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Postharvest Processing of Fruits and Vegetables

The Postharvest Processing of Fruits and Vegetables Tremendous diversity exists among the fruits and vegetables. As a consequence of this variety, many types of food-processing and food-packaging technologies have been developed. Most of these machines tend to be markedly different. Their ultimate purpose, however, is the same: the main objective in postharvest processing the extension of plant product shelf life.

The term "shelf life" can be defined as "the time period that a food item can be expected to maintain a predetermined level of quality under specified storage conditions" (Shewfelt, 1986, p. 70). This period can be affected by numerous factors. For example, with regard to fruits and vegetables, shelf life may depend on the specific botanical variety, cultivation practices, weather, harvesting techniques, and storage facilities. These influences can potentially alter such measures of quality as color and flavor. Postharvest processing attempts to halt fruit and vegetable deterioration by either retarding or discontinuing the physiological processes that lead to natural deterioration (Potter, 1973, pp. 488-498).

In many respects, fruits and vegetables are more similar than they are different. They tend to be distinguished only by their common usage: vegetables are typically eaten with the main course of a meal; whereas fruits are often eaten as desert. Characteristics which these food items generally share in common include composition, storage requirements, and processing needs. Most fresh fruits and vegetables are high in water, low in protein, low in fat, and high in vitamins. The water content of fresh produce is typically greater than 70%. In addition, protein and fat content may be less than 3.5% and 0.5%, respectively (Potter, 1973, pp. 489). Moreover, certain fruits and vegetables contain significant quantities of vitamins--particularly vitamin A and vitamin C. Perhaps the most important chara...

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Postharvest Processing of Fruits and Vegetables. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 05:09, March 28, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1690763.html