Reduction of preharvest and postharvest losses of sweet orange (citrus sinensis l. osberck) using hexanal in Eastern Tanzania
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Date
2019
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Abstract
Fruits are rich in phytochemicals that protect human populations against diseases
(Hung et al. 2004; Dauchet et al. 2006; Bellavia et al. 2013). Nutrients contained in fruits
include essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fibers, and carbohydrates that
improve the quality of the human diet (Barrett 2007). For example, sufficient daily consumption of fruits can reduce the risks of diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases, and
certain types of cancer (Bazzano et al. 2002; Yao et al. 2004). According to FAO/WHO
(2003), up to 2.7million lives could potentially be saved each year with sufficient intake
of fruits and vegetables. Much of the world’s population, however, does not consume
the recommended intake of at least 100g per day of fruits daily.
Global production of citrus fruits increased from 144 876 944 tonnes in 2015 to 146
429 018 tonnes in 2016 (FAO 2017). This was coupled with increased global demand for
fresh fruits (Weinberger and Lumpkin 2007). Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osberck)
is an important tropical fruit with high global demand. Sweet oranges are consumed
fresh or processed as juice. Although citrus production increased moderately in several
countries in the last decade, it fell in the USA. However, citrus fruit continues to be an
important crop for satisfying food and nutrition needs (United States Department of
Agriculture 2018).
Sweet orange is a good source of potassium, folate, and vitamin C (Turner and Burri
2013). Vitamin C is an antioxidant that lowers risks of cancer, cataract formation, and
heart‐related diseases (Harats et al. 1998; Jacques et al. 1997). Folate is necessary for
DNA and protein synthesis (Turner and Burri 2013), while potassium helps to maintain
normal blood pressure. Sweet orange also contains phenolic compounds that are
important antioxidants (Rapisarda et al. 1999; Turner and Burri 2013). Production of sweet orange is a source of employment, income, and livelihood to
large, medium, and smallholder farmers in various parts of the globe. Global production of sweet orange increased from 116 million tonnes in 2008 to 124 million tonnes
in 2017 (FAO 2017). However, despite the demand due to the nutritional and health
benefits, many fruits are highly seasonal and perishable with high preharvest and
postharvest losses and wastages (Idah and Aderibigbe 2007). Postharvest losses in
fruits and vegetables were estimated to be 30–40% in developing countries (Karim
and Hawlader 2005). This chapter presents findings from trials on the effectiveness of
different preharvest and postharvest treatments on orange fruit quality. The chapter
also provides background information on production, socioeconomic importance,
and constraints to orange production in Tanzania.
Description
Book chapter of Postharvest Biology and Nanotechnology. pp. 255-264
Keywords
Pre-harvest reduction, Postharvest losses, Sweet orange, Citrus Sinensis L. Osberck, Hexanal, Eastern Tanzania