Suitability of bio-extracts with coating materials on physicochemical quality of tomato fruits (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) stored at ambient temperature

Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L. (or) Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is being a very nutritious and health protective food, are highly perishable nature. Its sensitivity to postharvest loss due to poor handling, diseases and physical injury limits its successful marketing. Therefore, simple technology is required to reduce the postharvest loss of this commodity. The use of edible coatings with bio-extracts appears to be a good alternative preservation technique to extend the mature tomato fruits. This study was, therefore, initiated to investigate the effect of using bio- extracts garlic bulba and capsicum incorporation with coating materials (maize starch and beeswax on physicochemical quality of tomato fruit stored at ambient conditions (temperature 15.5 to 20.2oC and relative humidity of 55.5 to 67.3%). The experiment was conducted using complete randomized design of two varieties (Fetane and Melkashola) and six treatments. The tomato fruits were coated by dipping into solution for 3 minutes. The treatments prepared were on coating solution of MGE( 9.5% maize starch with 0.5% garlic extract), MCE (9.5% maize starch with 0.5% capsicum extract), BCE (9.5% beewax mixed with 0.5% capsicum extract), BGE (9.5% beewax mixed with 0.5% garlic extract), 10% maize starch without bio-extract, 10% beewax without bio- extract and control. The treatment means were tested at significance level of P ≤ 0.05. The effectiveness of bio-extracts with coating materials on physicochemical quality of tomato fruits were evaluated at three days intervals for 30 days. There was a significance difference (P<0.05) between coated and uncoated fruits. All coatings delayed tomato ripening and improved the keeping quality parameters but best results were exhibited by 9.5% with 0.5% BCE followed by 9.5% with 0.5% MGE by maintaining the mature tomato fruit for 30 days. The study showed that the Fetane variety has maintained more quality attribute than Melkashola variety during storage.

Performance of Thermal Insulation Covering Materials to Reduce Postharvest Losses in Okra

The efficiency of different thermal insulation covers in minimizing temperature fluctuations in cool chain management was investigated to reduce postharvest loss and maintain okra quality during storage and transportation. The four thermal insulation covering materials: (1) heat reflective sheet with thin nonwoven (HRS + TNNW), (2) heat reflective sheet with thick nonwoven (HRS + TKNW), (3) metalized Tyvek® (MTyvek) and (4) metalized foam sheet (MFS) were studied and compared with perforated linear low-density polyethylene (P-LLDPE) as the typical handing package for okra distribution alongside no covering as the control. The material properties, transpiration rate, vital heat, temperature profiles (air and pulp temperatures), relative humidity, mass loss and incidence of decay were determined throughout a simulated supply chain. Results exhibited that HRS + TNNW and HRS + TKNW covers had the lowest thermal heat energy (Qx) and moderate R-value. These two covers maintained low temperature fluctuation with the lowest rate of air and pulp temperature changes, reflecting in lowest mass loss and decay in okra. The HRS + TNNW cover yielded less decay (1%) in okra, compared to commercial covers; MTyvek (16%) and MFS (9%). Results showed that HRS + TNNW exhibited great potential as a thermal insulation cover to reduce postharvest loss in okra (5%) compared to typical handling (11–18%) and could be considered as alternative material to reduce the use of foam sheets in cool chain management distribution packaging of okra under ambient environment conditions.

An Investigation into Major Causes for Postharvest Losses of Horticultural Crops and Their Handling Practice in Debre Markos, North-Western Ethiopia

In developing countries, food systems are mainly characterized by unorganized, traditional supply chains, and limited market infrastructure. Bulk quantity of the harvested produce is lost every year because of the absence of proper postharvest handling and management practices. The current study was conducted to estimate and identify the major causes for postharvest losses of fruits and vegetables in Debre Markos, north-western Ethiopia. Forty respondents who were retailing fruits and vegetables were randomly selected and qualitative and quantitative data were collected by using direct market observation and semistructured questioners. The result of the present study revealed significant differences between sociodemographic factors, handling practices, and postharvest loss. Educational status, selling experience, and packaging material have a significant relationship with postharvest loss. A significant difference was obtained among the transportation methods used, the selling place, storage methods, and materials. The result also indicated that fewer than 20 percent of respondents practiced selling fruits and vegetables in the resident mini shop. The majority of damaged produce was sold at a discount price. Retailers do not have formal knowledge of postharvest handling practices. The average postharvest losses of fruits and vegetables were estimated to be five to eighty-three percent of the market share. Mainly, during retailing, rotting, mechanical damage, poor handling, improper management of temperature and relative humidity, and hygiene problems during handling are among the major causes of postharvest losses. To reduce the high postharvest loss and supply quality products for consumers throughout the year, intervention activities such as the construction of permanent selling place for perishables, practicing various evaporative cooling technologies, outset training, awareness creation, and infrastructures should be effectively and urgently addressed.

Ordinal regression Assessment of orange Postharvest loss determinants among Orange Farmers in Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State

Orange wastage through postharvest losses has contributed to food scarcity, economic loss and massive importation of food items in Nigeria. The research was mainly carried out to investigate the determinants of orange postharvest losses among orange farmers in Konshisha Local Government of Benue State, North Central geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Primary data was collected from the orange farmers using structured questionnaires and key informant interviews. Descriptive statistics and Ordinal Regression model were used to analyse the data collected. The quantity lost was perceived at six (6) categories. The results revealed that most (63.7%) of the farmers were above 34 years of age. Also the majority (95.1%) were male, while 55.3% of the respondents’ farm size was relatively large with 200 and above stands of orange. The farmers’ literacy level was 73.6%. Those that belonged to farmers groups were 39.5. Further results established the use of probit link function in the ordinal regression modelling and that the significant factors affecting orange postharvest losses in the area are farmer’s lack of education and farmers not belonging to any association or group. The only significant covariate with the postharvest loss quantity of orange is farm size. The test of parallel lines established that, the location parameters (slope coefficients) are the same across response categories.

Information Needs of Cassava Farmer-Processors on Cassava Value Addition Technologies in Oyo State, Nigeria

This study investigated the information needs of cassava farmer-processors on cassava value addition technologies in Oyo State, Nigeria, to ascertain areas of information gap for farmers to maximally exploit the opportunities inherent in the product value addition. Using a multistage sampling procedure, 130 registered cassava farmer-processors were sampled and interviewed. Data were collected on respondents’ enterprise characteristics, access to information, perceived benefits and constraints to accessing information and information needs on cassava value addition. Data were analysed using percentage, mean and correlational analysis at p=0.05. Results reveal that respondents had farm size and farming experience of 2.3 ha and 20.1±13.8 years, respectively, while income was ₦273,784.6±₦458281.3. Though respondents were constrained with low income (70.0%), they reckoned that if they had access to information on value addition, their postharvest loss would be reduced (89.2%). Respondents had information gap on information needs on value addition technologies for producing cassava adhesives (1st), glucose syrups (2nd) and confectionaries (3rd). Farming experience (r = -.236), constraints (r = -.288) and access to sources of information were significantly related to respondents’ information needs. It is recommended that information on improved cassava value addition technologies be made available to cassava farmers through relevant sources, especially during emergencies coupled with hands –on training for effective application of information acquired.