Courses

Postharvest Physiology & Technology

I. Theoretical part:

• Quality of horticultural products
• Factors affecting postharvest life of horticultural products
• Maturity indices
• Ethylene and its inhibitors/antagonists (1-methylycyclopropene, AVG)
• Preharvest factors affecting postharvest life of horticultural products
• Preparation of horticultural products for the market
• Precooling and Cooling systems
• Modified/Controlled Atmosphere storage/Dynamic Controlled Atmosphere
• Modified Atmosphere Packaging
• Transportation of horticultural products
• Physiological disorders
• Postharvest losses due to fungi

II. Lab exercises:

• Sources of information about postharvest physiology & technology
• Maturity indices (physical characteristics)
• Maturity indices (chemical characteristics)
• Maturity indices (physiological characteristics)
• Oil content determination in avocado
• Dry matter content (kiwifruit, avocado)
• Determination of total phenol content
• Fruit sampling and extraction procedures
• Determination of total phenol content
• Determination of total antioxidant capacity with different assays
• Determination of ascorbic acid content
• Determination of total anthocyanin content
• Determination of total carotenoids

Site visits:

Packing houses and distribution centers of fresh produce.

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