Edited by Gopinadhan Paliyath, Dennis P. Murr, Avtar K. Handa, and Susan Lurie

New & Recommended by APS PRESS!

An increased understanding of the developmental physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology during early growth, maturation, ripening, and postharvest conditions has improved technologies to maintain the shelf life and quality of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Postharvest Biology and Technology of Fruits, Vegetables, and Flowers provides a comprehensive introduction to this subject, offering a firm grounding in the basic science and branching out into the technology and practical applications. This title is an authoritative resource on the science and technology of the postharvest sector with an emphasis on the biochemical and molecular aspects relevant to each topic with postharvest implications. Coverage includes the developmental physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology during early growth, maturation, ripening, and postharvest conditions.

From the preface:

Overall, the book covers several topics that are not normally dealt within books dealing with postharvest science at present. An example will be that chapter on membrane deterioration. The importance of membrane preservation and thus maintenance of membrane compartmentalization is a topic that has been dealt with for over 20 years. It is difficult to find a book that deals with this topic at present. In addition, we have also described the technology of membrane preservation through the inhibition of phospholipase D, the key enzyme that initiates membrane phospholipid degradation. Phospoholipas D inhibition technology using hexanal shows great promise and may serves as a widespread technology for the preservation of organically grown horticultural produce.

Contents

1. Postharvest Biology and Technology: An International Perspective

2. Common Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers and Their Quality Characteristics

3. Biochemistry of Fruits

4. Biochemistry of Flower Senescence

5. Programmed Cell Death during Flower Senescence

6. Ethylene Perception and Gene Expression

7. Enhancing Post Harvest Shelf Life and Quality in Horticultural Commodities using 1-MCP Technology

8. Structural Deterioration in Produce: The Breakdown of Cell Wall

9. Structural Deterioration in Produce: Phospholipase D, Membrane Deterioration, and Senescence

10. Phospholipase D Inhibition Technology for Enhancing Shelf Life and Quality

11. Heat Treatment for Enhancing Postharvest Quality

12. The Role of Polyphenols in Quality, Postharvest Handling, and Processing of Fruits

13. Isoprenoid Biosynthesis in Fruits and Vegetables

14. Postharvest Treatments Affecting Sensory Quality of Fresh and Fresh Cut Products

15. Polyamines and Regulation of Ripening and Senescence

16. Postharvest Enhancement of Phenolic Phytochemical in Apples for Preservation and Health Benefits

17. Rhizosphere Microorganisms and their Effect on Fruit Quality

18. Biotechnological Approaches to Improving Tropical Fruit Quality

19. Postharvest Factors Affecting Potato Quality and Storability

20. Biosensor-Based Technologies for the Evaluation of Quality

21. Changes in Nutritional Quality of Fruits and Vegetables During Storage

Index

2009; 7” x 10.25” hardcover; 482 pages; (3 pounds); Item No. 04088

04088$209.99