Mechanical and Temperature Effects on Shelf Life Stability of Fruits and Vegetables - Food Shelf Life Stability: Chemical, Biochemical, and Microbiological Changes - page 44

TABLE 2.1 (continued)
Damage that May Be Sustained by Produce During Postharvest Handling

Source/Type Cause Effect

Damage from other causes
Chemical
contamination

Contamination of containers stored
near chemicals

Flavor contamination with
surface damage and
discoloration of produce in
contact with container

Damage of produce by containers
treated with preservatives, e.g., boxes
made from wood treated with
pentachlorphenate (PCP)

Decay of produce owing to
contaminating molds; wood-
rotting mold causes collapse of
boxes

Insect damage Insects present in packed produce Consumer resistance and legal

problems from presence of
insects in packed produce

Wood-boring insects in wooden boxes

Spread of wood-destroying
insects in infected boxes

Damage due to disease Fungal and bacterial spores Molding and decay of produce

Human and animal
damage

Contamination and eating by rodents
and birds

Rejection of damaged produce by
buyers or inspectors

Pilferage by humans Loss of income through loss of

produce

Data from Prevention of Post-Harvest Food Losses: Fruits, Vegetables and Root Crops, A Training Manual,
FAO Training Series No. 17/2, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy,
1989.

INCIDENCE OF CUTS, PUNCTURES, AND CRACKS
DURING POSTHARVEST HANDLING

One of the most common forms of mechanical damage is impact, which is manifested
as cracks. Dropping or throwing the produce into the container, dropping the packed
produce during handling, collision with other products, and vibration during trans-
port are some of the instances when impact damage is inflicted on the commodity.
Cuts, punctures, and wounds result from harvesting (cutting, digging, or lifting),
using containers with sharp edges, packing produce with their stem or pedicel, and
rough handling.
It was reported that damage has already occurred to 58% of the “breaker”
tomatoes in the field before they were harvested (picked by hand), in a study
conducted in North Carolina. 11 The major source of damage in the postharvest
handling system was the practice of overfilling crates of tomatoes (33% damage) at
the ends of rows where crates await shipment. Specific damages reported were
crushing, puncture, abrasion, and overheating of the fruits. Crushing was a direct
result of overfilling the wooden crates. Overheating occurred while the crates
remained under the sun (for 1 to 7 h) awaiting transport. Some of the wooden crates