Postharvest biology and technology of horticultural crops principles and practices for quality maintenance

Tai Lieu Chat Luong


POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY
AND TECHNOLOGY OF
HORTICULTURAL CROPS
Principles and Practices for
Quality Maintenance


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POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY
AND TECHNOLOGY OF
HORTICULTURAL CROPS
Principles and Practices for
Quality Maintenance

Edited by
Mohammed Wasim Siddiqui, PhD


CRC Press
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ABOUT THE EDITOR

Mohammed Wasim Siddiqui, PhD
Dr. Mohammed Wasim Siddiqui is an Assistant Professor
and Scientist in the Department of Food Science and PostHarvest Technology at Bihar Agricultural University in Sabour, India, and is the author or co-author of 30 peer-reviewed
journal articles, 18 book chapters, and 18 conference papers.
He has three edited and one authored books to his credit, published by CRC Press, USA; Springer, USA; and Apple Academic Press, USA. Recently, Dr. Siddiqui has established an
international peer-reviewed journal, Journal of Postharvest
Technology. He has been honored to accept the position of Editor-in-Chief of a book
series entitled Postharvest Biology and Technology, being published by Apple Academic Press. Dr. Siddiqui is also an Acquisitions Editor for Horticultural Science for
AAP. He is editorial board member of several journals.
Recently, Dr Siddiqui has received the Achiever Award 2014 for outstanding
research work by the Society for Advancement of Human and Nature (SADHNA),
Nauni, Himachal Pradesh, India, where he is also an Honorary Board Member. He
has been an active member of the organizing committees of several national and
international seminars, conferences, and summits.
Dr. Siddiqui acquired a BSc (Agriculture) degree from Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi
Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur, India, and received MSc (Horticulture) and PhD (Horticulture) degrees from Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia,
India, with specialization in postharvest technology. He was awarded a Maulana
Azad National Fellowship Award from the University Grants Commission, New
Delhi, India. He is a member of the Core Research Group at Bihar Agricultural University (BAU), where he helps with providing appropriate direction and assisting
with prioritizing the research. He has received several grants from various funding
agencies to carry out his research projects. Dr. Siddiqui has been associated with
postharvest technology and processing aspects of horticultural crops, and he is dynamically involved in teaching (graduate and doctorate students) and research. He
has proved himself as an active scientist in the area of postharvest technology.


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DEDICATION
Dedicated to My Adored Father (Janab Md. Nasir
Siddiqui) and Mother (Mrs. Sharfunnisha Siddiqui)


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CONTENTS



List of Contributors.........................................................................................xi



List of Abbreviations...................................................................................... xv


List of Symbols............................................................................................. xvii
Preface.......................................................................................................... xix
Acknowledgment........................................................................................... xxi
1.

Factors Affecting the Quality of Fruits and Vegetables:
Recent Understandings....................................................................................1



Kalyan Barman, Md. Shamsher Ahmad, and Mohammed Wasim Siddiqui

2.

Advances in Non-destructive Quality Measurement of Fruits and
Vegetables.......................................................................................................51



K. Prasad

3.

Advances in Conventional Breeding Approaches for Postharvest
Quality Improvement of Fruits.....................................................................89



Amit Kumar Khokher

4.

Advances in Conventional Breeding Approaches for Post-Harvest
Quality Improvement in Vegetables...........................................................141



Shirin Akhtar

5.

Advances in Storage of Fruits and Vegetables for
Quality Maintenance...................................................................................193



G. R. Velderrain Rodríguez, M. L. Salmerón-Ruiz, G. A. González Aguilar,
Mohammed Wasim Siddiqui, and J. F. Ayala Zavala

6.

Active and Smart Packaging Film for Food and Postharvest
Treatment......................................................................................................217



Ida Idayu Muhamad, Eraricar Salleh, Nozieana Khairudin, Mohd Harfiz Salehudin,
and Norsuhada Abdul Karim

7.

Advances in Postharvest Diseases Management in Fruits.......................243



Eva Arrebola

8.

Integrated Postharvest Pest Management in Fruits and Vegetables.......293

Tamoghna Saha, C. Nithya, and S. N. Ray


xContents

9.

Flower Senescence........................................................................................319



Donal Bhattacharjee, Pran Krishna Thakur, Jeebit Singh, and R. S. Dhua

10. Post-Harvest Management of Fresh Cut Flowers.....................................347


Vigya Mishra and Shailendra K. Dwivedi

11. Post-Harvest Management of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants...............401


S. Das, S. Sultana, and A. B. Sharangi

12. Post-Harvest Management of Spice Crops................................................441


S. Sultana, S. Das, and A. B. Sharangi

13. Biotechnological Approaches to Improve Postharvest Quality of
Fruits and Vegetables...................................................................................491


Bishun Deo Prasad, Sangita Sahni, and Mohammed Wasim Siddiqui

14. Advances in Postharvest Disease Control in Vegetables..........................505


Md. Arshad Anwer

Index..............................................................................................................543


LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS

Md. Shamsher Ahmad

Department of Food Science and Technology, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar
813 210, India

Shirin Akhtar

Department of Horticulture (Vegetable and Floriculture), Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour,
Bhagalpur, Bihar (813210) India

Md. Arshad Anwer

Department of Plant Pathology, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar

Eva Arrebola

Department of Mycology, Instituto de Hortofruticultura Subtropical y Mediterranea IHSM-UMA-CSIC
La Mayora

J. F. Ayala-Zavala

Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, AC (CIAD, AC), Carretera a la Victoria Km 0.6,
La Victoria, Hermosillo, Sonora, 83000, México

Kalyan Barman

Department of Horticulture (Fruit and Fruit Technology), Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour,
Bhagalpur, Bihar 813 210, India

Donal Bhattacharjee

Department of Postharvest Technology of Horticultural Crops; Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya,
Mohanpur-741252, Nadia, West Bengal, India

S. Das

Department of Floriculture and Landscape Gardening, Faculty of Horticulture, Bidhan Chandra Krishi
Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur-741252, Nadia, West Bengal, India

R. S. Dhua

Department of Postharvest Technology of Horticultural Crops; Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya,
Mohanpur-741252, Nadia, West Bengal, India

Shailendra K. Dwivedi

College of Horticulture, RVS Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Mandsaur Campus, Madhya Pradesh, India,
PIN- 458 001

G. A. González-Aguilar

Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, AC (CIAD, AC), Carretera a la Victoria Km 0.6,
La Victoria, Hermosillo, Sonora, 83000, México

Norsuhada Abdul Karim

Food and Biomaterial Eng. Research Group, Bioprocess Engineering Department, Faculty of Chemical
Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81300 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia


xii

List of Contributors

Nozieana Khairudin

Food and Biomaterial Eng. Research Group, Bioprocess Engineering Department, Faculty of Chemical
Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81300 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Amit Kumar Khokher

Division of Fruit Science, SKUAST-K, Shalimar, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir (192 308) India

Vigya Mishra

Amity International Centre for Post Harvest Technology and Cold Chain Management

Ida Idayu Muhamad

Food and Biomaterial Eng. Research Group, Bioprocess Engineering Department, Faculty of Chemical
Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81300 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

C. Nithya

Department of Entomology, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur-813210, Bihar

Bishun Deo Prasad

Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar
(813210) India

K. Prasad

Department of Food Engineering and Technology,S. L. I. E. T., Longowal – 148106, Punjab, India

S. N. Ray

Department of Entomology, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur-813210, Bihar

G. R. Velderrain Rodríguez

Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, AC (CIAD, AC), Carretera a la Victoria Km 0.6,
La Victoria, Hermosillo, Sonora, 83000, México

Tamoghna Saha

Department of Entomology, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur-813210, Bihar

Sangita Sahni

Department of Plant Pathology, T. C. A, Dholi, RAU, Pusa

Eraricar Salleh

Food and Biomaterial Eng. Research Group, Bioprocess Engineering Department, Faculty of Chemical
Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81300 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

M. L. Salmerón-Ruiz

Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, AC (CIAD, AC), Carretera a la Victoria Km 0.6,
La Victoria, Hermosillo, Sonora, 83000, México

A. B. Sharangi

Department of Spices and Plantation Crops, Bidhan Chandra KrishiViswavidyalaya, Mohanpur-741252,
Nadia, West Bengal, INDIA

Mohammed Wasim Siddiqui

Department of Food Science and Technology, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar
(813210) India

Jeebit Singh

Department of Postharvest Technology of Horticultural Crops; Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya,
Mohanpur-741252, Nadia, West Bengal, India


List of Contributors

xiii

S. Sultana

Department of Spices and Plantation Crops, Bidhan Chandra KrishiViswavidyalaya, Mohanpur-741252,
Nadia, West Bengal, India

Salehudin, Mohd Harfiz

Food and Biomaterial Eng. Research Group, Bioprocess Engineering Department, Faculty of Chemical
Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81300 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Pran Krishna Thakur

Department of Postharvest Technology of Horticultural Crops; Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya,
Mohanpur-741252, Nadia, West Bengal, India


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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

CA

controlled atmosphere storage
CSFRI
Citrus and Subtropical Fruit Research Institute
CT
computed tomography
EMS
ethane methyl sulfonate
FF
flesh firmness
MRI
magnetic resonance imaging
MRI
magnetic resonance imaging
MRI
magnetic resonance imaging
NAA
naphthalene acetic acid
NIR
near infrared
NMV
net magnetization vector
PAL
phenylalanine ammonia lyase
PME
pectin methylesterase
PPO
polyphenol oxidase
PPOpolyphenoloxidase
RF
radio frequency

SPI
starch pattern index
TSS
total soluble solids
ZECC
zero energy cool chamber


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LIST OF SYMBOLS

λ
wavelength
ffrequency
vvelocity
E
photon energy
h
Planck’s constant
µ s
coefficient of static friction
γratio of specific heat at constant pressure and specific heat at constant
volume
δg
density of gas
Ppressure
K
bulk modulus of elasticity

δl
density of liquid
Y
Young’s modulus
δ s
density of solid
I0
initial sound intensity
Ix
intensity at depth x
e
base of natural logs
x
depth in tissue
a
amplitude absorption coefficient


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PREFACE

Along with the increasing production of agrihorticultural crops, particularly fruits
and vegetables, postharvest loss is increasing as well, comprising about 30-35% of
total production, due to the absence of proper postharvest handling/storage, preservation, and cold chain infrastructure. The ultimate goal of crop production is to provide quality produce to the consumers at reasonable prices. Most of fresh produce
is highly perishable, and postharvest losses are very significant under the present
scenario of postharvest management, which is insufficient to meet the requirements
in the many countries. Business in the handling, packaging, and storage equipment
sectors for agrihorticultural products offers good prospects worldwide. The existing

postharvest technology for fresh horticultural produce is traditional, and there is an
urgent need for modernization, creation, and popularization of innovations in this
sector, especially in areas of fruits and vegetables to reduce large-scale wastage.
Significant achievements have been made during the last few years to curtail the
postharvest losses in fresh produce and to ensure food security as well. These include advancement in understanding of breeding horticultural crops for quality improvement; postharvest physiology; postharvest pathology and entomology; postharvest management of fruits, vegetables, and flowers; nondestructive technologies
to assess produce quality; minimal processing of fruits and vegetables; as well as
innovations in packaging and storage technology of fresh produce. Advancements
in postharvest molecular approaches are opening new ways to increase the shelf life
of fresh produce.
This book, Postharvest Biology and Technology of Horticultural Crops: Principles and Practices for Quality Maintenance, covers the above-mentioned advancements in postharvest quality improvement of fresh horticultural produce. The book
is comprised of 14 chapters. Chapter 1 describes the recent understandings of the
pre- and postharvest factors responsible for the quality of fresh fruits and vegetables. The chapter provides an in-depth analysis of different aspects of postharvest
practices. Chapter 2 discusses different nondestructive analysis methods being used
for the quality assessment of fresh commodities. Different examples are cited in
the chapter for better discussion. Pre-harvest factors are mostly responsible for affecting the postharvest quality of fresh commodities, and breeding approaches are
of major importance. Chapters 3 and 4 elaborately discuss the conventional breeding efforts made to improve postharvest quality of fruits and vegetables. Chapter
5 deals with advanced storage systems of fruits and vegetables. The discussion on
different parameters affecting quality of fresh products during storage is also included. Innovations such biofilm application for improved storage life are discussed


xxPreface

in detail. Chapter 6 describes advances in packaging systems of fresh products. Active and smart packaging film for postharvest treatment of fruits and vegetables
are discussed. An in-depth discussion on postharvest disease management technologies has been given in the chapter 7. Several insect-pests affect the quality of fresh
commodity. The infestation begins right from the pre-harvest stage, and infestation
remains a problem up to postharvest. Chapter 8 discusses integrated postharvest
pest management in fruits and vegetables. Chapter 9 describes the process of flower
senescence along with different factors that affect the process. In chapter 10, detailed information on postharvest management of cut flowers is given. The chapter
discusses the handling process right from the harvesting stage to final marketing.
Chapters 11 and 12 describe the postharvest management technologies of medicinal,

aromatic, and spices crops. Biotechnological approaches have been used to increase
the shelf life of fresh commodities using different technologies such antisense RNA
technology. Chapter 13 discusses different biotechnological approaches to improve
postharvest quality of fruits and vegetables. Chapter 14 deals with advances in postharvest disease management in vegetable crops. The chapter thoroughly discusses
the mode of action and feasibility of different technologies to control the postharvest
diseases in vegetables.
This book will be a standard reference work for the fresh produce industry in
postharvest management to extend the shelf life by retaining the nutritional and
sensory quality and increasing the safety of fresh produce.
The editor would appreciate receiving comments from readers that may assist in
the development of future editions.
— Mohammed Wasim Siddiqui


ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Some rare, auspicious moments come in life when words are totally insufficient to
express heartfelt emotion. It was almost impossible to reveal the deepest sense of
veneration to all without whose precious exhortation this book project could not be
completed. First of all, I ascribe all glory to the Gracious “Almighty Allah” from
whom all blessings come. I would like to thank him for His blessing to write this
book.
With a profound and unfading sense of gratitude, I wish to express our sincere
thank to the Bihar Agricultural University, India, for providing me with the opportunity and facilities to execute such an exciting project, and supporting me towards
research and other intellectual activities around the globe. I convey special thanks
to my colleagues and other research team members for their support and encouragement for helping me in every step of the way to accomplish this venture.
I am grateful to Mr. Ashish Kumar, President, Apple Academic Press, to accomplish my dream of publishing this book series, namely Postharvest Biology
and Technology. I would also like to appreciate Ms. Sandra Jones Sickels and Mr.
Rakesh Kumar of Apple Academic Press for their continuous support to complete
the project.

In omega, my vocabulary will remain insufficient to express my indebtness to
my adored parents and family members for their infinitive love, cordial affection,
incessant inspiration, and silent prayer to “Allah” for my well-being and confidence.


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CHAPTER 1

FACTORS AFFECTING THE QUALITY
OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES: RECENT
UNDERSTANDINGS
KALYAN BARMAN1, MD. SHAMSHER AHMAD2, and
MOHAMMED WASIM SIDDIQUI2
Department of Horticulture (Fruit and Fruit Technology)
Department of Food Science and Technology Bihar Agricultural University,
Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar 813 210, India
*Email:

1
2

CONTENTS
1.1 What Is Quality?..............................................................................................2
1.2 Preharvest Factors Affecting Quality...............................................................2
1.3 Postharvest Factors Affecting Quality...........................................................16
Keywords.................................................................................................................43
References................................................................................................................44

2

Postharvest Biology and Technology of Horticultural Crops

Quality of fresh fruits and vegetables are governed by many factors. The combined
effect of all, decides the rate of deterioration and spoilage. These factors if not controlled properly, lead to postharvest losses on large scale. According to Kader (2002),
approximately one third of all fresh fruits and vegetables are lost before it reaches
to the consumer. Another estimate suggests that about 30–40 percent of total fruit
and vegetables production is lost in between harvest and final consumption (Salami
et al., 2010). A considerable research priority has been given to the maturity status
of fresh fruits and vegetables at harvest and the maintenance of proper storage temperature at every stage from the farm to fork during the last two decades. However,
the influence of several preharvest factors and cultural practices on the postharvest
physiology, quality and storage life has been given less importance. Therefore in
this chapter, an attempt is made to discuss about how the postharvest quality of fresh
horticultural produce gets influenced by both preharvest and postharvest factors.

1.1  WHAT IS QUALITY?
The word “quality” is derived from the Latin word “qualitas” meaning attribute,
property or basic nature of a product. However, now-a-days it is defined as “degree
of excellence or superiority” (Kader et al., 1986). The term “quality” is a complex
perception felt by the consumer in different ways. It is a combination of characteristics, attributes and properties which give the commodity value to humans for food.
The perception of quality varies among producer and consumer. Producers are more
concerned with commodities that have good appearance and few visual defects but,
for them a good cultivar must rank high in yield, disease and pest resistance, ease
of harvest and shipping quality. However, consumers are interested in produce that
have good appearance, firmer, good flavor and nutritive value. Although, consumers
purchase produce on the basis of appearance but, their repeat purchase depends on
good edible quality.
The quality of fruits and vegetables are determined at harvest because, the produce is removed from its source of carbohydrates, water and nutrient supply. Thus,

there is no possibility for further improvements in the quality of the harvested produce. In fact, the best we can do is reduction in the rate of deterioration which
is progressed through the process of maturation, ripening and senescence in the
produce. For this reason, it is very important to understand the both preharvest and
postharvest factors that influence the quality of harvested produce and subsequently,
the consumers’ decision to purchase the produce.

1.2  PREHARVEST FACTORS AFFECTING QUALITY
Preharvest factors that are involved in determining the quality of fruit and vegetables can be grouped into environmental and cultural factors. Environmental factors
include temperature, sunlight, wind, frost, hailstorm and pollution. Cultural factors