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Horticulturae
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Advanced Postharvest Technology in Processed Horticultural Products
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Advanced Postharvest Technology in Processed Horticultural Products

A special issue of Horticulturae (ISSN 2311-7524). This special issue belongs to the section "Postharvest Biology, Quality, Safety, and Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 July 2025 | Viewed by 9723

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Wenzhong Hu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Life Science，Zhuhai College of Science and Technology, Zhuhai 519040, China
Interests: postharvest fruits and vegetables; quality; preservation technology; food safety
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Chen Chen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Life Science, Dalian Minzu University, Dalian 116600, China
Interests: postharvest biology and technology; food science; food quality
Dr. Ke Feng

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao 999078, China
Interests: postharvest biology and technology; nutrition and health; food science

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The growing demand for processed horticultural products (fruits and vegetables) has led to an increasing interest in the study of postharvest preservation technology. The processed horticultural products are prone to tissue damage, water loss, enzymatic browning and tissue softening during harvesting, processing, storage, transportation, packaging and sale. In addition, there is a potential safety risk from pathogen contamination for processed horticultural products. Therefore, there is an urgent demand for new preservation technologies to maintain the quality of processed horticultural products.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to present new postharvest technology (modified atmosphere packaging, fumigation treatment, edible coatings, etc.), antibacterial technology (ethanol, essential oils, etc.) and omics technology (proteomics, transcriptomics, microbiome, metagenome, metabolomics, etc.) to preserve quality, inhibit microorganisms and extend the shelf life of processed horticultural products. Articles on maintaining the quality and safety of any kind of processed horticultural products, including postharvest, minimally processed, fresh-cut, fermented and processed fruits and vegetables are welcome in this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Wenzhong Hu
Dr. Chen Chen
Dr. Ke Feng
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Horticulturae is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • postharvest fruits and vegetables
  • quality
  • preservation technology
  • food safety

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 3291 KiB  
Article
Effect of Hot Air-Drying Technique on the Quality and Stability of Blood Orange Slices in Modified Atmosphere Packaging
by Pasquale Roppolo, Alessandra Culmone, Roberta Passafiume, Antonino Pirrone, Ilenia Tinebra, Ignazio Gugino, Morgana Monte, Vincenzo Naselli, Nicola Francesca, Raimondo Gaglio, Claudio De Pasquale, Aldo Todaro and Vittorio Farina
Horticulturae 2025, 11(2), 116; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11020116 - 22 Jan 2025
Viewed by 918
Abstract
The choice of time/temperature combination is critical for ensuring microbiological stability and retaining the characteristic taste of dried blood orange slices. The aim of this study was to investigate the capability of hot air-drying technique to maintain the quality characteristic of dried blood [...] Read more.
The choice of time/temperature combination is critical for ensuring microbiological stability and retaining the characteristic taste of dried blood orange slices. The aim of this study was to investigate the capability of hot air-drying technique to maintain the quality characteristic of dried blood orange slices stored in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). Hot air-drying at 70 °C for 12 h preserved shrinkage without altering the longitudinal diameter, though thickness was significantly reduced, especially in samples with passive MAP. Increased hardness and masticability were noted due to water removal, with active MAP maintaining high hardness and colour integrity up to 100 days of storage (D100). Sensory analysis revealed differences in colour intensity and flavour between active and passive MAP-stored slices. Headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) chromatography identified key chemical compounds contributing to aroma and flavour, highlighting the complex interplay between temperature, storage conditions, and volatile organic compounds production. The study demonstrates that drying combined with MAP storage enhances organoleptic qualities and nutritional value, offering a method to produce a healthy, tasty, and visually appealing snack. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Postharvest Technology in Processed Horticultural Products)
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12 pages, 1644 KiB  
Article
Control of Unexpected Mucor lusitanicus in Litchi Fruit by Hydrocooling with Hypochlorous Acid and Cold Storage
by I-Fang Liu, Huey-Ling Lin and Chang-Lin Chen
Horticulturae 2025, 11(1), 83; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11010083 - 14 Jan 2025
Viewed by 735
Abstract
Litchi fruit (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is highly perishable because its shelf life is significantly limited by pericarp browning and microbial spoilage. While sulfur dioxide (SO2) fumigation has been traditionally used to preserve color and reduce spoilage, concerns over potential health [...] Read more.
Litchi fruit (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is highly perishable because its shelf life is significantly limited by pericarp browning and microbial spoilage. While sulfur dioxide (SO2) fumigation has been traditionally used to preserve color and reduce spoilage, concerns over potential health risks have prompted the exploration of safer alternatives. This study investigated the application of hypochlorous acid (HClO) as an alternative treatment during postharvest processes to mitigate pathological decay, targeting Mucor lusitanicus, a fungus primarily responsible for litchi fruit rot in Taiwan. In vitro experiments demonstrated that M. lusitanicus growth was completely inhibited by HClO concentrations at 40 mg L−1 or higher, as well as by temperatures below 1 °C. In vivo experiments further revealed that disease symptoms in inoculated litchi fruit were fully suppressed at 25 °C for seven days after hydrocooling with HClO. When 40 mg L−1 HClO treatment was combined with hydrocooling and subsequent storage at 5 °C, the decay ratio of litchi fruit was reduced to below 3% after 21-day storage. The browning index and disease incidence of litchi fruit hydrocooled with an 8 h hydrocooling delay were significantly lower than those with a 12 h hydrocooling delay after 21 days at 5 °C, followed by 1 day at 26 °C. Therefore, hydrocooling within 8 h of harvest is recommended for commercial scales. This treatment effectively prevented pericarp browning and maintained total soluble solid levels, ensuring the quality. These findings suggest that integrating HClO with hydrocooling not only decreases spoilage and delays pericarp browning but also offers a viable alternative to traditional SO2 fumigation, optimizing the postharvest process and enhancing food safety. This approach can extend the storage ability of litchi fruit while maintaining its quality, providing a safer method for local and international markets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Postharvest Technology in Processed Horticultural Products)
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19 pages, 2933 KiB  
Article
Metabolic Profiling of ‘Elstar’ and ‘Nicoter’ Apples: Impact of Storage Time, Dynamic Controlled Atmosphere and 1-MCP Treatment
by Fabio Rodrigo Thewes, Felix Büchele, Lilian Osmari Uhlmann, Adriana Lugaresi, Daiane Quadros de Oliveria Neuwald, Auri Brackmann, Vanderlei Both, Roger Wagner and Daniel Alexandre Neuwald
Horticulturae 2024, 10(12), 1372; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10121372 - 20 Dec 2024
Viewed by 939
Abstract
The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of CA and DCA on sugars, tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA), anaerobic metabolism and some volatile compounds of ‘Elstar’ and ‘Nicoter’ apples. This study also aimed to evaluate the effect of ethylene action blocking [...] Read more.
The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of CA and DCA on sugars, tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA), anaerobic metabolism and some volatile compounds of ‘Elstar’ and ‘Nicoter’ apples. This study also aimed to evaluate the effect of ethylene action blocking by 1-MCP (0.650 ppm). The storage conditions tested for both cultivars were (1) CA; (2) DCA-CF; (3) DCA-RQ 1.3; (4) DCA-RQ 1.5; (5) DCA-CD 1.1; and (6) DCA-CD 1.3. The lowest oxygen limit (LOL) was higher for the ‘Nicoter’ apples, and the three DCA methods were able to detect this difference between the cultivars. Sorbitol had a trend of accumulation when the fruit was stored under DCA-RQ and DCA-CD, especially in higher RQ and CD, showing a negative Pearson correlation with the oxygen partial pressure over the storage period. The 1-MCP treatment induced sorbitol accumulation even when the fruit was stored under CA. The TCA intermediaries, such as citrate, 2-oxoglutarate, succinate, fumarate and oxaloacetate, were the most affected by the atmosphere conditions and the 1-MCP treatment for both cultivars. Malic acid was more affected by the storage time than the atmosphere conditions. Succinate and fumarate had an accumulation trend when the fruit was stored under DCA-RQ. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Postharvest Technology in Processed Horticultural Products)
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21 pages, 6666 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Different Anti-Browning Treatments on the Quality of Four Colombian Potato Varieties
by Omar Salazar-Montoya, Verónica Idárraga-Arcila, Paula Torres-Martínez and Yudy Duarte-Correa
Horticulturae 2024, 10(12), 1265; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10121265 - 28 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1309
Abstract
The increasing demand for fresh and convenient foods has led to the production of Minimally Processed Products (MPPs), which are suitable for culinary and industrial uses. However, cutting potatoes can trigger browning, negatively impacting their sensory and nutritional quality. This study aimed to [...] Read more.
The increasing demand for fresh and convenient foods has led to the production of Minimally Processed Products (MPPs), which are suitable for culinary and industrial uses. However, cutting potatoes can trigger browning, negatively impacting their sensory and nutritional quality. This study aimed to evaluate different anti-browning methods on Colombian potato varieties (Diacol Capiro, Pastusa, Nevada, and Sabanera) as raw materials for the development of MPPs. The physicochemical properties evaluated included moisture, pH, acidity, enzymatic activity, total phenolic content, vitamin C, and browning index. The anti-browning treatments involved immersing the potatoes in citric acid, ascorbic acid, and garlic extract. Evaluations were carried out over a 15-day storage period in refrigerated conditions. The results indicated that the Sabanera variety had the highest browning index, followed by Nevada, while Diacol Capiro and Pastusa showed lower browning indices, even without the use of technological coadjuvants. Among the treatments, citric acid proved to be the most effective across all varieties, with Diacol Capiro exhibiting the least browning after 15 days. Garlic extract was the least effective against browning. The sensory analysis indicated that an acidic descriptor was noted for both treated (with citric acid) and untreated (control) Diacol Capiro potatoes at similar intensities, suggesting that citric acid did not negatively affect the sensory quality and/or was masked during cooking, enhancing overall quality. In conclusion, the Diacol Capiro variety treated with 1% citric acid is the most appropriate choice for use as a raw material for MPPs without compromising sensory quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Postharvest Technology in Processed Horticultural Products)
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17 pages, 4611 KiB  
Article
Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy: A Tool for Determining the Harvesting Time of Olive Fruit
by Marin Krapac, Jerko Gunjača, Barbara Sladonja, Đani Benčić and Karolina Brkić Bubola
Horticulturae 2024, 10(11), 1131; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10111131 - 23 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2192
Abstract
The harvesting time of olive (Olea europaea L.) fruit, which significantly affects the characteristics of virgin olive oil, is mainly determined empirically based on the fruit’s skin color. Developing objective methods such as electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) for assessing ripeness is essential. [...] Read more.
The harvesting time of olive (Olea europaea L.) fruit, which significantly affects the characteristics of virgin olive oil, is mainly determined empirically based on the fruit’s skin color. Developing objective methods such as electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) for assessing ripeness is essential. This study aimed to explore the potential of EIS as a rapid and objective technique for detecting the harvesting time of olives. Olive fruits from two varieties, ‘Picholine’ and ‘Buža momjanska’, were harvested in two periods and sorted into four color groups. EIS was applied to each color group to establish a relationship between fruit color and electrochemical properties. The distance of the coordinate at the top of the circular arc of the Cole–Cole plot from the origin (LTO) indicated tissue degradation. The LTO values varied depending on the olive variety, fruit color, and harvest date. The LTO values decreased from green to black fruits in both varieties, indicating textural changes in the olive fruit tissue. This study contributes to the knowledge and understanding of the electrical properties of olive fruit tissue during ripening. EIS shows potential as an innovative tool for determining the harvesting time of olives and for ‘in-field’ olive ripeness assessment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Postharvest Technology in Processed Horticultural Products)
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21 pages, 3137 KiB  
Article
The Potential for Hyperspectral Imaging and Machine Learning to Classify Internal Quality Defects in Macadamia Nuts
by Michael B. Farrar, Marcela Martinez, Kim Jones, Negar Omidvar, Helen M. Wallace, Thomas Chen and Shahla Hosseini Bai
Horticulturae 2024, 10(11), 1129; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10111129 - 23 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1500
Abstract
Tree nuts are rich in nutrients, and global production and consumption have doubled during the last decade. However, nuts have a range of quality defects that must be detected and removed during post-harvest processing. Tree nuts can develop hidden internal discoloration, and current [...] Read more.
Tree nuts are rich in nutrients, and global production and consumption have doubled during the last decade. However, nuts have a range of quality defects that must be detected and removed during post-harvest processing. Tree nuts can develop hidden internal discoloration, and current sorting methods are prone to subjectivity and human error. Therefore, non-destructive, real-time methods to evaluate internal nut quality are needed. This study explored the potential for VNIR (400–1000 nm) hyperspectral imaging to classify brown center disorder in macadamias. This study compared the accuracy of classifiers developed using images of kernels imaged in face-up and face-down orientations. Classification accuracy was excellent using face-up (>97.9%) and face-down (>94%) images using ensemble and linear discriminate models before and after wavelength selection. Combining images to form a pooled dataset also provided high accuracy (>90%) using artificial neural network and support vector machine models. Overall, HSI has great potential for commercial application in nut processing to detect internal brown centers using images of the outside kernel surface in the VNIR range. This technology will allow rapid and non-destructive evaluation of intact nut products that can then be marketed as a high-quality, defect-free product, compared with traditional methods that rely heavily on representative sub-sampling. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Postharvest Technology in Processed Horticultural Products)
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16 pages, 1678 KiB  
Article
Genome-Wide Association Analyses Defined the Interplay between Two Major Loci Controlling the Fruit Texture Performance in a Norwegian Apple Collection (Malus × domestica Borkh.)
by Liv Gilpin, Fabrizio Costa, Dag Røen and Muath Alsheikh
Horticulturae 2024, 10(10), 1049; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10101049 - 1 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1280
Abstract
Increasing consumption of apples (Malus domestica Borkh.) produced in Norway requires the availability of superior cultivars and extended marketability. Favorable texture and slow softening are important traits for consumer appreciation and postharvest performance. Apple texture has been well characterized using both sensory [...] Read more.
Increasing consumption of apples (Malus domestica Borkh.) produced in Norway requires the availability of superior cultivars and extended marketability. Favorable texture and slow softening are important traits for consumer appreciation and postharvest performance. Apple texture has been well characterized using both sensory evaluation and instrumental assessments, and major quantitative trait loci (QTL) have been detected. With texture being targeted as an important trait and markers being publicly available, marker-assisted selection has already been implemented into several breeding programs. When focusing solely on a limited set of markers linked to well-investigated major QTLs, most minor-effect QTLs are normally excluded. To find novel potential SNP markers suitable to assist in selection processes, we selected a subset of accessions from a larger apple collection established in Norway based on the favorable alleles of two markers previously associated with texture, enabling the investigation of a minor part of the variance initially masked by the effect of major loci. The subset was employed to conduct a genome-wide association study aiming to search for associations with texture dynamics and retainability. QTL regions related to texture at harvest, postharvest, and for the storage index were identified on chromosomes 3, 12, and 16. Specifically, the SNPs located on chromosome 12 were shown to be potential novel markers for selection of crispness retention during storage, a valuable storability trait. These newly detected QTLs and underlying SNPs will represent a potential set of markers for the selection of the most favorable accessions characterized by superior fruit texture properties in ongoing breeding programs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Postharvest Technology in Processed Horticultural Products)
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