Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Hilo, Hawaii » Daniel K. Inouye U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center » Tropical Crop and Commodity Protection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #276586
Title: Papaya fruit quality management during the postharvest supply chain

Author
item SIVAKUMAR, D - Tshwane University
item Wall, Marisa

Submitted to: Food Reviews International
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/26/2012
Publication Date: 1/1/2013
Citation: Sivakumar, D., Wall, M.M. 2013. Papaya fruit quality management during the postharvest supply chain. Food Reviews International. 29(1):24-48

Interpretive Summary: Papaya exporting countries must implement stringent quality assurance systems and postharvest management practices during the export chain to ensure fruit quality at market. Meeting the quality standards for this high-value fruit requires careful integration and control of preharvest and postharvest practices and conditions. In this publication, research-based information is summarized for reducing papaya postharvest losses during the supply chain and retaining overall fruit quality via adoption of suitable postharvest technologies.

Technical Abstract: Papayas are popular in tropical and subtropical regions and are being exported in large volumes to Europe, the U.S. and Japan. The fruit has excellent taste, exotic flavor and nutritional properties, being rich in vitamins A, C, and antioxidants. However, due to its highly perishable nature it has not emerged as a major traded fruit. Papayas are susceptible to qualitative and quantitative postharvest losses. Maintenance of papaya fruit quality during the supply chain depends on orchard management, harvesting practices, packing operations, postharvest treatments, temperature management, transportation and storage conditions. Postharvest losses are attributed to mechanical damage, rapid flesh softening, decay, physiological disorders, pest infestation, and improper temperature management. The aim of postharvest technology and management in the supply chain is to provide favorable conditions to extend storage life and retain quality and nutritional attributes. This review focuses on the available research findings to retain overall papaya fruit quality and to reduce postharvest losses during the supply chain via adoption of appropriate or novel postharvest technologies.