The Importance of Postharvest Ripening and Testing of Fresh Produce

April 20, 2023 Catalytic Generators

Postharvest handling of some fruits involves additional steps that are critical to their success at retail.  Ripening with ethylene ensures that several of these commodities are at their ideal ripeness and will properly reach a dependable, ready-to-eat stage at the right time.  Ethylene is a natural plant hormone that various fruits release as they enter their climacteric stage, the period when fruit respiration increases and starches convert to sugars.

New App is Quick Reference for Perishable Transport Pros

FoodTransport, a free new app from University of Florida postharvest experts, provides brief but authoritative recommendations for shipping perishable foods via truck or rail.

Effects of Water Balance on Cut Flower Postharvest Performance

Once a flower is harvested and removed from the mother plant for cut flower use, many physiological and biochemical changes are triggered within the cut flower that need to be carefully monitored and corrected for optimum quality and longevity. 

Total Quality Management Research Guides Postharvest Quality Success

Flower losses of 20 – 30% are reported as flowers move from growers to retail outlets and to consumers. High quality, long-lasting flowers are among the highest priorities when consumers make floral purchases. Imagine the impact on your profit if you could reduce your shrink to 5% or less. Well, you can! Care and handling research in the U.S., Europe, Israel, and other countries has provided guidelines for maintaining long lasting flowers.

Apple Postharvest Scientist Enrique Garcia Perez Joins Hazel Tech

June 25, 2021 Hazel Technologies

Hazel Technologies Inc., a USDA-supported technology company delivering new solutions for fresh produce to extend shelf-life, increase sales, and combat food waste, announces Enrique Garcia Perez has joined the company’s growing R&D team as a Postharvest Scientist.