Postharvest Physiology and Biochemistry of Fruits and Vegetables
: A natural plant hormone that triggers ripening. Managing ethylene is critical for controlling the ripening speed of climacteric fruits like bananas and mangoes. Biochemical Changes During Ripening
: Complex molecules like starches break down into simple sugars, and volatile compounds are synthesized to create distinct aromas. Postharvest Physiology and Biochemistry of Frui...
. High temperatures accelerate this, leading to faster deterioration.
: Enzymes such as pectinase and cellulase degrade cell walls, causing fruit to soften. : The loss of moisture through pores like
: The loss of moisture through pores like stomata and lenticels . Excessive water loss leads to shriveling and weight loss.
: The process where oxygen is consumed to break down starches and sugars into energy, releasing heat and CO2cap C cap O sub 2 . High temperatures accelerate this
Postharvest physiology focuses on how harvested plants respond to technologies used to extend shelf life and delay (plant death). Fruits and vegetables remain living tissues even after harvest, continuing biological processes like respiration and transpiration .