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: April 7, 2006
Publication Date: March 9, 2007
Citation: Armstrong, J.W. 2007. Postharvest Research for Tropical Fruit in the U.S. Pacific Basin. Postharvest Handling of Tropical Products Workshop Proceedings.

Technical Abstract: Research interests, accomplishments, and priorities are presented for the Postharvest Tropical Commodities Research Unit of the U. S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center. The goals of the program are to develop quarantine treatments to establish and maintain Hawaii agricultural exports to U. S. mainland and foreign markets, and 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. Quarantine treatments and/or treatment technologies developed by the Unit include vapor heat, forced hot-air, hot-water immersion, irradiation, and systems approaches, including non-host status. Present research programs included CATTS (controlled-atmosphere temperature treatment systems), high-range radio frequency, hot-water immersion, and irradiation treatments and methods for extending shelf-life and improving the quality of treated commodities. New research priorities include low-range radio frequency and metabolic stress disinfestation and disinfection.