Postharvest and Handling

Mark A. Ritenour, Steven Sargent, andJerry A. Bartz

Jeffrey K. Brecht, Steven Sargent, Patrick E. Brecht, Jorge Saenz, andLeonard Rodowick

This updated edition reflects the dynamic changes and innovations in the handling and transportation of perishable foods. Some of these include improved insulation and air movement, microprocessors for more efficient refrigeration, expert systems to control the transport environment and conserve fuel energy, and the use of telematics to monitor and control the performance of refrigerated vehicles during transit. This edition includes descriptions and recommendations for food transported over the road and by rail in marine containers, as well as in railcars.

Susanna Richardson, Susanna Richardson, Renée Goodrich-Schneider, Keith R. Schneider, Mark A. Ritenour, andMichelle D. Danyluk

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. Published by Sustainability of production systems and alternatives

Maria Paz Kinslow, Jacob Muller, Daniel Crawford, Raúl Cabezón, Harrison Meekins, Robert Hochmuth, Maria Paz Kinslow, Paul R. Fisher, andWanda L. Laughlin

Manually washing the rhizomes of ginger and turmeric is a labor-intensive process that adds significantly to the cost of final harvested products. Commercially available automatic cleaning equipment makes the postharvest process easier, but only at a price and scale that would benefit large-scale operations. Our objective was to design and test rhizome cleaning equipment aimed at small farmers and to compare this with manual cleaning. This publication describes tips for harvest and presents designs of cleaning equipment that are easy for a small farmer to build and maintain while reducing labor costs.

Jeffrey K. Brecht, Anne Plotto, Anna Marín-Gozalbo, andRenée Goodrich-Schneider

The National Mango Board (NMB), an instrumentality of the US Department of Agriculture, commissioned this work to assist the mango industry. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information. However, NMB makes no warranties, expressed or implied, regarding errors or omissions and assumes no legal liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of information contained in this document. Mention of a trademark or proprietary product is for identification only and does not imply a guarantee or warranty of the product by the US Department of Agriculture. The US Department of Agriculture prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status.

Michael J. Mulvaney, Michael J. Mulvaney, Pratap Devkota, Pratap Devkota, andHardeep Singh

A UF/IFAS numbered peer reviewed Fact Sheet for Commercial audience(s). Published by Plant Systems

Ali Sarkhosh, Fariborz Habibi, Muhammad A. Shahid, Steven A. Sargent, and Jeffrey K. Brecht

Persimmons (Diospyros kaki) are known for their sweet and flavorful taste. They are native to Asia, specifically China, and were first grown in Florida in the 1870s. Persimmons are still not as popular in the United States as other fruits, but interest has been growing in recent years. Persimmon fruit are generally classified into astringent and non-astringent types. Astringent varieties can have adverse health effects caused by tannins and must be fully ripe (soft) or artificially treated to remove astringency. Drying is a common method to preserve and extend the shelf life of persimmons while also enhancing the flavor, color, and nutritional value of persimmons. There are different methods to dry persimmons, including traditional and modern methods.

Fariborz Habibi, Ali Sarkhosh, andJeffrey K. Brecht

Muscadines (Muscadinia rotundifolia Michx) are vining fruit crops native to the southeastern United States. Unlike the more common European Vitis vinifera (common grapes) and American Vitis labrusca grape species that produce berries in bunches, muscadine grapes are borne in clusters of individual, large berries. In addition to their sweetness and unique flavor, muscadines are appreciated for their high concentrations of bioactive compounds, which contribute to antioxidant activity and offer various health benefits to humans. The unique characteristics of muscadines make them valuable for both fresh consumption and processing purposes, including juice, wine, jam, and freeze-dried snacks. Proper postharvest handling ensures that muscadines maintain their nutritional value and appeal to consumers.

Jeffrey K. Brecht, Steven A. Sargent, Adel A. Kader, Elizabeth J. Mitcham, Fernando Maul, Patrick E. Brecht, and Octavio Menocal

This manual includes quality-control procedures to use when monitoring the maturity and quality of mangos in commercial handling operations.

Ali Sarkhosh, Fariborz Habibi, and Jeffrey K. Brecht

Persimmon fruits are classified as astringent or non-astringent, depending on the level of astringency the unripe or partially ripe fruit exhibit at the time of harvest. Astringency in persimmon fruit is a sensation caused by tannins present in the flesh that can make the mouth feel dry, cause puckering, numb the tongue, and constrict the throat. Sometimes, it may also impart a bitter taste. The astringency decreases as the fruit ripen until it is no longer present in fully ripe fruit. While consumers typically prefer non-astringent varieties, the cultivation of astringent varieties notably remains common. The purpose of this publication is to introduce consumers, growers, Extension agents, and specialists to postharvest methods for reducing astringency in unripe persimmons, making them more palatable and acceptable for consumption.

Manuel Gastelbondo, Xingbo Wu, andPamela Moon

Vanilla extract is the primary commercial product resulting from the mature processed fruits of Vanilla plants. This publication is an overview of the process used to produce natural vanilla extract; it also describes the conversion of fruits (botanically termed  "capsules" but often colloquially referred to as “beans” or “pods”) into extracts. This publication is intended for consumers, producers of all levels, and Extension agents. It describes each step of the natural vanilla extract production process from flower pollination through harvesting, to grading, curing, and extracting of the capsules.

Ali Sarkhosh, Fariborz Habibi, andSteven Sargent

Muscadine grape (Muscadinia rotundifolia [Michx.]) is a fruit crop native to America; it adapts well to a wide range of biotic and abiotic stresses and have thus been grown and vinified throughout the southeastern US for centuries. Currently, southeastern farmers grow approximately 5,000 acres of almost 100 improved muscadine-grape varieties for commercial use. Recent research demonstrated the fruit’s significant contribution of beneficial phytochemicals to the typical American diet; and thereafter, the demand for muscadine grapes considerably increased. Its thick peels and seeds, though, have prevented wider public consumption. This publication aims to introduce growers, Extension agents/specialists, and the general public to the potential for a new, value-added product that makes muscadine grapes much easier to eat and may diversify the food processing industry.

Jonathan A. Watson, Danielle Treadwell, Steven Sargent, Jeffrey K. Brecht, andWilliam Pelletier

Every year farmers must harvest their crops. This process marks the end of the growing season and carries social significance in communities, but it also creates challenges for producers trying to deliver fresh, high-quality produce to market. Good postharvest practices establish appropriate cold chains that maintain the correct temperatures, humidity, and respiration rates while also ensuring the safety, sanitation, and quality of the fruits. These postharvest practices differ, depending on the size and economic situation of an operation. This fact sheet provides postharvest storage, packaging, and handling recommendations for small farm specialty crop producers.

Fariborz Habibi, Ali Sarkhosh, and Steven A. Sargent

Persimmons are classified under the genus Diospyros within the family Ebenaceae. This genus includes different species such as the most popular, D. kaki (Japanese persimmon); D. virginiana (common persimmon); and D. lotus (date-plum, also known as Caucasian or lilac persimmon). Persimmons are temperate deciduous trees or evergreen subtropical or tropical trees. Their fruit exhibit a double sigmoidal growth curve, whether seeded or parthenocarpic. Persimmon fruit are widely appreciated for their unique flavor, high nutritional value, and bioactive compound content. Persimmons are climacteric, leading to significant postharvest challenges. This publication discusses the postharvest physiology and physiological disorders of persimmon fruit, focusing on how postharvest factors affect fruit quality and shelf life.