ABSTRACT

This study investigated effects of disinfection treatments and storage conditions on the nutrient quality characteristics of tomatoes harvested and transported under typical commercial conditions in South Africa. The experimental treatments included harvest of tomatoes in two seasons, three maturity stages, three transportation conditions (varying distances and road surface profiles), four disinfection treatments (control, hot water, chlorinated or anolyte water in combination with biocontrol) and two storage conditions (cold (11°C) and ambient). For fruit harvested in winter, treatment with hot water (also for summer harvest) or with anolyte water + biocontrol and storage in cold conditions resulted in the highest concentrations of ascorbic acid (AA) compared with the other treatments. Fruit transported along the shorter and relatively smoother roads maintained higher AA (summer harvest) and lycopene concentrations compared with fruit transported the longest distance with moderately rough surface profile. The harvesting season and the disinfection treatments had significant effects on the concentrations of sugars. The nutrient characteristics of the tomatoes in the supply chain were shown to be affected not only by environmental and postharvest practices, but also by the road quality, demonstrated for the first time in this study. Cold storage of tomatoes, disinfection with hot water or anolyte water + biocontrol, and transportation planning to minimise the use of rough road surfaces and to use the shortest distances to markets, were recommended as best practices for the industry. Options for improvement of fruit packaging to provide adequate cushioning against physical damage during transportation should be investigated.

摘要

本研究调查了消毒处理和储存条件对在南非典型商业条件下收获和运输的西红柿的营养品质特征的影响。实验处理包括番茄的两季收获、三个成熟阶段、三种运输条件（不同的距离和路面轮廓）、四种消毒处理（对照、热水、氯化或阳极水与生物防治相结合）和两种储存条件（冷（11°C）和环境）。对于冬季收获的水果，与其他处理相比，用热水处理（也适用于夏季收获）或阳极电解水 + 生物防治和在寒冷条件下储存导致抗坏血酸 (AA) 浓度最高。与运输距离最长且表面粗糙度适中的水果相比，沿较短和相对平滑的道路运输的水果保持较高的 AA（夏季收获）和番茄红素浓度。收获季节和消毒处理对糖浓度有显着影响。供应链中西红柿的营养特性不仅受到环境和采后实践的影响，还受到道路质量的影响，这在本研究中首次得到证实。西红柿的冷藏、热水或阳极电解液消毒 + 生物防治，以及尽量减少使用粗糙路面和使用最短距离市场的运输规划，被推荐为该行业的最佳实践。