Contents




*by Anthony Tibaingana, Godswill Makombe and Tumo Kele*

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

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

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

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

developments in postharvest systems.

become crucial.

management techniques.
