Appropriate postharvest technologies to extend shelf-life of resilient crops (Saba banana and legumes) grown in Laguna, Quezon and Batangas

Date

2023

Abstract

The project aimed to minimize postharvest wastage and make available more resilient crops such as Saba banana and legumes,and develop/evaluate postharvest technologies applicable to these crops grown in Laguna, Quezon and Batangas [Philippines]. A survey of the postharvest handling practices of traders of stringbeans, Saba banana fruit and banana blossoms in major markets in three provinces was done. The critical points in the supply chain the banana blossom as food extender and an increasingly popular ingredients for vegetable recipes, laboratory studies focused on its physical and rheological properties, as well as its response to modified atmosphere packaging for enhanced shelf-life. An experiment was also done to determine the effect of ambient and low temperature on its visual quality, weight loss, and bract opening and browning. The rheological characteristics of stringbeans were likewise determined. Based on the survey, the critical point in the Saba supply chain is production-related, that of 'bugtok' disease resulting in low supply of fruits. The problems in banana blossom are browning and decay which occur during postharvest handling, especially packaging and storage. The reported use of sodium metabisulfite solution in fresh -cut blossom which normally keeps for 1-2 days only is an issue. For stringbeans, the traders' major problems of yellowing, shriveling and over-maturity which account for postharvest losses point to harvesting, packaging and storage as critical areas. Alinsanay blossoms had the highest maximum allowable stacking height estimated at 1.76 meters or 22 layers compared to those of Saba (1.11 meters or 11 layers) and Latudan (11 layers or 0.70 meters). Contrary to reports that blossoms could last for 1 month at room temperature, laboratory tests showed that they could only be stored for 2 weeks. Rheological tests in stringbeans indicate that the common 10-kg polyethylene bags can be stacked up to five layers to minimize compression damage. Basic information particularly on the physical and rheological properties of the selected resilient crops need to be disseminated among farmers and traders through the development of information materials and conduct of trainings on proper postharvest handling. Further studies on prolonging the shelf-life and reducing postharvest losses of these crops are recommended.

Language

English

Document Type

Article

Pages /Collation

42 leaves

En – AGROVOC descriptors

BANANAS; KIDNEY BEANS; PLANT PRODUCTS; POSTHARVEST TECHNOLOGY; KEEPING QUALITY; HANDLING; STORAGE; SUPPLY; POSTHARVEST LOSSES; PHILIPPINES

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