Sustainable Approaches in Postharvest Handling and Management

Foreword

Preface

1. Overview of Sustainable Approaches to Reduce Postharvest Losses

Pankaj B. Pathare and Mai Al-Dairi

2. Non-Thermal Techniques for Fresh Produce Quality and Safety

Pankaj B. Pathare, Dababandya Mohapatra, C. Nikhil, Dilip Pawar, and Naveen Kumar Mahanti

3. Irradiation Techniques for Fresh Produce Quality and Safety

Rohini Dhenge, Arjun Mohanakumar, Ajay Chinchkar, Massimiliano Rinaldi, and Tommaso Ganino

4. Cold Atmospheric Plasma-Mediated Treatments: Impact on Physical, Biochemical, and Phytonutrient Quality Attributes of Fresh and Minimally Processed Fruit

Loriane A. Yanclo, Gunnar O. Sigge, Zinash A. Belay, and Oluwafemi J. Caleb

5. Ozone for Fresh Produce Quality and Safety

Laxmi Kant Rawat and Amit Baran Das

6. Role of Electrolyzed Water in Preserving Postharvest Quality and Safety of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Harold K. Malahlela, Rebogile R. Mphahlele, Zinash A. Belay, Pankaj B. Pathare, and Oluwafemi J. Caleb

7. Edible Coating for Fresh Produce Shelf-Life Extension

Bernard Maringgal and Norhashila Hashim

8. Distribution Packaging of Fresh Produce and Its Sustainability Trends

Saowapa Chaiwonga, Ravinun Saengwong-Ngam, Rattapon Saengrayapa, Jutarat Rattanakaran, Chureerat Prahsarn, and Tatiya Trongsatitkul

9. Nondestructive Techniques for Food Quality Evaluation

Krishna Kumar Patel, Abhimanyu Kalne, and Pankaj B. Pathare

10. Internet of Things (IoT)-Enabled Blockchain for Traceability in the Fresh Produce Supply Chain

Sandeep Jagtap, Hana Trollman, Guillermo Garcia-Garcia, Yang Luo, Abdo Hassoun, Wayne Martindale, and Sumit Gupta

11. Electronic Nose: Principles and Quality Indications of Agricultural and Food Products

Maha Al Khalili and Nasser Al Habsi

12. Sustainable Cold Chain Management for Postharvest Loss Reduction

Rasaq O. Lamidi, Pankaj B. Pathare, and Hameed B. Mahood

13. Geothermal Energy for Drying of Fresh Produce

Imtiaz Hussain, Muhammad Abdul Rahim, Hudda Ayub, Aurbab Shoukat, Laraib Shoukat, Faima Atta Khan, and Saadia Ambreen

14. Toward Sustainability Through Postharvest Value Addition

Preetinder Kaur, Jagbir Rehal, Gaganjyot Kaur, and Gurjeet Kaur

15. Postharvest Fruit and Vegetable Wastage and the Economic and Environmental Impacts

Ikechukwu Kingsley Opara, Olaniyi Amos Fawole, and Umezuruike Linus Opara

Biography

Pankaj Pathare, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Postharvest Technology at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), Oman. Before joining SQU, he worked as a researcher at Newcastle University, UK, and Stellenbosch University, South Africa. His research interests encompass a wide range of topics, including quantification of postharvest losses, mechanical damage of perishables, food granulation, food drying and cooling, structural design for ventilated corrugated packaging, renewable energy in food, and energy efficient production processes in SME the food and beverage industry. His research results have been well-documented in over 87 scientific papers published in international peer-reviewed journals and several conference presentations. He also worked as supervisor/co-supervisor for 16 postgraduate research students. According to the Scopus, his h-index is 24; citations: 4200. He was recognized among World’s Top 2% scientist, published by Stanford University, USA, in 2022, 2023, and 2024. He is a member of the editorial boards for several research journals, including PLoS ONE, Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, Journal of Food Quality, Open Agriculture, Measurement: Food and Discover Food. Dr. Pathare graduated with a BTech degree (Agricultural Engineering) from Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, India, and PhD (Process & Chemical Engineering) from the University College Cork, Ireland.

“Delves into the exciting realm of sustainable postharvest practices, illuminating a path toward the future . . . Offers more than just technical justifications . . . covers several advanced and pertinent issues including non-destructive techniques, e-nose, and IoT in fresh produce handling. It also covers postharvest losses quantification and sustainability through postharvest value addition. . . . This is a call to action, not just a guidebook. In order to guarantee a more stable and abundant food supply for future generations, it exhorts us to embrace innovation and implement sustainable practices.”

—From the Foreword by S. N. Jha, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Engineering), Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, India