International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation (8 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Implementation of improved postharvest technologies in Nigeria: navigating issues and challenges  
  by Rachael Aderonke Ayo-Lawal, Elizabeth Adeteju Omimakinde, Michael Oluwaseun Olomu 
  Abstract: Post-harvest losses contribute significantly to global food insecurity. Although, stakeholders claimed to make new or improved post-harvest technologies (NIPT) available; awareness, adoption and/or adaptation are crucial to stemming the tide of food losses. Using a cross-sectional research design, and a structured questionnaire, we examine the adoption and adaptation of NIPT among 1,714 smallholder farmers and agro-processors spread across Nigeria. Findings show varying levels across NIPT categories, with highly adopted crop processing and storage technologies, while awareness and use of cooling systems are abysmally low. Ventilated plastic crates are scarcely adopted (5.2%). The results further suggest the prevalence of sun drying as improved crop dryers are sparsely known (11.5%) and used (7%). High costs, inaccessibility, and maintenance constitute major barriers to the adoption of NIPT. Respondents modify technologies due to cost constraints. The study underscores the significance of simple, indigenous, low-cost, durable postharvest technologies as a panacea for increased adoption.
  Keywords: postharvest losses; improved postharvest technologies; adoption; adaptation; Nigeria.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJPTI.2026.10075862
   
  
• Comparative impact of hot water treatment and lab-scale ethylene generation on banana ripening vs. conventional smoking methods  
  by Rashida Khatun, Jannatul Ferdushi Jany, Asmaul Husna Nupur, Md. Mobarak Hossain, Afzal Rahman, Poly Karmoker 
  Abstract: This research studies the comparative efficacy of traditional smoking, hot water, and ethylene treatments regarding ripening and physicochemical quality attributes of banana during 1 to 5 days of storage. Significant (*P ≤ 0.05) variations among the treatments regarding several physicochemical parameters are observed. However, after 5 days, smoking treatments had the highest peel colour, weight loss, total soluble solids, pH, pulp-to-peel ratio, and total sugar, with the lowest firmness and moisture, indicating over-ripening and post-harvest quality loss. However, ethylene treatments showed moderate results for all the parameters and ensured uniform ripening and consumer acceptability. On the contrary, hot water treatments developed a non-uniform peel colour, and a bit slower softness. The degradation of chlorophyll and firmness followed the first-order kinetic model, and the Weibull models are well-fitted. These results indicate that ethylene gas appeared to offer a promise for optimal ripening compared to the traditional smoking and hot water treatment.
  Keywords: climacteric fruit; treatment; ethylene; hot water; smoking; ripening; shelf life; ethylene generator; conventional method.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJPTI.2026.10078710
   
  

Special Issue on: Innovative Solutions for Food Loss and Waste Reduction in Africa – Part 2

• The magnitude and causes of milk post-harvest losses in the dairy industry: a case study of Nyeri County, Kenya  
  by John Mburu, Mercy Mbaya 
  Abstract: This study examines the formal milk marketing channel in Nyeri County, Kenya, to assess the extent of post-harvest losses and their causes. It used both purposive and simple random sampling procedures to select the research area and respondents, respectively. Empirical data was collected in 2021 from 403 producers, 39 transporters, and seven cooperative representatives, through person-person interviews. It was found that approximately 30.4% of milk/household/day is lost post-harvest at the producer level, with spoilage and spillage being 17% and spillage 13.4%, respectively. Losses at the transporter and cooperative levels are minimal. Factors such as lack of market access, low prices, and poor milk handling leading to rejections, significantly increase post-harvest losses at the producer level. For transporters, the main significant factor is distance, due to poor road conditions. The study recommends useful policy measures that would enable producers and transporters reduce post-harvest losses and therefore increase their incomes.
  Keywords: dairy; post-harvest losses; PHLs; formal marketing; magnitude of losses; milk; Kenya.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJPTI.2026.10078712
   
  
• Unpacking the harvest losses challenges to enhancing food security among farming communities in Southern Highland, Tanzania  
  by Brown Gwambene 
  Abstract: Achieving food security and sustainable agriculture requires reducing harvest losses and enhancing productivity. This study investigated postharvest storage and preservation challenges in the southern highlands of Tanzania using a mixed-methods approach. Data was collected through household questionnaires, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and field observations from 147 households, representing 11% of the target population. Findings revealed significant challenges in crop harvest management, including labour access (73.5%), crop variety choice (68.0%), harvest practices (56.5%), and technology adoption (41.5%). Traditional storage and preservation methods, such as storing on house roofs (97%) and packing in bags (71%), are shifting due to theft and modernisation. Statistical analysis showed significant changes in bag packing (p = 0.000). To improve postharvest practices, respondents suggested enhancing processing knowledge (74.1%), improving storage infrastructure (67.3%), and facilitating market access (61.9%). Addressing these challenges is crucial for sustaining food and nutrition security and promoting the well-being of farming communities in the region.
  Keywords: postharvest loss; food security; smallholder farmers; production process; resilient livelihoods.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJPTI.2025.10075141
   
  
• Assessment of locally-produced edible coating materials on the physical, chemical and organoleptic properties of canary yellow melon (Cucumis melo var. inodorus)  
  by Gloria Ladjeh Essilfie, Jemila Manborah Ahmed Wuni 
  Abstract: The study sought to assess the effectiveness of locally available edible coating materials (shea butter, beeswax and neem oil) in preserving the quality and shelf life of yellow melons (Cucumis melo var. inodorus) stored under tropical ambient temperature and relative humidity (27°C and 78%) in Ghana. Eight treatments were laid out in a completely randomised design. Treated and control fruits were stored for up to 21 days and assessed for weight loss (%), firmness (N), pH, soluble solids (°Brix), titratable acids (%), vitamin C (mg/100g) and shelf-life (days). Results indicated that all treatments preserved fruit quality during storage compared to the untreated fruits (control). Shelf-life was 18 days for beeswax coated fruits, while uncoated fruits had the shortest shelf-life of nine days. Sensory evaluation revealed an overall acceptability of waxed fruits and consumers' willingness to purchase waxed fruits. The use of edible coatings on melons can extend the shelf-life of melons.
  Keywords: melons; edible-coatings; postharvest loss; shea-butter; beeswax; neem-oil.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJPTI.2026.10075701
   
  
• Prickly pear mucilage coating reinforced with cellulose nanofibres preserved quality of minimally processed butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata) during cold storage  
  by Mawande Hugh Shinga, Olaniyi Amos Fawole 
  Abstract: Minimally processed products deteriorate in quality due to increased respiration, enzymatic activity, and microbial growth. Postharvest treatment applications are needed to maintain quality and enhance marketability. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of Opuntia ficus-indica mucilage (OFIM) reinforced with cellulose nanofibres (CNF) as an edible coating for fresh-cut butternut during cold storage. Butternut cubes were coated with 0.5% OFIM containing 0.03, 0.06, or 0.09% CNF and stored at 4°C and 85 ± 5% RH for 20 days. Quality parameters, including weight loss, firmness, respiration rate (RR), total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), colour, total carotenoid content (TCC), total phenolic content (TPC), total ascorbic acid content (AA) and 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) were measured every four days. OFIM coating reduced WL and maintained TSS, TA, firmness, TPC, AA and DPPH compared to uncoated fruit. These findings suggest OFIM could be a natural preservative for minimally processed produce.
  Keywords: edible coating; postharvest quality; antioxidant activities; market value; minimally processed produce; Opuntia ficus-indica mucilage; cold storage.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJPTI.2025.10071250
   
  
• Technical and socio-economic assessment of manual and motorised threshing of pearl millet in Maradi Region, Niger  
  by Abdourahamane Issa M. Nourou, Maman Garba, Jens B. Aune 
  Abstract: Post-harvest operations of pearl millet in Niger are mainly done manually by women. This study compared motorised threshing to manual threshing of pearl millet in Niger. The method included a survey and a study on the technical and economic performance of four threshers. Motorised threshing was preferred by 91.9% of farmers. The main reason for preferring motorised threshing was the speediness of the work, while the reason for choosing manual threshing was the non-availability of motorised threshers. Motorised threshing gave an average output of 267.2 kg of threshed product per hour, while the corresponding output for manual threshing was 43.9 kg per hour. Motorised threshers had a higher threshing percentage and improved the quality of the final product due to reduced amounts of impurities and a reduction in the percentage of broken grains. Motorised threshing, therefore, reduces post-harvest losses compared to manual threshing. The thresher BKN 4.85 HP was far more profitable than the other thresher due to its high hourly capacity and low price. It was concluded that it is possible to scale up the use of motorised threshers in Niger. This will have benefits in terms of less labour demand, reducing post-harvest losses, and improved grain quality.
  Keywords: motorised threshing; labour demand; threshing percent; economic return; farmers preferences.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJPTI.2026.10078711
   
  
• Linkages between postharvest losses and farmers' vulnerability to poverty: insights from Tanzania  
  by Fides John Izdori, Effie Papargyropoulou, Selma Tuemumunu Karuaihe, David Mkwambisi 
  Abstract: Developing countries experience high post-harvest loss (PHL), leading to lower amount of food that reaches the table and food insecurity. This research employs a case study approach in the tomato supply chains of Iringa and Morogoro regions of Tanzania to explore the link between postharvest loss and vulnerability to poverty. Applying mixed methods approach for data collection and analysis, we found a number of vulnerability factors that increase PHL on the farm side FSC. Furthermore, smallholder farmers bear the consequences of these PHL on the farmside alone, reducing their revenues and capacity to invest in strategies to reduce loss on the next season. This sinks them deeper into poverty. Therefore, interventions to reduce PHL should also be directed at addressing the farmers' vulnerability. We propose investing in multi-sectoral solutions that involve other FSC stakeholders in addressing PHL.
  Keywords: postharvest losses; value chain; stakeholder collaborations; small-holder farmers; vulnerability; tomato; food supply chain; poverty; PHL; Tanzania.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJPTI.2026.10078709