Postharvest Biology, Quality, Safety, and Technology
A section of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524).
Section Information
The knowledge of postharvest physiology and pathology helps to understand the basic biological changes and underlying mechanisms that occur in a detached fresh or fresh-cut organ from the moment of harvest until it is consumed, whether fresh, fresh-cut, or cooked. This may take a few days or up to one year; regardless, the fresh or fresh-cut produce should maintain its external, internal, and sensorial quality. Postharvest technology is used to manage the harvesting, handling, storage, and marketing conditions that lead to extended shelf life and better quality of harvested produce.
Despite the remarkable progress in increasing food production worldwide, approximately half of the population in developing countries does not have access to adequate food supply. Thus, the food safety and security problem is worsening. Plants or plant parts continue to function metabolically after harvest and are subjected to physiological, pathological, biochemical, and sensorial deterioration and loss. The magnitude of postharvest losses in fresh and fresh-cut produce is estimated to be 5% to 25% in developed countries and 25% to 50% in developing countries. This enormous waste of fresh food poses a significant economic, social, and ecological challenge for humanity, indicating the need to improve current practices to understand and develop new means to reduce this loss. Technological advances—like the online monitoring of the environment and the produce state, or the active modulation of storage conditions, in parallel with increased public awareness of food quality and safety—introduce both opportunities as well as challenges to the field.
In the Postharvest Biology, Quality, Safety, and Technology Section, we welcome original manuscripts of diverse types concerning recent insights, approaches, and advances in the pre- and postharvest harvesting, handling, and marketing of perishable fresh produce aiming to preserve its quality and reduce losses during prolonged storage and shelf life. We also welcome innovative applied research aiming to maintain fresh produce quality.
In particular, Postharvest Biology, Quality, Safety, and Technology welcomes contributions by early career researchers and propositions for research topics. In addition, we invite senior scientists to initiate and serve as Guest Editors of new Special Issues on a single and particular theme.
Keywords
- ripening
- senescence
- deterioration
- ethylene
- respiration
- cold storage
- controlled atmosphere storage
- aroma volatiles
Editorial Board
Topical Advisory Panel
Special Issues
Following special issues within this section are currently open for submissions:
- Postharvest Physiology and Preservation Technology of Horticultural Plants (Deadline: 30 June 2026)
- Processing, Preservation and Quality Management of Fresh-Cut Products (Deadline: 10 July 2026)
- Postharvest Diseases in Horticultural Crops and Their Management (Deadline: 15 July 2026)
- From Orchard to Table: Significance of Postharvest Technologies in Postharvest Diseases Management of Fruits (Deadline: 30 July 2026)
- Innovations in Sustainable Horticultural Cropping and Postharvest Systems (Deadline: 31 August 2026)
- Recent Advancements in Postharvest Fruit Quality and Physiological Mechanism: 2nd Edition (Deadline: 13 September 2026)
- Postharvest Preservation and Processing Techniques for Horticultural Products (Deadline: 25 September 2026)
- Sustainable Postharvest Technology Application: Postharvest Fruit Disease Management and Fresh Fruit Quality Maintenance (Deadline: 30 September 2026)
- Advances in Postharvest Fresh-Keeping Technology and Metabolomics of Horticultural Plants—Second Edition (Deadline: 30 September 2026)
- Advances in Postharvest Preservation and Quality of Fruits and Vegetables (Deadline: 31 October 2026)
- Postharvest Disease Management in Horticultural Products (Deadline: 31 October 2026)
- Postharvest Quality Preservation and Disease Control for Fruits and Vegetables (Deadline: 31 October 2026)
- Influence of Postharvest Physiology on Fruit Quality (Deadline: 10 November 2026)
- Next-Generation Technologies for Extending the Shelf Life of Fresh-Produce (Deadline: 10 November 2026)
- Application of Artificial Intelligence and Simulation Technology in Fruits and Vegetables Production (Deadline: 30 November 2026)
- Postharvest Treatments for Preserving Quality and Reducing Food Loss in Horticultural Products (Deadline: 25 December 2026)
- Molecular Mechanisms of Postharvest Quality in Fruits and Vegetables (Deadline: 31 December 2026)
- Pre- and Post-Harvest Treatments for Fruit and Vegetables (Deadline: 31 December 2026)
- Innovative Packaging and Preservation Technology of Fruit (Deadline: 28 February 2027)
- Edible Films and Coatings for Postharvest Sensory Quality and Shelf-Life Preservation in Horticultural Products (Deadline: 31 March 2027)
Topical Collections
Following topical collections within this section are currently open for submissions:
