Postharvest biology and handling of loquat fruit

Authors: Cao, Shifeng; Zheng, Yonghua

Source: Stewart Postharvest Review, Volume 4, Number 2, April 2008 , pp. 1-5(5)

Publisher: Stewart Postharvest Solutions

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Abstract:

Purpose of review: This review summarises current knowledge of postharvest biology and handling of loquat fruit relating to quality control during storage and transportation.

Main findings: Loquat fruit is a highly perishable non-climacteric fruit that has a short postharvest life at ambient temperature because it is highly susceptible to decay, mechanical damage, moisture and nutritional losses. Low temperature is commonly used to inhibit fruit decay and extend the postharvest life, but in red-fleshed loquat fruit, it increases the severity of flesh leatheriness, which is considered a symptom of chilling disorder. Various postharvest treatments have been demonstrated to control postharvest decay and physiological disorder of loquat fruit. The effective treatments can be divided into three methods: 1) modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) or controlled atmosphere storage; 2) temperature control; and 3) handling with some natural products.

Limitations: A number of physical and chemical treatments have the potential to maintain the quality of loquat fruit. However, of these treatments, few are used extensively in commercial situations at present.

Directions for future research: More precise information on flesh leatheriness in loquat fruit will be needed in order to develop more effective techniques for storage and transportation. There is also a need to study MAP with different types of films and emerging packaging techniques (eg, active modified atmosphere or superatmospheric oxygen) that can create a desired modified atmosphere and higher relative humidity around fruit. In addition, application of some naturally occurring compounds has been shown to reduce chilling injury in some tropical and subtropical fruits. These substances may be associated with increased chilling tolerance in loquat and can potentially be used in future to reduce chilling injury.

Keywords: LOQUAT FRUIT; CHILLING INJURY; FRUIT DECAY; POSTHARVEST TREATMENT; STORAGE

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2212/spr.2008.2.3

Publication date: 2008-04-01

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Postharvest biology and handling of loquat fruit

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