Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
TABLE 2.1
Damage that May Be Sustained by Produce During Postharvest Handling
Source/Type
Cause
Effect
From injuries
Cuts, punctures
Sharp objects piercing package
Deep punctures or cuts in
produce leading to water loss
and rapid decay
Splinters in bamboo or wooden
containers
Staples/nails protruding in containers
Poor harvesting practices
Impact
Throwing or dropping of produce or
filled packages
Bursting of packaging, bruising
of contents
Sudden starts/stops of vehicles
Splitting of produce
Speeding vehicles on rough road
Underpacking of containers
Compression
(squeezing/squashing)
Flimsy or oversized containers stocked
too high
Bruising or crushing of contents
Poor stowage and collapse of containers
during transport
Overpacking of containers
Vibration (shaking)
Vibration of vehicle itself and rough
roads
Wooden boxes come apart
damaging produce
From environment
Heat damage
Exposure of harvested produce or
packages to external heat, e.g., direct
sunlight or storage near heating
system
Overripening or softening of
fruits, wilting/shrinkage, and
development of off-flavor
Natural buildup of internal heat of
produce due to poor ventilation
within the package, in storage, or in
vehicle
Decay develops rapidly
Cardboard cartons may become
dry and brittle, easily damaged
on impact
Chilling or freezing
damage
Low or sub-zero ambient temperatures
Damage to chilling-sensitive
produce
Exposure of sensitive produce to
temperature below chilling or
freezing tolerance level during
storage
Breakdown of frozen produce on
thawing, plastic containers
become brittle and may crack
Moisture and free-
water damage
Exposure to rain or high humidity
condensation on packages and
produce moved from cold storage to
damp atmosphere at ambient
temperature
Softening and collapse of stacked
cardboard containers
Squashing of produce in
collapsed containers
Packing of wet produce in cardboard
containers
Decay promoted in damaged
produce
Damage from light
Plastic sacks and crates not treated
with UV inhibitor eventually breaks
up when exposed to direct sunlight
Disintegration of plastic sacks
damages produce when moved
Fracturing of plastic crates can
cut or bruise produce
 
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