Forthcoming and Online First Articles

International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation

International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation (IJPTI)

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International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation (2 papers in press)

Regular Issues

  •   Free full-text access Open AccessExtent of pre-harvest and post-harvest losses and their causes: identifying critical loss points in the dried bean supply chain of the school meals program in Kajiado and Kitui counties of Kenya
    ( Free Full-text Access ) CC-BY-NC-ND
    by Esther Mujuka, Israel Leoname Frohlich Klug, Jane Ambuko, John Mburu, Carren Okumu, Rose Githumbi, Emmanuel Amwoka, Robert Ouko, Duke Gekonge 
    Abstract: The extent of pre- and post-harvest losses in supply chains linked to the home-grown school meals program (HGSMP) is not documented. This study sought to fill this gap and determine critical loss points along the dried bean supply chain of the HGSMP. The study was conducted in Kajiado and Kitui Counties. Secondary and primary data were collected for this study. Primary data was collected from all the schools implementing the HGSMP and all other supply chain actors linked to the programme within the two counties through interviews and direct measurement of the losses (load-tracking). Data was analysed using the FAO case study methodology. Producers reported quantitative losses of about 18.4% and 6.6% in Kitui and Kajiado Counties, respectively. Traders estimated quantitative losses at 5.8% and 12.6% in Kajiado and Kitui, respectively. The study revealed that the storage stage is a critical loss point for both producers and traders. Promotion of awareness and appropriate technologies and practices for storage and post-harvest handling of food commodities procured for school meals can contribute to reducing losses. Capacity building of supply chain actors on proper pre-harvest agricultural practices and post-harvest management is also essential for the reduction of pre- and post-harvest losses.
    Keywords: critical loss points; food loss; pre-harvest loss; post-harvest loss; quantitative loss; qualitative loss; dried bean; storage; school meals.
    DOI: 10.1504/IJPTI.2025.10071911
     

Special Issue on: AAPHCE 2023 Innovative Solutions for Food Loss and Waste Reduction in Africa

  • Prickly pear mucilage coating reinforced with cellulose nanofibers preserved quality of minimally processed butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata) during cold storage   Order a copy of this article
    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