Title: Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. 'Jewel') quality as influenced by handling methods

Authors: Karl Fritze S. Sampiano; Leizel B. Secretaria; Maria Victoria O. Pasilan; Emma Ruth V. Bayogan

Addresses: University of the Philippines Mindanao, Mintal, Tugbok District, Davao City, 8022, Philippines ' University of the Philippines Mindanao, Mintal, Tugbok District, Davao City, 8022, Philippines ' University of the Philippines Mindanao, Mintal, Tugbok District, Davao City, 8022, Philippines ' University of the Philippines Mindanao, Mintal, Tugbok District, Davao City, 8022, Philippines

Abstract: Appropriate handling at the farmer's level can help maintain the postharvest life of produce and reduce losses. In this study, a low-cost improved handling method for tomatoes was employed at the farm level. The usual practice of farmers in handling newly harvested tomatoes was compared with a slightly improved technique. The improved method involved the packing of tomatoes in wooden crates with newspaper liners and limiting volumes to a maximum of 25 kg per crate compared to the usual 27-28 kg per crate. The improved handling treatment at the farm level resulted in lower weight loss (5.4%), higher percentage (22.2%) of fruit with good visual quality and slightly delayed ripening at 40 days in a CoolBot-equipped storage. The improved handling method also reduced the percentage of rejects (lower at 11.4%) at the end of the storage by limiting the incidence of bruises, physical, and microbial damage on 'Jewel' tomato fruit.

Keywords: improved handling; CoolBot storage; newspaper liners; postharvest quality; wooden crates.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPTI.2024.143183

International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, 2024 Vol.9 No.3, pp.232 - 243

Received: 04 Aug 2023
Accepted: 04 Mar 2024
Published online: 06 Dec 2024 *

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