This paper highlighted the losses occurring along the wheat supply chain in Rio Grande do Sul （RS）, Brazil, which accounts for almost half of the domestic wheat production. Based on a field research, a questionnaire...This paper highlighted the losses occurring along the wheat supply chain in Rio Grande do Sul （RS）, Brazil, which accounts for almost half of the domestic wheat production. Based on a field research, a questionnaire was applied to representative agents in the market. Then the wheat supply chain in the state of RS was characterized and loss rates in each stage of that chain were quantified. Typically, losses during transportation in the domestic market account for about 11.8% of the total amount of wheat grain that leaves the farms. Losses during harvest and storage in cooperatives, which account for 93.2% of total losses, stand out in this context. Transportation operations account for 6.8% of total losses in the analyzed flow. Based on the results obtained in this study, strategies are suggested to reduce food losses in different links of the logistics chain, such as to evidence and quantify the wheat losses, to manage losses and set reduction targets and to give attention to transportation service levels.展开更多
Cold-chain is a well-known method for reducing postharvest losses and low-cost cooling technology has not previously been tested as part of postharvest handling in Cambodia.The objective of this study was to measure p...Cold-chain is a well-known method for reducing postharvest losses and low-cost cooling technology has not previously been tested as part of postharvest handling in Cambodia.The objective of this study was to measure postharvest loss,quality changes,and safety concerns of Chinese cabbage(Brassica campestris L.ssp.pekinensis),during transportation using a cold-chain and compared to current farmers’employing ambient-chain practices.The quality and safety of Chinese cabbage were further evaluated by using ambient storage and Coolbot-powered cold chamber storage with and without modified atmosphere packaging(MAP).The samples were transported from farm sources in Battambang Province to a Phnom Penh specialty wholesale market.Postharvest loss was evaluated by measuring weight loss and visual quality measurements,in addition to various physiochemical and nutritional quality measurements.In addition,food safety was evaluated by quantifying total coliforms and Enterobacteriaceae,as well as the Salmonella spcies,and Escherichia coli.The results revealed that the cold-chain avoided postharvest loss,as indicated by produce weight gain of 14%on market arrival due to rehydration while inside the ice box during transport.In contrast,the traditional practice of ambient transport(28-31°C,62-78%relative humidity)resulted in very high postharvest loss,comprising 11%weight loss and 10%visual quality loss,for a total loss of 21%.Moreover,leaf yellowing found no marked influence on shelf life as L*,a*and b*values did not greatly differ with treatment.The total soluble solids(TSS),titratable acidity(TA),pH and vitamin C content were not significantly affected during storage.Food safety indicators(coliforms,Enterobacteriaceae,Salmonella and Escherichia coli)were lower in cold-chain storage than ambient-chain with lower counts of coliform bacteria,Enterobacteriaceae,and Salmonella spp.than traditionally handled produce.Escherichia coli was detected only in cold-chain produce.MAP had no effect on these food safety indicators.展开更多
Nepal produces large quantity of mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) annually but faces big losses due to improper postharvest treatments. The experiment was carried out during 2012-2013 with the objective of assessin...Nepal produces large quantity of mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) annually but faces big losses due to improper postharvest treatments. The experiment was carried out during 2012-2013 with the objective of assessing the effect of different postharvest treatments on quality and shelf life of mandarin. The postharvest treatments were: wax emulsion at 10%, bavistin at 0.1%, wax at 10% with bavistin at 0.1%, calcium chloride at 1%, Jeevatu at 5% along with untreated fruits as a control. The experiment was conducted for four weeks of storage at ambient condition in Nepal Agricultural Research Council, Khumaltar, Kathmandu. Wax in combination with bavistin was found as the most effective in reducing the physiological loss in weight, whereas bavistin proved to reduce decay loss up to four weeks of storage. The fruits treated with wax alone and with combination of bavistin retained maximum firmness, juice percentage, vitamin C and palatability rating during the storage. The minimum total soluble solid and maximum titrable acidity were recorded in the fruits treated with wax plus bavistin. The present findings indicate that mandarin can be stored up to four weeks when treated with wax as well as wax with bavistin in the condition with 14°C - 18°C temperature and 45% - 73% relative humidity.展开更多
High postharvest losses in developing countries negate the efforts geared towards improving food security. Poor produce quality including high prevalence of mycotoxin contamination is another significant problem. Appr...High postharvest losses in developing countries negate the efforts geared towards improving food security. Poor produce quality including high prevalence of mycotoxin contamination is another significant problem. Appropriate postharvest handling and processing provide opportunities to reduce postharvest losses and improve food safety. This study was aimed at establishing the postharvest handling practices and estimating qualitative and quantitative postharvest losses for maize, millet, sorghum, beans, groundnuts, cassava, and sweet potatoes among farmers in 3 districts (Kamuli, Apac and Nakasongola) in Uganda, representing different agro-ecological zones. The study was done in late August 2014 after the first season harvests (June-August). Farmer interviews, focus group discussions and key informant interviews were used to collect data on postharvest loss estimates and postharvest handling practices. Samples of the different foods were collected and analyzed for physical quality characteristics, mould count and aflatoxin contamination using standard laboratory procedures. The results show predominance of rudimentary and inappropriate postharvest handling methods. Postharvest loss estimates were generally high, with values of 41%, 33%, 33%, 26%, 31%, 22%, 17% and 19% for maize, millet, sorghum, beans, groundnuts, cowpea, sweet potatoes and cassava respectively. The highest loss for all the crops was recorded at storage. Prevalence of aflatoxin contamination was 44%, 91%, 55%, 36%, 35% and 60% for maize, sorghum, groundnuts, millet, sweet potatoes and cassava respectively. Sorghum, maize and groundnuts were found to have the highest aflatoxin contamination levels. Chi-square test (p = 0.024, odds ratio = 5) showed that grain dried on bare ground had higher aflatoxin levels than that dried on a covered surface. The findings of this study reveal a serious need for postharvest interventions as a strategy to address food security.展开更多
In order to develop simple and adaptable measures to reduce the impact of changing climatic conditions and poor postharvest practices on grain quality, data on temperature and postharvest practices were collected and ...In order to develop simple and adaptable measures to reduce the impact of changing climatic conditions and poor postharvest practices on grain quality, data on temperature and postharvest practices were collected and correlated with physical grain quality parameters for 3 rice development hubs (Ndop, Lagdo and Mbam) in Cameroon. Inter-annual variations in temperature and thermal amplitudes were the highest in Ndop followed by Mbam and the least in Lagdo. When the same rice variety was grown in the hubs and milled with a laboratory hand dehusker, the mean chalky score was highest in Ndop (18%) and least in Mbam (11%). In addition, Ndop recorded higher grain fissures and broken fractions compared to Mbam or Lagdo. Positive correlations were observed between thermal amplitudes, grain fissures and the proportion of broken fractions. However, rice milled using commercial mills located in the hubs recorded the highest broken fractions in Mbam (54% - 63%), followed by Lagdo (43% - 52%) and the least in Ndop (35% - 38%). The type of mills in the hubs was responsible for these differences as Mbam had only Engelberg types mills that recorded higher broken fractions than in Ndop where only rubber roll mills were present (P < 0.05). Lagdo had a mixture of Engelberg and rubber roll mills and recorded intermediate broken fractions. Proper parboiling, recovery and processing of poorly filled and immature grains during parboiling and processing of low-grade and fine broken rice into product generally accepted by the local population were demonstrated as simple adaptation strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of changing climatic conditions and poor postharvest practices on the physical quality of rice especially in sub-Saharan African countries.展开更多
Bangladesh, a country with 87% of rural households that depend on agriculture and rice dominated diets (70%), engages the country’s food security. Therefore, there is strong advocacy for a mechanized paddy harvesting...Bangladesh, a country with 87% of rural households that depend on agriculture and rice dominated diets (70%), engages the country’s food security. Therefore, there is strong advocacy for a mechanized paddy harvesting system for food security in South Asia, mainly Bangladesh. Some harvesting machinery is available;however, the precise roles of a combine harvester during this process are little. This study attempts to understand the consequences of combining harvesters for paddy harvesting and compare them with hand harvesting. For comparison of field performance of combine harvester with traditional harvesting, the experiment was conducted at Gazipur District, Bangladesh, in 2016. Results showed that the labor required for harvesting unit area 283, 15 and 9.87 man-h∙ha<sup>−1</sup> for T<sub>1</sub> (Sickle + Head carry + Beating + Kula), T<sub>2</sub> (Reaper + Trolley carry + Close drum thresher + winnower), T<sub>3</sub> (Combine harvester) system, respectively. Likewise, the harvesting costs were 1.84 (T<sub>2</sub>) and 2.5 (T<sub>1</sub>) times higher than the combine harvester (T<sub>3</sub>). Also, the postharvest loss can be saved 1.84%, to use combine harvester over manual harvesting of paddy. The above result revealed that the semi-mechanized and mechanized harvesting system is a time, labor and cost-saving system;however, the manual reaping system is concerned with more postharvest losses (3.09%). This study highlights the importance of combine harvester;however, further research is required in other places with large and mini-combine harvesters under diverse cropping areas and to test a combine harvester’s detailed potentiality.展开更多
Mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) is a promising fruit crop gaining popularity for its human nutrition and economic importance in Nepal. The qualitative losses during pre-harvest stage hinder the productivity and su...Mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) is a promising fruit crop gaining popularity for its human nutrition and economic importance in Nepal. The qualitative losses during pre-harvest stage hinder the productivity and subsequently shorten the on-tree storability. An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of gibberellic acid on quality and shelf life of the mandarin fruit. GA<sub>3</sub> at 10, 20, and 30 ppm as against of control were evaluated. Observations on fruit weight (g), fruit firmness (kg/cm<sup>2</sup>), rind colour (1 - 5 index), juice recovery (%), TSS/acid ratio, PLW (%), decay loss (%), and ascorbic acid (mg/100 ml) were recorded at three harvesting dates i.e. 20 Nov, 5 Dec, and 20 Dec and storage condition. It has been revealed that the fruits treated with GA<sub>3</sub> at 20 ppm retained higher fruit weight (128.6 g), more firmness (3.54 kg/cm<sup>2</sup>), better juice recovery (57.75%), and greater TSS/acid ratio (21.24) at the end of study (20 December). The PLW was found less with GA<sub>3</sub> at 30 ppm in both ambient (5.17%) and cellar (6.69%) condition as against untreated fruits (9.52% and 11.76%). Similarly, the decay loss was minimum in the fruits treated with GA<sub>3</sub> at 30 ppm both with ambient (1.02%) and cellar condition (8.21%) as against control with ambient (5.54%) and cellar (21.58%).展开更多
文摘This paper highlighted the losses occurring along the wheat supply chain in Rio Grande do Sul （RS）, Brazil, which accounts for almost half of the domestic wheat production. Based on a field research, a questionnaire was applied to representative agents in the market. Then the wheat supply chain in the state of RS was characterized and loss rates in each stage of that chain were quantified. Typically, losses during transportation in the domestic market account for about 11.8% of the total amount of wheat grain that leaves the farms. Losses during harvest and storage in cooperatives, which account for 93.2% of total losses, stand out in this context. Transportation operations account for 6.8% of total losses in the analyzed flow. Based on the results obtained in this study, strategies are suggested to reduce food losses in different links of the logistics chain, such as to evidence and quantify the wheat losses, to manage losses and set reduction targets and to give attention to transportation service levels.
基金the generous support of the American People provided through the United States Agency for International Development(USAID)to the following:Building Safe Vegetable Value Chains in Cambodia Program through the Feed the Future Horticulture Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research at the University of California Davis,subaward No.09-002945-130 to KL and GMYthe Borlaug Global Food Security Graduate Research Program as part of the U.S.government’s global hunger and food security initiative called Feed the Future,grant No.13076416 to KLand the Center of Excellence on Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and Nutrition(CE SAIN)of the Royal University of Agriculture through the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Sustainable Intensification at Kansas State University(USAID)under Cooperative Agreement No.AID-OAA-L-14-00006.Additional support was provided by Sierra College and awards from the University of California President’s and Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program to KL.
文摘Cold-chain is a well-known method for reducing postharvest losses and low-cost cooling technology has not previously been tested as part of postharvest handling in Cambodia.The objective of this study was to measure postharvest loss,quality changes,and safety concerns of Chinese cabbage(Brassica campestris L.ssp.pekinensis),during transportation using a cold-chain and compared to current farmers’employing ambient-chain practices.The quality and safety of Chinese cabbage were further evaluated by using ambient storage and Coolbot-powered cold chamber storage with and without modified atmosphere packaging(MAP).The samples were transported from farm sources in Battambang Province to a Phnom Penh specialty wholesale market.Postharvest loss was evaluated by measuring weight loss and visual quality measurements,in addition to various physiochemical and nutritional quality measurements.In addition,food safety was evaluated by quantifying total coliforms and Enterobacteriaceae,as well as the Salmonella spcies,and Escherichia coli.The results revealed that the cold-chain avoided postharvest loss,as indicated by produce weight gain of 14%on market arrival due to rehydration while inside the ice box during transport.In contrast,the traditional practice of ambient transport(28-31°C,62-78%relative humidity)resulted in very high postharvest loss,comprising 11%weight loss and 10%visual quality loss,for a total loss of 21%.Moreover,leaf yellowing found no marked influence on shelf life as L*,a*and b*values did not greatly differ with treatment.The total soluble solids(TSS),titratable acidity(TA),pH and vitamin C content were not significantly affected during storage.Food safety indicators(coliforms,Enterobacteriaceae,Salmonella and Escherichia coli)were lower in cold-chain storage than ambient-chain with lower counts of coliform bacteria,Enterobacteriaceae,and Salmonella spp.than traditionally handled produce.Escherichia coli was detected only in cold-chain produce.MAP had no effect on these food safety indicators.
文摘Nepal produces large quantity of mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) annually but faces big losses due to improper postharvest treatments. The experiment was carried out during 2012-2013 with the objective of assessing the effect of different postharvest treatments on quality and shelf life of mandarin. The postharvest treatments were: wax emulsion at 10%, bavistin at 0.1%, wax at 10% with bavistin at 0.1%, calcium chloride at 1%, Jeevatu at 5% along with untreated fruits as a control. The experiment was conducted for four weeks of storage at ambient condition in Nepal Agricultural Research Council, Khumaltar, Kathmandu. Wax in combination with bavistin was found as the most effective in reducing the physiological loss in weight, whereas bavistin proved to reduce decay loss up to four weeks of storage. The fruits treated with wax alone and with combination of bavistin retained maximum firmness, juice percentage, vitamin C and palatability rating during the storage. The minimum total soluble solid and maximum titrable acidity were recorded in the fruits treated with wax plus bavistin. The present findings indicate that mandarin can be stored up to four weeks when treated with wax as well as wax with bavistin in the condition with 14°C - 18°C temperature and 45% - 73% relative humidity.
文摘High postharvest losses in developing countries negate the efforts geared towards improving food security. Poor produce quality including high prevalence of mycotoxin contamination is another significant problem. Appropriate postharvest handling and processing provide opportunities to reduce postharvest losses and improve food safety. This study was aimed at establishing the postharvest handling practices and estimating qualitative and quantitative postharvest losses for maize, millet, sorghum, beans, groundnuts, cassava, and sweet potatoes among farmers in 3 districts (Kamuli, Apac and Nakasongola) in Uganda, representing different agro-ecological zones. The study was done in late August 2014 after the first season harvests (June-August). Farmer interviews, focus group discussions and key informant interviews were used to collect data on postharvest loss estimates and postharvest handling practices. Samples of the different foods were collected and analyzed for physical quality characteristics, mould count and aflatoxin contamination using standard laboratory procedures. The results show predominance of rudimentary and inappropriate postharvest handling methods. Postharvest loss estimates were generally high, with values of 41%, 33%, 33%, 26%, 31%, 22%, 17% and 19% for maize, millet, sorghum, beans, groundnuts, cowpea, sweet potatoes and cassava respectively. The highest loss for all the crops was recorded at storage. Prevalence of aflatoxin contamination was 44%, 91%, 55%, 36%, 35% and 60% for maize, sorghum, groundnuts, millet, sweet potatoes and cassava respectively. Sorghum, maize and groundnuts were found to have the highest aflatoxin contamination levels. Chi-square test (p = 0.024, odds ratio = 5) showed that grain dried on bare ground had higher aflatoxin levels than that dried on a covered surface. The findings of this study reveal a serious need for postharvest interventions as a strategy to address food security.
文摘In order to develop simple and adaptable measures to reduce the impact of changing climatic conditions and poor postharvest practices on grain quality, data on temperature and postharvest practices were collected and correlated with physical grain quality parameters for 3 rice development hubs (Ndop, Lagdo and Mbam) in Cameroon. Inter-annual variations in temperature and thermal amplitudes were the highest in Ndop followed by Mbam and the least in Lagdo. When the same rice variety was grown in the hubs and milled with a laboratory hand dehusker, the mean chalky score was highest in Ndop (18%) and least in Mbam (11%). In addition, Ndop recorded higher grain fissures and broken fractions compared to Mbam or Lagdo. Positive correlations were observed between thermal amplitudes, grain fissures and the proportion of broken fractions. However, rice milled using commercial mills located in the hubs recorded the highest broken fractions in Mbam (54% - 63%), followed by Lagdo (43% - 52%) and the least in Ndop (35% - 38%). The type of mills in the hubs was responsible for these differences as Mbam had only Engelberg types mills that recorded higher broken fractions than in Ndop where only rubber roll mills were present (P < 0.05). Lagdo had a mixture of Engelberg and rubber roll mills and recorded intermediate broken fractions. Proper parboiling, recovery and processing of poorly filled and immature grains during parboiling and processing of low-grade and fine broken rice into product generally accepted by the local population were demonstrated as simple adaptation strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of changing climatic conditions and poor postharvest practices on the physical quality of rice especially in sub-Saharan African countries.
文摘Bangladesh, a country with 87% of rural households that depend on agriculture and rice dominated diets (70%), engages the country’s food security. Therefore, there is strong advocacy for a mechanized paddy harvesting system for food security in South Asia, mainly Bangladesh. Some harvesting machinery is available;however, the precise roles of a combine harvester during this process are little. This study attempts to understand the consequences of combining harvesters for paddy harvesting and compare them with hand harvesting. For comparison of field performance of combine harvester with traditional harvesting, the experiment was conducted at Gazipur District, Bangladesh, in 2016. Results showed that the labor required for harvesting unit area 283, 15 and 9.87 man-h∙ha<sup>−1</sup> for T<sub>1</sub> (Sickle + Head carry + Beating + Kula), T<sub>2</sub> (Reaper + Trolley carry + Close drum thresher + winnower), T<sub>3</sub> (Combine harvester) system, respectively. Likewise, the harvesting costs were 1.84 (T<sub>2</sub>) and 2.5 (T<sub>1</sub>) times higher than the combine harvester (T<sub>3</sub>). Also, the postharvest loss can be saved 1.84%, to use combine harvester over manual harvesting of paddy. The above result revealed that the semi-mechanized and mechanized harvesting system is a time, labor and cost-saving system;however, the manual reaping system is concerned with more postharvest losses (3.09%). This study highlights the importance of combine harvester;however, further research is required in other places with large and mini-combine harvesters under diverse cropping areas and to test a combine harvester’s detailed potentiality.
文摘Mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) is a promising fruit crop gaining popularity for its human nutrition and economic importance in Nepal. The qualitative losses during pre-harvest stage hinder the productivity and subsequently shorten the on-tree storability. An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of gibberellic acid on quality and shelf life of the mandarin fruit. GA<sub>3</sub> at 10, 20, and 30 ppm as against of control were evaluated. Observations on fruit weight (g), fruit firmness (kg/cm<sup>2</sup>), rind colour (1 - 5 index), juice recovery (%), TSS/acid ratio, PLW (%), decay loss (%), and ascorbic acid (mg/100 ml) were recorded at three harvesting dates i.e. 20 Nov, 5 Dec, and 20 Dec and storage condition. It has been revealed that the fruits treated with GA<sub>3</sub> at 20 ppm retained higher fruit weight (128.6 g), more firmness (3.54 kg/cm<sup>2</sup>), better juice recovery (57.75%), and greater TSS/acid ratio (21.24) at the end of study (20 December). The PLW was found less with GA<sub>3</sub> at 30 ppm in both ambient (5.17%) and cellar (6.69%) condition as against untreated fruits (9.52% and 11.76%). Similarly, the decay loss was minimum in the fruits treated with GA<sub>3</sub> at 30 ppm both with ambient (1.02%) and cellar condition (8.21%) as against control with ambient (5.54%) and cellar (21.58%).
