Preface

Producers worldwide devote significant resources to cultivating crops, with the laudable intention of feeding the world's population. A troubling reality, however, is that before they reach customers, almost one-third of these products are lost due to postharvest losses. The food supply and agricultural sustainability are seriously threatened by this worrying situation, necessitating immediate action to address this pressing problem. This edited book, *New Advances in Postharvest Technology*, was painstakingly created in answer to this challenge to share thorough and contemporary knowledge on the physiology of postharvest losses and the most recent technological developments in postharvest systems.

This book is essential because it places a focus on sustainable practices that can reduce postharvest losses while maintaining the inherent freshness and nutritional benefits of fresh fruits and vegetables. The need for wholesome food is increasing as a result of changing dietary habits and worldwide population expansion. Adopting eco-friendly treatments and creative handling techniques that not only reduce post-harvest losses but also support food security and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers become crucial.

Written by experts in postharvest technology from around the world, this book is thoughtfully organized into three sections, each of which focuses on a different aspect of environmentally friendly applications and current advancements in postharvest management techniques.

A variety of cutting-edge strategies are explored in Section 1, "Eco-Friendly Applications in Postharvest Handling", with the goal of reducing postharvest losses and improving the nutritional value of fresh fruit. This section's chapters examine the possibility of extending shelf life and maintaining quality using green technologies, enhanced fruit coatings, and innovative postharvest treatments. A closer look at the volatile organic chemicals these microorganisms create reveals their importance in the control of fruit postharvest illnesses. Additionally, a thorough investigation of the use of phyto-hormones, growth regulators, and calcium in both pre and postharvest phases sheds light on their favorable effects on fruit quality and storage life.

In Section 2, "Recent Developments in Handling Practices", handling practices that have revolutionized postharvest management are thoroughly discussed. This section's chapters explore a wide range of subjects, from creative ways to use post-harvest losses in feed production to an investigation of pre and postharvest elements that have a significant impact on the quality of harvested produce. The importance of suitable postharvest technologies for biofortified crops is also highlighted, with a focus on the part these technologies play in value addition, micronutrient retention, and improved utilization of biofortified crops. With a focus on the Indian context, a thorough review of food safety traceability systems indicates their crucial importance in preserving the integrity of postharvest systems. The section also provides a

thorough summary of current advancements in the postharvest use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in horticulture, emphasizing how this technology has the potential to completely change the industry. Furthermore, the chapter on 1-MCP (1-methylcyclopropene) preharvest application provides insights into its effectiveness in enhancing postharvest fruit quality and extending shelf life.

The emphasis is narrowed to just a few fruits, specifically pomegranates and several *Prunus* species, in Section 3, "Special Considerations for Selected Fruits". The chapters in this section explore the postharvest fungal infections that damage pomegranates and the cutting-edge techniques used to control them. Moreover, the difficulties encountered in preserving the quality of *Prunus* spp. during postharvest handling are examined, along with potential futures that provide creative solutions for these difficulties. Additionally, the impact of pre and postharvest treatments on the protein patterns and storage behavior of date palm fruit is examined, offering important insights for improving postharvest storage conditions. Finally, a thought-provoking study on Ugandan smallholder maize farmers' storage practices highlights the need for better storage methods to ensure food security, a problem that is felt all over the world.

The authors' collective efforts have resulted in a thorough body of information that is both understandable and illuminating. Each chapter highlights the authors' expertise. This book makes a substantial contribution to the subject of postharvest technology and provides scholars, practitioners, and other interested parties with a useful tool for managing fresh fruit sustainably. I sincerely thank each one of the chapter authors who made a significant contribution to the creation of this book. This volume is a monument to the developments in postharvest technology thanks to their commitment and intellectual insights, which have enhanced the contents.

As the book's editor, I hope that it will act as a guiding light for future study and invention to address the problems caused by postharvest losses. I hope that this volume will reignite interest and collaboration among various stakeholders, resulting in more environmentally friendly practices and a decline in postharvest losses around the world.
