Mild intervention technologies for increasing shelf life and/or safety of fresh fruits: Opportunity and challenge

STELLA M. ALZAMORA; EUNICE CONTIGIANI; HECTOR H L GONZALEZ; PAULA L. GÓMEZ; GABRIELA JARAMILLO SANCHEZ; SILVIA RAFFELLINI; ANGELA ROCÍO ROMERO BERNAL

Puebla

Simposio; Technology, Science, and Culture: A Global Vision; 2020

Universidad de las Américas Puebla

Postharvest diseases and senescence changes represent the most severe sourcesof loss of fruit production. Fruits are perishable products with active metabolismduring postharvest period, which plays a major role in the senescence and affectscommercial life. Many different species of fungi and bacteria are associated withfruits and contamination may occur during growing, harvesting, handling, anddistribution, and while waiting to be processed. Fruits are also vehicles for transmission of infectious microorganisms. Foodborne illness outbreaks and cases associated with fresh and minimally processed fruits have been rising in the last twodecades, both in developing countries as well as in the developed world. These issueslead to major economic losses and the industry is constantly seeking postharvesttreatments to extend fruit shelf life while retaining its quality. This presentation isaimed to explore the application of some mild and environmental-friendly techniques (ozone, pulsed light, and ultraviolet light, among others), applied alone or ina hurdle approach, for improving the shelf life and safety of fruits and fruit products.Examples about the application of some tools to hurdle technology design for berriesand other fruits are also given, evidencing opportunities and future challenges