharvest physiology of fresh fruits and vegetables, and presents an in-depth analysis of the harmful impacts of agrochemicals. The book presents readers with eco-friendly, innovative techniques used to handle the fruits and vegetables during storage and through supply chains helping to better preserve them. Features · Describes available technologies to eliminate and minimize microbial infection for maintaining postharvest quality and safety of fresh produce. · Explores and discusses approaches, technologies, and management practices necessary to maintain products’ storage quality by ensuring food safety and nutrition retention. · Provides practical applications of latest developments in disinfection applications, smart packaging, nano-enabled applications, advances in fresh-cut products, light illumination and edible coatings. · Presents an in-depth discussion of the harmful impacts of agrochemicals and aims to introduce new, eco-friendly and innovative technologies to the readers. With chapters written by experts in the field of postharvest fruit and vegetable preservation, this book provides information on the use of biomaterials in food preservation and provides practical information for students, teachers, professors, scientists, farmers, food packers and sellers; as well as entrepreneurs engaged in the fresh food preservation industry.