Improving quality and safety of fresh fruits and vegetables after harvest
by the use of biocontrol agents and natural materials
Samir Droby
Department of Postharvest Science, ARO, the Volcani Center, ,
Bet Dagan ,Israel
Spoilage and physiological disorders are the major causes losses of fresh fruits and vegetables after harvest. Reducing losses due to fungal and bacterial infections as well as physiological disorders (chilling injury, browning, scalds etc.) is of utmost importance along the chain of production and marketing. Synthetic chemicals (fungicides, sanitizers, anti-browning agents) have been used to alleviate part of these losses. Consumer and authorities concerns, however, regarding health and environmental risks associated with the intensive use of these chemicals is mounting. In this relation, food quality and safety has been one of the major items which topping the agenda of many countries around the world. Hence, urgent need exists to finding alternative treatments that are safe and environmentally friendly to extend shelf life and improve quality and safety of agricultural products. The use natural plant products (essential oils and plant extract considered as GRAS), biocontrol agents (yeast antagonists), non-selective food additives and induced resistance are among the approaches that have been evaluated for the control of post harvest diseases and disorders. In recent years we have been developing an integrative approach in which various physical and biological treatments are implied. This approach relies on combining microbial antagonists with natural materials such chitosan, lytic enzymes, food-grade preservatives (e.g. sodium bicarbonate, potassium sorbate, and calcium chloride), essential oils, jasmonic acid and other volatile compounds. Collectively the results clearly show that efficacy of the integrated approach is promising and shown to consistently offer an economically sufficient level of disease control that will warrant their acceptance. Stages in the research, development and commercial implementation of the various technologies will be presented. Problems associated with its use and hurdles yet to overcome will be also discussed.