Postharvest pathogens can cause disease in harvested products such as crops, fruit and vegetables during transportation, handling, packaging and storage. Such pathogens can cause major losses in the fresh produce supply chain, with post-harvest losses of fresh fruit and vegetables estimated to be up to 50%. Rotting is a major issue in such losses, being caused mainly by fungal pathogens after fruit ripening.
For fresh produce such as fruits, heat-based treatments are difficult to apply during the post-harvest packing process. Current processes usually rely on washing, which can leave the produce vulnerable to contamination. Inadequate storage of fresh produce may also provide ideal conditions for pathogens to grow.
This Research Topic aims to further understanding of bacteria and fungi causing post-harvest disease, and present future directions to improve the detection and control of such pathogens. Subjects of interest include but are not limited to:
• Identification and novel control methods of bacterial and fungal pathogens that cause post-harvest disease
• Advances in methods for detecting pathogenic microorganisms in harvested products
• Novel processes and technologies to improve the packing process and storage of fresh produce, to reduce risk of contamination with pathogens
This Research Topic will accept Original Research, Review, Mini-Review, Methods, Opinion and Perspective articles.
Postharvest pathogens can cause disease in harvested products such as crops, fruit and vegetables during transportation, handling, packaging and storage. Such pathogens can cause major losses in the fresh produce supply chain, with post-harvest losses of fresh fruit and vegetables estimated to be up to 50%. Rotting is a major issue in such losses, being caused mainly by fungal pathogens after fruit ripening.
For fresh produce such as fruits, heat-based treatments are difficult to apply during the post-harvest packing process. Current processes usually rely on washing, which can leave the produce vulnerable to contamination. Inadequate storage of fresh produce may also provide ideal conditions for pathogens to grow.
This Research Topic aims to further understanding of bacteria and fungi causing post-harvest disease, and present future directions to improve the detection and control of such pathogens. Subjects of interest include but are not limited to:
• Identification and novel control methods of bacterial and fungal pathogens that cause post-harvest disease
• Advances in methods for detecting pathogenic microorganisms in harvested products
• Novel processes and technologies to improve the packing process and storage of fresh produce, to reduce risk of contamination with pathogens
This Research Topic will accept Original Research, Review, Mini-Review, Methods, Opinion and Perspective articles.