Challenges of Agri-Start-ups in Post-Harvest Cold Storage Technologies

2022 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-92
Author(s):  
Alok Kumar ◽  
T. B. Ganesha ◽  
B. P. Mishra ◽  
P. Venkatesan ◽  
Sanjiv Kumar ◽  
...  

Agri-start-ups are developing new products through a value chain, supply chain solutions,packaging, processing systems, infrastructure, warehousing, logistics, protection offoodstuffs, communications, e-commerce, delivery and retail models. The study aims todocument the challenges of Agri-startups working in post-harvest and storage parametersof fruits and vegetables. To get the insight, primary and secondary survey was carried outand data was used to provide suggestions to capture the customer and market. The dataindicated that different units required different temperature range to store a different kindof commodity in their cold storage unit. 86.15 per cent of units were using the backupgenerators. 53.84 per cent of units were getting the commodities directly from farmers,30.76 per cent from traders, 9.24 per cent from both and 6.15 per cent from others. 50.76per cent of units were desired to get low electricity bill and 10.76 per cent of units weredesired to come out of usage of generator whereas 32.3 per cent of units were willing toget both i.e. low electricity bill and without dependency on generator and 6.15 per cent ofunits were willing to reduce other costs like operation cost, maintenance cost etc. 70.76per cent of cold storage units having a cooling tower.

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 427-427
Author(s):  
Lima Marta ◽  
Sideman Rebecca ◽  
Chandrakala Annasamy ◽  
Hanlon Molly

Abstract Objectives Currently, the intake of fruits and vegetables is lower than the recommended amounts, despite the known association between consumption of plant foods and prevention of several chronic diseases. Grapes are a widely accepted and consumed fruit, and one of the richest in phytochemicals that are beneficial to human health. Previously, we reported that growing cold hardy table grapes on two different grapevine training systems, Modified Munson (MM) and Vertical Shoot Positioning (VSP), modulates their amount of total phenolics and antioxidant potential at harvest. However, consumers access to fruit is usually not immediate upon harvest, but could take weeks/months before reaching stores. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether phenolics and antioxidant potential of table grapes grown on different training systems could be maintained post-harvest in cold storage. Methods Cold-hardy table grapes variety Mars were grown on two grapevine training systems, MM and VSP. At harvest, randomly picked grape clusters from each training system were placed in clamshells (2 clusters per clamshell) and placed in cold storage (0 ± 1°C). After 1, 2 and 3 weeks post-harvest, grapes (triplicate clamshells) were homogenized and Brix, titratable acidity, antioxidant potential and total phenolics were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using 2-way ANOVA. Results Total phenolics were greater for MM compared with VSP (MM 2.56 vs. VSP 1.84 mM Catechin equivalents; P = 0.0001), but were reduced in cold storage irrespective of training system (P = 0.0002). The MM training system had greater Brix (MM 17.9 vs. VSP 15.8°Bx; P < 0.0001) and antioxidant potential (MM 1.24 vs. VSP 1.01 mM Fe2+ Equivalents; P = 0.0379) than VSP system. The results also showed an effect of training system x time interaction (P = 0.0371) on titratable acidity. Conclusions Our data suggest that greater total phenolics, antioxidant potential and Brix associated with the MM compared with VSP training system are maintained in the post-harvest period. Our data also suggest that nutritional properties of grapes is reduced post-harvest, despite being in cold storage. Thus, grapevine training system and cold-storage play a role in producing grapes with increased health-beneficial properties. Funding Sources USDA NIFA Hatch.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.S. Gurjar ◽  
Bharati Killadi ◽  
Pawan Kumar Pareek ◽  
T.S. Hada

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a nontoxic biological molecule produced naturally in a pineal gland of animals and different tissues of plants. Melatonin acts as an antioxidant during postharvest storage and augments the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. Our review highlighted the role of pre and post harvest application of melatonin in extending post harvest shelf life and alleviating chilling injury in fruits and vegetables in cold storage. Review also included available information regarding biosynthesis of melatonin in plants and mode of action of melatonin in maintaining post harvest quality.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 455-461
Author(s):  
Gabriela M. Baia ◽  
Otniel Freitas-Silva ◽  
Murillo F. Junior

Fruits and vegetables are foods that come into contact with various types of microorganisms from planting to their consumption. A lack or poor sanitation of these products after harvest can cause high losses due to deterioration and/ or pathogenic microorganisms. There are practically no post-harvest fungicides or bactericides with a broad spectrum of action that have no toxic residual effects and are safe. However, to minimize such problems, the use of sanitizers is an efficient device against these microorganisms. Chlorine is the most prevalent sanitizing agent because of its broad spectrum, low cost and well-established practices. However, the inevitable formation of disinfection by-products, such as trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs), is considered one of the main threats to food safety. Alternative sanitizers, such as chlorine dioxide (ClO2) and ozone, are becoming popular as a substitute for traditional post-harvest treatments. Thus, this review addresses the use of chlorine, chlorine dioxide and ozone emphasizing aspects, such as usage, safe application, spectrum of action and legislation. In order to ensure the quality and safety of final products, the adoption of well-prepared sanitation and sanitation programs for post-harvest fruits and vegetables is essential.


Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 788
Author(s):  
Elazar Fallik ◽  
Zoran Ilić

More food with high nutritional content will be needed to feed the growing global human population, which is expected to reach 10 billion by 2050. Fruits and vegetables contain most of the minerals, micronutrients, and phytonutrients essential for human nutrition and health. The quantity of these phytochemicals depends on crop genetics, weather and environmental factors, growth conditions, and pre-harvest and post-harvest treatments. These phytochemicals are known to have anti-cancer properties and to regulate immunity, in addition to hypolipidemic, antioxidant, anti-aging, hypotensive, hypoglycemic, and other pharmacological properties. Physical treatments have been reported to be effective for managing several post-harvest diseases and physiological disorders. These treatments may affect the external, internal, and nutritional qualities of fruits and vegetables. Therefore, the aim of this review is to summarize the information recently reported regarding the use of physical treatments applied either directly or in combination with other means to maximize and maintain the phytochemical content of fresh and fresh-cut or processed fruits and vegetables.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 2589-2610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rakesh Raut ◽  
Bhaskar B. Gardas

PurposeThe reduction of food wastage at every stage of a fresh produce supply chain helps in achieving balance among all three dimensions (social, ecological and economic) of the sustainability and helps in stimulating the growth and development in the agricultural domain. The purpose of this paper is to address the causal factors of post-harvesting losses (PHLs) occurring in the transportation phase.Design/methodology/approachThrough exhaustive literature survey and expert opinions, 12 crucial barriers to sustainable transportation of fruits and vegetables (F&V) are identified. The interpretive structural modeling (ISM) methodology, a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach, is employed for developing a structural model of the identified barriers.FindingsThe results of the analysis highlighted that two factors, namely, the non-availability of refrigerated vehicles, and excessive loading on the vehicles, are the most significant barriers to sustainable transportation which are found to have the highest driving power.Research limitations/implicationsThe results of the present research are applicable to the F&V supply chains only. The established interrelation among the identified factors depends on the judgments given by the experts which could be biased. The developed ISM model is intended to guide the policy and decision makers for formulating the policies for the performance improvement of the fresh produce value chain.Originality/valueIt is the first research of its kind focusing on the model development of critical factors causing PHLs in the transportation phase of the agricultural fresh produce supply chain using MCDM process.


2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guenevere Perry ◽  
Diane Williams

The consumer demand for fresh fruits and vegetables increases every year, and farmers need a low cost novel method to reduce post-harvest loss and preserve the quality of fresh fruits and vegetables. This study identifies a method to induce soil bacteria to biosynthesize a nitrile compound that potentially enters the plants tissue and negatively affects climacteric ripening and delays the ripening process at 20-30˚C. This study used soil rich with soil microbes, to delay the ripening of climacteric fruit. The soil was treated with nitrogen, a heavy metal, and ethylene gas. Ethylene induced the soil to delay the ripening of organic bananas and peaches. A prototype transportation container maintained fruit fresh for up to 72 h at 20-30˚C. The fruit retained color, firmness, texture, no bruising and minimal spotting. The soil also prevented fungal infection in all samples. GC-MS analysis suggests ethylene induced the soil microbes to release an acetonitrile compound into the gaseous environment. The nitrile is released in low concentrations, but mature plants (fruits) contain very low levels of indole-3-acetonitrile (IAN) or indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). The nitrile may obstruct or modify the mature plants (fruit) late stages development process, thus delay the climacteric ripening process and retarding the physiological and phenotypic effects of fruit ripening. We believe this study may have strong applications for post-harvest biotechnology.


Author(s):  
Jakellinye Miranda ◽  
Suélen Braga de Andrade, Andressa Vighi Schiavon ◽  
Pedro Luis Panisson Kaltbach Lemos ◽  
Cláudia Simone Madruga Lima ◽  
Marcelo Barbosa Malgarim

Peach is a climacteric highly-perishable fruit whose post-harvest preservation relies largely on cold storage. The combination of the last with other technologies allows to extend the shelf life of this product. One alternative is the utilization of salicylic acid, a natural compound involved in many physiological phenomena such as resistance against diseases and ripening. Considering these facts, the objective of the present work was to evaluate the effect of pre-harvest application of salicylic acid solutions on the quality of ‘Chimarrita’ peaches during post-harvest cold storage. The experiment was conducted at the Federal University of Pelotas/RS, in the campus of Capão do Leão/RS - Brazil. The application of salicylic acid solutions was performed by direct pulverization on the fruits, 30 days prior to harvest. The concentrations were: 0,0 (control); 1,0; 1,5; and 2,0 mM. After harvest, the fruits were stored in a cold chamber at 1,0 ± 0,5°C and 85-90% RH, for 30 days. The analyses were performed at the following cold storage periods (plus 2 days at room temperature of 20°C to all treatments, in order to simulate commercialization conditions): 10 (+2) days; 20 (+2) days; e 30 (+2) days. The variables evaluated were: mass loss (%); flesh firmness (N); DA index; color (L, a*, b* and hue angle); wooliness incidence (%); rot incidence (%); total soluble solids (°Brix); pH; titrable acidity (% of organic acids); and ratio. The salicylic acid doses and/or the cold storage periods had significant effects on all the evaluated parameters. For most of the parameters analyzed, the intermediate dosis of 1mM (and also 1,5mM) of salicilic acid showed the most promising results. Therefore, the application of salicylic acid solutions 30 days prior to harvest is a technique which can be combined to cold storage in order to shift the quality and the shelf-life of ‘Chimarrita’ peaches.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sasi Madhan ◽  
Christophe Espírito Santo ◽  
Luís P. Andrade . ◽  
Pedro D. Silva . ◽  
Pedro D. Gaspar .

Active packaging aims to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables using active agents such as Oxygen, Carbon-di-oxide, ethylene scavengers and moisture absorber. Intelligent packaging provides information about the fruits quality inside the package to the customer and this packaging technology detects the internal changes of fruits and vegetables using sensors and indicators. Further to improve the post-harvest storage PCM such as Rubitherm can be used depending on the package box dimension to remove the field heat from the products and maintain its temperature with low variation during transport and display. Gel packs having less weight with PET and PS can also be an alternate method in the packaging. The application of these technologies may lead to a revolution in post-harvest storage, transportation, and further retail sale. This paper reviews the theoretical principles of food packaging and recent developments in packaging technologies using PCMs. Keywords: Active packaging, Intelligent packaging, Phase change materials, Shelf life extension, Fruits


Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2252
Author(s):  
Tilen Zamljen ◽  
Robert Veberic ◽  
Metka Hudina ◽  
Ana Slatnar

Halyomorpha halys is an important invasive pest that causes severe damage to fruits and vegetables. Peppers are susceptible to infestation by H. halys, resulting in yield losses. Plants respond to the insect infestation with a metabolic response. With this study, we attempted to determine the intensity of the metabolic response of infested peppers, how pungent and non-pungent peppers react to the infestation, and how the H. halys affects the post-harvest quality of both cultivars. The shelf life of the infested peppers did not change compared to the control treatments. We observed a drastic decrease in metabolite levels after storage in all three treatments in both cultivars, especially capsaicinoids, with an approximate decrease of 30% in the pericarp and 95% in the placenta of the pungent ‘Eris F1’. In some cases, the accumulation of metabolites was not limited to the fruit exposed to the H. halys infestation, but to the entire plant. We observed a 15-fold increase in capsaicinoid content in the infested fruits of cultivar ‘Eris F1’ and a 4-fold increase in the pericarp of cultivar ‘Lombardo tago’, which could lead to a possible further study on the defensive function of capsaicinoids and their use against H. halys.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document