POSTHARVEST TECHNOLOGY: WHY, WHAT AND WHO FOR?

Cool chain management and synthetic chemical usage have been important postharvest tools but environmental and consumer pressures will place pressure on future usage. Technologies exist for the non-refrigerated long distance of fruit such as bananas while more consumer friendly options such as essential oils, nitric oxide, hot and cold water treatment and UV irradiation are potential replacements for synthetic chemicals. Greater emphasis by researchers on the commercialization of technology is needed to bring such innovations to fruition.