Recent Advances in Postharvest Handling, Storage, Processing and Packaging, and Management of Fruits and Vegetables

Dear Colleagues,

Fresh fruits and vegetables are key commodities for a healthy diet that are also highly appreciated by consumers due to their nutritional qualities—vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, antioxidants, and various bioactive compounds—as well as their unique flavors. However, due to their high water content and delicate texture, fresh fruits and vegetables are highly perishable and prone to microbial spoilage and mechanical damage, which can ultimately lead to significant postharvest losses.

In this context, efficient postharvest storage and handling technologies and overall management become essential tools in the reduction postharvest losses and waste, and help to guarantee the supply of safe fresh produce of high quality and extended shelf life. While postharvest food losses are a major concern in developing countries, food handling and wastage are bigger issues in developed countries. With this context in mind, this Special Issue, "Recent Advances in Postharvest Handling, Storage, Processing and Packaging, and Management of Fruits and Vegetables", aims to gather high-quality research and review articles addressing all aspects of the handling of these commodities, including cooling and cold storage strategies, postharvest treatments, packaging, transportation and distribution. Particular emphasis is placed on the integration of the full range of emerging technologies designed to guarantee safety, extend shelf life, preserve the physicochemical and nutritional properties of horticultural commodities, and reduce food waste.

Areas of interest span the entire supply chain: from precision harvesting tools and cold chain management (rapid cooling, refrigerated transport and storage, temperature control, and controlled atmosphere systems), to processing, and packaging strategies (modified atmospheres and active and intelligent packaging), treatments for reducing physiological change, insect control (chemical, physical, and irradiation), through to the final consumer.

Dr. Sandra Horvitz
Prof. Dr. Hosahalli S. Ramaswamy
Guest Editors

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