Postharvest Technologies to Enhance Food Quality and Safety

A special issue of Foods (ISSN 2304-8158). This special issue belongs to the section "Food Quality and Safety".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 671

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
Interests: postharvest technologies; food loss and waste; food quality; food safety; food preservation; cold chain management; edible coatings; microbial contamination; smart packaging

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Guest Editor
Plant Science Laboratory, Cranfield University, Cranfield MK43 AL, UK
Interests: food loss and waste; food technology; food chemistry; postharvest technology; fruits; vegetables; agricultural science; phytochemistry; non-destructive technology; Vis/NIR spectroscopy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The global food system is facing unprecedented challenges in ensuring the safe and sustainable delivery of high-quality produce to meet the demands of a rapidly growing population. Food loss and waste remain a critical barrier to achieving food security globally. Innovations in postharvest technologies are essential to mitigate these losses, preserve nutritional value, and extend shelf life. This Special Issue, “Postharvest Technologies to Enhance Food Quality and Safety”, seeks to highlight cutting-edge research and advancements in strategies that bridge the gap between harvest and consumption. Contributions will explore novel approaches such as the application of biotechnologies, smart storage systems, precision cooling, edible coatings, nanotechnology, etc., in the postharvest system. Additionally, the issue will look at how non-destructive, quality assessment tools, active packaging, and natural control agents can help reduce the use of chemicals. Emphasis is placed on sustainable, scalable solutions that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 12 (Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns). This Special Issue will inspire actionable strategies for stakeholders across the agri-food sector. 

Dr. Esa A. Godana
Dr. Lembe Samukelo Magwaza
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • postharvest technology
  • food loss and waste
  • food quality
  • food safety
  • food preservation
  • cold chain management
  • edible coating
  • microbial contamination
  • smart packaging

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 3722 KB  
Article
Sodium Alginate-Based Antibacterial Coatings Reinforced with Quaternized Lignin–Cinnamaldehyde Composite Particles for Fruit Preservation
by Jianshuo Miao, Yuanrong Lai, Yidan Zhang, Jiapeng Wei, Kehao Fan, Ningjing Sun and Zhiyong Qin
Foods 2025, 14(24), 4203; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14244203 (registering DOI) - 7 Dec 2025
Abstract
Sodium alginate (SA) is widely used as an edible coating for fruit preservation, but its weak water barrier and antibacterial properties limit broader application. In this study, quaternary ammonium lignin–cinnamaldehyde (QKC) composite particles were incorporated into SA as multifunctional fillers to construct antibacterial [...] Read more.
Sodium alginate (SA) is widely used as an edible coating for fruit preservation, but its weak water barrier and antibacterial properties limit broader application. In this study, quaternary ammonium lignin–cinnamaldehyde (QKC) composite particles were incorporated into SA as multifunctional fillers to construct antibacterial coatings. Electrostatic and hydrogen-bonding interactions between cationic QKC and anionic SA yielded a uniform, stable network with improved hydrophobicity and UV-shielding capacity. At 5 wt% QKC loading (SA5), the tensile strength increased from 11.53 to 24.42 MPa (111.8% higher than SA0), while water vapor permeability decreased by 35.4%. SA coatings also exhibited strong antioxidant activity, and the ABTS radical scavenging rate increased to 70.22% at 7 wt% QKC, with SA5 offering a favorable balance between antioxidant, barrier, and mechanical properties. SA5 showed pronounced antibacterial efficacy, giving inhibition rates of 96% against Staphylococcus aureus and 65% against Escherichia coli. Coating trials on persimmons and tangerines demonstrated that SA5 reduced weight loss, delayed firmness decline, and mitigated decay during storage. In addition, calcium-crosslinked SA/QKC hydrogel beads markedly delayed visible mold growth on blueberries. These results indicate that QKC-reinforced SA coatings provide a promising strategy for enhancing the postharvest quality and shelf life of fresh fruit. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Postharvest Technologies to Enhance Food Quality and Safety)
17 pages, 1737 KB  
Article
Preharvest Application of Oxalic Acid to ‘Calabacita’ Fresh Figs: Effects on Physicochemical and Antioxidant Profile During Cold Storage
by Carlos Moraga-Lozano, Ana María Fernández-León, Margarita López-Corrales, Alicia Rodríguez, Manuel J. Serradilla and Mónica Palomino-Vasco
Foods 2025, 14(23), 4061; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14234061 - 27 Nov 2025
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Abstract
Fresh figs are a highly perishable fruit with a very limited shelf life. Consequently, the development of innovative strategies at both the preharvest and postharvest stages is essential to enhance their quality and extend their shelf life. This study aimed to evaluate the [...] Read more.
Fresh figs are a highly perishable fruit with a very limited shelf life. Consequently, the development of innovative strategies at both the preharvest and postharvest stages is essential to enhance their quality and extend their shelf life. This study aimed to evaluate the postharvest performance of fresh figs (cv. Calabacita) treated preharvest with oxalic acid (OA) via foliar spraying at 1.2 L per tree at two concentrations (1 and 2 mM), applied either twice or three times. Figs were harvested at commercial maturity and stored for 10 days at 1 °C and 90% relative humidity in darkness, with sampling carried out at 0, 3, 7 and 10 days. At each sampling point, physiological, physicochemical, and bioactive parameters were assessed, and an analysis of variance was performed to determine differences among OA treatments. The findings showed that the effectiveness of OA depended on the number of applications, with two preharvest sprays providing the most favourable outcomes. OA at 2 mM significantly reduced weight loss, respiration rate, and ethylene production compared with controls and increased titratable acidity. Furthermore, all OA treatments enhanced the antioxidant activity of the fruit, improving both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activity, as well as total phenolic content. This suggests improved stress tolerance supported by lower cell wall oxidation at the end of cold storage. In conclusion, two preharvest applications of oxalic acid effectively contribute to maintaining fruit quality and extending the storability of fresh figs during cold storage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Postharvest Technologies to Enhance Food Quality and Safety)
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