ARS | Publication request: POSTHARVEST RESEARCH FOR TROPICAL FRUIT IN THE U.S. PACIFIC BASIN

Submitted to: Postharvest Handling of Tropical Products Workshop Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: July 6, 2006
Publication Date: March 9, 2007
Citation: Wall, M.M. 2007. Postharvest research for tropical fruit in the U.S. Pacific Basin. Proc. 2006 Tropical Fruit Production and Handling Workshop. Miami, FL. pp. 123-125.

Technical Abstract: Research interests, accomplishments, and priorities are presented for the postharvest physiology and food technology program at the Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center in Hilo, HI. The goals of the program are to develop new or improved treatments that maintain product quality, extend shelf-life, reduce postharvest disorders and decay, and add value or enhance marketability of tropical crops. Other goals include determining the limits of tolerance for tropical fruits to quarantine stresses and developing methods to alleviate damage to fruit caused by quarantine treatments. The quality, composition, and ripening behavior of bananas following quarantine treatments using hot water immersion or irradiation are discussed, and potential quarantine heat treatments for persimmon, guava, passion fruit and avocado are presented. Results for nutritional analyses of tropical fruits and value-added papaya products are included. Future priorities are to determine the radiotolerance of specialty tropical fruits, to develop value-added products (including nutraceuticals) from tropical fruits, and to integrate preharvest and postharvest systems to maximize tropical fruit quality.