Postharvest Preservation and Processing Techniques for 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: 15 February 2026 | Viewed by 731

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Biotechnology and Food Science, Tianjin University of Commerce, Tianjin 300134, China
Interests: postharvest quality and safety control; cold chain preservation; fruits and vegetables; postharvest processing

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Food Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
Interests: novel active materials for food packaging; food preservation; shelf-life extension; novel food processing techniques; quality control
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Postharvest preservation and processing are critical factors in maintaining the quality, safety, and marketability of horticultural products. Despite significant advancements, challenges such as spoilage, nutrient loss, and the need for sustainable practices remain. This Special Issue aims to address these challenges by presenting the latest research on innovative preservation and processing techniques for horticultural products. We invite original research and review articles that explore novel methods, technologies, and strategies aimed at enhancing postharvest quality, extending shelf life, and ensuring food safety. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, advanced storage solutions, minimal processing techniques, quality control measures, and the impact of these methods on nutritional value and consumer acceptance.

Prof. Dr. Wenqiang Guan
Dr. Yongli Jiang
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 preservation
  • processing techniques
  • horticultural products
  • quality control
  • shelf life extension
  • nutritional value
  • safety standards
  • sustainable practices
  • interdisciplinary approaches

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (1 paper)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

17 pages, 2030 KB  
Article
3D-Printed Bilayer Active Film with Anise Oil Nano-Emulsion and Carbon Quantum Dots for Shelf-Life Extension of Sugar Tangerines
by Qi Tian, Chongyang Chen, Chaofan Guo, Qingbo Huang, Yongli Jiang and Junjie Yi
Horticulturae 2025, 11(9), 1061; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11091061 - 4 Sep 2025
Viewed by 522
Abstract
This study developed a novel 3D-printed bilayer film (BF) embedded with star anise essential oil nanoemulsion (AEO-NE) and tamarind shell-derived carbon quantum dots (CQDs) for preserving sugar tangerines (Citrus reticulata Blanco). The BF comprised an outer chitosan-alginate-CQD barrier layer and an inner [...] Read more.
This study developed a novel 3D-printed bilayer film (BF) embedded with star anise essential oil nanoemulsion (AEO-NE) and tamarind shell-derived carbon quantum dots (CQDs) for preserving sugar tangerines (Citrus reticulata Blanco). The BF comprised an outer chitosan-alginate-CQD barrier layer and an inner AEO-NE active layer, fabricated using dual-extrusion 3D printing. Results showed that BF-treated fruits had significantly lower weight loss (23.6% reduction) and decay rates (0% spoilage until day 10) compared to controls (p < 0.05). The film’s controlled release (31% AEO release over 15 days) and UV-blocking properties (CQDs) maintained fruit firmness, color stability (ΔE < 2.0), and sugar content (TSS increase of only 3.7%). Sensory evaluation confirmed BF’s superiority, with treated fruits retaining freshness for 15 days, while controls deteriorated rapidly. The study demonstrates that 3D-printed active films synergizing AEO and CQDs offer a sustainable, high-performance solution for citrus preservation, extending shelf life by 10–15 days. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop