Mohammad Shamsher Ahmad

Factors Affecting Postharvest Quality of Fresh Fruits

From many studies and field observations over the past 40 years, it has been reported that 40–50 % of horticultural crops produced in developing countries are lost before they can be consumed, mainly because of high rates of bruising, water loss, and subsequent decay during postharvest handling (Kitinoja 2002; Ray and Ravi 2005). Nutritional loss (loss of vitamins, antioxidant, and health-promoting substances) or decreased market value is another important loss that occurs in fresh produce. Quality of fresh produce is governed by many factors. The combined effect of all decides the rate of deterioration and spoilage (Siddiqui et al. 2014; Barman et al. 2015; Nayyer et al. 2014). 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 consumers. Another estimate suggests that about 30–40 % of total fruits and vegetables production is lost in between harvest and final consumption (Salami et al. 2010). Quality deterioration starts as soon as it is harvested and continued till consumed or finally spoiled if not consumed or preserved. The success or failure of any business plan related to fresh produce is totally dependent on the management of factors affecting the quality. This is obvious because fresh fruits and vegetables are living in nature, complete remaining life cycle after harvest, and then naturally spoil. This character puts fresh fruits and vegetables in the category of highly perishable commodities. Developed countries are in a very good position as they have developed good systems of postharvest management and infrastructure for quality maintenance. At the same time, developing countries are far behind in the same business, i.e., lacking in good postharvest practices and supporting infrastructure for quality maintenance. The outcome of this lacuna is considerably very high in developing countries. This is one of the reasons that postharvest losses in fresh fruits and vegetables are estimated about 5–35 % in developed countries and 20–50 % in developing countries (Kader 2002). In another report, it is reported that 40–50 % of horticultural crops produced in developing countries are lost before they can be consumed, mainly because of high rates of bruising, water loss, and subsequent decay during postharvest handling (Kitinoja 2002; Ray and Ravi 2005). In both fruits and vegetables, many more additional changes take place after harvesting. Changes are noticed more in climacteric fruits and vegetables than non-climacteric. Some changes are desirable from consumer point of view, but most of them are undesirable. Development of sweetness, color, and flavor are best examples of desirable changes. These desirable changes persist for few days only. This is the stage liked by almost all consumers. At the same time, shelf life decreases and many undesirable changes take place such as water loss, shrinkage, shriveling, cell wall degradation, softening, physiological disorder, overripening, disease attack, rotting, and many more. All these changes, if not governed, ultimately affect the quality. These changes in fresh produce cannot be stopped, but these can be slowed down within certain limits if factors responsible for such deterioration can be minimized. This is important because it increases shelf life and marketing period of fresh produce and maintains their quality during postharvest handling. There are few proven methods and technologies used to slow down the undesirable changes for extended availability such as control of optimum low temperature and humidity during storage, suitable packaging, transportation, and maintenance of storage atmosphere.

Factors Affecting Marketing of Fruits

The sale price and consumers acceptability of fruits depend on various factors. These factors affect the sale volume and brand promotion. The major factors are described below, which affect domestic sale volume and price.

Commercial Quality Assessment of Important Fruits

The primary goal of any fruit quality assessment team is to ensure that only those consignments should be received that confirms correct maturity stage and that is free from major disease and insect infestation. For example, apple should not be affected with sooty blotch and apple scab. Both the diseases are highly unacceptable in the market especially during off-season sale. At the receiving dock, visual observation and few tests are carried out. On the basis of these primary tests, quality assessment team can assure the acceptance or rejection of any consignment. The received consignment may be stored after sorting and grading for off-season sale. Rejected fruits after sorting are sold in the local market or nearest possible market in the season itself and only good quality fruits should be stored for off-season sale or export. The quality assessments of few important fruits are described here.

Commercial Quality: Part II

The papaya (Carica papaya) is a popular fruit in India, available throughout the year. Papaya trees begin to produce fruit within 9 months after transplanting, depending upon cultivar, production practices, and weather conditions; several types of papayas are grown in India ranging from the large elongated fruit type to the smaller round type. The fruit is widely distributed in the domestic market.

Storage of Fresh Fruits

The demand of fresh fruits is also increasing regularly due to the increase in health consciousness among consumers, faster growth rate of urban population, increased income of middle class family, etc. Fruits are seasonal in nature. Every year, harvesting season falls during a fixed period. Demand for apple, pear, grape and many other fruits are round the year. This demand can be fulfilled only if fruits are stored in the harvesting season and sold in off season, i.e. when the season ends. The sale beyond harvesting season is remunerative and successful business all over the world (Siddiqui et al. 2014). But this business is not successful in every fruits. There must be few important qualities related to fruits for successful store business. Such as the fruits should store well at low temperature and off season demand should be fulfilled only by stored fruits.

Packaging of Fresh Fruits

Packaging refers to the technology and material for enclosing or protecting products for distribution, storage, sale and use (Soroka 2002). Packaging can also be defined as the art, science and technology of “ensuring the safe delivery of a product to the ultimate consumer in sound condition, at the minimum overall costs (Selin 1977). According to UK institute of packaging, packaging is a coordinated system of preparing goods for transport, distribution, storage, retailing and end use.

Commercial Quality of Fruits: Part I

Marketing of fresh fruits largely depends on quality of fruits. Quality depends on both chemical and physical attributes. From marketing point of view, attributes like the presence of external defects or disease infection, firmness, and sweetness are more important than any other physical and chemical attributes. The consumer’s preference for a quality fruit depends on the absence of external defects, free from disease and insect pest, crunchy, and sweet taste. For the consumers, good quality is what they can see. Hence for them, maturity and ripeness, appearance (shape, size, and color), absence of mechanical damage, and good flavor constitute quality. Safety and nutritional value appears not to be a prime consideration. Quality of any fruit depends on maturity stage at which it is harvested and affects the storage life during marketing. Maturity standards of few commercially important fruits are described below.

Growing Areas and Harvesting Season of Commercially Important Fruits

Harvesting season varies with produce, but at the same time the harvesting season of many fruits overlaps each other and also harvesting of many fruits falls under one season. Harvesting seasons of some of the commercially important fruits and major producing state are listed below.

Prevailing Marketing Channels and Marketing Systems

Fresh produce is marketed through a range of different channels and marketing systems in India, similar to other developing countries. These channels include the traditional markets, wholesale markets, super markets, retail shops, middlemen, and street vendors. Wholesale markets play a key role in supplying fresh produce to sub-wholesalers and retailers. Harvested fresh produce is brought to wholesale markets, and after sale mainly by auction or on fixed price, is loaded for district markets, and from there again forwarded to traditional markets, small traders, supermarkets, and street vendors. The sale process at the majority of wholesale markets begins at around 4 AM and end at 3 PM on the same day.

Mode of Transportation of Fresh Produce

Fresh horticultural produce is transported in two ways within the state and three ways between the states. The most common mode of transport within the state is utility vehicles (1–6 MT load capacity) and Trucks (8–16 MT). Trucks, train, and aeroplane are three medium of transport used between the states. Among the three major transport media between the states, trucks (8–16 MT) are the most common and most important followed by train and least is air transport. Non-refrigerated trucks move most fresh produce between the states. Ship transport is almost negligible in India. Limited refer van is operational during summer months for high-value domestic produce and imported fruits. However, the refer van operation and demand for fresh produce are increasing.