International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation (9 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Determinants of postharvest handling practices and technologies harnessed by smallholder fruit crop farmers in Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa  
  by Vhahangwele Belemu, Isaac Busayo Oluwatayo 
  Abstract: Postharvest losses (PHL) in fruit crop production pose a serious challenge resulting in reduced fruits quality, shorter shelf life, and economic losses to smallholder fruit crop farmers. This study examined the drivers of postharvest handling practices and technologies harnessed by fruit crop farmers in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. A total of 224 farmers were interviewed. Descriptive analysis of data reveals a predominance of male farmers engagement in agriculture and land ownership compared to women farmers. There is limited access to credit, storage facilities, and markets. The most common fruits grown include avocados, mangoes, macadamias and bananas. The main selling channels are farmers markets, and roadside stands, with limited exports. The Tobit model result showed that land ownership, selling method, access to agricultural information and availability of packhouse significantly influence postharvest handling practices and technologies harnessed. The study highlights the critical need for improved access to credit, markets, storage infrastructure, and educational programs.
  Keywords: smallholder fruit crop farmers; Limpopo Province; postharvest losses; PHL; seasonal heat stress; economic loss; Vhembe District.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJPTI.2025.10073127
   
  
• Synergistic effects of Vernonia amygdalina nanoemulsions in antifungal action and defense enzyme activation  
  by Siti Fairuz Yusoff, Siti Izera Ismail, Shafeeqa Shahruddin, Zahir Shah Safari 
  Abstract: Gray mould disease, caused by Botrytis cinerea, is a significant threat to tomato production. This study investigates the effects of Vernonia amygdalina nanoemulsions (VNFs) on defense enzyme activities in tomatoes under postharvest conditions (25 +- 2 C and RH 85%). Two formulations, F5 and F7, were applied to artificially inoculated fruits and compared with benomyl-treated and untreated controls. F5 demonstrated superior efficacy, inducing elevated activities of peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO), with sustained levels throughout storage. F7 exhibited prolonged phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity, indicating systemic resistance. VNFs outperformed synthetic fungicides by combining antifungal properties with host defense priming, reducing fungal growth and enhancing tomato immunity. This study highlights the potential of VNFs as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic fungicides, offering sustainable strategies for postharvest disease management. Future work should focus on molecular pathways and field-scale validation of these promising formulations.
  Keywords: botrytis cinerea; gray mould; reactive oxygen species; ROS; defense enzymes; nanoemulsion; sustainable agriculture.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJPTI.2025.10073249
   
  
• Advancing automatic recognition of Moroccan Phoenix dactylifera L. varieties through transfer learning techniques  
  by Ayoub Aoulalay, Abderrahim El Mhouti, Abdellah Elzaar, Rachida Assawab, Mohammed Massar 
  Abstract: Date fruit holds immense significance not only commercially and in terms of health benefits but also in Moroccan cultural heritage. However, as knowledge about Moroccan date cultivars diminishes, leveraging modern technology becomes essential for both preservation and accessibility of this invaluable cultural heritage. In this study, a comprehensive approach utilising computer vision for automatic recognition of popular Moroccan date fruit cultivars is presented. Through various methodologies, including manual feature extraction and transfer learning. The dataset comprises nine cultivars, with emphasis on capturing real-world variability through image acquisition under unstable conditions. The findings indicate exceptional performance, achieving close to 99% accuracy using transfer learning.
  Keywords: date fruit recognition; convolutional neural network; CNN; transfer learning; hand crafted features; deep learning.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJPTI.2025.10075143
   
  
• Bio-organic pre- and post-harvest management increases fruit yield and shelf-life of African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum L.)  
  by Delphine Mapiemfu Lamare, Marie Michelle Mango Tsasse, Mercy Ngone Abwe, Solange Takwi Ndzeshala, Lawrence Monah Ndam, Silke Ruppel, Christopher Ngosong 
  Abstract: Effects of pre- and post-harvest management practices were assessed on fruit yield and shelf-life of African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum L.). This study investigated five pre-harvest treatments (control-no input, chemical-NPK + pesticide, organicpoultry manure + Piper guineense, biological-beneficial microbes, and integratedcombination) and four post-harvest edible coatings (Piper, neem oil-Azadirachta indica, honey, and apple cider vinegar). Higher eggplant fruit yield occurred in organic treatment and the lowest in control (P < 0.05). Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) infestation and severity were higher in the control and chemical treatments compared to biological, integrated and organic (P < 0.05). Protein and vitamin A contents in eggplant fruits were higher in the integrated treatment compared to organic (P < 0.05). Pre-harvest biological treatment increased the shelf-life of eggplant fruits by eight days, while post-harvest Piper coating increased shelf-life by four days for fruits produced without pre-harvest treatment or with organic and chemical inputs.
  Keywords: edible coatings; eggplant; fruit quality; pest infestation; pre- and post-harvest.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJPTI.2026.10075831
   
  
• Yam starch based active edible films functionalised with pomegranate peel and leaf extract for potential food packaging application  
  by Arati Yadav, Amrita Poonia, Nishant Kumar 
  Abstract: The main objective of this study was to develop edible films using elephant foot yam starch (5% w/w) and different concentrations (15%-45%) of pomegranate peels and leaves extract. Increase in extract concentration led to significant increase in TPC, TFC and % DPPH inhibition and the films with ethanolic extract exhibited higher antioxidant activity (93.24%) followed by PPE 45% (water). TGA analysis showed that there were three stages of film degradation and first weight loss stage for all the three films was up to 140 C which relates to release of free water. The second stage of weight loss (140-250 C) was related to glycerol evaporation and third stage of weight loss (250-600 C) was attributed to decomposition and depolymerisation of starch molecules. The results indicated that increased extract concentration led to significant (p 0.05) increase in thickness, moisture content, elongation at break.
  Keywords: edible film; antioxidant; techno-functional properties; diffractogram; SEM analysis.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJPTI.2025.10075852
   
  
• 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: post-harvest losses; improved post-harvest technologies; adoption; adaptation; Nigeria.
  
  

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  
  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
   
  
• 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